Shadow's Journey to the Underworld
Nine days on the World Tree, a death, and a judgment by Anubis.
In Neil Gaiman's American Gods, Shadow Moon's journey to the land of the dead follows Mr. Wednesday's murder. Bound by his contract with Wednesday, Shadow holds the vigil for him by re-enacting Odin's time hanging from a World Tree, pierced by a spear, for nine days. During those days he is visited by Horus, who has gone mad from living too long as a hawk.
Quick Facts
- Character
- Shadow Moon
- Affiliation
- Old Gods (Ally)
Lore & Background
Shadow dies on the tree and visits the land of the dead, where he is judged by Anubis, and he learns that he is Wednesday's son, conceived as part of Odin's plans. Horus finds Easter and persuades her to bring Shadow back to life, after which Shadow realizes that Mr. World is Low Key Lyesmith, that is Loki, and that Odin and Loki have been working a 'two-man con'.
Reader's Guide
The TV series ends on the same vigil: in the third season Shadow volunteers to hang from the World Tree for nine days, experiences surreal visions and meets Wednesday in a dream, who tells him that his death on the tree is a blood sacrifice that gives Wednesday immense power. Shadow dies on the tree, and the series ends there.
More in Narrative Arcs & Events
Elsewhere in American Gods
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