Hello everyone and welcome back to the Viking Age podcast. My name is Lee and this is

episode 31, The Viking Soul. This is part four of our series on Viking Worlds.

Last time we took a deep dive into pagan ideas about fate and examined the central role that this concept

played in the minds of Viking Age Scandinavians.

In this worldview, each and every individual had a unique destiny which had been

dictated for them at the moment of their birth. This path, this destiny, was set down by the Norns, a shadowy group of

female deities who were responsible for dictating the fates to which all humans were subject.

We also examined pagan attitudes towards fate, as well as their thoughts on the mythological beings who supposedly

dictated it.

What we found was a worldview in which one's fate could be resented,

where the Norns could be cursed for their choices.

But ultimately, those choices were respected.

And there is little evidence that indicates

that one's fate could be resisted successfully.

It seems that one's lot in life,

whether good or bad, was accepted for what it was,

predestined and immutable.

However, while you may have had no control

over your destiny, it seems that you could control your reaction to it.

Facing adversity even to the point of death with courage.

Maint maintaining honor and reputation in the face of fate. It was by these measures that you were judged and it was at this level that individuals had control over themselves and their futures.

Today we are going to continue forward, exploring ideas which primarily function at the level of the individual.

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