Description
The Norns and an Exegesis of Voluspa
Gwendolyn Taunton
The inevitability of fate and the possibility of an apocalypse serve as the ultimate mysterium tremendum et fascinans for humanity. Fate is a force that remains beyond the realm of normal human control, consisting of unavoidable circumstances and consequences.
Fate is represented as a trinity of Goddesses known as the Norns or Nornir, individually named Urdr, Verdandi, and Skuld – each of whom has a specific function. For the Norns, the process of verbally pronouncing an individual’s destiny is a magical act which binds the target to their verdict. The judgment of the Norns —for good or ill—is inescapable for Gods and mortals alike. The complex interplay betwixt time, divine law, magick, and speech are all combined in the symbolism of the Norns to explain the concepts of predestination and determinism in European Traditions.
The second half of the book provides an examination of Voluspa – the prophecy which outlines the inevitable destruction of the world, and the ‘Twilight of the Gods’. Ragnarok is explored from the perspective of perennial philosophy and comparative mythology, to outline the esoteric meaning of Voluspa, with particular emphasis laid on the Gods Odin and Loki. The roles of Odin and Loki are extremely significant to Voluspa, for Odin is the key figure in forestalling Ragnarok, and Loki is the primary instigator of Ragnarok.
