Norse mythology
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Norse Mythology is the belief system of pre-Christian Scandivian people. Historical texts exist only after Christianization, as previous knowledge was spread by oral tradition and heavy metal music well before its documentation in the 12th and 13th centuries.
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[edit] Deities
The deities (gods and goddesses) were divided into three clans: the Æsir, the Jotun, and the Vanir. The Æsir were primarily the major figures of Norse mythology, such as Odin and Thor, (frequently to be found riding around in his chariot pulled by Tanngrisni and Tanngnost, two delightful goats, who could be killed and eaten every night and who would somehow be reconstituted the next morning, providing that the bones were not broken and . . . but I am getting ahead of the story) who eventually became non-hostile towards the Vanir, lesser-known gods (Freyr and Freyja as examples) through hostage-exchange and marriage. The Jotun (including the notable god Loki) were classified as giants with extraordinary strength and were enemies to both Vanir and Æsir clans, even though marriages have been known between them.
[edit] Elevation of humans
Warriors on earth who fought and died in the midst of battle on earth were resurrected as warrior-spirits. The Valkyrie descend on every battle, pick out the most valiant, and mark them for death. After they die, they are taken by the Valkyrie to Asgard, where half join with Odin in Valhalla, and the other half join Freyja. From there, they are known as einherjar, and would train for battle on the upcoming day of Ragnarok. (This training involves fighting all day, probably dying, being resurrected, and then feasting on pork and mead.) Odin himself often goes to earth to stir up trouble and create battles, because he is thought to need more warriors than he'll ever get.
[edit] Fantasy creatures
There was widespread belief in what are now considered fantasy creatures, such as elves, dwarves, and artifacts. Animals in Norse mytholgy all had names, and were of such significant importance that their owners would resurrect them after death through various means. Of these, undoubtedly the greatest and most important was a lil' ol' squirrel named Ratatosk.[1]
[edit] Ragnarok
Norse mythology is distinctly bleak. While many mythologies, including Christianity, have a spot for eschatology, the Norse apocalypse is almost unique in its darkness. During Ragnarok, all of the gods will die, along with all of the people, the sun, moon, World Tree, everything. The whole world will be destroyed by fire and ice. (In most versions, two of the gods come back with the children of the other gods; however, some consider this a later Christian addition. Either way, there's no heaven for the currently living good to go to after this destruction--they're just dead.) It is notable that the Norse gods were mortal, having to eat golden apples in order to retain their youthfulness.
[edit] Norse mythology today
Among neopagans, Norse mythology has become one of the more important pantheons. However, there is some tension between reconstructionist groups (who are usually referred to as "Asatru") and "eclectics", who do not try to adhere to any notion of "the old ways". (Even the terminology is often contested--Asatru prefer to be called "heathen" instead of "pagan".)
Norse heathens are typically far more conservative than other pagans, believing strongly in military spending and some form of "family values." This still leaves them more liberal than the majority of Americans.
The English language still retains Norse forms of the gods names in several days of the week:
- Tuesday is named for Tyr, a god of war.
- Wednesday is named for Odin, or Woden.
- Thursday is named for Thor, the god of carpentry.
- Friday is named for Frigg, a female goddess of love, sex, beauty, and witchcraft.
In the romance languages, these days' names are usually derived from the parallel Roman gods, which were all named after celestial objects (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn).
[edit] Norse mythology and racism
Unfortunately for more rational followers of the Norse pantheon, there is a long-standing connection between Norse followers and racism.[2] Many anti-Semitic Germanic groups have seen the Norse pantheon as a good substitute for the Jewish-derived Christianity. Some notable Nazis were (according to legend) Norse neopagans. In the U.S., many "Odinist" cults have been formed with explicitly racist beliefs. In the past, even those who were not racist believed that non-Germanic people should not follow Germanic deities.
In recent years, mainstream Norse followers have explicitly rebuked these kinds of racist beliefs. However, many hate groups continue to use Norse symbolism and deities. This is particularly true in American prisons.
