Also called Aurgelmir, Brimir, Bláinn.
Their story
In Ginnungagap, where the ice of Niflheim met the sparks of Muspelheim, the melting rime quickened into the giant Ymir. From his sweat and his feet came the first frost giants, and he was nourished by the cow Auðhumla. Odin, Vili and Vé killed him, and in his flood of blood all the giants drowned but Bergelmir and his wife. From his flesh the gods made the earth, from his blood the sea, from his bones the mountains, from his skull the sky and from his brains the clouds.
Best times to give to them
- midwinter
- when reflecting on creation
- during frost and thaw
What they like being given
- a piece of ice left to melt on a stone
- quiet reflection on where things come from
How to honour them
- Watch frost melt in the morning sun and think on how the tale says life began.
- Look at hills, sea and sky and recall that the myth makes them one body.
How they can help you
- understanding the creation myth
- reflecting on endings that make beginnings
Symbols
- rime and ice
- the cow Auðhumla
- skull as sky
- bones as mountains
Sources
- Prose Edda, Gylfaginning 5–8
- Poetic Edda, Vafþrúðnismál 21 and 29–33
- Poetic Edda, Grímnismál 40–41
- Poetic Edda, Völuspá 3