Misconception 12: Aflheimr, Folkvangr, Noatun in Asgard?
12. Alfheimr, Folkvangr, and Noatun, the realms of Freyja, Freyr and Njordr, are in Asgard.
If the Dictionary of Northern Mythology by Rudolf Simek is not the origin of this misconception it reinforces it. Simek, with little if any basis in the surviving literature, overtly asserts that Alfheimr, Folkvangr, and Noatun are all in Asgard. He bases his assumption on Grimnismal which in no clear way places these realms in Asgard.
Asgard is the home of the Aesir. It is the home of none of the Vanir. In his Prose Edda, Snorri says that it is “in the middle of the world.” It is surrounded by a wall and within its walls are Valhall (Hall of the Fallen), Gladsheimer (a temple) and Vingolf (hall for the Aesir goddesses). There are no explicit references that place Alfheimr (Elf-Home), Folkvangr (The People’s Field in which Freyja’s hall, Sessrumnir, stands), or Noatun (Ship Town) in Asgard.
In A Brief History of the Vikings author Jonathan Clements speculates that much of the mythology of the Norse contains information about constellations of stars by which Vikings navigated. This is very interesting in light of the fact that in the Prose Edda Snorri says that Folkvangr, Alfheimr and Noatun are in heaven; that is, up in the sky.
Snorri places Freyr’s home, Alfheimr, in the heavens and says that while the dark elves live below the earth, the light elves live up in the sky in Alfheimr. From Alfheimr Freyr controls the rain and the shining of the sun. Snorri also places Hlidskjalf in the heavens and says “when All-Father sits in this seat, he sees over all the world.” It was from this high seat that Freyr saw Gerdr and fell in love with her. It makes sense that this seat would be up in the sky.
Snorri also places Freyja’s home, Folkvangr, in the sky. Her hall there, Sessrumnir (Many Seats), is described as large and beautiful. If the many seats refer to stars, I wonder if it is the Milky Way. From her hall she rides forth in a chariot drawn by two cats. I wonder if this is a reference to a constellation rather than an actual chariot and cats.
As with Alfheimr and Folkvangr, Snorri places Njordr’s home, Noatun, in the sky. From there he rules over the winds and thereby controls the seas and fires. The Grimnismal describes Noatun as a “bright” abode. Being bright is certainly consistent with being a constellation.
It is interesting to speculate about Clements’ theory. One thing is certain. There is no evidence for saying that Alfheimr, Folkvangr and Noatun are in Asgard, the realm of the Aesir. Clearly, they are beyond the walls of Asgard and the control of the Aesir. They are the bright and beautiful homes of the best known Vanir.