We’re All A Part of One World Tree
Trees are something everyone knows and something sacred to many cultures and beliefs. Trees signify life and fertility, food, protection, and remind us when the seasons change. The symbolism of a tree is found in every culture somewhere. The Tree of Life, Tree of Knowledge, Tree of Enlightenment, and even the World Tree all tie together. Who would have thought that trees were so important. But let’s talk about how trees connect.
Every tree has branches, roots, and the trunk. The branches are home to birds, squirrels, other small animals, and give shade to those at the base. The trunk provides stability and strength, keeping the tree growing towards the sun and holding the branches high. The roots provide a strong base in the ground, mingling together and even connecting to other trees, making a network in a forest. This system of branches and roots intertwining together made some people believe that some forests were just one tree with different trunks and branches, spread out over vast areas of land. Here at Birds of Valhalla, we like to look at a specific tree: Yggdrasil.
Yggdrasil, the World Tree, believed to be a sacred ash tree, connects the Nine Realms of the cosmos. Yggdrasil sprang forth from the Ginnungagap, or great void between the realms of Nifilheim and Muspelheim. Three roots extend from the trunk into three places other than the Nine Realms. One extends to the well Urðarbrunnr in the heavens, one to the spring Hvergelmir, and the last to the well Mímisbrunnr. The ash tree, known to be sacred to the Norse peoples due to it being one of the first to signify the return of spring, is revered for its connection to Yggdrasil. All around the tree the realms of Asgard, Alfheim, Nifelheim, Muspelheim, Midgard, Jotunheim, Vanaheim, Svartalfheim or Niðvallier, and Helheim stay connected and safe. The World Tree doesn’t just protect the realms, it is where many things go on as well.
Stories tell of when Odin offered his own life to gain knowledge of other worlds and to understand the runes, he offered his eye to Mimir, set himself upon Gungnir, and hanged himself from the branches of Yggdrasil for nine days. Yggdrasil sees all and acts as a house for more than just the nine realms. There are animals that live in the branches, roots, and even along the tree trunk. An eagle rests on the highest branch of Yggdrasil, shouting insults to Ratatoskr the squirrel to take down to the dragon Niðhöggr that eats away at Yggdrasil’s roots. Four stags, Dáinn, Dvalinn, Duneyrr, and Duraþrór walk among the branches and eat off the leaves of Yggdrasil. The gods meet daily around the World Tree to sort out affairs of the realms and governance.
This soap inspired by Yggdrasil, the World Tree, gives the green leaves from the branches and the black of the dragon in its roots swirling together with the scent of evergreen pine, reminding us of the forests of Scandinavia. The citrusy and spicy aroma as you wash your skin bubbles up from the cypress needles of the tree. Finally, the earthy, peppery notes of bayberry come through to round out the fragrance and give us a new look at the World Tree. Colored with activated charcoal and ethical micas, the soap swirls and mixes together, sometimes drawing patterns like the leaves of trees around the world. Much like the leaf patterns, each one is different and the handmade bars of soap are the exact same: different every single time. This soap is a fragrance that can be enjoyed by men and women, a unisex smell that is sure to make you feel like you’re on a walk through the forest searching for that glimpse of Yggdrasil in the heavens.
The World Tree is the first in the line up of Signature Soaps that this blog will cover. The other signature fragrances will be following behind soon enough. Grab your World Tree right here. If you want to know all about the signature soaps but you don’t want the full bar, grab the Variety Pack! It comes with all the signature soaps, a lip balm, and a solid cologne. The soaps are all sample size so they last for a couple showers so you can smell the soaps all you want. The samples, lip balm, and cologne come in a reusable metal tin for safe travels and for storage. And for your first order, there’s a discount code you can use for the Variety Pack. "UNDERDOG" You can grab the Variety Pack right here.