The Moon in Norse Myth

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, a look at the moon in Norse mythology.
Jackson Crawford, Ph.D.: Sharing real expertise in Norse language and myth with people hungry to learn, free of both ivory tower elitism and the agendas of self-appointed gurus. Visit JacksonWCrawford.com (includes bio and linked list of all videos).
Jackson Crawford’s translation of Hávamál, with complete Old Norse text: www.hackettpublishing.com/the...
Jackson Crawford’s translation of The Poetic Edda: www.hackettpublishing.com/the...
Audiobook: www.audible.com/pd/The-Poetic...
Jackson Crawford’s translation of The Saga of the Volsungs: www.hackettpublishing.com/the...
Audiobook: www.audible.com/pd/The-Saga-o...
Latest FAQs: vimeo.com/375149287 (updated Nov. 2019).
Jackson Crawford’s Patreon page: / norsebysw
Music © I See Hawks in L.A., courtesy of the artist. Visit www.iseehawks.com/
Logos by Elizabeth Porter (snowbringer at gmail).

[@paladintrist4n595]

When I read the title I read it as “The moon is a Norse myth” and for a split second I thought it was a conspiracy video denying the existence of the moon

[@KingoftheJuice18]

Norse myth was made in a Hollywood sound studio in 1969. That's the real conspiracy ;-)

[@kubawilk8396]

Moon is actually a hologram

[@KingoftheJuice18]

@@kubawilk8396 Both words contain two Os and an M, so proof.

[@IudiciumInfernalum]

@@KingoftheJuice18 It is said that the Hollywood sound studio also made a film about it, that's the _reel_ conspiracy.

[@Obsidian.rOse.dragOn]

fools! youre all being deceived by the two things that follow the moon :p

[@robothunter]

I just have to say, the translation of "Mundilfori," "Moment-in-Time Traveler" is absolutely beautiful.

[@shinobikendoka]

Thank you, Sir. For everything you do.

[@joeampolo42]

So, I learned something from reading the comment section in addition to listening to the lecture. Let not the sun set on your anger would be biblical. Let not the tides pass twice over your anger would be Norse. The tides, Hjuki and Bil (Jack and Jill) follow the moon twice each day. Settle the matter, or let the tide wash your anger away would seem to be implied. Thanks to Maria Wagner and Mathematech. The moon has power over the tides and is called upon to wash away hatred.

[@callisastapp7160]

That's a cool way of looking at it, but I wonder. Did the Norse people know the moon controlled the tides?

[@allisonguthrie8257]

@@callisastapp7160I think they must have known. It doesn’t take a scientist to notice that when the moon is directly overhead (or the reverse side of the day from that time), the tide is high.

[@TomRNZ]

I wasn't expecting the word for "sun" to be the same as it is in Latin. I was expecting something like "sunne". I understand that they're probably both derived from the same Proto-Indo-European word, but it still kind of took me by surprise.

[@ASMRJey]

In German „sun“ is Sonne.

[@michaelhansen2818]

I love old Nose poetry, it's not only beautiful but also makes you think on a deeper level

[@patb9375]

On the 2 things that chase the moon, one bright one could be the sun. Depending on where on the world you are the 2 planets Venus and Mars look to chase the moon sometimes. The wolves follow the moon. Lastly the tide follows the moon twice a day. This is all just guesses and thank you for all the work you put into the videos.

[@tkgsingsct]

It's heartbreaking how scant our real evidence on these topics is.

[@hotspurre]

I know, right? I've been immersed in a lot of the Norse lore since I was a kid, but have only really read the primary sources for about... well around fifteen years. I keep mixing up what I "know" (actively know from the sources,) with what I recall from the lore (like children's books with monstrous amounts of interpretation.) I didn't realize we have that one source for Hati and Skoll, for example. I thought the idea that the moon and sun were pursued by wolves were much more pervasive...

