Njord

Njord took rule of the Swedes after Odin died. His reign became known for peace and prosperity. The people prospered under his government, and his name became associated with a settled and successful kingdom.

Njord was linked with wealth and abundance. He could grant broad lands and prosperity to those who called upon him. He was fostered in Vanaheim, and the Vanir gave him to the gods as a hostage. In return, the gods gave Hoenir to the Vanir. Njord established peace between the gods and the Vanir.

Njord lived at Noatun, a place in heaven. He governed the course of the wind, checked the fury of the sea, and controlled fire. Seafarers and fishermen called upon him. Njord preferred the sea, while Skadi, his wife and the daughter of the giant Thjasse, wished to live in the mountains where her father had lived, at Thrymheim. They agreed to divide their time between the two places, spending nine nights at Thrymheim and three at Noatun.

Njord fell ill and died. His son Freyr succeeded him as ruler of the Swedes. Freyr was also connected with Njord and Skadi in accounts of his family, and he later became involved in the courtship of a giant's daughter. Njord's rule ended with his death, followed by the succession of his son.

Skadi came to the Aesir after her father Thjazi, a giant, had been killed. She wanted revenge, so Odin offered compensation. She could choose one of the gods as her husband, but she had to choose by looking only at his feet. The rest of each god remained covered.

The gods stood behind a screen with their feet showing. Skadi saw a pair that looked especially smooth and clean. She believed they belonged to Balder, whose beauty made every part of him seem beautiful. When the screen was lifted, she found that she had chosen Njord instead. Njord was one of the Vanir and had since lived among the Aesir. He was also the father of Frey and Freya. Skadi married him, though she looked very unhappy during the wedding feast.

The Aesir had promised Skadi all that they had agreed. She had also demanded that they make her laugh. Loki tried to solve this by bringing in an angry billy goat. He tied one end of a rope to the goat’s beard and the other to his own private parts. The goat pulled, causing Loki pain and making a great deal of noise. In the confusion, Loki fell into Skadi’s arms. She laughed despite herself. Odin then took two wet marbles from his pouch. They were the eyes of Thjazi, and he cast them into the sky, where they became twin stars.

Njord loved his hall at Nóatún beside the sea, while Skadi loved her mountain home at Thrymheim. They first lived in the mountains. After nine nights, Njord could no longer bear the thunderstorms and howling wolves. They moved to Nóatún, but Skadi could not sleep because of the crashing waves and crying sea birds. After nine more nights, she returned to the mountains. Njord and Skadi therefore lived apart, since neither could remain in the other’s home.