Rich Heritage of Norse Mythology, The

Perhaps the greatest mythological tradition ever: "The Rich Heritage of Norse Mythology: Journey to Asgard: Discovering the Deities and Sagas of Norse Mythology." It offers the opportunity to really delve into that fabulous realm of Norse legend, where heroes, gods, and cosmic forces blur into a presentation of stories that have had enduring significance and breathtaking grandeur. The book begins with the backgrounds of existence in the primordial nothingness of Ginnungagap, set behind the unifying axes of the mighty Yggdrasil. The Norse universe is created and understood through the actions and fates of its gods Odin, Thor, Freyja, and Loki, who are the Æsir and Vanir. Learn these cosmic characters for their expressions of universal knowledge, love, chaos, and courage through telling and perceptive analyses. For instance, the book can prove its cultural and historical importance for such immortal stories by describing in bold legendary sagas, be they from Sigurd's chivalry to the horror cycles of the Völsunga saga. It does so even as it tries to probe at the horrific happenings of Ragnarök while revealing the cyclical dynamics of Norse cosmology characterized by destruction and renewal. This will provide readers with an appreciation of how the myths arose and what elements of them are actually valid, through the discussions of such cultural, historical, and spiritual contexts that defined these myths. In connoisseur or novice to Norse mythology, this richly detailed journey to Asgard is sure to captivate, educate, and inspire as the complex legacy of the legendary culture brings to life today.