Odin’s Consultation with Mimir
Mimir is regarded as the most knowledgeable entity in Asgard, the divine domain detailed in Norse mythology. Unfortunately, when he was sent to serve as an advisor to the Vanir gods, they quickly grew suspicious of his intellect and ended his life.
To retain the guidance of his esteemed mentor, Odin resorted to dark magic to restore Mimir’s head to life. This act likely required Odin to sacrifice one of his own eyes, which is the reason behind him being famed as the one-eyed deity. Mimir’s reanimated head was then placed at the Well of Wisdom, located at the roots of Yggdrasil, the world tree, allowing Odin to seek counsel whenever necessary. Interestingly, it’s believed that Mimir was originally a giant and an ancient foe of the Aesir gods.
Understanding Mimir
The name Mimir derives from Old Norse, signifying thoughts, recollection, or reflection—an apt designation for one associated with wisdom. In the earliest accounts of Norse mythology, Mimir is portrayed as residing in Asgard alongside other notable gods such as Odin, Thor, and Heimdall, leading many to categorize him among the Aesir. Evidence also suggests a different origin, implying that Mimir might be classified as one of the Jotun, the ancient adversaries of the gods.
In the dawn of creation, two primary races populated the world: the deities, all descendants of the original god Buri, and the giants birthed from Ymir, the first giant. Ymir replicated asexually, producing more giants from his armpits, which resulted in the giants having a numerical advantage over the gods.
The gods often intermarried with giantesses; for instance, Odin’s mother was the giantess Bestla. However, Odin and his siblings were wary of the rapidly flourishing giant population, leading them to kill Ymir and gradually flood the earth with his blood, thereby eliminating most of his progeny. This act established a longstanding rivalry between these two groups.
A fleeting mention in ancient texts suggests that Mimir was tutored by Bestla’s brother, implying his lineage as a giant and most modern scholars align this belief with Mimir.
Another hint at Mimir’s Jotun identity is found in eschatological narratives regarding Ragnarök, the prophesied end of the world, suggesting that Mimir’s offspring will contribute to the chaos during these final days of the cosmos.
Role as Advisor to the Gods
If Mimir was indeed a giant, it is curious how he found a place in Asgard. However, Mimir wasn’t alone in this regard; Loki is another famed giant who resided in Asgard due to a bond of brotherhood with Odin, while the giantess Skadi settled there as part of a reparation deal for her father’s death.
Mimir served the gods during the Aesir-Vanir War, an epic conflict between the Aesir and the nature-centric Vanir gods. The clash culminated in a stalemate, and a truce was agreed upon. Several Vanir gods were integrated into the Aesir, including Freyja, while Hoenir and Mimir were sent to the Vanir to maintain peace.
Although Hoenir was adept at sharing advice, he deeply relied on Mimir for substantial guidance. This dependency raised doubts among the Vanir, who soon discovered that without Mimir, Hoenir was ineffectual. Feeling deceived, the Vanir turned against Hoenir and Mimir, ultimately killing them and dispatching Mimir’s head to Odin in Asgard.
Almost sparking renewed hostilities, the two clans instead opted for a peaceful resolution. They initiated a truce involving a ritual where all the gods combined their spit into a vessel, which they used to create Kvasir, who succeeded Mimir as the wisest being after Mimir’s demise.
Kvasir subsequently traveled through the realms, imparting wisdom until he was captured and killed by two dwarfs. They utilized his blood to craft the Mead of Poetry, a beverage endowing eloquence to its drinker.
The Reanimation of Mimir’s Head
Upon receiving Mimir’s head, a bereaved Odin knew he couldn’t let go of his beloved uncle’s guidance. As a master sorcerer, Odin preserved Mimir’s head to prevent decay and brought it to the shadowy depths of Niflheim, beneath Yggdrasil’s roots.
Odin positioned Mimir’s head by the Well of Wisdom, resurrecting it through mystic means. This well is commonly termed Mimisbrunnr, named in Mimir’s honor. Whenever Odin sought counsel, he would visit this sacred site.
It remains ambiguous how this act correlates with Odin’s sacrifice of an eye as a barter for wisdom. This vision loss is the reason he is often portrayed as one-eyed. The act might imply that the eye was part of a ritual that led to Mimir being reanimated.
Accounts also suggest that Mimir daily sips from the well using a horn known as Gjallarhorn, widely understood as “Odin’s wager.” This implies the well not only revives Mimir’s head but also contains wisdom bestowed upon it by Mimir himself.
Additionally, Gjallarhorn is notably the name of the horn belonging to Heimdall, the watchman of the Aesir, which he will blow to alert the gods when the giants are approaching at Ragnarök.
Before Ragnarök, Odin is predicted to visit the Well of Wisdom for Mimir’s insights, presumably following Heimdall’s signal. It’s thought that he will take the Gjallarhorn to provide Mimir with water as part of the process necessary for availing Mimir’s wisdom.
Mimir’s Knowledge
One reason Odin may have valued Mimir’s advice stemmed from their family connection. It’s said that Bestla’s brother, likely Mimir, imparted nine magical songs to Odin during his youth.
The specific spells Odin mastered from Mimir, alongside ten others unique to Odin, are highlighted in the poetic work Hávamál. Numerous spells concern warfare, including disarming foes, halting projectiles in mid-flight, and ensuring safe retreats for warriors. Furthermore, Odin possesses healing spells, weather control incantations, counter-curses, and witch protection spells, although it’s uncertain which of these were taught by Mimir.
While narratives about Ragnarök are expansive, they lack detailed accounts of what counsel Mimir may offer to Odin as fate looms. Odin has already received a prophecy from a Volva witch detailing his possible demise by Fenrir and the world’s eventual submersion back into primordial waters. It leaves one speculating the poignant guidance that Mimir might provide in those dire moments.
