Also called Heimdallr, Rígr, Hallinskíði, the White God.
Their story
Heimdall sits at the edge of heaven guarding Bifröst; he needs less sleep than a bird, sees a hundred leagues by night or day, and hears grass growing on the earth. The Rígsþula tells how, as Rígr, he walked among people and fathered the lines of thralls, freemen and nobles. At Ragnarök he will blow Gjallarhorn to warn the gods, and he and Loki will kill each other.
Their day
Monday. In modern practice, no weekday bears his name; some choose Monday, the start of the week, to suit a watchman of beginnings.
Best times to give to them
- dawn
- the start of a new venture
- the new year
- Mondays
What they like being given
- mead or ale, or fresh water
- bread
- a horn blown or a bell rung
- a candle at a window
- ram or sheep imagery
How to honour them
- Say a short greeting to him at your front door as you leave each morning.
- Keep a horn or a small bell on your altar.
- Practise stillness and careful listening for a few minutes a day.
- Ask his watch over your home before you sleep.
How they can help you
- protection of home and boundaries
- alertness and awareness
- new beginnings
- guarding against deceit
- finding one's place in the community
Symbols
- the horn Gjallarhorn
- the rainbow bridge Bifröst
- a ram
- his hall Himinbjörg
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
- Baldr The shining one, beloved of all
- Bragi God of poetry, skald of Valhalla
- Ullr The glorious archer on skis