The PRIMEVAL norse spirituality


Before the beginning of time, where Múspellsheimr and Niflheimr meet in Ginungagap, fire melted primeval ice, and as it began to drip, started to take the shape of a many things, including that of a giant cow, Auðumbla. On the evening of the first day, some hair started to appear from the blocks of ice Auðumbla was licking for nourishment. On the second day, a white head with blue eyes and a thick golden beard came out of the ice. On the third day, a big,  powerful, and fair-skinned jǫtunn emerged. His name was Búri. He was strong, exceptionally attractive, and he smelled very good. He had a son, Borr, who fathered many offsprings with his woman Bestla, including Óðinn, and later another descendant, Áskunnr, with a mortal from Miðgarðr (home of menn), one of the newly created Níu Heimar (nine worlds). 

Áskunnr was the first Blendingr. Being half jǫtunn and half man, he never really completely belonged in either Jǫtunheimr or Miðgarðr. His relationship with Óðinn, his half brother, was often strained too, especially considering the butchering of Ymir and the Æsir’s attempts at slaying all Jǫtnar by drowning them in blood. The Æsir were also envious of Áskunnr’s strength and martial skills, as well as his extraordinary handsomeness, which surpassed by far that of Baldur. They therefore frequently tried to keep the young hybrid, also renowned for his epic sexual prowess, away from Ásynjur, Vanir, Jǫtnar and Æsir alike. Áskunnr, isolated, found affinities with the many wolves of both Miðgarðr and Asgarðr. The Blendingr eventually joined a dominant pack, where he became particularly fond of the alpha, Gunnólfr (battle wolf), notable for submitting and uniting all other packs across Níu Heimar. The young hybrid eventually oathed the wolf. He became one with the sacred animal, sharing both the spirit of Blendingar and that of úlfar. Áskunnr, over his long glorious life, produced many offsprings, not all of them hybrids, but all part wolf, and with inside of them the spirit of Gunnólfr. They were the first Úlfhéðnar.

Úlfhéðnar, from the beginning of it all and to this day, lived according to the customs of both warriors and wolves. This primeval Norse spirituality became known as Úlfasiðr, the precursor of Forn Siðr.