Tonight, the shape of everything. Before the gods have names you know, there is a tree, and from its branches and roots hang nine worlds. We move slowly through each one, from the fire of Muspelheim to the mist of Niflheim, the halls of the gods, the home of giants, and the dark below, until the whole map of Norse reality is laid out quietly around you. This is the orientation episode of the season. Everything that follows happens somewhere on this tree.

Chapters:

0:00 Welcome

1:49 Chapter 1. The North Before the Gods

9:50 Chapter 2. Ginnungagap, the Yawning Void

18:18 Chapter 3. The First Fire and the First Frost

26:40 Chapter 4. Ymir, the First Being

36:56 Chapter 5. The Sons of Borr and the Slaying of Ymir

45:59 Chapter 6. The Making of the World

57:24 Chapter 7. Yggdrasill, the World Tree

1:08:02 Chapter 8. The Nine Worlds Named

1:19:00 Chapter 9. The Wells Beneath the Roots

1:28:19 Chapter 10. The Bridge of Burning Light

1:36:58 Chapter 11. A Quiet Reflection on the Edda

1:45:11 Chapter 12. Goodnight, and the Beginning

1:49:50 Music to sleep by

Watch the illustrated version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HpgRqADGzTo

New episodes every Wednesday and Sunday.

Sources: the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda of Snorri Sturluson, retold in an original written narrative.

This show uses AI tools (research, narration, visuals) under human editorial direction. Every episode is reviewed before release.