Surtr

Their story

Surtr sits at the border of Muspelheim, the realm of fire, guarding it with a flaming sword. At Ragnarök he leads the sons of Muspell across Bifröst, which breaks beneath them. He fights Freyr, who has no sword because he gave it away to win Gerðr, and kills him. Then Surtr flings fire over the earth and burns the whole world.

Best times to give to them

• at bonfires
• when reflecting on endings

What they like being given

• respectful care with fire
• a candle safely lit and extinguished

How to honour them

1. Tend any fire carefully and never leave it unattended; the tales make fire a power, not a toy.
2. Reflect on what must end so something new can begin.

How they can help you

• facing endings
• respect for fire
• transformation

Symbols

• a flaming sword brighter than the sun
• fire
• the bridge Bifröst breaking

Sources

• Prose Edda, Gylfaginning 4 and 51
• Poetic Edda, Völuspá 52
• Poetic Edda, Vafþrúðnismál 17–18

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