The Poetic Edda on Urth
The > Volume I > Introductory Note
attestation: Urth is associated with the location Yggdrasil.
"19. An ash I know, | Yggdrasil its name, With water white | is the great tree wet; Thence come the dews | that fall in the dales, Green by Urth's well | does it ever grow."
attestation: Urth is characterized by power in the verse.
"20. Thence come the maidens | mighty in wisdom, Three from the dwelling | down 'neath the tree; Urth is one named, | Verthandi the next,— On the wood they scored,— | and Skuld the third."
The > Volume I > Notes
attestation: Urth, meaning 'The Past,' is one of the three great Norns, and her well's water keeps the world-ash Yggdrasil green
"Urth ("The Past"): one of the three great Norns. The world-ash is kept green by being sprinkled with the marvelous healing water from her well."
attestation: The three Norns are Urth, Verthandi, and Skuld, representing Past, Present, and Future
"Urth, Verthandi and Skuld: "Past," "Present" and "Future.""
attestation: Urth's well is described as a very holy spring in heaven beneath a root of Yggdrasil, where the gods hold their judgment-seat.
"beneath this root is a spring which is very holy, and is called Urth's well." (Cf. Voluspo,
- "There the gods have their judgment-seat, and thither they ride each day over Bifrost"
- attestation: Urth is one of the three Norns or Fates
"Urth: one of the three Norns, or Fates"
The > Volume I > Groa'S Spell
- attestation: The stanza contains a reference to fate or prophecy concerning Urth.
"7. "Then next I will chant thee, | if needs thou must travel, And wander a purposeless way: The bolts of Urth | shall on every side Be thy guards on the road thou goest."
The > Volume I > The Lay Of Fjolsvith
- attestation: The stanza describes warfare or combat involving Urth, Mengloth.
"63. "Svipdag am I, | and Solbjart's son; Thence came I by wind-cold ways; With the words of Urth | shall no man war, Though unearned her gifts be given."
Mengloth spake:"
- attestation: Urth is characterized by age in the verse.
"63. "Svipdag am I, | and Solbjart's son; Thence came I by wind-cold ways; With the words of Urth | shall no man war, Though unearned her gifts be given."
Mengloth spake:"
- attestation: The stanza references wealth or gifts involving Urth.
"63. "Svipdag am I, | and Solbjart's son; Thence came I by wind-cold ways; With the words of Urth | shall no man war, Though unearned her gifts be given."
Mengloth spake:"