It's important to begin by referencing Yggdrasil, the World Tree, which is a symbolic representation of the connection between the nine Norse cosmic realms, including Muspellsheimr, Niflheimr, Ásgarðr, Álfheimr, Vanaheimr, Jötunheimr, Svartálfaheimr, Miðgarðr, and Hel. These different worlds are each inhabited by different gods and beings - Miðgarðr being our world (humans).
There are also nine Déyendræ, whom I have come to believe are a group of creator beings, similar to the Valar of Tolkien's Middle Earth. Among the nine there is a leader who is called Namír, who is a smith and is the creator of magical rings called "the nine rings of Namír". Each of these rings can be considered a symbolic representation of one of the nine worlds connected by Yggdrasil, as mentioned in the previous paragraph.
Consequently what I had before today interpreted as a simple mythology in regards to the origins of the alfar, or elves as popularized by Shakespeare, Tolkien and other subsequent works of fiction inspired by their works, and the establishment of Álfheimr (Alfheim, Elfhame, or Ælfheim, the latter spelling being of my personal preference), instead seems more likely to be a metaphorical creation myth, as would be told in terms that any human could understand, even if they were not aware of the nature of the cosmos.
The word Déyendræ is one that has been known to me since childhood, and before today kept a secret known only to myself and two others. I find it important to mention this because there are strong similarities between it and the word "dendrites", the branching arms of neurons (cells found in the nervous system) that transmit electrical impulses. The word dendrite is derived from the Greek word δένδρον or déndron, which means “tree”. In Greek mythology Dryads are tree spirits, typically female, who cannot leave the tree with which they are associated. As you can see in the image of the neuron displayed at the top of this post, it looks very much like a tree, complete with roots, trunk and branches.
Consequently it is my belief that the Déyendræ are a form of tree-type divinity; an ancient creative force that is responsible for the various forms of life across each of the nine realms. This is important because there is a strong association with the alfar and trees. There is also a strong association with human souls and the alfar. This also disturbs me greatly when considering the deforestation that is occurring constantly around the world.
If the Déyendræ are responsible for creation, they are therefore responsible for the establishment of "reality". Our perception of reality is controlled entirely by our nervous system, made up of neurons that consist of a tree-like appearance with dendrite branches. The neurons are like the dryad trees that house the dryad spirits, only in our mind it houses our spirit, our thoughts, our memories, and our understanding of the world we interact with.
All of these things are thus linked together. Furthermore there are other mythologies pertaining to the creation of humans, and the different materials used to create them. In certain creation myths, the very first humans were made from trees. They were then formed from rocks, and finally made from clay. The trees, however, again reference back to the idea that the Déyendræ are tree-like creators.
The connection with Álfheimr is thus primarily in relation to the fact that it is one of the nine realms, and principally the realm of the alfar, our spirit selves, or otherwise known as our souls. There are writings that support the idea that it is "heaven", and that there are additional levels of heaven above it, namely Andlang and Vídbláin. Consequently the Déyendræ would be principally interested in Álfheimr and possibly occupy it, as it houses the spark that drives living things. It is also stated that Andlang and Vídbláin would survive even after the destruction of the worlds at the end of Ragnarök, reinforcing the idea that the Déyendræ would remain there so as to be able to recreate the realms (or "reboot" them as the case may be).
There is much more to this puzzle that I am in the process of working out, so expect additional posts under the Déyendræ tag.
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