Daily Myth for June 26
Posted by
znufrii
Jun 26 '24, 05:18
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In the ancient days when the worlds were still young and raw, there existed a lesser-known tale of the Jotunn (giant) named Baugi, who was the brother of Suttung, a powerful giant. Suttung came to possess the precious and magical Mead of Poetry, a concoction brewed from the blood of the wise Kvasir and capable of bestowing great poetic and scholarly prowess.
One year, the gods ensured that no summer sun graced the land of the giants, leaving their fields barren and their granaries empty. Baugi, in desperation, sought assistance to save his family's farmhands from starvation and ruin. It was at this time that Odin, ever the cunning All-Father, saw an opportunity to gain the valuable Mead of Poetry.
Disguised as a laborer named Bolverk, Odin approached Baugi and offered his aid. In return, Odin requested just a single sip of the Mead of Poetry. Desperation clawed at Baugi's heart, and he agreed to the laborer's bargain.
For an entire season, Odin toiled beside Baugi, plowing fields and sowing seeds. True to his godly prowess, the harvest turned abundant and bountiful, much to Baugi’s relief. When the season ended, Odin reminded Baugi of their agreement. Though he was reluctant and fearful of his brother's wrath, Baugi led Odin to the cavern where the mead was hidden.
The two quickly discovered that Suttung guarded the entrance fiercely. Baugi, hesitant but determined, attempted to drill a hole through the mountain using his auger. At last, a hole was made, and Odin transformed himself into a slender snake, slipping through the narrow crevice and leaving Baugi astonished.
In the cavern, Gunnlad, Suttung's daughter, kept close watch over the Mead of Poetry. Odin, charming and persuasive, enchanted Gunnlad with his words and presence. After three nights of sharing endearing tales and promises, she allowed him to drink three draughts of the coveted mead.
Each draught emptied an entire vat, and having imbibed the enlightening elixir, Odin shape-shifted once more—this time into a mighty eagle. He beat his powerful wings against the winds and soared back to Asgard, his realm. Enraged and realizing the deception, Suttung too transformed into an eagle, launching himself in furious pursuit.
As gods and giants often do, they turned the sky into their battleground. Odin, swift and clever, managed to reach Asgard, spilling drops of the Mead of Poetry into the awaiting mouths of gods and favored mortals. It is said that some drops even fell to Midgard, the realm of humankind, granting mortal poets and scholars their eloquence and wisdom.
Suttung, defeated and furious, returned to his land, bereft of his prized mead. And thus, the Mead of Poetry found its place among the divine and the gifted, a testament to Odin's wit and unyielding pursuit of knowledge.
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