Odin (or Woden or Wotan) was the Norse god of death, as well as king of the gods known as the Allfather. He was a member of the Aesir, the Germanic sky gods of war and death (as opposed to the Vanir, the earth gods of agriculture). Originally, Odin was a minor god whose job was to guide the souls of the dead to the afterlife (job title: “psychopomp”). But later he was elevated to king of the gods.
Fun fact: The word “Wednesday” is derived from “Woden’s Day”.
Odin, as portrayed by Sir Anthony Hopkins in THOR
He rides an eight-legged horse and has a pair of wolves, a pair of ravens, and a magic spear. To master the runes and magic, he sacrificed himself on a tree for nine days and nights. He also sacrificed one of his eyes for wisdom. He is often depicted as an old man with a wide-brimmed hat (to hide his missing eye) who travels the world telling tales and playing riddle games. (He was the archetype for the wizard Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings.) Odin was also unique for his mastery of magic, which was considered the domain of women.
In the novel Freya the Huntress, Woden is the king of the Yslander gods, one principally concerned with death and magic. The witches, or “valas”, appeal to Woden for wisdom and guidance. Legend tells that Woden sacrificed himself on the island of Delver to gain wisdom, and that he battled with the ravens for their knowledge of the runes. He also made war on the demons of the earth so that humans could live in Ysland.
Very interesting info! Thanks–Tom