The Goddess of Youth and the Trickster’s Bargain: How Idun's Apples Saved Asgard
In Norse mythology, even the gods are not untouched by time or mortality. Unlike gods of other religions, who are often depicted as eternal and unchanging, Norse deities live, age, and eventually face death. The secret to their prolonged youth lies not in their own strength but in the mystical apples guarded by the goddess Idun. These apples, rare and potent, grant the Norse gods their vitality, making Idun an essential figure in Asgard.
Idun, the goddess of eternal youth, is not only revered for her life-sustaining gifts but also for her bond with Bragi, the god of poetry. Together, they embody the power of life, art, and memory in the Norse cosmos. But Idun’s significance becomes evident in a tale that nearly ends in disaster.
The story begins with a journey undertaken by Odin, Loki, and Hœnir to Midgard. As the gods tire, they seek sustenance and chance upon a herd of oxen. Loki, resourceful and cunning, catches an ox, and the gods settle down to cook their meal over a fire. Yet despite the roaring flames, the meat remains uncooked—a strange and frustrating turn of events.
Watching them from a nearby tree is an enormous eagle, who seems to know the source of their predicament. This eagle, far more than meets the eye, offers a deal: in exchange for his help, he will claim a portion of the ox. The gods, hungry and weary, reluctantly agree. However, when the eagle takes an excessively large share, Loki’s temper flares. Enraged, he attacks the eagle with a stick, only to be swept into the air as the eagle takes flight with Loki in tow.
High above the land, Loki’s situation becomes dire. The eagle, who reveals himself to be the giant Thiazi in disguise, subjects Loki to a tormenting journey. Desperate, Loki agrees to a sinister bargain: he will lure Idun from Asgard, leaving Thiazi free to seize her apples of youth.
Loki returns to Asgard, where he cunningly convinces Idun to accompany him to Midgard. Enticed by the idea of seeing the world outside Asgard, she follows, unaware of Loki’s true intentions. No sooner have they arrived than Thiazi, again in the guise of an eagle, swoops down and abducts Idun, spiriting her away to his stronghold in Jötunheim.
Without Idun, Asgard’s strength begins to fade. The gods grow weaker, their hair grays, and a sense of impending doom fills the air. It is then they realize Idun’s absence and the terrible consequences it holds for them. Enraged, the gods confront Loki, demanding that he retrieve Idun or face their wrath.
Donning the skin of a hawk, Loki flies to Jötunheim, where he finds Idun imprisoned, her grief palpable. With a flash of magic, he transforms her into a nut, small enough for him to carry in his claws, and they begin their escape. But Thiazi, discovering the deception, gives chase, his eagle form swiftly gaining on them.
As Loki and Idun near Asgard, the gods take swift action. They build a blazing fire at the edge of Asgard’s walls, and as Thiazi attempts to enter, his wings catch the flames, sending him plummeting to the ground where he meets his end at the hands of the gods.
With Idun’s return, the gods’ vitality is restored, and Asgard rejoices. Loki, once again, has narrowly escaped the consequences of his reckless actions, having plunged the realm into chaos only to emerge, remarkably, as its reluctant savior.
