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Habrok- In Grimnismal, it is said the be the name of the best of Hawks. (4)
Halfdan- Brother of Frothi who was slain by Frothi in order that he may ascend to the throne. (4)
The Half Dead- A title of Hela. (O) See "Hela".
Hallinskidhi- Another name for Heimdall. (O)
Halja- see "Hel".
hallowing- The part of a ritual in which the space in which the ritual will take place is purified and made holy.
Hamdhismal- "The Lay of Hamthir". A poem in the Poetic Edda, in which Sorli and Hamthir go to avenge the death of their half sister Svanhild. (4)
hamingja- The hamingja is a part of the soul that is stronger in some individuals more than others, in modern Icelandic hamingja means "luck, or fortune". It is said that hamingja is passed from generation to generation. Generally the hamingja is passed on to grandchildren who are named after the deceased, thus making it common practice to name children after an ancestor. Upon death the hamingja is passed to ancestors or reincarnated basically. It is tied to the fylgja/fetch. (O)
The Hammer of Thunar (Thorr)- See "Thorr's Hammer."
The hammer sign- Used in ceremonies as a holy sign and also used to bless food, drink, individuals, etc.
hamr- It is the part of the soul that gives shape to the likh. The hamr is similar to the likh in appearance, and is the basis for how the likh looks. Its appearance directly effects the appearance of the likh The hamr goes with the wode upon death and will assist in forming the likh in the next incarnation. (O)
Hamskirpir- The father of Hofvarpnir by Gardrofa. (5)
Hangagudh- "Hanging-god". A name given as one of Odhinn's many names. (5)
Hanging- In Alvissmal, this is given as the name that the Hel-wights call seeds (grains and barley). (4)
Haptagudh- "god who fetters". A name given as one of Odhinn's many names. (5)
Harbardhr- "Grey Beard". A name given as one of Odhinn's many names. (5) In Harbarzljodh Odhinn, disguised as a ferryman, gives this as his name. (4)
Harbarzljodh- A poem in the Poetic Edda in which the ferryman Harbarth, has a contest of words with Thorr. (4)
Har- A rock dwelling dwarf. (5)
Harr- "The High One", a name for Odhinn. (4)
harrow- A harrow is an altar. Also it is defined as an outdoor altar that is generally made of stone. (O)
Harvest- One of the Six Fold Goals. (O)
The Harvest Festival- The Blessing of the Wanes. It is held on the Autumnal Equinox, around August 23rd.
Hati- The wolf who chases Mani, nightly. Said the be the son of Fenrir. (4) See also "Skoll".
Havamal- "Utterance of the High One". An often quoted poem in the Edda that gives words of wisdom spoken by Odhinn. (1)
Heathen(ry)- This is a general name given to the Pagan religions of Northern Europe, specifically the Germanic and Norse paths. Generally Asatru in all it varieties fall under this term. To be called a heathen is to be someone who worships in one of these paths. (O)
Hefring- See "Aegir's Daughters".
Heidhrun- A goat in Asgardhr from whose udders flow mead instead of milk. The warriors in Valhalla drink of this mead at their nightly feasts. This goat feeds on the leaves of Yggdrasill. (1)
Heidthorrnir- (clouded brightness) See Vindblain. (5)
Heimdall(r)- The Guardian of Bifrost bridge. He can hear everything in the nine worlds, even growing grass and see at night the same as if at day time. Also called "the White God." He guards the bridge from the Frost Giants and can see for an immense distance. He is said to be the son of the Nine Waves or Aegir's Daughters. (1) His horses name is Gulltopr. He has golden teeth and he needs less sleep than a bird. His hall is Himinbjorg which is near Bifrost Bridge. Under the name of Rig he is said to be the father of all mankind and the originator of the cast system. He was born of nine sisters who are said to be either, Aegir's daughters- the waves or nine giantesses. (O) See also "Gjallahorn".
Heithrun- See "Heidhrun".
