What wise being’s severed head does Odin consult for advice? Mímir’s. In Norse myth, Odin preserves and consults the severed head of Mímir, a figure associated with exceptional wisdom and the famous well Mímisbrunnr.
Mímir was connected to the Æsir–Vanir conflict. The Vanir reportedly beheaded him after a hostage exchange went badly, then sent his head to Odin. Odin used herbs and magic to preserve it, allowing Mímir to continue speaking and offering counsel.
Mímir is also linked to a separate wisdom story: Odin sacrifices one eye to drink from Mímisbrunnr. These episodes are often blended together, but the eye sacrifice concerns access to the well’s knowledge, while the talking severed head is a later consultation source.
The name Mímir appears in both the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda traditions. In Ragnarök-related poetry, Odin is again associated with seeking counsel from Mímir’s head, reinforcing the figure’s role as a prophetic adviser rather than a conventional warrior or god.