Norse mythology, also called Asatru or heathenism by those who treat it as a religion, is incomplete to our modern knowledge. The parts that we do have of this pagan myth cycle are vivid, and they give insights into the ancient world of the Vikings. Perhaps one of the best known myths, and one that has inspired artists from painters to video game designers is the myth of Ragnarok, the Norsemen’s own armageddon.
From the beginning of the myth cycle that we have, it’s said that fate predicted the “death of the powers,” which is what Ragnarok translates to. The “twilight of the gods” is another, popular translation but it is not as correct. Certain events heralded the coming of this last battle such as the death of the god Baldur, three years of winter without end called the Fimbulwinter, and the increase in war and tyranny among men were all signs that the last battle of the gods was coming time. The wolves Skoll and Hati will devour the sun and moon, the stars will go out and the roosters Gullinkambi and Fjalar will crow to the gods and giants respectively to give one of the last warnings. Finally all of the world’s bonds will break, releasing the giant Loki who will gather his children and the nations of giants around him to march on to the plain Vigrid (battle shaker) where Ragnarok will take place.
The gods, not to be out done, have their own battle preparations. Heimdall sounds a blast on the magical Gjallahorn that signals the battle is coming. All of the gods prepare for battle, and their allies such as the einherjar and the valkyries in Odin’s Hall Valhalla and the Alfar in Alfheim as well as the dwarves and others who had sworn allegiance to the Aesir assemble with the gods and prepare to do battle. At the appropriate time, both forces will meet and fight on the field of Vigrid, and no matter the tricks, the training or the tactics the outcome was already foretold long, long ago.
Thor the god of thunder will fight Jormundgand the Midgard Serpent, Loki’s eldest son and a serpent large enough to circle the Earth. Though Thor will kill the beast, the venom from Loki’s son will soon after fell the thunder god. Thor’s father, the All Father Odin fights Loki’s second son, the giant wolf Fenrir. Despite the length and savagery of the battle Odin is swallowed by the wolf. Odin’s son Vidar will grab Fenrir’s jaws and using his great strength tear the wolf in half from teeth to tail. Tyr, the one handed god of war, will fight the hound of Hel named Garm and both of them will die in the battle. Even the unarmed Vanir god Frey will try to slow the onslaught of Surtur the king of the fire giants. Frey will be killed, and Surtur will set the world on fire after the poison of Jormundgand has filled the air and helped to destroy the world that is. Heimdall and Loki, ancient enemies, are said to be the last two combatants to fall at the last battle of the old age.
Of course, unlike other end-of-the-world scenarios Ragnarok doesn’t mark the end of everything. In fact, it’s the close of the old cycle, and the beginning of the new. Gods like Vidar, and Thor’s sons Modi and Magni are destined to survive the battle. Baldur will resurrect, and life will be restored to many of the fallen. The air will be cleared, the world quenched, and two humans who were hidden in the World Tree during the battle will be brought out to live and repopulate the world.
What does all of this mean? It means that in Norse mythology, as in many pagan myths, everything is cyclical. The seasons change, and Winter gives way to Summer before Winter comes again. Forces that are diametrically opposed like Frey and Surtur (nature and wild fire) or Loki and Heimdall (sometimes seen as laziness and ease versus duty and conviction) will come into conflict and an end will be made of it all. But that isn’t the end of everything. It is just the end of that season, that year, that cycle and a new one will begin afterwards.
“Ragnarok,” by Anonymous at Norse Mythology
“Ragnarok,” by Micha F. Lindemans at Pantheon
“Ragnarok,” by Anonymous at Ancient Mythology
