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"We Shall not Tell Them about Wotan"
 Wotan, in Norse Mythology was a warrior sovereign, and is often seen as the primary god. The Nazis used the archetype of Wotan because of his "Warrior-King" traits, but many of even the top ranking officials believed in the Mythological character as more than merely Archetype. Josef Goebbels, in his conference notes once made the remark regarding what was to be let known about the Nazi agenda for the post-war period, said, "We will of course not let them know about Wotan. (Woden)". More remarkably, Wotan, or Odin, was rumored to have hung himself on a tree to obtain knowledge which was granted him, and gave his victory in doing so gave him the ability to travel freely in the nether-worlds (like hell) or in the heavens. The Nazis at the highest level intended after Europe was in their control, to assimilate the Church, and re-interpret such central doctrines as Christ's crucifixtion and victory over death, with the keys to Heaven and Hell in terms of old Norse Legend, or as it was referred to as 'volkish mysticism'. Wotan or Odin is also said to have learned runes in this way, which fascinated the Nazis.(the swastika is an example of a rune).1 Thor was the god of thunder, the son of Wotan, or Odin. A warrior god also, he was known for his magic hammer which would destroy what it was thrown at, and return to Thor's hand. He rode around middle earth in a goat-drawn carriage. "His abode was Thruthheim [Land of Strength] "2. The strength and war nature of both Thor and Odin (Wotan) were essential themes in Nazi theology. Not only were these Gods Aryan, but they were filled with Magic and Power: many of the top leaders in Hitler's Inner Circle such as Himmler, Goebbels and Hitler himself began to envision themselves as god-like, taking on the characteristics of the Norse gods and Great German historical leaders such as Heinrich I, who had become in German legend of a sort of "king Arthur" stature. Grandiose plans and egos sought after black arts and occultism and ancient volkish rights in order to accomplish the world domination these men held as forefront. In Norse mythology there was a 'Race of Giants' who were seen as enemies to the major gods. There lived in a land translated as "Giantland", or Utgard, the capital city of Jotunheim Utgard lay across an ice bridge, and there were two basic kinds of giants: frost giants and fire giants. A few giants who had married gods, became deified, although of a lower nature. For an excellent review of the Race of Giants, see: Giants which includes also a genealogy of the giants. With regard to Nazi beliefs, it is important to remember that the men who ascribed to norse 'mysticism' translated much of their worldview, secretly in to these emblems or archetypes. Thus, especially toward the end as the psychotic zeitgeist of the Nazis grew, they saw themselves as god-like, battling demonic giants. One of the sons of Thor and Jarnsaxa, he was lesser in position than his brother Magni. He was considered a god of battle, and while not much worship was attributed to him, he was worshipped by the "berserks' or warrior-bearlike-creatures which instilled fear in their enemies. He is coupled with Magni in his manifestation of the war-warrior image. Magni was the more formidable of the two sons of Thor. Next to Thor, he was the only god who could lift and use the Magic Hammer. Known for power and strength, and couple with his brother , a god of war, the two represented ferociousness, fearlessness, and war without conscience to the true believers of these norse archetypes. These archetypes run parallel to Nazi philosophies of battle and 'the war effort'. See Magni & Modi. The wife of Thor, a God, the mother of Magni and Modi. She was deified by her marriage to Thor, having come from the Race of Ice/Frost Giants tracing to Ymir: Wotan made the earth from his body. She is given a lesser place in the realm of gods, not only because she was half giant, but her female role places her outside the realm of importance. The Nazi's view of women as primarily mothers and progenitors was similar. Disir was a female spirit noted as the same as idisi, which gave victory to some men in battle but could bind others. Encyclopaedia Mythica compares them to the Valkyries, but others note them as family protective spirits. The Alfar is a Scandanavian archetype of a dwarf-like entity which causes disease and distress3; some see them as thus able to protect against such. Called 'battle-maids' or 'swan-maids' because of their swan-feather attire, the Valkyries were women/spirits that gathered the slain in battle and placed them in attendance to the Gods. The premier Valkyrie was Brynhild, who married a valiant mortal upon coercion because had allowed a wrong king to be slain. Again the war nature of the mythology is forefront, focusing on the powers that win war and cause failure and defeat such as disease, ice, 'giants' or great opponents, etc. Given the events of WWII especially toward the end, the war-mythology of Norse mysticism would have been easily assimilated. Valhalla, often equated with concepts of heaven, would be more appropriately associated with the Elysian Fields of the Ancient Romans and Greeks. It was considered a utopia and place of perfection, but was most often aligned in its fulness with the ideal reward of the warrior or soldier. Even in this place of abundance for 'warriors' mock battles were fought during the day, and great feasts enjoined at night. Valhalla was in Asgard and mankind dwelt in Midgard.
Asgard was the dwelling place of the Norse Gods. Valhalla was there. A Great Palace housed the gods, while the fallen warriors attended and dwelt in the rest.
The dwelling place of mankind. Earth; the Middle Dwelling Place. This is the idea of a 'middle earth' where life as we know it takes place. This imagery was used in Tolkien
Odin: Norse Mythology FOOTNOTES |