Happy Thor’s Day, everybody!

Last week I wrote about Bifrost, the bridge upon which Norse gods travel between Asgard and Midgard. It stands to reason that if the gods could come down the bridge, then other things could go up it.

So, gods being gods and having all sorts of rules about who, what, and how one joins them in the heavens, the Norse gods decided to post a watchman to guard Bifrost lest any fool stumble into Asgard. The name of this guardian-god is Heimdall.

From his keep called Himinbjorg, Heimdall watches for the biggest fools of all: giants, the mortal enemies of Norse gods. It’s said that Heimdall can see for a hundred leagues, whether it be day or night. And the sound of neither grass growing from the ground nor wool growing on sheep escapes his ears.

Heimdall is also called the white god, and he has gold teeth.  (Please keep any grill jokes to yourself — I’m pretty sure Heimdall is NOT a gangsta!) He possesses a horn named Gjallarhorn, which when blown can be heard throughout the Nine Worlds. Indeed, with a blast from Gjallarhorn Heimdall calls to arms Norse gods and Norse warriors at Ragnarok — the twilight of the gods.

The last cool thing to know about Heimdall is that he has a chant, which goes something like this:

From nine mothers, I am one.
From nine sisters, I am son.

That’ll give you something to think about ’til next week.

But whatever you do, please, PLEASE, don’t think about Heimdall’s gold teeth whilst imagining him bustin’ — er, speaking — this rhyme!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you Tuesday, when I just might explain what HBO’s Entourage program has in common with this blog.