ODINIC MYSTERIES. The northern mythology, in the systematic condition in which we now possess it, is the work of Scalds—that is, of the ancient minstrels of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland. Religion and civilization here, as is often the case, sprang from poetry, and were propagated and nourished, and improved by the mysteries. The rites of Odin had an Oriental origin. Odin was the name of the supreme god of the Scandinavians. It appears from the northern chronicles that in the first century of the Christian era Sigge, the chief of the Aser, an Asiatic tribe, emigrated from the Caspian sea and the Caucasus into northern Europe. He directed his course northwesterly from the Black sea to Russia, over which, according to the tradition, he placed one of his sons as a ruler, as he is said to have done over the Saxons and the Franks. He then advanced through Cimbria to Denmark, which acknowledged his fifth son Skiold as its sovereign, and passed over to Sweden, where Gylf, who did homage to the wonderful stranger, and was initiated into his mysteries, then ruled. He soon made himself master here, built Sigtuna as the capital of his empire, and promulgated a new code of laws, and established the sacred mysteries. He, himself, assumed the name of Odin, founded the priesthood of the twelve Drottars (Druids?) who conducted the secret worship, and the administration of justice, and, as prophets, revealed the futura. The secret rites of these mysteries celebrated the death of Balder, the beautiful and lovely, and represented the grief of gods and men at his death, and his restoration to life The neophytes were instructed in regard to the creation of the heavens and earth, of man and woman, by three Drottars, who are called the " High," the "Equally High," and the "Highest." They discoursed to the initiates of the mysteries of the world, of day and night, of the sun and moon, of the golden age, of the winds and seasons, of the gods and goddesses, of the destinies, the twilight of the gods, the conflagration and destruction of the world. The ceremony of initiation ended with a sublime representation of the restoration of the universe, the return of all things to purity, harmony, and peace. The wonderful ash tree Yggdrasil, on which the earth is supposed to rest, was the most notable and significant symbol in these mysteries. Dr. Oliver seems to think that it is the analogue of Jacob's Ladder, but without sufficient reason. It was the symbol of universal life. According to the ancient Edda, it stands over the well of time; its branches extend over the world, its top reaches above the heavens. It has three roots, one among the gods, another among the giants, and a third under Hela. Near the middle
root is the fountain of wisdom—the well of Hymir. Neal the heavenly root is the sacred fountain by which the gods hold their council and make known their decisions. From this fountain rise three beautiful maids—the Norns or Fates—whose names are Urdur, the Past; Verdandi, the Present; and Skuld, the Future. On the top of the tree, immediately under its lofty branches, sits an eagle with a hawk, the symbol of watchfulness, between his eyes, which possesses great power and wisdom; the squirrel Ratattisk (mischief) runs up and down the tree, fanning strife between the eagle and the serpent at the root, by whispering to the one what the other says; four harts, which represent the four winds, roam through its branches and bite the buds; the serpent Nidhogge (darkness) is perpetually gnawing at its roots; the trunk of the tree decays, but the holy maidens constantly water its roots from the sacred fountain, that it may not wither. The city on the mountain is Asgard, the name of the abode of the gods, access to which is only gained by crossing the bridge Bifrost—the rainbow. On one end of the bridge is a citadel in which dwells Heimdall, the warden appointed by the gods to watch without ceasing, that no enemy cross or even approach it. At the foot of the hill of Asgard lies Midgard—middle earth—the dwelling place of mortals. The earth thus formed is round and flat, and the arched heaven above is supported by four dwarfs called Austri, east; Vestri, west; Northri, north; and Suthri, south. The sea forms a belt around the earth, and beyond this belt is Jotenhetni, the abode of the giants. Incessant warfare is carried between the wicked giants who live in the gloomy region and the noble heroes of Asgard, who defend the inhabitants of Midgard from their invasions. These rites were celebrated periodically, in the temple of Thor, at Gpsal, Sweden, and in that of Frigga, on the Island of Rugen. They exercised a profound influence on the life and thought of the Scandinavian people. They taught the immortality of man, and ,this conviction of bternitv so possessed the Northin en that they sought, rather than avoided, death. Looking forward to the golden-roofed palace of heroes, the glorious Valhalla, the residence of Odin, gleaming in the splendor of an everlasting morning, where, as they were taught by their mysteries, they should join the innumer able company of the brave, whom the beautiful Valkyre had previously conducted thither, they stood, undismayed, in the face of the most appalling dangers, and, with joyful songs, entered the gloomy shades of the valley of death.