Winter and Summer

Then spoke Gangleri: ‘Why is there such a great difference
between the warmth of summer and the cold of winter?’

High said: ‘So wise a man should not need to ask, for everyone
is able to tell that, but if you have got to be the only one so
ill-informed that you have never heard it, then I will look on it
kindly that you should for once show your ignorance in asking
rather than that you should continue unaware of what you ought
to know. Svasud is the name of the one that is father of Summer,
and he is so blissful in his life that it is from his name that what is
pleasant is called svaslig [delightful]. And Winter’s father is called
either Vindloni or Vindsval. He is Vasad’s son, and members of
this family have been grim and cold-hearted, and Winter inherits
their nature.’

Then spoke Gangleri: ‘Which are the Æsir that men ought to
believe in?’


- Prose Edda, Gylfaginning


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Odin said:
26 ‘Tell me this fourth thing, since you are said to be wise,
and you, Vafthrudnir, know,
from where winter came or warm summer,
first among the wise Powers.’

Vafthrudnir said:
27 ‘Wind-cool he is called, Winter’s father,
and Mild One, the father of Summer.’

Odin said:
28 ‘Tell me this fifth thing, since you are said to be wise,
and you, Vafthrudnir, know,
who was the eldest of the Æsir or of Ymir’s descendants
in bygone days.’


- Poetic Edda, Vafthrudnismal