Contents
Overview
The Aesir-Vanir war is called “the first war” in the Norse myths and refers to an event where the Aesir and the Vanir fought a bloody war. They eventually settled with an exchange of hostages. The Vanir traded Njord, Freyr, and Freyja to the Aesir, while the Aesir traded Hoenir and Mimir to the Vanir.
Hoenir was good-looking, so the Vanir made him their chief; however, he was incapable of making decisions without Mimir’s wise council. When the Vanir caught onto this, they grew angry, feeling as though the Aesir cheated them in the exchange. They beheaded Mimir and sent the severed head back to the Aesir. Odin embalmed Mimir’s head and turned it into an oracle, which he would then consult for advice.
Another event occurred just after the war; after everything was settled, the Aesir and Vanir took turns spitting into a pot, and from the vat of spittle rose Kvasir, the wisest being. Kvasir traveled around freely, dispensing his knowledge and wisdom to all who wanted it. Eventually he was tricked by two dwarves into being captured and killed. The two dwarves then used his blood to brew the Mead of Poetry.