Hel(a)- Daughter of Loki and Angrbodha and sister of Fenrir and The World Serpent. She is called "The Half Dead". She rules over the realm of the dead. (O) The realm she rules over is also known as Hel or Helgardh. (1) See also "Helgrind".
Helblindi¹- A name given as one of Odhinn's many names. (5)
Helblindi²- "The Blind One of the Realm of Death". The name of one of the two brothers of Loki, the other being Byleistr . (O)
Helgard- One of the nine worlds. It is the abode of the dead and is ruled by Hela. Most people end up here when they die and it is not necessarily a negative or bad place to be. (O)
Helgavidha Hjorvarthssonar- "The Lay of Helgi Hjorvarthsson". A poem in the Poetic Edda, about Atli and Helgi. (4)
Helgavidha Hundingsbana- "The Lay of Helgi the Hundings Slayer". A poem in the Poetic Edda in which Helgi avenges his father Sigmund by slaying those who had slain his father. The second Lay of Helgi the Hundings Slayer deals with the tragic love story of Helgi and the valkyrie Svava (Sigrun).(4)
Helgi- In Grottasongr he is said to be father of both Yrsa and her son Hrolf Kraki. In Helgavidha Hjorvarthssonar he is the king who is married to the valkyrie Svava. He is son of Sigmund half-brother of Sigurd and Sinfjotle. (4)
Helgrind- "Death Gate". The gate between the land of the living and the land of the dead. (1)
Helheim- See "Helgardh".
Helja- See "Hela".
Helreidh Brynhildrar- "Brynhildr's Ride to Hel". A poem in the Poetic Edda which describes Brynhildrs ride to Hel after she has taken her own life. (4)
Hengjankjapta- "The One With the Hanging Chin." The name of a giantess who is said to have been slain by Thorr. (5)
Hengikjopt- "Hang-Chaps". Another name for Odhinn. (4) See also "Grotti".
Heptifili- A rock dwelling dwarf. (5)
Herfjotur- The name of a Valkyrie. (4)
Herjafather- "Father of Hosts", one of Odhinn's many names. (4)
Herjann- "Lord". A name given as one of Odhinn's many names. (5)
Hermodh- Son of Odhinn. He road to Helgardh on Sleipnir to see what could be done to secure Baldr's release from there. (1) (Aesir) See "Thokk" for more information on this.
Herrann- A name given as one of Odhinn's many names. It is a secondary form of Herjann. (5)
Herteitr- "The One Liking Armies". A name given as one of Odhinn's many names. (5)
Hervor- A valkyrie. Daughter of Hlothver and sister of Hlathguth the Swanwhite. She was married to Volund the smith but after seven years left him to take on the duties of a valkyrie. (4) See also "Volundarkvidha".
Hiding Helm- In Alvissmal, this is given as the name that the dwellers in Hel call the clouds. (4)
High- A name given by Snorri as one of the many names of Odhinn. (5)
High-Arched- In Alvissmal, this is given as the name that the Aesir call the skies. (4)
Hild- A Valkyrie. (4)
Hildisvin- "Battle-pig". The name of a boar on which Freyja rides in the Poem from the Poetic Edda, Hyndlujodh. The boar is actually Ottar who has been transformed into a boar. (1)
Hildolf- "Battle Wolf". In Harbarzljodh, the ferryman gives this as the name of his chief. (4)
Himinbjorg- "Heavenly Mountains". The name of Heimdall's hall. It is near Bifrost bridge. (O)
Himinglæva- See "Aegir's Daughters".
Himinhriot- The name of the ox from Hymir's heard that Thorr slays and uses it's head as bait for the his fishing trip in which Thorr fishes for the Midhgardhr serpent. (5)
Hjuki- Child of Vidhfinnr. The name of one of the children that goes with the moon (Mani) on his nightly rounds. (5) See also "Bil".
Hjalmberi- "Helm-Bearer". A name given as one of Odhinn's many names. (5)
Hlathguth the Swanwhite- A valkyrie. Daughter of Hlothver and sister of Hervor the all-wise. She was married to Slagfith but after seven years left him to take on the duties of a valkyrie. (4) See also "Volundarkvidha".
