Also called Jotuns, Giants, Þursar, Risar, Hrímþursar (frost giants).
Their story
The jötnar are the oldest race, descended from Ymir, and live in Jötunheimr beyond the edges of the settled world. They are enemies of the gods and yet their kin: gods marry giantesses, Odin's mother was one, and giants such as Vafþrúðnir hold knowledge older than the gods' own. At Ragnarök they march against Asgard.
Best times to give to them
- in wild places
- during storms and deep frost
- when respecting forces beyond control
What they like being given
- respect shown in wild land: leaving it as you found it
- bread left on a mountain stone (biodegradable only)
- water
How to honour them
- Treat wild places with care and humility, as the land of powers older than the gods.
- Remember that many goddesses and gods, including Skaði and Gerðr, were of jötunn birth.
How they can help you
- respect for wild nature
- understanding the Norse cosmos
- ancient wisdom
Symbols
- mountains
- frost and fire
- Jötunheimr
- great strength
Some modern heathens honour particular jötnar, a practice sometimes called Rökkatru; it is modern and debated.
Sources
- Prose Edda, Gylfaginning 5–8
- Poetic Edda, Vafþrúðnismál
- Simek, Dictionary of Northern Mythology
More Norse spirits
- The Dísir Ancestral mothers and guardian women
- The Álfar The elves, bright and hidden folk
- The Landvættir The spirits of the land
- The Daughters of Ægir and Rán The nine waves of the sea
- Dvergar The master smiths under stone
- The Sons of Ivaldi The dwarf smiths of Sif's hair and Skíðblaðnir
- Einherjar The chosen dead of Valhalla
- Fylgja The follower spirit at your side