Helheim

Helheim is one of The Nine Worlds. It is ruled by Hel, the monstrous daughter of the trickster god Loki and his wife Angrboda. This cold, icy, dark and misty abode of the dead is located in the world of Niflheim. No one can ever leave this place, because of the impassable river Gjoll that flows from the spring Hvergelmir and encircles Helheim. It’s inhabited by a growing population of ghastly spirits. Once they enter Helheim, not even the gods can leave. Those who die of old age or disease, and those not killed in battle, go to Helheim while those who die bravely on the battlefield go to Valhalla. With marrow-clenching cold and no heating facilities, there is nothing for the punished soul to do except shiver out their miserable stint in eternity. The entrance to Helheim is guarded by Garm, a monstrous hound, and Modgud. The giant Hraesvelg sits at the edge of the world, overlooking Helheim. In the form of an eagle with flapping wings he makes the wind blow. 

The Road to Hel

• The only way to cross the river is over the bridge Gjallarbru, a crystal bridge arched with gold, which is hung on a single hair. The bridge is said to have a permanent guardian, the female skeleton Modgud.  In order for the spirits to pass, they must each pay her a toll of blood. 
• In order to cross over the bridge, the spirits made use of the wagons and horses that had been burnt alongside them on the funeral pyre. Also, the bodies of the dead were always equipped with Hel Shoes, a strong pair of shoes specially designed to protect their feet throughout the journey over the rough road leading to Hel.
• After crossing over the Gjallar Bridge, spirits reached Ironwood, a forest with iron-leafed trees. From here, they had to continue until they reached the Gate of Helheim. The gate was guarded by the fierce dog Garm. Garm dwelled in the dark Gnipa Cave and the only way to appease him was to offer a Hel-cake. According to legend, these cakes never failed those who had given bread to the needy during their lifetime.
• After entering through the main gate in the cold and darkness, various sounds could be heard. These were the sounds of Hvergelmir, of the streams of Hel, and of the rolling of glaciers in the Elivagar. The streams of this realm, where solemn oaths were sworn, and Slid, the river with swords within its waters.
• The great hall of the goddess Hel carried the name Elvidner meaning “misery”. It was said that her dish was Hunger, her knife was Greed, her man was Idleness, her maid was Sloth, her bed was Sorrow, her threshold was Ruin and her curtains were Conflagration.
• Hel had different abodes for different people who entered the realm. Those going to Helheim after death included criminals, perjurers, those who had the bad luck to die before getting a chance to shed blood, those who died of old age, and the ones who died of disease. Death of old age or of disease used to be called “straw death” as the beds of the time were made of straw.

Location under

Niflheim