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The nornir - or norns - were a group of female supernatural beings closely related to ideas about fate in the Old Norse tradition. In this book, author Karen Bek-Pedersen provides a thorough understanding of the role played by norns and other similar beings. Surprisingly little has been written specifically about the norns, and this book - now available in paperback - is the first detailed discussion of the norns among the literature dealing with Old Norse beliefs. Although often mentioned in scholarship treating Old Norse culture, the norns are all too often dealt with in overly superficial ways. The book's research goes much deeper in order to properly understand the nature and role of the norns in the Old Norse world view. The conclusions that are reached overturn a number of stereotypical conceptions that have long dominated the understanding of these beings. The book is especially relevant to those interested in or studying Old Norse culture and tradition. However, comparative material from Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Classical traditions is also employed, therefore the book will also be of interest to those with a broader interest in European mythologies.
"One of the most striking aspects of the process of conversion of paganism into Christianity is the manner in which certain key religious concepts were modified, without being totally obliterated from the new religious language. Residual pagan beliefs persevered, at least for a time, notably that concerning fate. The argument concludes that only after pagan fate was transformed into the concept of god's Providence could the problem of death and salvation in relation to God's power be made fully manifest. Fate had become linked with death as a new beginning within Christian eschatology, and was thus, finally, temporalized."--BOOK JACKET.
The norns were a group of female supernatural beings closely related to ideas about fate in Old Norse tradition. Although the norns are well known, even to people who have only a superficial knowledge of Old Norse mythology, this is the first detailed discussion of them to be published amongst the literature dealing with Old Norse beliefs.
From the translator of the bestselling Poetic Edda (Hackett, 2015) comes a gripping new rendering of two of the greatest sagas of Old Norse literature. Together the two sagas recount the story of seven generations of a single legendary heroic family and comprise our best source of traditional lore about its members—including, among others, the dragon-slayer Sigurd, Brynhild the Valkyrie, and the Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok.
The nornir - or norns - were a group of female supernatural beings closely related to ideas about fate in the Old Norse tradition. In this book, author Karen Bek-Pedersen provides a thorough understanding of the role played by norns and other similar beings. Surprisingly little has been written specifically about the norns, and this book - now available in paperback - is the first detailed discussion of the norns among the literature dealing with Old Norse beliefs. Although often mentioned in scholarship treating Old Norse culture, the norns are all too often dealt with in overly superficial ways. The book's research goes much deeper in order to properly understand the nature and role of the norns in the Old Norse world view. The conclusions that are reached overturn a number of stereotypical conceptions that have long dominated the understanding of these beings. The book is especially relevant to those interested in or studying Old Norse culture and tradition. However, comparative material from Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Classical traditions is also employed, therefore the book will also be of interest to those with a broader interest in European mythologies.
Fate and the Twilight of the Gods: The Norns and an Exegesis of Voluspa contains two sections, the first of which elaborates on the Norns (Nornir) and the concept of fate. In the Traditions of Northern Europe, fate is usually represented as a Goddess consisting of three aspects, known collectively as the Norns, who control the fate of the cosmos, and remain distinct from both the Aesir and the Vanir, but are nonetheless able to control the destinies of mortals and Gods alike. Respectively, the most common names for the Norns are Urdr, Verdandi, and Skuld - each of whom has a special function, weaving a tapestry of words in which the warp and weft of threads become a metaphor for human lives. Together, the three Norns offer a fascinating insight into the nature of magic, language, and metaphysical predeterminism in the Northern Traditions.The second half of the book examines Ragnarok, and provides an exegesis of Voluspa - the prophecy which outlines the inevitable destruction of the world, and the 'Twilight of the Gods'. Ragnarok refers to the doom of the Gods, and by the time Ragnarok concludes, almost every figure featured in the narrative will be dead, and the cycle of time shall begin anew. Ragnarok is examined from the perspective of perennial philosophy and comparative mythology, to explain the esoteric significance of core features in Voluspa and the events which led to Ragnarok, with particular emphasis laid on the Gods Odin and Loki.
Johan Egerkrans long dreamed of illustrating the Norse mythology, and when he released Norse Gods in Swedish it was an immediate success. Egerkrans re-tells the most exciting and imaginative sagas of the Norse mythology: From the creation myth in which the first giant Ymer is hacked to pieces by Odin and his brothers, to the gods' final destruction in Ragnarök. This is a gorgeously illustrated book in which gods, giants, dwarves, monsters and heroes are presented in all their glory. A book for those who already know and love these stories, as well as for those who have yet to discover Scandinavian mythology. A definitive work for readers of all ages. “It is a pleasure to be enchanted by the suggestive visualizations of Angerboda, Hel, Freya, Utgarda-Loki, Mimer and Surt." Dick Harrison, Svenska Dagbladet
This collection explores the theoretical and methodological foundations through which we understand Old Norse myths and the mythological world, and the medieval sources in which we find expressions of these. Some contributions take a broad, comparative perspective; some address specific details of Old Norse myths and mythology; and some devote their attention to questions concerning either individual gods and deities, or more topographical and spatial matters (such as conceptions of pagan cult sites). The elements discussed provide an introductory and general overview of scholarly enquiry into myth and ritual, as well as an attempt to define myth and theory for Old Norse scholarship. The articles also offer a rehabilitation of the comparative method alongside a discussion of the concept of 'cultural memory' and of the cognitive functions that myths may have performed in early Scandinavian society. Particular subjects of interest include analyses of the enigmatic god Heimdallr, the more well-known Oðinn, the deities, the female asynjur, and the 'elves' or alfar. Text-based discussions are set alongside recent archaeological discoveries of cult buildings and cult sites in Scandinavia, together with a discussion of the most enigmatic site of all: Uppsala in Sweden. The key themes discussed throughout this volume are brought together in the concluding chapter, in a comprehensive summary that sheds new light on current scholarly perspectives.
These stories are old, old as the Behmer Wold and seldom in life has there been such a brewing... Cycles of Norse Mythology captures the passion, cruelty, and heroism of an ancient world. Encompassing Odin's relentless pursuit of wisdom across the nine worlds, Gullveig's malicious death at the hands of the Æsir that sparks a brutal war with the Vanir, Thor’s battles against the giants of Jotunheim, the tragedy of Volund, the many devious machinations of Loki, and the inescapable events of Ragnarök, this lyrical re-imagining of the Norse myths presents the gripping adventures of the Norse gods and their foes in a style to delight modern readers of all ages. A detailed glossary provides a quick reference to the meaning behind names and terms used in the book. A Source Reference is included for persons who want to delve deeper into the study of Norse mythology.