The Prose Edda, also known as Snorri’s Edda, stands as one of the most crucial texts for understanding Norse mythology. Written by the Icelandic historian and poet Snorri Sturluson in the early 13th century, this work serves as a guide to the myths, legends, and gods of the Viking world. It offers a detailed explanation of the Norse cosmos, including the creation and eventual destruction of the world during Ragnarök.
For Asatru practitioners, the Prose Edda is essential. It provides a written record of the gods worshipped in the ancient traditions, including Odin, Thor, and Freya. As Asatru is a modern revival of these ancient beliefs, the Prose Edda helps practitioners connect to the past. It gives context to rituals, practices, and the relationships between gods and mortals. It also explains the skaldic tradition, a poetic form central to Norse storytelling, which remains an important practice in modern Asatru ceremonies.
Snorri divided the it into four main sections: the Prologue, Gylfaginning (The Fooling of Gylfi), Skáldskaparmál (The Language of Poetry), and Háttatal (List of Verse Forms). Each section dives into various aspects of Norse culture, such as the gods’ actions, cosmology, and poetic traditions. This allows Asatru followers to understand how the gods relate to human life, both in myth and modern practice. The text also teaches the values of honor, bravery, and wisdom that remain important in Asatru today.
Rune Associated with the Prose Edda
Though no specific Elder Futhark rune directly links to the Prose Edda, the Ansuz rune holds significant relevance. Ansuz, associated with Odin, the god of wisdom and knowledge, represents communication, inspiration, and divine revelation. Since Odin is a central figure in the Prose Edda, and much of the text focuses on wisdom and the transmission of knowledge, Ansuz symbolically connects to the work.
For those practicing Asatru, Ansuz embodies the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. It encourages learning from the ancient texts, such as the Prose Edda, to understand the deeper meanings behind the gods’ actions and the mysteries of the universe.