Nonprofessional translation from Russian: Heidar, goðorð Skíðblaðnir,
Moscow 2011

There are nine basic origins of creatures in the nine worlds, every of them embodies a certain force. Two families of the Gods are in the lead: Æsir and Vanir, living in Asgard and Vanaheimr respectively.

Æsir
Æsir family is a personification of forces of order, wisdom, strength, valour and ruse as well as of the consciousness. Æsir are considered to be the dominating family, however it’s not quite right. They have to share the power with Vanir so the summer could come and people could survive. But in winter Æsir come to their power. The winter in Asatru begins with the Harvest Festival (autumnal equinox) and ends with the Ostara (vernal equinox). Naturally, peak of Æsir power falls on Yule (winter solstice). At this time Thor protects people, fighting against jotuns far away from Midgard (the men’s world). Odin embodies the eldest one (in a family, in a commune, in a squad, etc.), therefore the wisest one also he symbolize the elder warlock. His wife Frigg embodies the eldest woman, who knows people’s destiny. A mighty warrior Thor embodies the eldest son, strong man and defender of all the family. Only a splendiferous Baldr dies before the winter begins because of Æsir cruelty and Loki’s insidious and revives every spring, bringing the life.

Vanir
Vanir family is a personification of forces of nature, primordial primitive state, subconscious.Vanir usually rule when warmth comes, in time, which Asatru calls the summer. The summer begins with the Ostara (vernal equinox) and ends with the Harvest Festival (autumnal equinox). Thus peak of Vanir power falls on Midsummer (summer soltice). In the day time rules Freir, who represents machismo and rules the sky and the sun. At night rules Freya,who represents feminine, who rules the Earth and the Moon. Njord rules over see, winds and rains. Only thunderstorm is out of Vanir power, as also is Asa-Thor, Odin’s son. And in winter Vanir loses their power, as it does Life, giving up to Death. Only Skadi and Ull, winter hunters, help people to get subsistence and to survive.

Thurs
Ethernal foes of Æsir – thurs (giants), the most ancient creatures in the nine worlds. They divides into three families, every family lives in its own world: jotunns – in Jötunheimr, hrímthurs (frost giants) – in Niflheims, muspels (fire giants) – in Muspelheimr.
Thurs are embodiment of the most ancient forces, which only exist in all the nine worlds. It is the burning hot lava of the Muspelheimr, chilling cold of the Niflheimr, or stone rocks of Jötunheimr – impossible conditions for a life of a modern human, who has been soften by world, created by the Gods. Crudity, oafishness, greediness, at the same moment deepest wisdom and power. That is what all have begun from.. and that is what all will be ended with.

Álfar
There are to families of Álfar (Elves): light elves – spirits of hills and woods, they live in Ljusalfheimr, and black elves – svartalfars, underground dwarfs, skilful in jewelry, they live in Svartalfheimr.

This topic should be discussed independently, it is disclosed very well in Iceland folklore. Icelanders believe so far that elves are a mystical creatures that live in hills, they are also called a "concealed people". It is considered that if a human was able to get to the concealed people he’ll certainly become a very powerful sorcerer. By the way, famous Sæmundr the Learned according to legend found a notebook with Poetic Edda exactly at elves’ place. In former times elves were just spirits of nature. It is considered that in summer, just before dawn, they dance on a forest lawns near streams. Svartalfars are quiet the opposites to Álfar, it is race that live in an underground, and they turn into a stone with a sunlight. They are considered as the most skillful smiths and jewelers, almost all god’s artifacts were created by svartalfars

Sigurd,
goðorð Skíðblaðnir,
Moscow 2010