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Heathenism and the Afterlife

 

 

Within most of the mainstream religions the concept of the afterlife is very cut and dry, very black and white. This is not the case within Heathenism. it is very much a case of options. The life you live may increase or decrease your options.

 

Re-incarnation

 

There is reference to re-incarnation in the Helgakvida Hundingsbana II. Although this does not appear to be a definitive way forward, just one of the options. There is one theory that would argue that re-incarnation will only occur within a bloodline, meaning that you can only “come back” within your own family line. Again, this is just one theory. Within some sects of Druidry (outside of Heathenry) there is an argument for the possibility of transmigration of the soul to other species/life forms, although there does not appear to be any reference to this within the Heathen Faiths. So, if you do choose re-incarnation it will be back into humanity. One perhaps is left to assume that if this is the personally chosen option the reasons will be personal as well.

 

Helheim (Ancestral Halls)

 

The Goddess Hel (daughter of Loki) was given dominion over the halls of the dead by Odinn. The realm of Helheim are found within the greater realm of Niflheim. There is plenty of attestation to this realm in the works of Snorri Sturlusson. Helheim is a place of rest, primarily for those who die from illness or old age, a place to be reunited with your family and loved ones. A place of fine halls and feasting. Light and airy, with the sounds of laughter and joy echoing around the halls. A good place. Although this being said there is a small, dark and miserable corner of Helheim reserved for the very worst of violators from this life, a place more akin to the modern concept of a Christian Hell. But apart from this dark corner, it is considered to be a good and wonderful place to be.

 

Valhalla and Folkvangr

 

For the faithful who fall in battle or fighting in a war, they will be afforded the opportunity to spend their afterlife in Folkvangr or Valhalla.

Valhalla is the Hall of Odinn found in the realm of Asgard.  Folkvangr is a field/meadow ruled over by Freyja as part of her Asgardian estates. We are advised that Freyja has the first choice of the fallen with the remainder passing to Odinn, resulting in half of all who fall in battle going to Folkvangr and half to Valhalla. Here they will be royally looked after to fight again at Ragnarok (the ultimate battle) with their respective hosts.

 

Halls of the Gods

 

All of the Gods and Goddesses of Heathenry reside in great halls and estates. Some mythologies and lore advise us that if in this life we serve a God or Goddesses well we will be invited to reside with them in their respective hall/estate.

 

Halls of Aegir and Ran

 

All who are lost to the seas will be gathered in by Ran in her great nets, she will take you to the Halls of Aegir (her husband). Here you will be entertained and looked after, feasted with fine foods and fine ale. As Aegir is also a God associated with the brewing of beer it will surely be only the finest of ale. *

 

*As we live in a coastal area where historically the sea has played a very important part in our local history and economy (plus some of our members have lost family members to the sea), we honour Ran for her care of the sea dead as part of our yearly cycle of celebrations. (see “A year With Wuffacynn”).

 

 

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