Ragnarok Now

Ragnarok Now

 Seeing as this is the final Blog Post for the class, I figure and essay about Ragnarok (the death, and rebirth of the world) is fitting. Ragnarok is described in the first poem in the Poetic Edda, the Seeress's Prophecy. Yes, that confusing one that we first read and that was borderline impossible to decipher. But, it tells arguably the most famous and important tale of all of Norse Mythology. 

 The Beginning: 

 Ragnarok itself is said to start when Baldur, the beloved God of beauty and kindness, is killed by his brother Hod. Baldur's parents were Odin and Frigg, and Frigg had gotten all things to swear to never harm Baldur because of how much she loved him. Steel promised to never hurt him, along with stone, wood, and every other material or object in the nine worlds. Loki, his hatred of the Aesir growing, disguised himself as one of Frigg's handmaidens and asked if there was anything, anything at all that she didn't get to promise to not harm Baldur. She said that she decided that Mistletoe was too harmless to do anything and decided to leave it be. The Gods had a game where they would throw things at Baldur to watch them break apart without him being harmed. The only God who never played was Hod, the blind God of Winter and Baldur's brother. Loki went to him one day and handed him a bolt with mistletoe wrapped around its tip and shaft. He lined Hod up with Baldur and told him to throw it. He did. And for the first time, the object pierced Baldur's skin and killed him instantly. 

Hermod's Ride to Hel:

(Also the name of a Viking metal song if you're into that)

Hermod riding on Slepnir. 

With Baldur's death, the Aesir and Vanir fell into a state of melancholy. Frigg in particular was inconsolable and everybody wished that Baldur was still alive. Odin decided something must be done and held court amongst the Aesir and Vanir to decide on their course of action. Hermod, the young God of bravery, volunteered to ride to Helheim and negotiate with Hel, goddess of the dead, for Baldur's return. Odin gave him his personal steed, Slepnir the eight-legged horse, and sent him on his way. Hermod rode for days and nights on end before finally entering Helheim and meeting Hel. She heard his plea and decided that, if he was so loved, than if every being in all the Nine Worlds cried for Baldur than she would let him free. Hermod's journey continued for a long time after that, but in time every being, even the sworn enemies of the Gods. Everything seemed to be going well, until he found Toke, a female troll (who most agree was Loki in disguise). She refused to weep for Baldur, and so his soul would stay in Helheim. 

Fimbul Winter:

Winter: all day, everyday 

After Hermod's death, Fimbul Winter will begin on Midgard (Earth). It will begin one winter and will be three continuous years of intense and deep winter. The food and water supplies on Midgard will freeze up. Brother will slay brother and sister will slay sister. War without end will break out until every last person is dead. Oh, and to make matters even better, Fenrir the wolf will escape from his prison and his sons Skoll and Hati will eat the Sun and Moon. Jormungard the World Serpent will rise from the sea. Loki will escape from his prison (which he was placed in after Baldur's death) and will steer the Nagilfar, a ship made with the fingernails of the dead and manned by giants and the undead. Odin will consult Mimir, the wisest being there is, but what his council is remains unknown.

The Battle:

Surt and Frey fighting. 

B

The battle will take place on the field of Vigrid (which roughly means: the plain where battle surges). Heimdall will see the enemies of the Gods approaching and will blow the Gjallahorn, which can be heard in all Nine Worlds. The Aesir and Vanir will march to war alongside their servants, the Einherjar (warriors in Valhalla and Folkvangr) and the Valkyries. Tyr, the one-handed God of justice and courage will be killed by Garm the guardian of Helheim (who he in turn kills). Frey, the Vanir God of Nature will be slain by the fire giant Surt. Thor will kill his rival Jormungard but will succumb to the poison in his veins afterward. Odin will be consumed by Fenrir the wolf, who will then be killed by Vidar who will step in Fenrir's mouth with a giant shoe made of leather scraps that get thrown away (so you can help the Gods at Ragnarok by throwing away leather if you want) and then tear Fenrir's jaws asunder. Surt will use his flaming sword to cause the worlds to be set on fire while the oceans rise and fire and water will meet as the universe ends. 

Rebirth:

You thought redwoods were big

After the battle, the tides will recede and the flames will burn out. Lif and Lifthrasir, the last surviving man and woman, will emerge from their hiding place in Yggdrasil the world tree. Baldur will come back from the dead, and several gods who survived: Hod, Vali, Vidar, Modi, and Magni will form the core of the new Gods. A new sun will rise, and life begins anew.