[@mysticalgraveknocker9464]

It is so sad. One side of my family is Norwegian and the other Swedish, but they have no interest in the old Norse, just the post Christianization part, so they don't get me at all, lol. It's sad anytime history is lost like this has been

[@emilbecker8970]

Of all the sponsors I have seen this is one of the more fitting great that you are getting more from your KZbin channel hope you are enjoying the summer in the mountains and from the beatiful norefjell i wish you all the best

[@RallyGal94]

I come from a Scandinavian oral tradition. I was taught there is a lost connection between the man with staff and a woman with a bushel of birch twigs seen on the moon (Hjuki and Bil), and the first man and woman shaped from trees Askr and Embla. Embla's name is usually associated with an elm tree, but also a birch from what I remember. Ash's were commonly used for staffs and bows. The Linden tree plays a subtle role in Ragnarok in Loki's conception of his children. Perhaps a doorway into filling in old holes is to look to tree worship across Europe.

[@M.athematech]

Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water ... As a kid the lore that was passed along was that the "shadows" on the surface of the moon are Jack and Jill carrying their pail of water. Surely this is the Bil and Hjuki who follow the moon?

[@CPickswell]

The parts about "swallowing the moon" and "splattering with blood heaven and all the air" make me think of a lunar eclpise - the moon turns red and is veiled in shadow, while "the sun loses its shine and the winds are all wild and they turn hither and yon" makes me think of a solar eclipse, the sun literally loses its shine, and in totality, lots of weird weather effects can happen, including strange changes in the wind because of temperature changes. Maybe a mythical explanation for eclipses? Either way very interesting video, thanks for all your work.

[@LordOfTheWhores]

Skoll & Hati is similar to Rahu & Ketu in Vedic.

[@GrandRunemaster]

Is their story similar to the Norse?

[@amartyasinha7527]

@@GrandRunemaster Rahu and Ketu were originally one person (possibly a demon) "Rahuketu". But Rahuketu's body got split into halves by a "Sudarshan Chakra" sent by the sun and mood god leading to Rahu being the Head with the body of a serpent, and Ketu with the head of a serpent and the body of a man. (He didn't die because he had already drank a sip of Amrit (Immortality Juice that the Gods and Demons fought for). You'd find the significance of Rahu and Ketu in Indian Astrology. Rahu and Ketu signify the interesection points of the sun and the moon. They are adversaries to the sun and moon god. Everytime Rahu catches up with the sun, we get a solar eclipse. And everytime Ketu catches up with the moon, subsequently we get a lunar eclipse. So if I had to guess, I'd say that the idea behind the myths are very similar. That is to explain natural phenomena. Apart from that, I'd say that there are subtle hints of these myths being related and possibly originating from an older time, most possibly the beliefs of Indo-European peoples that are lost to antiquity.

[@dianeteeter6650]

I always enjoy listening to you while wandering.

[@colsonbellmor3267]

Fantastic topic for this video! Very interesting to see mild indifference to the traditionally important heavenly bodies in religious cultures.

[@NWEuroLangs]

Thank you not just for this video but also for the Crowdcast session . It was interesting to see all the questions being answered by you from your office in real time . I look forward to the next one . :)

[@elineeugenie5224]

Wonderful compilation of old texts, thank you

[@Shoodawoopa101]

Wow just amazing. So eloquent, clear and beautifully read, and yet somehow when he just walks off camera at the end, just the most badass power move!! I'm hooked!

[@natemarx4999]

No snow in the background, and it still looks stunning!

[@sonnenhafen5499]

very interesting thing is, that i begin to understand the old norse texts as you read them, but i only learn norwegian, and speak german natively, no knowledge of icelandic etc., fascinating! plus its very valuable that you provide a translation where one can read along.

[@MismeretMonk]

In your video about the sun, you did not mention all the parts of the Prose Edda. I am glad you do mention them here.

[@nik96nik]

Walking away at the end was a great touch, showing the true scale of the mountains... really is breathtaking

[@MissKellyBean]

Wow. All those gutteral sounds in a row (at about 10:50 - 10:56 ) deserve a medal. Bravo.

[@hughjaynus8595]

Mars and venus... Morning star and the evening star, both in the sky and follow the moon and sun.

