Overview: The Goddess Idunn (also Iđunn, Idun, Idunna) is commonly known as the Goddess of youth and custodian of the Apples of Immortality - the apples that grant the Gods of the Norse pantheon continued renewal and eternal youth. Her best known, and only, myth details how she was abducted by a giant and how the Gods fought hard to retrieve her (and her much-needed apples).

Beyond this, one must dig very deep to excavate any further information about her. This introductory book outlines everything we know about Idunn from historical sources, as well as what we - her modern devotees - have learnt from experiencing her in the modern day.

Verdict: For me, growing up, the only story I was ever told about Idunna is told by Snorri in the Prose Edda, where he retells a story in a poem called the Haustlǫng. Idunna is well known as the keeper of the apples of youth, which she feeds to the gods and goddesses to keep them youthful and strong (Gylfaginning 25). The only tale of her is recounted in the skaldic poem Haustlǫng (ca. 900), a story that Snorri fills out in Skáldskaparmál G56.

To redeem himself from the clutches of the jotun Thjazi, Loki lures her out of Asgard, and Thjazi, in eagle-shape, swoops down and snatches her. Without her, the gods and goddesses quickly begin to fade, but they hold a council and find out that Idunna was last seen with Loki, who eventually admits the truth. Loki borrows Freyja’s falcon-coat and goes to find Idunna, changing the goddess and her apples into a nut and flying away with it.

Thjazi, as an eagle, pursues him, buffeting Loki with the wind from his wings. When Loki lands in Asgard, the other gods set a fire before the walls. The fire singes Thjazi’s wings and forces him to earth, where the gods kill him.

And so what we have here is a profoundly dutiful new prose Pagan Portals: Idunn by author Olivia Church, PhD, one in which she provides a wondrous amount of personal insight into the central character of Indunn. A form of introductory work that acts as a celebration in connection, and yet one where, so it seems, no stone is left unturned.

About the Author - Dr Olivia Church (she/her) is an ancient historian and Egyptologist, who has been on a polytheistic Pagan and Witchcraft path since she was 13 years old. These days she predominantly practices Inclusive Heathenry, though she also maintains strong relationships with deities from the ancient Mediterranean and Egypt, and this is reflected in her published books. She lives in Swansea, UK.

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