Heimdall, Bifrost's Guardian

by Galina Krasskova

I have had several requests that I discuss Heimdall as June’s Deity of the month and so, I am happy to comply. I’m going to begin by turning to my trusty “Dictionary of Northern Mythology” by Rudolf Simek. (If you do not have this book, I highly suggest acquiring a copy. It is an indispensable resource). According to Simek, Heimdall’s name, while of somewhat obscure etymology, likely means “the one who illuminates the world.” (Simek, p. 135). I have known Heathen contemplatives who honored Heimdall as One who could elevate the consciousness of man, opening our eyes to the mysteries of the Gods. Certainly we know that Heimdall has an interest in humanity. In the Rigsthula, He is actually said to be the Father of all humanity, partly because He traveled throughout the worlds fathering children throughout the various strata of society. One might infer from this, that He is a God of social order, which might explain why He is Loki’s deadly foe, Loki being a God Whose function is, in part, to poke holes in that order when it becomes too rigid.

Heimdall’s interactions with humanity are also a means of reinvesting humanity with Divine essence, of reminding us that we are the children of the Gods, of raising us up, of opening up the potential for a powerful connection to the Gods, a potential often dimmed by the struggles of mortal existence. The lore specifically calls Him great and holy, and this attribution of holiness is particularly interesting. To the ancient Heathen mind, holiness was a palpable force. It wasn’t just the state of being holy or sacred, it was the state of being filled with a particular type of might, the same type of force that caused ancients to delineate very carefully between things sacred and things profane. It is this distinction which lies at the heart of many religious taboos and ritual structure. That which is sacred is also that which is terribly dangerous to encounter unprepared. Perhaps Heimdall could be viewed as a God who helps prepare and open us to the experience of the sacred? He might also be helpful in maintaining and strengthening one’s personal maegen, that soul-might which allows us to tap into our hamingja fully. As Father of all humanity, He might also be said to guard that spark of Divine essence that rests in each of us, that connection to the Gods, our elder Kin. Ceremonialists might find a connection between this God and HGA work, for He also protects and wards that connection.

There was also a powerful connection between holiness and health. Etymologically, the two words in the Germanic tongues are connected; we get our English word ‘hale’ from the old English halig, which in turn is related to the German heilig. In each case, the idea is that holiness is deeply, intrinsically connected to health, well-being, and personal might. That which is holy is not just something to be venerated, it might also be something to be feared. Rudolf Otto in his seminal work The Idea of the Holy talks about the numinous tremendens et fascinans, and points out that sacred often went hand in hand, by its very nature, with terrifying. For this reason, any encounter with the holy must be bound around with taboos and ritual protocol lest contamination and harm occur. It was almost as if those things that are holy exist in a separate world, or mode of existence from those things that are profane. Perhaps Heimdall may be called upon to understand and help navigate the boundaries between those worlds. Certainly that would be in perfect alignment with His function as a sentry and guardian.

In the surviving lore, we learn that Heimdall is the guardian of the Gods. He stands on Bifrost, the great rainbow bridge that connects the worlds. He watches and waits, and wards Asgard from its foes. He has a mighty horn, the Gjallarhorn, that can be heard throughout all the worlds. He will blow this horn to announce the beginning of Ragnarok. Heimdall is the son of nine sisters (many northern tradition shamans believe, through personal gnosis, that these are Ran’s nine daughters, a supposition also mentioned by Simek and other scholars). He lives in Himinbjorg, located near where Bifrost ends. The name of this dwelling means ‘Heaven’s castle.” (Simek, p. 147). (As an aside, with His connection to holiness, it is interesting to note one possible translation of “Bifrost”: “swaying road to the heavens.” (One occultist of my acquaintance even sees a connection between Kundalini awakening and Bifrost).

From the surviving lore, we know that Heimdall has several heiti or by-names:

* The White As (God) – He is said to be very, very beautiful, of shining countenance with golden teeth. 

* Hallinskiði –This is another rather confusing byname. I’m going to return to Simek for clarification. He notes that in one source, “Hallinskithi” is a name for a ram. (hence why some of us see the ram as Heimdall’s sacred animal). Multiple interpretations from other scholars have been put forth for this kenning, including “beam of sunlight,” and “axis of the world.” (Simek, p. 128). The first kenning might refer to His ability to bring clarity and “enlightenment,” while the second (one I particularly like), seems to point to His importance as a force of holiness in Midgard itself.

* Gullintani – “the one with the golden teeth,” referring to one aforementioned attribute of His shining beauty.

* Vindler: an obscure name that either means “one who protects against the wind,” or “wind-sea.” Heimdall was fathered on one of the daughters of Ran by Odin, who is, among many other attributes, a God of the wind. My own interpretation of this by-name is that it’s an indication of His parentage: wind and sea.

Of particular interest to me as an Odin’s woman is the fact that just as Odin sacrificed an eye for a draft from Mimir’s well, so it is said that Heimdall sacrificed an ear. In return, he has excellent, preternatural hearing which aids in His work as Watchman of Bifrost: nothing can sneak past Him. Heimdall has many unique abilities: it is said that “His hearing is so acute that He can hear the grass growing in Midgard. He needs less sleep than a bird, and His vision is as keen as His hearing regardless of whether it be day or night.” (Krasskova, p. 79-80). We also know from His interactions with Loki that He is a master shapechanger. When Loki stole Freya’s necklace, Heimdall saw Him in the act and chased Him, until He bested Loki, both of Them fighting in seal shapes, and retrieved the necklace. All of these skills, of course, make Him an invaluable sentry. I personally view Heimdall as a God of spiritual vigilance and holy power.

Useful Sources 

“Purity and Danger,” by Mary Douglas, available at: http://www.amazon.com/Purity-Danger-Analysis-Pollution-Routledge/dp/0415289955/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275156240&sr=8-1

“Exploring the Northern Tradition” by Galina Krasskova, available at http://www.amazon.com/Exploring-Northern-Tradition-Celebrations-Anglo-saxon/dp/1564147916/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275157435&sr=1-3

“Dictionary of Northern Mythology” by Rudolf Simek, available at http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Northern-Mythology-Rudolf-Simek/dp/0859915131/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275157468&sr=1-1

Artwork by Maris Pai.