Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Sleep Story - Nordic Myths and Legends.

Starting point is 00:00:00 Back by popular demand, the Sleep Cove Premium Sale has started. For the next two months, you can get Sleep Cove Premium for free. That's right, completely free. There you'll get access to all my exclusive episodes, as well as every episode, add free. You'll also have access to my own. other podcasts, and their exclusive and ad-free content too. Sleepcove can't carry on without your support. So if you want to become a VIP member and get access to our premium feed,

Starting point is 00:00:46 please go to sleepcove.com slash support. That's sleepcove.com slash support. If you can't support the show right now, please subscribe with a bell to get alerts on all new free content Thank you Have you ever gazed in wonder at the Great Pyramid Have you marvelled at the golden face of Tudankhamun

Starting point is 00:01:16 Or admired the delicate features of Queen Nefertiti If you have, you'll probably like the History of Egypt podcast Every week we explore tales of this ancient culture The history of Egypt is available wherever you get your podcasting fix. Come, let me introduce you to the world of ancient Egypt. Welcome to Sleep Cove, the podcast and YouTube channel to get a great night's sleep. Please listen to this recording in a place where you can safely go to sleep. Good evening everyone and I hope everyone is ready for a really good night's sleep.

Starting point is 00:02:05 The episode tonight is a continuation of the Norse and Viking myths and legends I've read out on previous podcasts. A few people have been asking for them to continue. So here are a couple of new stories of Odin Wandering Midgard. I really hope you enjoy it. Every episode of Sleep Cove is free and this is made possible with the Heard. help of our sponsors. So if you would like to support the podcast, please purchase from our sponsors using the Sleep Cove promo codes. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Is there something interfering with your happiness or is preventing you from achieving your goals? Better help will

Starting point is 00:02:56 assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. You can start communicating in under 48 hours. It's not a crisis line, it's not self-help, it is a professional counselling service done securely online. There is a broad range of expertise available, which may not be locally available in many areas, and the service is available for clients worldwide. You can log into your account any time and send a message to your counsellor. You'll get timely, thoughtful responses, plus you can schedule weekly video or phone sessions. so you will ever have to sit in an uncomfortable waiting room, as with traditional therapy. BetterHelp is committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches,

Starting point is 00:03:43 so they make it easy and free to change counsellors if needed. It's more affordable than traditional offline counselling and financial aid is available. BetterHelp wants you to start living a happier life today. I've got a great offer for all Sleep Cove listeners. If you use the code Sleepcove, you get 10% off your first month. So go to BetterHelp.com slash Sleepcove for 10% off. And let's begin. Part 2.

Starting point is 00:04:18 The stories of Odin the Wanderer continue. Odin faces an evil man. Once, when his wisdom was less great, Odin had lived in the world of men. Frigger, his queen, was with him then. They lived on a bleak island, and they were known as Grimner the fisherman and his wife. Always Odin and Frigur were watching over the sons of men,

Starting point is 00:04:48 watching to know which ones they would foster and train, so they might have the strength and spirit to save the world from the power of the giants. and while they were staying on the bleak island Odin Frigger saw the sons of King Haralding and both thought in them the spirit of the heroes could be fostered Odin and Frigar made plans to bring the children to them so that they might be into their care and training one day the boys went fishing

Starting point is 00:05:22 a storm came and drove their boat on the rocks of the island where Odin and Frigger lived. They brought them to their hut and they told them they would care for them and train them over the winter and that in the spring they would build a boat that would carry them back to their father's country. We shall see, said Odin to Frigga that night.

Starting point is 00:05:48 We shall see which of the two can be formed into the noblest hero. He said that because Frigger favoured one of the boys and he favoured the other. Frigger thought well of the older boy, Agnar, who had a gentle voice, quiet and had kindly ways. But Odin thought more of the younger boy. Gerard, his name was, and he was strong and passionate, with a high and loud voice. Odin took Gerard into his charge and showed him how to fish and hunt.

Starting point is 00:06:23 He made the boy even bolder than he was. by making him leap from rock to rock and by letting him climb the highest cliffs and jump across the widest chasms. He would bring him to the den of the bear and make him fight for his life, with the spear he had made for him. Agnard went to the chase too and showed his skill and boldness, but Gerard overcame him in nearly every trial. What a hero Gaird would be, Odin would often say. Agnar strayed often with Frigger. He would stay beside her while she spun, listening to the tale she told, and asking such questions as brought him more and more wisdom.

