7/29/2019 The Goddess Sif Research

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Sif Research

The Goddess Sif is most directly associated with the Earth, her many themes include: kinship, arts,

passion, summer and the sun. Her symbols are gold, hair, and the sun. Runes associated with Goddess Sif

are Berkano and Ingwaz. Although the Prose Edda doesn't specify who Sifs' first husband was anothersource says his name was Ovandil, and with this giant Sif had a son, her first, named Ullr; The

Magnificent, who has been referred to as the God of Winter and of Skiing Not much else was mentionedof her first relationship, but it does indicate that she was one of the elder race of Aesir goddesses. Her next

husband, Thor is whom she garners fame from being with. They had a daughter named Thudr Might agoddess of storm and clouds, also one of the Valkyrie. Thor and Sif also had two sons named Magni,

Might, and Modi, The Brave. These two sons of Sif and Thor, are said to be destined to surviveRagnarok, and inherit Mjollnir from Thor.

A tale that contributes to the infamy of Sif, is that of Loki cutting off all of her hair one night as she

slept. While her husband was away Sif lay sleeping alone in their bed, and the trickster god Loki crept into

the bedchamber and with a sharp sword stealthily cut away Sifs' long, golden hair. In the morning when sheawoke, she was horrified and extremely upset. As soon as her husband Thor laid eyes on her, her

appearance alone sent him into a rage, and he swore to track down the thieving brute, and get justrepayment for such an awful slighting of his beautiful wife. When he found Loki, whom he first suspected,

Thor saw the look of mischief in his eyes and knew right away it was he. Loki being ever so proud, andthinking it a small thing was boastful of his deed. This act of conceit atop the shame he wrought the night

before sent Thor into a rage. He grabbed hold of Loki in a grip of death and with madness in his eyes he

threatened to break every bone in his body. Loki, seeing that Thor meant what he said, swore to make up

for his insult. At this Thor let Loki be, but with severe warning that the deeds must be five fold inrepentance for this disgraceful act against his beloved.

So Loki sought out the sons of Ivaldi whom could make magic hair of gold for Sif, and also two ofthe five extra items Loki needed for the Gods' satisfaction; they crafted a spear Gungnir, and the magic

ship Skidbladnir. Loki, knowing this would not be enough to appease Thor, then went to the two elf-

smiths Brokk and Eitri. Thinking that no one could match the items crafted, Loki, seeking to get items that

would satisfy, makes a bet with the two elf-smiths. He wagers his head, knowing their hatred for him, that

they would not be able to match the brilliance of the earlier gifts made by the sons of Ivaldi. They thenproceeded to craft the boar Gullinbursti, the arm band / ring Draupnir, and for Thor the hammerMjollnir. The gods deemed the gifts of the elf-smiths to be at least as good if not better than those gifts

crafted by the sons of Ivaldi, so they demanded Loki's head. Loki, ever the clever god he is, reminds themthat the wager was for his head, but not his neck, and since there's no way to take one's head without

damaging the neck, they would have to settle for the head of his cup of mead. This infuriated the elf-smiths

so along with the other gods' consent, they all settled for sewing Loki's mouth shut. Though Loki had met

the demands of Thor, the pain of being silenced in such a way inspired a dark plan in the mind of thetrickster god.

Sifs' new hair grew magically and was long and full, golden and sweet again. The story of Sifs' hairbeing cut away is said to be representative of the golden wheat fields, that grew so lustrous in the summer

sun and had to be reaped at harvest for their bountiful gifts to feed and nurture life through the cold winter

months.

Resources:

Mistress of Enchantment Blog@ http://mistressofenchantment.blogspot.com/2010/11/sif-norse-goddess-of-golden-hair.html

Thalia Took's Sif @ http://www.thaliatook.com/AMGG/sif.html

Journeying to the Goddess @ http://journeyingtothegoddess.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/goddess-sif/

Wikipedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sif