[@zell9058]

I think I saw Iron Giantess open for Amon Amarth in Copenhagen🤔

[@LegionHimself]

I genuinely love that there is a Grimfrost commercial baked in the video.

[@andeve3]

I dag såg eg tvo månar, ein ny og ein gamal. Eg har stor tru på nymånen. Men det er vel den gamle.

[@ejvaldes]

I’m eager for your Prose Edda translation.

[@liminaljay3311]

Thank you for this 🙏🏻🌙

[@STOPGREENSCREENKIDS1015]

Interesting! Could the things following the moon be referring to occurrences on earth (like maybe the tide) not following the actual moon in the sky but still "following" the moon?

[@M.athematech]

The story says they were taken up to the sky and can be seen. The names seem to also indicate waxing (Hyuki) and waning (Bil) referring to the phases of the moon.

[@ericdburton91]

Slightly unrelated: Do you think you could realistically navigate Old Norse society if you were plopped into that situation based on your extensive knowledge of the language? I would be very interested to know your thoughts.

[@mathewhill5556]

I despise advertising, but you can plug Viking armour all day! I'm going to have a serious conversation with my wife tonight about why I need Viking armour for the upcoming Area 51 raid.

[@ludwigfrogner]

Did they had a guiding star when they sailed? sth kind of instrument in cloudy days for this matter? just came to my mind after watching the video. Very cool ones, I really like the channel

[@callisastapp7160]

I can guarantee the reason why we're here is to listen to the sound of Mr. Fossil Jackson's voice speak in the old tongue of the Northmen

[@ximono]

Hah, in Norwegian we still tend to underline something by repeating the word using a synonym. Like "fǫgr ok frið", we now say "pen og vakker" which means the same.

[@ThiagoOdy]

Hello! I recorded a video to you, Dr. Jackson Crawford sharing some theories about the Moon in Norse Mythology. How could I send you in private? Thank you for all these amazing information! I loved! Thiago Ody

[@gardener5857]

Thank you.

[@mistellechambless6824]

Omg, how many times am I going to watch this video? I really struggle with this feeling that there is some deeper knowing that extends just beyond my reach.

[@ogulcanyolcu8714]

Look at that nature lies behind you. You're so lucky

[@johnbyerley4659]

Dr. Crawford, can you discuss the theory that Middle English developed from, or was heavily influenced by, ON instead of OE?

[@dominomasked]

Interesting the link between the moon and hate. Could the parenthetical haeptum relate to the wolf hati?

[@livedandletdie]

Heiptum skal máni kveðja, The hate shall moon greet. It´s really weird, but it could be a connection.

[@Xandros999]

@@livedandletdie Wolves are thought to greet (howl at) the moon.

[@johnobryan6154]

Just out of curiosity, which should I read first, the Prose Edda or the Poetic Edda?

[@sarad6627]

In Indo-European mythology the morning star and evening star open the gates of the underworld. This could be the two referred to. Also, the evil eye is associated with envy and it could be possible to use the waxing and waning moon cycles to decrease it's effect.

[@scodama]

It would be interesting to compare these fragments of moon lore in archaic Norse to contemporary folklore about the moon and sun in Nordic cultures today. If as you say there were many stories from different authors at different times, could some of these (not necessarily those preserved in the archival records) found their way into modern times?

[@Erkynar]

Off hand I think we still are pretty sparse when it comes to myths/folklore regarding the sun and moon. The phases of the moon are of course indicative of things, but the sun and moon in themselves are not the focus. Perhaps the use of them as indicators of the turning of the year is still a thing, but that would be true for anyone, I suppose. Basically the folklore that's around today has more to do with the sprites and spirits of the forests and the mountains, and the restless dead, than with the heavens. It has also changed quite a lot over the years, so what is around today probably really only harken back to the 1600's at the earliest in main, wity very very few traces left of anything even pre-reformation, let alone pre-christian.

[@Johna41223]

I'm so lucky I'm Swedish so it is so easy to learn Old Norse fluently, haha!

[@gauravgurha3438]

Sir, you should interview Einar Selvik.

