Mimir's Well

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Mimir’s Well is a column written for 'The Orcadian' newspaper by members of the team at the Institute of Northern Studies.

Mimir is a giant from Old Norse mythology, renowned for his wisdom. The source of Mimir’s wisdom was the water of a well by the root of Yggdrasil, the World Tree, known as Mimir’s Well. The god Odin wanted a share in Mimir’s wisdom too, which he got, but he had to leave one of his eyes to Mimir as a pledge. This is how Odin became the wisest of the gods.

The column Mimir’s Well appears now and again, depending on what inspires us to write. As we are a multidisciplinary team, the topics of the column will span widely, from history and archaeology via folklore and ethnology to literature and language.

Hopefully it will inspire you, too.

An Orcadian fairy-tale with Nordic roots

Wednesday 7 September 2016

Constitution day 17th May

Tuesday 6 September 2016

The magic of the merry dancers

Monday 5 September 2016

Exploring the treasures left by Chrissie Costie

Sunday 4 September 2016

Twelfth, 13th or 20th Night?

Friday 2 September 2016

Piracy in Northern Waters

Thursday 1 September 2016

Midsummer, Johnsmas and bonfires

Monday 29 August 2016

The return of the muckle supper?

Sunday 28 August 2016

Don’t mention the tail! A look into the hidden world of the Huldrefolk.

Saturday 27 August 2016

On the trail of Hammer Mugly

Friday 26 August 2016

Messengers from the past

Wednesday 24 August 2016

St Olaf - our other saint

Tuesday 23 August 2016

Yule cakes, guisers and ogresses

Sunday 21 August 2016

A hard day's work at the peat bank

Friday 19 August 2016

When should we celebrate St Magnus?

Thursday 18 August 2016

Press Gangs in Orkney

Monday 15 August 2016

Never mind the Groatie-Buckies, have you found a Molucca Bean?

Thursday 4 February 2016

Swords, Saints and Cursed Rings

Thursday 3 December 2015

Collecting Memories to Record Online

Thursday 15 October 2015

The last days of Hakon the Old

Monday 14 September 2015

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