Sköll and Hati

Their story

The sun and moon drive so fast across the sky because they are chased. Sköll pursues the sun and Hati, son of Hróðvitnir, pursues the moon. They were born of a giantess in the Iron Wood east of Midgard. At Ragnarök they catch their prey, the sun is swallowed and the stars fall from heaven.

Best times to give to them

• at eclipses
• sunrise and moonrise

What they like being given

• gratitude for daylight
• a candle lit at an eclipse

How to honour them

1. At an eclipse, remember the old tale and give thanks as the light returns.
2. Reflect on time as something always running just ahead of what pursues it.

How they can help you

• understanding time and cycles
• eclipse lore
• urgency

Symbols

• two wolves
• the sun and moon in flight
• the Iron Wood

Sources

• Poetic Edda, Grímnismál 39
• Prose Edda, Gylfaginning 12
• Poetic Edda, Völuspá 40

More Norse beings

• Skaði Huntress of the snowy mountains
• Máni The Moon, who counts the years
• Sól The Sun, who drives her bright horses
• Nótt Night, mother of Day
• Dagr Day, the bright son of Night
• Jörð The Earth, mother of Thor
• Rán Mistress of the deep, who gathers the drowned
• Ægir Lord of the sea and brewer for the gods