Who is Vidar?

[Willow Ogma]

I've read from one source that Vidar is the Norse god of independence, solitude and freedom. I just want to know if this is true, because every other source I've come across says only that he is the god of revenge, and that he is a silent god. I would like to do a ritual and ask Vidar for his help after I move away to school; you know, to help me with being independent from my family.
Anyone who knows more about Vidar than the internet does, I would like to hear from you.

[Avalanche]

I've never heard of him as being a god of independence or freedom or solitude. I've only come across references to him as a "god of vengeance." There's not really much information about him around. Just that he avenges Odin and survives Ragnarok and is silent. I've had very limited experience with him, but from what little I do know, I wouldn't say it'd be entirely inappropriate to ask for his help in your situation but I kinda feel like he's perhaps not the best choice. This is all UPG and as I said, I've not had much experience with him. Maybe someone's around who knows better.

[Woden's Spear]

Vidar is my homeboy, because a number of heathens, recons, and Germanic Neopagans describe him as being 'The Weird Son Of Odin'. Weird as in aloof, silent, and unknown. But we're both weirdos. And that's okay. :toofless:

I always feel like he's the patron god of misfits and outcasts, like myself, OF COURSE. :smile: He is going to tear Fenrir a new asshole at the advent of the final battle.

Throw away all your old scraps from shoemaking so that his infamous boot will be completed, in time.

[Willow Ogma]

Yeah, I've also gotten that "misfit" vibe from him. He's dark and brooding, and I like that. :hahugh:

[wyrd_dottir]

He is the son of Odin (whose name means fury, excitement, etc.) and the Giantess Gríðr (whose name means greed/violence). (She's the one who supplied Thor with his gauntlets). If we look to these name etymologies of his 'inheritance' we see a strong association to violence in his parentage.

Vidar's name is believed to mean in Old Norse "Wide Ruler".

By looking at accounts in the Poetic and Prose Eddas we see that during Ragnarok, Surt, who is a well known Fire Giant, will ravage the world in flame (there will also be great floods). Vidar and his brother Vali will be protected from that in the temple of the Gods, and after the flames subside, Vidar will come out and seek vengeance by slaying Fenris. We also see that Vidar is known as the silent one, He reigns over a land, and his shoe is extra thick with the cut away pieces of all men's discarded shoes at the heel and toe.

He is described in the lore as being vengeful, silent, and having an iron shoe, brother of the Aesir, Son of Odin.

There are some academic theories that point to other stories and motifs found elsewhere in the lore, that believe his silence may have something to do with a cultural tradition or abstention people seeking vengeance practiced. I.e. in this case a code of silence before they killed their target of revenge.

I see Him like a predator, ever watchful, most of the time not dangerous, save when it is time to hunt. Just like Thor, we see alot of physical strength associated with Him. (And since his mother gave Thor items that boosted his physical strength... I find that connection intriguing).

Snorri starts with an euhermistic process (making gods seem only like heroic men) in the Prose Edda when he talks of Vidar and others. Snorri describes Vidar as being like Aeneas, who survived the Trojan War and went on to achieve great things. So there's certainly to my mind not only with this, but as we see the similarity in the story of Ragnarok, that He's being described as being persistent, and persevering, and once His mind is set on a task He will carry it out. He, like Thor, were seen to be quite dependable to the Gods in times of need.

So why does his name mean Wide Ruler? Well based on the account of Ragnarok we have, not only does He get vengeance, but He also by doing so restores order to the cosmos. Odin may now be dead, but as His son he's almost set up to take over and rule in His place. In that guise He represents the very real persevering force of life, that no mater what happens, be it real world examples like Mt Saint Helen's erupting, the earthquake/tsunami in the last year that hit Japan, etc. that life continues. It may not be easy for a while, but to me He represents that life goes on.

[Willow Ogma]

Wow...Great answer. I'm even more intrigued by Vidar, now. And to think that a week ago I had no idea that he even existed.