Hlebarth- In Harbarzljodh, the ferryman states that this "thurse" gave him a wand and that he (the ferryman) wiled him out of his wits. (4)
Hlediolf- A rock dwelling dwarf. (5)
Hler- Generally thought to the another name for Aegir. (4)
Hlesey- The name of the island of the sea god Hler. (4)
Hlidskjalf- Odhinn's seat in Vallholl, from which he can see all the worlds from. (1) Snorri states that it is in the hall Valasskialf. (5)
Hlin- One of the Asynjur. Among the Elder Kin, she sees to it that those that Frigg wishes to be protected are protected. (5)
Hlodhyn- Another name for Jordh. (5)
Hlokk- The name of a Valkyrie. (4)
Hlorridhi- Another name for Thorr. (4)
Hlothver- A king who is father to the two valkyries, Hlathguth the Swanwhite and Hervor the all-wise. (4) See also "Volundarkvidha".
Hlothyn- Another name for Thorr's mother, Jordh. (4)
Hlyrnir- (twin-lit) The name of one of the nine heavens according to Snorri. It is the sixth. Most likely a late christian addition. (5) See also Vindblain, Andlangr, Vidblain, Vidfedmir, Hriod, Hlyrnir, Gimir, Vet-Mimir and Skatyrnir.
Hnikarr- "Instigator". Another name of Odhinn. In Reginsmal he aids Sigurd by coming aboard his ship and quelling the great storm that was magically sent to do them ill. (4)
Hnikudr- A name given as one of Odhinn's many names. (5)
Hnikuth- "(Spear) Thruster". Another name of Odhinn. (4)
Hnoss- "Jewel, Treasure." The daughter of Odhr and Freyja. (O)
Hoddmimir- Another name for Yggdrasill which means "Treasure of Mimir". (1)
Hodhr- The blind god who Loki tricks into killing Baldr who is then, in turn, killed by Vala in revenge for Baldr's death. (O)
Hodhur- See "Hodhr".
Hoenir- He and Mimir were given as hostages to the Vanir in the settlement to end the war between the Aesir and the Vanir. Because he continually remained silent during council and in effect refusing to aid the Vanir in any way, the Vanir beheaded Mimir and sent his head back to Odhinn in retaliation. He was one of the gods that was present at the creation of man (the other two were Lodhurr and Odhinn) and is described as swift and long legged. He will be one of the gods who will survive Ragnarok. (1)
Hofvarpnir- The name of Gna's horse that can gallop across sea and air. Offspring of Hamskerpir and Gardrofa. (5)
Hogni- The brother of Gunnar, Gothorrn and Gudhrun. Son of Gjuki. (4)
Holda- The Dark Grandmother. Germanic goddess to whom children who died as infants go to. (O)
holly- Associates with dark alfs. (3)
honeydew- The dew that falls from Yggdrasill falls to Midhgardhr as honeydew. (5)
Hor- A rock dwelling dwarf. (5)
horn- In rites and rituals a horn is usually used to hold and drink the blessed liquid.
Horn- Another name for Freyja that she uses in her travels in search of her lost love, Odhr. (5)
The Hornless Cow (Bovine)- See "Audhumla".
horse- The animal that is sacred to Odhinn and Freyr. It was sacrificed to both of these gods. (O)
Hotherus- See "Hodhr".
howe- a type of Burial mound. (O)
Hraesvelgr- "Corpse-gulper". The name of the etin who sits in the top of Yggdrasill in the form of an eagle. The winds of the earth are caused when his etin flaps it's wings. (4) Snorri states that he sits in the extreme most Northern most portion of the sky. (5)
Hregg-Mimir- (storm-Mimir) See Vindblain. (5)
Hreidmar- Father of Otter, Fafnir and Regin. (1) See also "Otter's Ransom".