[@stolman2197]

Things following the moon, dust in the L spots(I can't keep the numbers straight)? Where things get caught in the overlapping gravity wells of the earth & the moon. Apparently occasionally reflected light can be seen. It would have been moe common then (less light pollution)

[@Yngve-Freyr-Njordsson]

As we say sleep on it. Let the moon remove your anger.

[@EmmaAppleBerry]

Your voice is like melting honey 😍😍😍 when you speak 'Norse'? you sound a lot like gaelic or scots highlander which is another deep strong voice i adore lol. Thanks for the video the moon is one of my favourite mythos to learn about across cultures. That and cats haha. 💖💖💖

[@Morafresno1]

Thank you for the information... I think you are so handsome...

[@dopaminn585]

Hi! Is there anyone here that can help me translate ”what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” to old Norse? Would really appreciate it. Thanks

[@schiarazula]

Could "heiptum skal mána kveðja" be a gloss?

[@spartenofpie]

Sun video when? Or did I miss this?

[@roflswamp6]

A clear reference to vedic astrology rahu and ketu are the north and south node of the moon ...

[@TheOtherTed]

When I heard the sentence at 9:37, starting with "These children (Bil and Hjúki) follow the Moon" I immediately thought of moon dogs ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_dog ). No idea if that's a valid interpretation, but I'm betting it isn't.

[@sirwilliam4128]

It is driving me nuts that sun (Sól) in Old Norse is the same as sun in Latin: Sol. ☀️🌤⛅️🌥🌦 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@beorwinesheathencorner6425]

In the mythology, the moon is mentioned several times as being related to time keeping, and since runic calendars follow a lunar cycle of time keeping, and the old english (I don't know old Norse) word for moon (in the context of time, such as time of the full moon, mónaþfylen) and month mónaþ, is the same word, I think it would have been worth touching on the calendar implications of the moon.

[@AlecStory]

The things following the moon could be moon dogs, an optical effect: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_dog

[@Tina06019]

Snorri Sturlsson's tale about the children who were named Sun and Moon makes me think that he might have been influenced by Classical Greek and Roman mythology, with its themes of people turning into trees or spiders or other things. That's just a random thought of mine, good enough to think & talk about, but not strong enough to write a thesis about.

Heiptum skal mána kvedja - meaning that a good night's sleep will get you on better thoughts - the moon shall summon hate.

[@adamqadmon]

Do you do solely academic work or you do also know the way of the runes?

[@KJayPlays]

I know I'm reading into the latter description of the moon and sun, but it seems to me like the moon is a ward for the sun against Hati. If you call upon the moon, making it rise, the sun goes down and is safe from Hati. That, to me, would explain the first part, if we take the meaning of the moon being a ward or protection against hate. In any case, thank you for letting me hear the voice of my ancestors.

[@ghenulo]

Also, German Sonne (sun) is feminine and Mond (moon) is masculine. It's not just an Old Norse peculiarity.

[@shreyvaghela3963]

That's they both are same mythology

[@tsangarisjohn]

In regards to what was following the moon: Aliens 👽. Always the answer! They needed a restroom break!

[@sirwilliam4128]

The more I listen to @Jackson Crawford read Old Norse the more I understand why Ásatrú folk and Neo Norse Pagans are attracted to him. He’s a scholar that reads like a skald.

[@Yotun-of-the-WWW]

Wasn't Mani eaten by Hati. So is the moon not seen in that way as an opposite to Hate. The moon might be seen as the head of the earth and the earth as the body of the moon. So the Moon stands for the mind. To stop hate we must use our minds.

[@livedandletdie]

Wait a second, Gýgr ein býr fyrir austan midgard í theim skógi er Járnvidr heitir. Í theim skógi byggja thaer trollkonur er Járnvidjur heita... There's a place to the East in Midgard that forest is called Iron Trees. In that forest lives there female troll is called Iron Willow. The Norse were a bit dull.

[@yilderim1924]

I guess I'm thrown off by his hat. It's not Norse.

[@katiestait8138]

🤣😂