We continue our series on the Havamal with the section known as Odin's Love Poem. Hear Odin's wisdom about love and the famous story of his winning of the mead of poetry.
This is the Northern Myths Podcast, an archetypal exploration of the myths and legends of Northern Europe, including Norse mythology, the Finnish Kalevala, and more. If you'd like to support the show you can support us on Patreon here: Northern Myths Podcast Patreon
The Poetic Edda is the primary original source for the myths and legends of Norse Mythology. The Poetic Edda includes everything from the creation of the world to its destruction in Ragnarok, from the adventures of Thor to the wisdom of Odin. We are exploring these timeless stories to learn how the Norse people understood the world, and how we can apply their worldview to life today.
The Havamal is the collection of poetry attributed to Odin. It is included in the Poetic Edda and is a core element of Norse Mythology. The Havamal is a book of wisdom full of contraditions. At once it is an example of how to live and a cautionary tale mistakes to avoid. Included in the Havamal are the stories of the winning of the mead of poetry and Odin's sacrifice of himself to himself to discover the runes.
Show Outline:
0:04:14 - Stanza 84: Don't trust the words of a woman0:09:52 - Stanza 85-89: Don't trust untrustworthy things0:33:20 - Stanza 88: Trusting newly planted crops and children0:40:38 - Stanza 90: Be careful with deceitful women0:52:06 - Stanza 91: Men lie just like women, and they lie to seduce0:59:43 - Stanza 92: How to woo a woman properly1:08.10 - Stanza 93-94: Don't mock someone who has fallen in love1:14:55 - Stanza 95: Wise people need love too1:21:02 - Stanza 96: Odin waiting for his love1:24:28 - Stanzas 97-99: Odin wooing a woman he is not worthy of.1:34:23 - Stanzas 100-101: Odin faces the consequences1:46:55 - Stanza 102: Wise Women are formidable1:51:07 - Stanza 103: The whole Havamal in one stanza1:54:35 - Stanza 104: Odin visits a giant to get mead. (It was Mimir who was killed by the Vanir during the war. Kvasir was born out of the saliva of both the Aesir and the Vanir)2:01:28 - Stanza 105: Odin lies to Gunnlod to get mead2:06:09 - Stanza 106-107: Odin lies and cheats to "liberate" the Mead of Peotry.2:12:43 - Stanza 108: Odin effectively deceiving Gunnlod2:16:25 - Stanza 109: Frost giants come to visit Odin for his treachery2:19:38 - Stanza 110: Odin cannot be trusted and breaks oaths
Check out our YouTube channel for videos of all episodes and interesting clips of the show: Northern Myths Podcast YouTube Channel
If you'd like to follow along with our reading of the Poetic Edda you can pick up the great translation of the Poetic Edda we're reading by Jackson Crawford, you can purchase it here: The Poetic Edda by Jackson Crawford
It is also available as an audiobook which we highly recommend. Dr. Crawford has a great voice for it, and actually pronounces everything properly. It's a must have if you like our show! Available here: The Poetic Edda Audiobook
If you'd like to follow along with us or learn more about the ideas we talk about on the show, we have a list of recommended books on our website. Included are our recommended copies of the Poetic Edda and the Kalevala, as well as books about archetypal narrative, comparative religion, and more: Recommended Books
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