Yggdrasil, the World Tree

Yggdrasil, also called the World Tree. Yggdrasil is a visualization of a cosmic structure of existential planes. It’s apparent that fey understand the nature of this structure better than humans.

The properties of the cosmos are likened to a Tree that possesses different regions or components (like branch, fruit, roots, so on).

The World Tree, as understood, is not a literal physical phenomenon but is more like a series of relationships between Worlds, related dimensions of existence. It is also believed that Yggdrasil itself is a World, a kind of metaplane that acts as a connecting zone between other, lesser zones.

According to legend, there is a “High World” that is like unto the root and bed of the World Tree. This High World is likely the most absolute or at least oldest dimension of reality. An ancient term sometimes used to refer to this metazone is Gimle. The origin of this word is unclear.

The World Tree coincides with norns. Based on the Tree’s theoretical properties, a norn is similar to an “agent” of Yggdrasil and may originate from a plane other than the World under its charge.

As the image of a Tree is used, similar symbols represent its parts. For instance, a World is often liked to a fruit, and the agents (like norns) that operate on it may be considered the biological functions of the fruit.

Experiences with fey and study suggest that the Tree is consciously and actively managed by various intelligent powers, similar to gods.

The four chief agents or gods of the Tree are Hel, Surt, Hresvelgr, and Nidhogg.

The traditional name for the World Tree used by the fey is Ukoumandra, which can be roughly translated as “acorn-bearing tree” or more poetically “acorn-bearing mother.” This reflects the old fey tale that the first generation of fey fell to Faery from the Tree in the form of acorns that sprouted to life. According to the legend, they fell because the Tree was shaken vigourously by the first being to occupy the Earth, the original norn.

In classic legend, Urd rules the World Tree. Skuld, “who will not be denied,” is the will which preserves Yggdrasil absolutely.