the Yggdrasil
THE KNOT OF DEATH / THE NINE WORLDS /GERMAN PAGAN LINKS / RUNES / MEANING OF THE RUNES
THE IRMINSUL / THE YGGDRASIL / THE EXTERNSTEINE / THE HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN
The YGGDRASIL is the most well known of life - all life, not just human. It is said to represent the central pole and the foundation and unity of the universe. In almost every civilization the tree of life exists, trees have always linked us to our survival as a race. It is doubtful that without trees other plants wouldn't be able to carry the CO2 conversion load required by the earth. The result of deforestation worldwide support this theory.
The Yggdrasil is the most well known tree of life originating in Germanic Paganism and Norwegian lore. The Yggdrasil is represented as a giant Ash or Yew tree. In the rune set of old Furhark, the 13th rune for this tree is called Ihwaz or Eiwaz which mean "Yew" and represent death and rebirth. A younger Scandinavian rune set has the rune Yr that is identical to the stone age symbol for the roots of the tree of life. In Icelandic scriptures Yggdrasil is described as a "winter-green needle-ash." The Ash isn't an evergreen and doesn't have needles, so it makes more sense that it would in fact be a Yew tree.
Ancient cultures created myths to help explain the natural world and humans places in nature. Unfortuanetly there seems to be very little understanding of how humans have impacted the environment and how ecology and the environment has influenced history.
Myths and legends
The pre-Christian Germanic cosmology of the Yggdrasil Tree defines the nine worlds on the basis of vertical, existential, and horizontal (elemental) parameters
The world of the gods rest on the vertical dimension, Asgard above, Hel below, and the Earth plane Midgardhr in the middle. Between Asgardhr and Midgardhr there is a transitional world, where the energies of the former are transmitted to the latter world. This realm is called Alfheimr , it is characterised by the higher aspects of light and air. The human energies mix with the lowest energies of the gods in this world. Sitting below is Midgardhr (the physical world) is a corresponding region intermediate between Midgardr and Hel, called Svartalfheim. Earthly manifestations are found in this realm..
In addition there is a horizontal dimension, defined by boundaries. The human world is seperarated from the outer worlds (surrounding), by an ocean. Midgardhr ("middle enclosure") is distinguished from the inner world of the Gods (Asgardhr). This cosmology is modelled on the neolithic farmstead (gardhr) which divides the inner social space from the uncontrolled, unknown, dangerous outer space. This is symbolic of the psyche; the safe secure ego or conscious self in the middle, and the vast, dark, unknown unconscious without.
etymology
According to Norse legend, Yggdrasil is where the god Odin hung himself (giving it the name Yggdrasil, the "ygg" terrible + "drasil" steed). Odin is said to have hung for nine nights or "riding the gallows" in order to obtain the runic secrets. In old Norse Poetry the gallows are sometimes described as the "horse of the hanged." There are several interpertations of Yggdrasil, another interpertation with etymological difficutlties is "yew-column" associting the tree with the Ethwaz rune.
The Yggdrasil represents a process that is beyond the control of even the gods. If we look at it as providing the sturcture of the all, and the liquid that feeds the sap of the tree is the source of all law, strength and custom, then it is a representation of all space and time.
Die Nornen Urd, Werdanda, Skuld, unter der Welteiche Yggdrasil by Ludwig Burger (1882)
The tree from the Viking Age Överhogdal tapestries is believed to show Yggdrasil with Viðópnir.
"The Oak Yggdrasil" (1882) by freidrich wilheim heine
Olive Bray's 1908 English translation of the Poetic Edda's title page depicts the tree Yggdrasil and a number of its inhabitants by W. G. Collingwood.
a 17th century icelandic manuscript shows Yggdrasill with the assorted animals that live in it.
