The Nine Realms

Realm of the Æsir — the walled enclosure where the halls of the gods stand.

Realm of the Vanir — the old powers of fertility, seiðr, and the fruitful earth.

Realm of the light-elves, given to Freyr as a tooth-gift.

The middle enclosure — the world of humankind, girdled by the sea and the Serpent.

Realm of the jötnar — the wild outlands beyond the order of the gods.

Realm of the dwarves — the master-smiths beneath the mountains, the Dark Fields.

The fire-realm in the south, oldest with Niflheim — Surtr keeps its border.

The mist-realm in the north — ice, fog, and the well Hvergelmir beneath the root.

The realm of the dead who die of sickness and age, ruled by Hel.