The Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas on Idun
Contents > Chapter Vii: Idun
attestation: Idun's magic apples in her casket conferred immortal youth and beauty on the gods; no matter how many were drawn out, the same number always remained for distribution at the feast of the gods.
"To further win their affections she promised them a daily taste of the marvellous apples which she bore in her casket, and which had the power of conferring immortal youth and loveliness upon all who partook of them... These apples were therefore considered very precious indeed, and Idun carefully treasured them in her magic casket. No matter how many she drew out, the same number always remained for distribution at the feast of the gods"
attestation: The gods grew old when Idun was absent; investigation revealed Loki was the last to be seen with her, and when Odin sternly called him to account, Loki admitted betraying Idun to Thiassi.
"little by little the beneficent effect of the last feast of apples passed away. They began to feel the approach of old age, and saw their youth and beauty disappear; so, becoming alarmed, they began to search for the missing goddess. Close investigation revealed the fact that she had last been seen in Loki's company, and when Odin sternly called him to account, he was forced to admit that he had betrayed her into the storm-giant's power."
attestation: Idun fell from Yggdrasil in a second myth; Odin sent Bragi, Heimdall, and another god to find her in Niflheim, wrapping her in a white wolfskin to keep her warm.
"there is another favourite of the old scalds which, unfortunately, has come down to us only in a fragmentary and very incomplete form. According to this account, Idun was once sitting upon the branches of the sacred ash Yggdrasil when, growing suddenly faint, she loosed her hold and dropped to the ground beneath, and down to the lowest depths of Nifl-heim."
Contents > Chapter Xxix: Greek And Northern Mythologies
- comparison: Idun abducted by Thiassi parallels Proserpine abducted by Pluto, Adonis slain by the boar, and Eurydice killed by a serpent — all spring deities taken away by winter/underworld forces.
"Idun, like Adonis and Proserpine, or still more like Eurydice, is also a fair personification of spring. She is borne away by the cruel ice giant Thiassi, who represents the boar which slew Adonis, the kidnapper of Proserpine, or the poisonous serpent which bit Eurydice."