The Hanged God (Paperback)

Óðinn is perhaps one of the best-known gods of our most recent history. And yet, hidden away, embedded in the mythology and folklore his legend is steeped in, there are remarkable facets to his genius hitherto unexplored. This text acknowledges and reveals for the first time, the origin and true purpose of corpse-magic in northern tradition. Óðinn’s ability to craft magical speech through Galðr, Valgalðr, and the taboo HelRúnar brought him ‘the power to beget offspring’ as a mantic gift of the dead.’ Óðinn’s encounters with the (un)dead within their mounds lead us on an intense and fantastic journey into metempsychosis, criminal procedure, Kin-slaying, Orlog, and Fate. Skalðic tradition immortalised Óðinn’s prophetic eye, his Jǫtnar heritage gained through a highly ritualised method of dispatching both Ýmir and Mímir. Through enchantments won from them, he commanded the dead, made them walk and talk, unbound their fetters, and awarded them the forbidden gifts in turn. These things and more Óðinn reveals in Hávamál.