These tales have existed for thousands of years in the form of poems, songs and stories until put into written form in the early 11th century. Though several authors attempted to preserve them our “best” source is Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda. This is the creation story. The first of the 32+ Norse Myths. My main source is the “The Norse Myths” by Kevin Crossley-Holland.

Burning ice, biting flame; that is how life began. In the south is a realm call Muspell. That region flickers with dancing flames. It seethes and it shines.  No on can endure it except to those born into it. Black Surt is there; he sits on the furthest reach of that land, brandishing a flaming sword; he is already waiting for the end when he will rise and savage the gods and whelm the whole work with fire. Continue reading →