Starting point is 00:07:14 And Agnar heard of Asgard, and of the dwellers in Asgard, and how they protected Midgard the world of men from the giants of Jottenheim. Agnar though he did not speak out, said in his own mind that he would give all his life and all his strength and all his thought to helping the work of the gods. Spring came and Odin built a boat for Gerard and Agnard. They could go back now to their own country. And before they set out, Odin told Gerard that one day he would come to visit him. And do not be too proud to receive a fisherman in your hall, Gerard, said Odin. A king should give welcome to the poorest who comes to his hall.

Starting point is 00:08:05 I will be a hero, no doubt about that, Gerard answered, and I would be king too. Only Agner Littlegood was born before me. Agna obeyed goodbye to Frigger and Odin, and thanking them for their care, they had taken to Gerard and himself. He looked into Frigge's eyes and he told her that he would strive to learn how he might fight the battle for the gods. The two went into the boat and they rode away. They came near to King Haldring's realm.

Starting point is 00:08:43 They saw the castle overlooking the sea. Then Gerard did a terrible thing. He turned the boat. back towards the sea and he cast the oars away. Then for he, he was well fit to swim, the roughest sea and the climb the highest cliffs. He plunged into the water and struck out towards the shore and Agnar left without oars, went drifting, out to sea. Garud climbed the high cliffs and came to his father's castle. The king who had given up both of alls. of his sons for lost was rejoiced to see him. Gerard told of Agnar that he had fallen out of the boat

Starting point is 00:09:31 on their way back and that he had been drowned. The king who had thought both of his sons were gone from him was glad enough that one was safe home. He put Gerard beside him on the throne and when he died Gerard was made king of the people and now Odin having drunk from Mirma's well went through the kingdoms of men, judging kings and simple people, according to the wisdom he had gained. He came at last to the kingdom that Gerard ruled over. Odin thought that of all the kings he had judged to be noble, Gerard would assuredly be the noblest. He went to the king's house as a wanderer, blind of one eye wearing a cloak of dark blue with the wondrous staff in his hands.

Starting point is 00:10:28 As he drew near the king's horseman on dark horses came riding behind him. The first of the man did not turn his horse as he came near the wanderer, but rode on, nearly trampling him to the ground. As they came before the king's house, The men of the dark horses shouted for servants. Only one servant was in the stable. He came out and took the horse of the first man. Then the others called upon the wanderer to tend to their horses.

Starting point is 00:11:07 He had to hold the stirrups for some of them to dismount. Odin knew who the first man was. He was Gerrard's the king. And he knew who the man who had served the stable was. He was Agnar, Garad's brother. By the wisdom he had gained, he knew that Agnar had come back to his father's kingdom in the guise of a servant, and he knew that Garad did not know who the servant was. They went into the stable together. Agnard took bread and broke it and gave some to the wanderer. He gave him two straw to seat himself on.

Starting point is 00:11:50 But in a while Odin said, I would seat myself at the fire in the king's hall and eat my supper of meat. Nay, stay here, Agnar said. I will give you more bread and a wrap to cover yourself with. Do not go to the door of the king's house, for the king is angry today and he might repulse you. How, said Odin,

Starting point is 00:12:18 a king turn away a wanderer who comes to his house. door. It cannot be that he would do it. Today he is angry, Agnar said. Again he begged him not to go to the door of the king's house. But Odin rose up from the straw on which he was seated and went to the door. A porter hunchbacked and with long arms stood at the door. I am a wanderer and I would like to have rest and have food in the king's hall, Odin said. Not in this king's hall, said the hunchback porter. He would have barred the door to Odin, but the voice of the king called him away. Odin then strode into the hall and saw the king at table with his friends, all dark-bearded

Starting point is 00:13:12 and cruel-looking men. and when Odin looked upon them He knew that the boy whom he had trained in nobility Had become a king over Robbers Since you have come into the hall where we eat Sing to as wanderer shouted one of the dark men I will sing to you said Odin

Starting point is 00:13:35 Then he stood between two of the stone pillars in the hall And sang a song Reproaching the king For having fallen into an evil way of life and announcing all for following the cruel way of robbers. Seize him, said the king, when Odin's song was finished. The dark men threw themselves upon Odin and put chains around him and bound him between the stone pillars of the hall.

