Also called Fosite (Frisian), the President.
Their story
Forseti is the son of Baldr and Nanna and dwells in Glitnir, a hall of gold pillars and silver roof. Grímnismál says he settles all disputes there, and Snorri adds that all who come to him with quarrels go away reconciled. A Frisian god Fosite had a sacred island, probably Heligoland, where water was drawn from the spring in silence; later legend has a mysterious thirteenth man with a golden axe who taught the Frisians their laws.
Best times to give to them
- before a hard conversation
- when settling a dispute
- at a gathering or moot
What they like being given
- fresh spring water
- a fair apology or a settled debt
- bread shared between those who disagreed
How to honour them
- Before a difficult conversation, ask him for fairness and a calm tongue.
- Listen to both sides of a quarrel fully before you judge it.
- Drink a glass of clear water in silence, in memory of the spring on Heligoland.
How they can help you
- mediation
- fair judgement
- settling quarrels
- keeping one's word
Symbols
- the hall Glitnir with its silver roof and golden pillars
- a golden axe
- a spring of water
Whether the Norse Forseti and the Frisian Fosite are the same god is debated.
Sources
- Poetic Edda, Grímnismál 15
- Prose Edda, Gylfaginning 32
- Alcuin, Vita Willibrordi 10
- Simek, Dictionary of Northern Mythology
More Norse gods
- Odin The Allfather, seeker of wisdom
- Thor The Thunderer, protector of gods and people
- Freyr Lord of the harvest, giver of peace and plenty
- Njörðr Lord of the harbour, the wind and the sea
- Tyr The one-handed god of justice and oaths
- Heimdall Watchman of the gods at the rainbow bridge
- Baldr The shining one, beloved of all
- Bragi God of poetry, skald of Valhalla