Codex Saemundar
Contents
Introduction
Authored in the last years of the 11th century the Codex Saemundar defies simple classification, but due to the unique nature of the work and its mythological occult overtones, the manuscript is most easily understood as a antithetical catechism to the ancient Scandinavian religion.
In accepted Norse mythology, the three sons of Borr: Odin, Vili, and Vé tricked Ymir into a trap and thereafter dismembered him to form the Nine Worlds. Later with leftovers the Aesir created other lesser races including humanity. As Ymir was the primordial being and the first entity to exist it bore a singular ability to spontaneously create life without the need of a mate or outside force.
The Codex differs from the accepted telling in that it recounts the Norse creation myth from the point of view of the giants, a race spawned by Ymir in the age before its fall. Further the Codex is purported to reveal details of creation not mentioned in the Aesir account that paint the Norse gods in a less than impressive light and speaks of an eventual resurrection of Ymir after Ragnarök.
Perhaps most interesting the Codex acts as a catechism for those who would receive the wisdom of the original being and in emulating it transcend mortal existence so that upon the time of its rebirth Ymir will have servants to aid it in its efforts to remake the Nine Worlds more to its preferences.
Physical Description
According to Snorri Sturluson who acquired a copy of the Codex during the summer of 1240 A.D., the manuscript is one hundred and sixty-nine leaves of dark leather bound by whalebone covers affixed to brass outer coverings. The brass outer cover is worked with a complex knot pattern and inscribed with a number of unique Icelandic runes. The interior pages or leaves are of a very fine deeply tanned leather upon which both illustrations and script are penned in ink of gold. The whole of the Codex is held closed by three brass dragon-headed clasps.
Snorri also offered some unique observations concerning the Codex Saemundar. He described the book as perfidious in nature and that many of its illustrations were blasphemous. Perhaps most interesting are the manifestations that often accompany the opening and closing of the book: gusts of cold wind even in a closed room, the snuffing of fires including hearths, other worldly illuminations, the sound of whispering and the unruliness of pages that flip themselves.
Authorship
Layout
is broken into three parts.
one part mythography, infernal grimoire
History
the masterwork of Sæmundr fróði, better know as Sæmundr the Learned.
Sjö mörk Ymis -- The Seven Symbols of Ymir
Prophesies
