A few questions for those who honor Norse deities or practice Norse paganism:
1. How do you feel about Ragnarok? Do you view it as a literal event, or something more symbolic?
2. Does Ragnarok have any effect on you: whether it be in how you honor specific deities or how you view certain wights?
3. Do you believe that people who honor Norse deities and wights should be getting involved in "divine politics" or keep their nose out of the Gods business?
1. I see it as symbolic.
2. I honor the gods who would die in Ragnarok because it shows loyalty.
3. I believe you should stay out of it unless you believe they asked your opinion.
1. It's complicated. I don't know how valid Snorri's account of the Eddas actually is (and things can easily be falsified for a politician.) In speaking to other Heathens, I'm more inclined to believe that more than a little Christian overtones were put into Norse lore, and that the Ragnarok is one of these. All in all, I do not believe the Ragnarok will happen as it is told. I personally view it as a metaphor to the quite likely fiery end of Earth when the sun dies.
2. No, the Ragnarok doesn't affect my worship at all.
3. I believe it's literally impossible to stick our nose in any further to any higher providince that we have the ability to do. We may pray for rain, but unless the Gods of the sky will it, it won't rain. Contrarily, I believe that no mortal opinion can sway the Gods with higher tasks and purposes; the Norns, the Allfather, etc. All in all if it's the business of the Gods alone, we have no right to it. If it affects Midgard, we have the right to try to appeal to the Gods that hold providince over us.
1. How do you feel about Ragnarok? Do you view it as a literal event, or something more symbolic?
I think it's not going to happen like it was told. I think it's a divine conflict, on a subtle level, not a physical one. If anything, the gods will have their war, many will die, and we'll keep on honoring them, mildly confused as to why none of our prayers are being answered.
2. Does Ragnarok have any effect on you: whether it be in how you honor specific deities or how you view certain wights?
Not really. I stay out of the politics of the divine. If I need something from a god, giant, or spirit, I will seek them out, regardless of their political plans.
3. Do you believe that people who honor Norse deities and wights should be getting involved in "divine politics" or keep their nose out of the Gods business?
Keep their noses out of it. It's none of our business in my opinion because I do not view it affecting us. It's their problem, not ours.
Even though I do not worship Norse deities I have some knowledge on the field and I find Ragnarok very interesting. Of course to me it couldn't be anything but symbolic since I do not follow Norse paganism. Nonetheless I find the philosophy behind it very interesting. Ragnarok form symbolizes rebirth and purity. A new beginning. Also the belief that water has a special meaning in this case since for many paths it symbolizes clarity and purity.
1. I think its a bit of both. Mostly symbolic, but there has to be some physical to it..
2. it cant effect me as of now, in any way except how iI worship ,I suppose. And I worship with out any thought on the winner vs the looser, however I do worship Lokean. Thats just how it is with out prejudice.
3. I definitely don't thing we, as humans or worshipers should or even could get involved in the politics of this.. I have a feeling if I did, it wouldn't be too good for me.. But its a divine thing the I'm just not capable of anyway..