Starting point is 00:14:07 He came into this hall for warmth, and warmth he shall have, said Gerard. He called upon his servants to heap up wood around him. him and they did this. Then the king with his own hand put a blazing torch to the wood and the wood blazed up around the wanderer. The wood burned round and round him but the fire did not burn the flesh of Odin all father. The king and the king's friends stood around watching with delight that the fires blaze round a living man. The wood all burned away, and Odin was left standing there, with his terrible gaze, fixed upon the man who was so hard and cruel. They went to sleep, leaving him chained to the pillars of the hall.

Starting point is 00:15:04 Odin could have broken the chains and pulled down the pillars, but he wanted to see what else would happen in the king's house. The servants were ordered not to bring food or drink to him, but at dawn when there was no one near Agnar came to him with a horn of ale and gave it to him to drink. The next evening when the king came back from his robberies and when he and his friends sitting down at the tables had eaten like wolves he ordered the wood to be placed around Odin and again they stood around watching in delight as the fire played around a living man. and as before Odin stood there and hurt by the fire and his steady and terrible gaze

Starting point is 00:15:53 made the king hate him even more and more and all day he was kept in chains and the servants were forbidden to bring him food or drink none knew that a horn of ale was brought to him at dawn night after night for eight nights this went on Then on the ninth night, when the fires around him had been lighted, Odin lifted up his voice and began to sing a song. His song became louder and louder, and the king and the king's friends, and the servants of the king's house had to stand still and hearken to it.

Starting point is 00:16:36 Odin sang about Gerard, the king how the gods had protected him, giving him strength and skill, and how instead of making a noble use of that strength and skill he had made himself like one of the wild beasts then he sang of how the vengeance of the gods was about to fall on this ignoble king the flames died down and garret and his friends saw before them not a friendless wanderer but one who looked more kingly than any king of the earth The chains fell down from his body And he advanced towards the evil company Then Garrod rushed upon him with sword and hand

Starting point is 00:17:23 To kill him The sword struck him But Odin remained unhurt Thy life runs out The gods they are wroth with thee Draw near if thou canst Oden thou shalt see So Oden

Starting point is 00:17:43 sang, and in fear of his terrible gaze, Gerard and his company shrank away. And as they shrank away, they were changed into beasts, into the wolves that range the forests. And Agnar came forward, and him Odin declared to be king. All the folk were glad when Agnar came to rule over them, for they had been oppressed by Gerard in his cruel reign and Agnard was not only kind but he was strong and victorious

Starting point is 00:18:20 in his rule Odin wins for men the magic mead It was the dwarfs who brewed the magic mead And it was the giants who hid it away But it was Odin

Starting point is 00:18:37 Who brought it from the place Where it was hidden And gave it to the sons of man Those who drink of the magic mead became very wise And not only that But they could put their wisdom Into such beautiful words

Starting point is 00:18:54 That everyone who heard Would love and remember it The dwarves Brewed of the magic mead Through cruelty And villainy They made it out of the blood of a man A man was

Starting point is 00:19:10 Kavzia the poet He had wisdom, and he had such beautiful words with it, that what he said was loved and remembered by all. The dwarfs brought Kavir down to their caverns, and they killed him there. Now, they said, we have Kaseer's blood and Kvzeer's wisdom, but no one else will have as wisdom but us. They pour the blood into three jars, and they mixed it with honey, and from it they brood the magic mead.

Starting point is 00:19:46 Having killed a man the dwarfs became more and more bold. They came out of their cabins and went up and down through Midgard the world of men. They went into Jottenheim and began to play their evil tricks on the most harmless of the giants. They came upon one giant who was very simple. Killing was his name. They persuaded Gilling to row them out to sea in a boat Then the two most cunning of the dwarfs Gala and Phila

Starting point is 00:20:19 steered the boat onto a rock The boat split Gilling who could not swim was drowned The dwarfs clambered up on pieces of the boat And came safely ashore They were so delighted with their evil tricks That they wanted to play some more of them Galar and Phila then thought of a new piece of mischief they might do. They led their band of dwarfs to Gilling's house and screamed out to his wife that Gilling

Starting point is 00:20:51 was dead. The giant's wife began to weep and lament, as she rushed out of the house weeping and clapping her hands, now Galah and Fila had clambered up onto the lindel of the house, and as she came running out, they cast a millstone on her head. It struck her and Gilling's wife fell down dead. More and more the dwarfs were delighted at the destruction they were making. They were so insolent now that they made up songs and sang them and the songs were all of a boast of how they killed Kavzir the poet and Gilling the giant and Gilling's wife. They then stayed around Jottingheim, tormenting all whom they were able to torment, and flattering themselves that they were

