Keeper of the well of wisdom, Odin’s counselor
The wisest being among the nine worlds, guardian of the well of wisdom beneath a root of the World Tree. When the Æsir and Vanir made peace and exchanged hostages, Mímir was sent to the Vanir, but was beheaded by them for being too clever. Odin retrieved his head, preserved it with herbs and spells against decay, and ever after the head of Mímir stayed at Odin’s side, whispering counsel at crucial moments — even reduced to a head, he remained the All-Father’s most trusted advisor.
The Vanir, finding the hostage Mímir’s companion dull-witted, angrily struck off Mímir’s head and sent it back to Asgard. Unwilling to let that wisdom disperse, Odin preserved the head with herbs and gave it voice with spells, so that it spoke again. Ever after, before any great matter, Odin sought the counsel of Mímir’s head — and on the eve of Ragnarök, too, he murmured to it for guidance.
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