Fire and Ice. Christianity speaks of a void that predates creation. In the Norse tradition, the idea is called Ginnungagap (Weschcke & Slate, 2012). At this time, the world appeared with its dark and frozen northern Niflheim as well as its new southern realm of fire called Musspellsheim. The fundamental source of all life was formed by the intersection of the rivers of the north and the fires of the south and was called Eiter. The building blocks of the Eiter were also the formative creator of Ymir, the giant hermaphrodite humanoid creature and his foodstuff cow, Audhumla. The Frost Giants were formed directly from Ymir’s body, while the cow’s production was Buri, the official Norse precursor of humans. Buri “self-begot” a son who was named Borr. Borr married Boltha, a daughter of the Frost Giants, and their offspring included Odin and his two sons, Ve and Villi. Together, the three toppled Ymir, who was a terrible and tyrannical ruler, and spilled his blood across Midgard (Earth) like a river. Humans were created shortly thereafter as Ask and Embla, the original male and female humans. The great World Tree in Norse is an ash and it was formed by the Earth in these times (Weschcke & Slate, 2012). Its branches span the entire universe, supporting and reinforcing but also separating heaven and earth. There is a fountain in Jotunheim, one of the realms created by the World Tree’s root system along with Asgard and Nifleheim, which contains all of the wisdom of the universe called Mimir. The fountain in Asgard has the three fates, called Norns, who rule the times present, past, and future. In Norse spirituality, the sun is feminine and is named Sol. Sol is chased by the wolf, Skoll. Her Brother is the moon and is named Mani. Mani is chased by another wolf named Hati and when these two wolves finally capture them, they destroy the sun, moon, and earth world. Ragnarok ensues which is the end of the world, but is also the commencement of a new world. There is a battle of good and evil among the gods and indeed, among humans prior to their creation, which seeks to stop cruelty and corruption (Weschcke & Slate, 2012). Odin steps forth from this arena and is the ruler of the forces of Nature by way of his shamanic skills and his secret knowledge. He carries the spear Gungnir which always hits its mark and has the knowledge of the universe which he traded for his eye. Odin dwells in the heavenly palace called Valhalla where the heroic brave who die courageously in battle are sent. He has walked on Midgard disguised as a homeless traveler. By Odin’s side course two wolves who guard him, and above him fly two crows who spy ahead for him. Viking Death Prayer from The 13th Warrior https://youtube/watch?v=oQgnL5gU96Y Inner and outer forces, similar to basic principles of directional duality, meet in Norse tradition to synthesize into the Trinity (Weschcke & Slate, 2012). The process of opposition and then synthesis is relayed once again and suggests that all of existence is propelled by the same basic evolutionary conflict. Curiously, as Christianity formed and suppressed the Pagan spirituality as myth, there were various of the Norse gods who survived and are known as Saints and Angels within the Christian religion. TO BE CONTINUED (PAGE 376)
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 19:33:18 +0000
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