Starting point is 00:21:44 great and strong. They stayed too long, however. Sartung, Gilling's brother, tracked them down and captured them. Sertung was not harmless and simple like Gilling his brother. He was cunning, and once they were in his hands the dwarfs had no chance of making an escape. He took them and left them on a rock in the sea, a rock that the tide would cover. The giant stood up in the water, taller than the rock, and the tide as it came in did not rise above his knees. He stood there watching the dwarfs, as the water rose up, round them, and they became more and more terrified. Oh, take us off this rock, good sir-tung, they cried out to him.

Starting point is 00:22:34 take us off the rock and we will give you gold and jewels take us off the rock and we will give you a necklace as beautiful as it brings a-gaman so they cried out to him but the giant only laughed at him he had no need of gold or jewels then philhar and galar cried out take us off the rock and we'll give you the jars of the magic mead we have brewed The Magic Mead, said Satung This is something that no one else has

Starting point is 00:23:09 It would be well to get it For it might help us in the battle against the gods Yes, I will get the Magic Mead from them He took the band of dwarfs off the rock But he held Galah and Phila Their chiefs While the others went into their cabins And brought up the jars of the Magic Mead

Starting point is 00:23:31 Satung took the mead and brought it to a cavern in a mountain near his dwelling and thus it happened that the magic mead brood by the dwarfs through cruelty and villainy came into the hands of the giants and the story now tells how Odin the eldest of the gods at that time in the world as Veggetem the wanderer took the magic mead out of Satung's possession and brought it into the world of men. Now Satung had a daughter named Gunlod, and she, by her goodness and her beauty, was like Girdr and Skadi, the giant maids whom the dwellers in Asgard favored.

Starting point is 00:24:23 Satung thought he might have a guardian for the Magic Mead, enchanted gunwold turning her from a beautiful giant maiden into a witch with long teeth and sharp nails he shut her into the cavern where the jars

Starting point is 00:24:41 of the magic mead were hidden Odin heard of the death of Kavisir who he honoured above all men the dwarfs who slew him had closed up in their caverns so that they were never again able to come out into the world of men.

Starting point is 00:25:02 And then he set out to get the magic mead that he might give it to men, so that tasting it they would have wisdom and words would be at their command that would make wisdom loved and remembered. How Odin won the magic mead out of the rock-covered cavern where Satung had hidden it and how he had broke the enchantment that lay upon Gunlord Sir Tung's daughter is a story often told around the hearths of men. Nine strong thralls were mowing in a field as a wanderer went by clad in a dark blue cloak

Starting point is 00:25:44 and carrying a wondrous staff in his hand. One of the thralls spoke to the wanderer. Tell them in the house of Barghie up yonder That I can mow no more Until a wet stone to sharpen my scythe Is sent to me Here is a wet stone

Starting point is 00:26:04 Said the Wanderer And he took one from his belt The thrall Who had spoken Whetted his scythe with it And began to mow The grass went down before his scythe As if the wind had cut it

Starting point is 00:26:19 Give us the wet stone give us the wet stone, cried the other thralls. The wanderer threw the wet stone amongst them, leaving them crawling over it and went on his way. The wanderer came to the house of Baghe, the brother of Satang. He rested in Bagu's house, and at supper time he was given food at the great table.

Starting point is 00:26:46 And while he was eating with the giant and messenger from the field came in, Bargy, said the messenger, Your nine thralls are all dead. They killed each other with their scythes, fighting in the field about a wet stone. There are no thralls now to do your work. What shall I do, what shall I do? said Bargy, the giant. My fields will not be moan now,

Starting point is 00:27:11 and I shall have no hay to feed my cattle and my horses in the winter. I might work for you, said the wanderer. One man's work is no use to me, said the giant. I must have the work of nine men. I shall do the work of nine men, said the wanderer. Give me a trial and see. The next day Vetchedamba wanderer went into Bagheesfield.

Starting point is 00:27:39 He did as much work as the nine thralls had done in a day. Stay with me for the season, said Balgi. I shall give you a full reward. So Veghtam stayed at the Giants' house and worked in the Giants' fields. And when all the work of the season was done, Baugi said to him, Speak now and tell me what reward I am to give to you. The only reward I shall ask of you, said Vegtam, is a draught of the magic mead. The magic mead, said Balgi.

