Attestations
Gullveig is solely attested in the Poetic Edda poem Völuspá. In the poem, a völva recalls that Gullveig was pierced by spears before being burnt three times in the hall of Hárr (Hárr is one of Odin's various names), and yet was three times reborn. The völva says that, presumably after Gullveig's burning, she was called Heiðr and that Heiðr was a knowledgeable völva who could perform great feats:
- She that remembers, the first on earth,
- when Gullveig they with lances pierced,
- and in the high one's hall her burnt,
- thrice burnt, thrice brought forth, oft not seldom; yet she still lives.
- Heidi they called her, whitherso'er she came,
- the well-foreseeing Vala:
- wolves she tamed, magic arts she knew, magic arts practiced;
- ever she was the joy of evil people.
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- The war I remember, the first in the world,
- When the gods with spears had smitten Gollveig,
- And in the hall of Hor had burner her,—
- Oft and again, yet ever she lives.
- Heith they named her who sought their home
- The wide-seeing witch, in magic wise;
- Minds she bewitched that were moved by her magic,
- To evil women a joy she was.
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A description of the Æsir–Vanir War follows and the poem continues thereafter.