Njord and Skadi

Njord and Skadi: A Myth Explored delves into the story of the Norse giantess Skadi and her unhappy marriage to the sea-god Njord: perhaps unique in world literature as the tale of a "sacred divorce". Structured as a series of questions, author Sheena McGrath uses the story to open up the world of Norse myths and culture, and beyond them, to take a wide-ranging look at how myths work in general, dealing as she does so with some of the more theoretical questions of mythology. Even simple questions, like why Skadi has to choose her husband by his feet alone, are shown to open up all sorts of vistas, from Cinderella to medieval penitents to interpretations of myth in the 19th century. Influences include the work of the scholar Margaret Clunies-Ross, who views the conflict between the gods and giants anthropologically, as a battle over resources, access to women, and power. This book however does not start from the assumption that giants are evil or stupid, but treats them every bit as seriously as the gods. Njord and Skadi takes off from the author’s older book, Asyniur, which touched on the myth and its implications, but was a much more general survey of Northern goddesses and women’s mysteries. This book is for anyone interested in Norse myth, goddesses, or the “how and why” of myth, and will especially appeal to those willing to question received wisdom. Sheena McGrath has had three other books published: • The Sun Goddess: Myth, Legend, and History (Cassell: 1997) • Asyniur: Women’s Mysteries of the North (Capall Bann: 1997) • Sun, Moon and Stars (Capall Bann: 2006) She has also recently completed a short book on the goddess Brigantia.