Starting point is 00:28:14 I do not know where it is or how to get it. Your brother Satung has it. go to him and claim a draught of the magic meed for me. Borgie went to Sartung, but when he heard what he had come for, the giant Sartung turned on his brother in a rage. A draught of the magic mead, he said. To no one will I give a draught of the magic mead.

Starting point is 00:28:41 I have not enchanted my daughter, Gunnod, so that she may watch over it. And you tell me that a wanderer who has done the work of nine men for you asks, a draw to the magic mead for his fee? O giant, as foolish as jilling! An oath of a giant! Who could have done such work for you, and who would demand such a fee from you? But one of our enemies, the Azir, go from me now and never come to me again with talk of the magic mead.

Starting point is 00:29:17 Balgi went to his house and told the wanderer that Satung would yield none of the magic mead I hold you to your bargain said Veghtam the wanderer and you'll have to get me that fee I asked Come with me now and help me to get it He made Balgi bring him to the place where the magic mead was hidden The place was a cavern in the mountain

Starting point is 00:29:43 In front of that cavern was a great massive stone We cannot move that stone Nor get through it Said Balgi I cannot help you with your fee The wanderer drew an auger from his belt This will ball through the rock If there is strength behind it

Starting point is 00:30:03 You have the strength giant Begin now and ball Balgi took the auger in his hands And bored with all his strength And the wanderer stood by Leaning on his staff calm and majestic in his cloak of blue. I have made a deep, deep hole.

Starting point is 00:30:25 It goes through the rock, Balghi said at last. The wanderer went to the hole and blew into it. The dust of the rock flew back into their faces. So that is your boasted strength giant, he said. You have not bored halfway through the rock. Work again. Then Balgi took the auger again And he bowled deeper and deeper into the rock

Starting point is 00:30:52 And he blew into it and low His breath went through Then he looked at the wanderer to see What he would do His eyes had become fierce And he held the auger in his hands As if it was a stabbing knife Look at the head of the rock

Starting point is 00:31:11 Said the wanderer As Balgi looked up the wanderer changed himself into a snake and glided into the hole in the rock, and Balgi struck at him with the auger, hoping to kill him, but the snake slipped through. Behind the mighty rock, there was a hollow place all lighted up by the shining crystals in the rock, and within the hollow place there was an ill-looking witch, with long teeth and sharp nails, but she sat there rocking herself and letting tears fall from her eyes. Oh youth and beauty, she sang,

Starting point is 00:31:54 O sight of men and women, sad, sad for me, it is that you are shut away and that I have only this closed in cavern and this horrible form. A snake glided across the floor. Oh, that you were deadly and that you might slay me, cried the witch, the snake glided past her, then she heard a voice softly speak, Gunlord, gun lord.

Starting point is 00:32:24 She looked around, and there, standing behind her, was a majestic man, clad in a cloak of dark blue, Odin, the eldest of the gods. You must have come to take the magic mead that my father has set me here to guard. she cried, You shall not have it.

Starting point is 00:32:46 Rather shall I spill it out on the thirsty earth of the cavern. Gunlord, he said and he came to her. She looked at him and she felt with the red blood of youth come back into her cheeks. She put her hands with their sharp nails over her breast and she felt the nails drive into her flesh. Save me from all this ugliness. she cried. I will save you, Odin said. He went to her, he took her hands and held them, he kissed her on the mouth. All the marks of ill favour went from her. She was no longer bent,

Starting point is 00:33:29 but tall and shapely. Her eyes became wide and deep blue. Her mouth became red, and her hands soft and beautiful. She became fair, as Girdr, the giant maid whom Frey had wed. They stayed looking at each other, then they sat down side by side and talked softly to each other. Odin, the eldest of the gods, and Gunlod, the beautiful giant maiden. She gave him the three jars of the magic mead, and she told him she would go out of the cabin with him. Three days passed and still they were together. Then Odin, by his wisdom, found hidden paths and passages that led out of the cavern and he brought gunlod out into the light of the day. And he brought with him the charles of the magic mead, the mead whose taste

Starting point is 00:34:29 gives wisdom and wisdom in such beautiful words that all love and all remember it. and Gunlord, who had tasted a little bit of the magic mead, wandered through the world, singing of the beauty and the might of Odin, and her love for him.

Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Sleep Story - Nordic Myths and Legends.

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.