Odin

About

Odin is the head god of the Norse pantheon and is referred to as the All-Father. He is the Norse god of wisdom, knowledge, poetry, sorcery, healing, royalty, death, the gallows, war and victory as well as being the originator of the runic alphabet. He is married to the goddess Frigg and is known in Old English as Woden which is the origin of Wednesday which was originally Wodensday.

Odin wields the spear Gungnir and is often accompanied by his familiars, the wolves Geri and Freki, and the ravens Huginn and Muninn who bring him information from all over Midgard. He resides in Valhalla, an enormous hall, located in the realm of Asgard where he gathers the souls of fallen warriors in preparation for Ragnarok.

Lore

Odin is portrayed with one-eye, this is because in his search for wisdom he came across Mimir’s well deep within the roots of the world tree Yggdrasil. He asked to drink from the well and Mimir told him that those who seek the knowledge of the well must pay a great price which once a traveler has learned of this price they refuse it.

Odin asked what the price of knowledge was and when he was told that it was his eye he contemplated the decision before accepting the cost. Mimir took out his horn and filled it before giving it to him. As he drank the water he saw all the hardships both men an gods would have to face.

Once the horn was empty he plucked out his right eye and handed it to Mimir who in turn dropped it into the well as a sign for all who came of the price that Odin paid for wisdom.

When to invoke

The most common situation to invoke Odin is when going off to battle though he can also be invoked in situations where wisdom is required or on matters of leadership.