Angerboda Norse Goddess and Wicked Witch

Angerboda is a mysterious many named, shape-shifting spirit who manifests as a crow, a beautiful golden goddess and a fierce Iron hag. The name Angerboda is related to the word "foreboding," and refers to her manifestation as a hag. This is the form that she prefers. 

Angerboda is also called "Hag of the Iron Wood" and "Hag of the East Winds."  In folktales of Norse mythology, Angerboda is often called a "Wicked Witch." The Iron Wood may refer to oak groves. 

Modern culture prizes physical beauty so intensely, that it may be surprising that Angerboda chooses to present herself as a hag. However, in this manifestation she is the fierce, fearless ruler of her domain. In earlier manifestations she was a young, golden witch known as Gulveig which left her vulnerable to attempted murder at the hands of the other Norse gods. 

Angerboda rules the Iron Wood. Iron is the embodiment of the most powerfully magic metal of all. This is her home territory, where she raised her children. She prefers not to leave, perhaps remembering her past travels to other places. 
   
Brave people, requiring her services may visit her. But it must be remembered that she is fierce and not always welcoming.

Angerboda's children include the Hella, Queen of Death, the Midgard Serpent, the Fenris Wolf and the wolves responsible for solar and lunar eclipses. Other sons are identified as werewolves. She is the grandmother of trolls. 

Angerboda is a weather deity: in her guise as the Hag of the East Winds, her songs drive ships right into storms. Angerboda is a deity best left alone to her Iron wood. 

Good Luck, Good Love and Good Magic
Lory