Far, in Thursów cumin, where the root of the World Tree originates, a wonderful spring was beating. Who drank holy water, ten, if he had his own mind, he learned the secret of existence and passing away, for in her human wisdom was preserved. Mimir - the sage guarded the Krynica, who drank a gulp of water every day. There was no greater sage in all nine worlds.
Odin stood in front of him, asking for a sip of water from the spring. Price, which Mimir appointed, she was really great. God had to give up one eye for a sip of the potion of wisdom. So it happened. Henceforth, until the moment, when the time is up, remained one-eyed. Mimir kept the terms of the treaty and even became an advisor to the Aesir. Many times his wisdom has saved the gods from the power of evil growing in Jotunheim and allows the day of Ragnarok to be postponed for centuries. When he died, Odin saved his head and made, that she had retained her ability to speak and think, so that she can continue to advise him.
A sip of water from Mimir's well allowed Odin to understand the entire complexity of human fate. He understood the truth about transience and rebirth. Odin already knew, how weak and defenseless one man is against the power of the world around him, but he also knew, how mighty he is in all his tribe, in his unbridled will to persist. Giving him life and senses, god did not suppose, that man will become his equal, because he has the ability to create and transform the world. My grandfather understood, that fate bound gods and people with unbreakable ties. He understood, that he found an ally in his struggle, which will allow him to overcome evil. When divine power is combined with this most human of human feelings - love, the world will be saved.
Mimir's source did not answer all of the god's tormenting questions. He turned to Jotunheim now. There lay the ancient wisdom of the earth among the Frost Giants. It was there that the greatest spells were made and magic was born. Odin was in Thurs country for a while, learning arcane knowledge and terrible spells. In a female disguise, he participated in various, often infamous mysteries, he met witchcraft practiced by women and men. He even turned into a woman, wanting to know the unfathomable nature of this sex. At last he stripped the giants of all the secrets of their malevolent power.