Eir
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This article is about the goddess. For the abbreviation, see EIR. For the pronoun, see Spivak pronoun.
Eir ("help" or "mercy" in Old Norse) is, in Norse mythology, a goddess of the Æsir who is called 'best of physicians' in the Edda. Eir is also counted among the Valkyries, connecting her to the ability to 'choose the slain' and awaken the dead. She was skilled at all kinds of healing, particularly herbcraft, and was even capable of resurrection. She is one of the goddesses on the mountain Lyfia ("to heal through magic"). She was also good friends with Frigg and is listed as one of her twelve handmaidens. Eir is also the name of one of the nine maidens who serve the giantess Menglöd in the poem Svipdagsmál.
Eir is only briefly mentioned in Snorri Sturluson's Edda and in some kennings.
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