Also called Idunn, Idun, Iduna.
Their story
Iðunn keeps the apples that the gods eat to stay young. Loki, captured by the giant Þjazi, bought his freedom by luring her out of Asgard, and Þjazi carried her off as an eagle. As the gods grew grey and old, they forced Loki to rescue her; he flew in falcon form, turned her into a nut, and carried her home.
Their day
Friday. In modern practice, many choose Friday for her, as a day given to the goddesses.
Best times to give to them
- spring and the first blossom
- apple harvest in autumn
- Fridays
- birthdays
What they like being given
- apples
- cider or apple juice
- apple cake or crumble
- fresh flowers
- nuts
How to honour them
- Eat an apple slowly and thankfully in her name.
- Keep a bowl of fresh apples on your altar and share them when they ripen.
- Plant an apple tree or tend one in a community orchard.
- Look after your own health and energy as a way of honouring her gift.
How they can help you
- health and vitality
- recovering energy after illness or burnout
- keeping a youthful spirit
- fresh starts
- creativity (as Bragi's wife)
Symbols
- apples
- an ash-wood box
- a nut
- spring blossom
The word Snorri uses, epli, may have meant fruit in general rather than apples as we know them.
Festivals
- Ostara Spring equinox, around 20 March
Herbs linked with them
- Apple Malus domestica
More Norse goddesses
- Frigg Queen of Asgard, keeper of the hearth
- Sif The golden-haired, wife of Thor
- Freyja The Lady, mistress of seiðr and love
- Hel Keeper of the realm of the dead
- Eir The best of physicians
- Sága Keeper of stories, who drinks with Odin
- Gefjon The giving one, ploughwoman of Zealand
- Fulla Frigg's confidante and keeper of her casket