Birch Grove

Ullr (also known as Ull) is generally seen as a warrior-type God. He is said to be the God of justice and dueling (or single combat). He is also noted as the “patron God of agriculture,” though how much of that is true, I do not know. He is an excellent archer and skier. His hall is Ydalir (“yew dales”). He is rumored to have gotten together with Skadi after she divorced Njord. His mother is Sif, but Thor is only his stepfather. Some say that Odin was his father, but we can never know for sure.

As I said, I have never seen Ullr as an agricultural God (though that is an interesting interpretation, I think Frey is more often associated with that). To me, he has always been a Hunter. Whether or not this is because of Celtic influence on me is debatable. However, a God that lives in the forest, is an expert archer, and skier seems to indicate that he is a hunter, and also at home in winter. His rumored association with Skadi also leads me to believe that he is more of a Hunter God.

To me, Ullr is either fair or dark, very strong, and handsome. He is an excellent fighter and his archery skills are unmatched. He wears leathers, as a Hunter should, and skims around the forest on his skis (in winter, at least). As a dueler, he may be a bit reckless, and his supposed courtship of Skadi reinforces this, for who would want to anger the God of the sea?  He is both a taker and giver of life, which may parallel his agriculture aspect. At any rate, he seems to me to be a sort of pioneer, the kind who is always moving further into the wilderness as civilization encroaches.

Ullr is not entirely clear to me, but I have a feeling that he wants it this way.