Odin's Ravens, "Hugin and Munin"

American Gods

Two ravens sit on his (Odin’s) shoulders

and whisper all the news which they see

and hear into his ear; they are called

Huginn and Muninn. He sends them out

in the morning to fly around the whole

world, and by breakfast they are back

again. Thus, he finds out many new things and

this is why he is called ‘raven-god’ (hrafnaguð).

Snorri’s main source for this passage seems to be an evocative stanza in the Eddic poem Grímnismál, in which Odin says:

Hugin and Munin

Fly every day

Over all the world;

I worry for Hugin

That he might not return,

But I worry more for Munin.

Odin's Ravens

22 x 19 inches, 190lb watercolor paper, watercolor and gouache.

I am a day behind with this painting because I transferred my old photograph albums to my new computer. I kinda got lost in the past, all the memories living in Chicago. I will be posting an article a week regarding Chicago, my Oregon Gardens, and the beautiful scenery of Oregon. I have so many lovely photographs!

Today I worked on Odin's ravens. I thought they were crows, that tells you how much I know about the father of all gods and Norse Mythology. I read a little bit about Odin everyday so I can put a little of the knowledge I glean into the feeling of the painting.

Odin in ancient drawings looks like Gandalf from Tolkien's books the "Hobbit and Lord Of the Rings." Some of the names in the old text remind me Tolkien's work as well.

I woke up at 5:30am ready to go and now I need a nap. I will see you all on the other side of my nap!

Odin the Master of Ecstasy