Hrid- One of the rivers that runs from the well called Hvergelmir. (5)
Hrimfaxi- "Rime Mane". The name of the horse that brings the night. The foam from it's bridle bit falls and becomes the morning dew. Hrimfaxi is Nott's horse. (4)
Hringhorni- The name of Baldr's boat. His funeral pyre was placed on this boat and it was pushed out to sea while it Burned. (1)
Hriod- (coverer) The name of one of the nine heavens according to Snorri. It is the fifth. Most likely a late christian addition. (5) See also Vindblain, Andlangr, Vidblain, Vidfedmir, Hriod, Hlyrnir, Gimir, Vet-Mimir and Skatyrnir.
Hrist- The name of a Valkyrie. (4)
Hronn- See "Aegir's Daughters".
Hrolf Kraki- Son of Yrsa. (4)
Hrodvitnir- Another name for Fenrir. (4)
Hronn- The name of one of the Rivers that flow from the Hvergelmir (5)
Hropt- A name of Odhinn. (4)
Hroptatyr- A name given as one of Odhinn's many names. (5)
Hrotti- The name of a sword that was in he gold hord of Fafnir the dragon whom Sigurd did slay. (4)
Hrungnir- "Brawler." A giant who was killed in a duel with Thorr at Grjotunnagardhar. (1) Said to be the largest and strongest of his kind. (4) He raced Odhinn on Sleipnir on his horse Gullifaxi. (5) See also "Mokkurkalfi".
Hrungnir's heart- Hrungnir was said to have a stone heart that was pointed with three corners. A symbol was carved in many standing stones that was called Hrungnir's heart and it is commonly accepted this symbol is the same as the Valknot so Hrungnir's heart can be said to be another name for the Valknot. (5)
Hrym- The name of the giant that will captain the boat called Naglfar at Ragnarok. Other sources say that it is Loki that will helm the boat at Ragnarok. (5)
hugh- See "hugr".
Hugi- Thought. (1)
Huginn- One of the two Ravens that constantly bring information to Odhinn. It is identified with the self-conscious nature. The other raven is Muninn.
hughr- The hughr is the part of the soul that gives one the ability to think, in modern Icelandic hugr means simply "mind, imagination or thought". The hughr is the conscious part of the soul, the thought process. Odhinn's raven, Huginn is said to reflect this aspect. The hughr is said to go to either the Valhalla, Hel or to some other godly abode upon death. (O)
hunger- The name of Hel's dish. (O)
Hugstari- A rock dwelling dwarf. (5)
Hvedhrungr- "Roarer?" Another name for Loki. (5)
Hvergelmir- The well from which all the rivers of the world are fed. (O) See also "Eikthrynir". This well is said to reside in Ginnungagap from the beginning of time and all the great rivers flow from it. Some of their names are Svol, Gunnthra, Fiorm, Fimbulthul, Slidr, Hrid, Sylg and Ylg, Vid, Leiptr and Gjoll which runes next to the gates of Helgardh. (5)
hyde- See "hamr".
Hymir- A giant who went fishing with Thorr for the world serpent. Also said to be the father of Tyr. (1)
Hymiskvidha- Also known as the Lay of Hymir. A poem in the Poetic Edda dealing mainly with exploits of the god Thorr. (4)
Hyndla- A giantess who is extremely well versed in genealogies that Freyja consults in Hyndulyodh. (4)
Hyndulyodh- Also known as the Lay of Hyndla. A poem in the Poetic Edda in which Freyja consults the giantess Hyndla about the genealogy of Ottar. (4) See also "Ottar".
Hyrrokkin- When the Elder Kin took Baldr's ship, Hringhorni, and tried to push it out to sea to use as his funeral pyre they could not move it so they summoned a giantess named Hyrrokkin who was able to move it off of land out to sea. She is apparently killed by Thorr at a later time as she is listed among a group of giants and giantesses that he has slain. (5)
(1) "Gods and Myths of Northern Europe" by H. R. Ellis Davidson
(3) "Our Troth"
(4) "The Poetic Edda" Hollander Translation
(5) "The Prose Edda" or "Snorri's Edda".
(O) Other or miscelanious sources.
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