Honestly, my ideal afterlife would be traveling to the various halls, learning and growing in wisdom. Learn smithing from dwarves, runes from Odin, fishing from Njord and stories from Bragi. That's the afterlife for me.
I'm not of any particular faith, but I've always thought my ideal afterlife would be kind of like a "spectator mode" from a videogame. i'm a formless force of observation that can travel the universe at my leisure, go back and forth through time, seeing everything i've always wanted to see and learning new things all the time. i'd like to watch the development of life on earth, and when i'm done with that, watch the development of life on some other planets. see if they ever develop a culture i would recognize as such, hear their music if they make it. i think that'd be a neat afterlife
I view it this way. No matter where you enter, all the halls are just places reachable by travel through Helheim. Maybe Odin or Freyja just get first crack at talking to warriors and convincing them of the importance of having Einherjar. Maybe the Einherjar train for a while then go visit family and come back years later to resume training. Nothing I have read makes me think any of the afterlives are permanent. In fact the very nature of Ragnarok ensures they are not. The very existence of Ragnarok also makes me thing everyone in the afterlife will receive training, either in Folkvangr or Valhol.
I was under the impression that Odin was eh...collecting --selecting--warriors to serve at the time of Ragnarok. So depending on your pov it could be a great honor or a great burden (curse) No R.I,P. for you...you get to spend eternity preparing for the Ultimate Battle. Not my idea of Heaven but to each their own :) Always enjoy your videos. Fantastic channel 👍💜
YES! Thank you for this video! My personal view of Valholl, I would rather not 'relive' my death over and over and over again. Hel welcomed Balder to her table, so I think that's good enough for me. Hail Hel! Side bar, have you done a video on Nerthus yet?
Amazing video as always! It is quite interesting to think about the many different possibilities of the afterlife and their respective lords of the hall.
I forget the source but i once read that the Anglo-Saxon pagans believed in a golden field. And it stuck with me so that when i die i will walk those golden fields with those who wait to meet me there and wait for those who have yet to join me.
From what I understand Valhall seems to be not so much an afterlife but a training ground for ragnarök where all the warriors train to improve their skills and everyone who isn´t a warrior (or simply a fighter) goes to another afterlife where they won´t have to think about ragnarök so basicly valhall isn´t so much the endpoint but more of a temporary place before the final battle
I will promise Odin I will fight for him during Ragnarok if he agrees to share custody of me with my wife in wherever she ends up, be it Folkvangr or Helheim
If their is a Valhalla I would be willing to fight by yourside till the giants little toe reaches man's height. The power of some souls is just to great for me.
I remember, a few years back, when I had cancer, someone sent me one of those stories from Tumblr about people who died from cancer going to Valhalla (I think there was a child that died from abuse in the story?). And honestly, I hate it. What good what I be if I died from cancer in Valhalla? Helheim, at least based in Saxo's description, sounds more like the place I'd like to go after death. The idea of Valhalla is great and all but I'm no warrior, I'm just a simple poet, and I find some of the modern ideas of Valhalla to be overhyped romanticisms that just give the wrong impression and grossly misinterpretate the lore. Anyway, great video! Cheers for posting!
I once wrote a short story about a farmer who died in battle defending his neighbor and going to Valhalla. It's indicative of my own understanding and research of what the Einherjar were. I personally believe that Valhalla and possibly Folkvangr is where the valiant dead go, and what made them valiant is what we generally consider to be exceptionally good attributes and actions. Like a firefighter who runs into a burning building to save a child. Or, to use my story as an example, a man who sacrifices himself for the good of his fellow man/the community. The culture of the Norse is so much deeper than what pop culture media has portrayed it as. I wish I could learn more and share that with people like you do, my dude.
It's interesting how the English word hell is similar to the word Hel/Helheim. The German word for hell is Hölle, which sounds similar to the word Valhöll.
Multiple afterlives seems to make a lot more sense to me, personally. And speaking of Christian ideas of Heaven and Hell--western Christianity has a wildly different view from eastern, not least the former's rigid focus on SIN.
@OceanKeltoi Sorry for being late to the party! I have seen some posts, such as on reddit, claiming that Valhöll was a kenning for Mass grave (like this www.reddit.com/r/asatru/comments/4xzkul/valhalla/), and here and there Ive seen references to Neil Price and that he is the one claiming that, but I havent found anywhere that he as actually said that. Have you heard anything of this? Is it plausible? That Valhöll means "Mass grave" that is?
The descriptions of Helheim that I have read and heard discussed with other Heathens is actually one of the main things that converted me to Heathenry from other forms of Paganism. It seemed like such a simple but welcoming sort of afterlife where things are green and peaceful. I could use a lot more green and peaceful in my life, it's why gardening is such a passion. Wonderful video as always, plus bonus voidling kitty at the end!
Great video! I did not know of the different afterlives other than Valhöll and Helheim. I had never heard Helheim described as green before, which really caught my attention.
There are many contradictory descriptions of Helheim. But, remember that our understanding of it is often influenced by Christianity. Hel is often viewed as evil, I prefer to think of her as benevolent (at least as much so as a Norse god will be). I am on the cusp of believing in the gods as literal or archetypes. But I do believe there is an afterlife... one that suits each of us best.
I remember getting into long arguments with people over stuff similar to this. Because they thought that Valhöll was the best of the Norse afterlives, they would start interpreting it so that a child who died of sickness or abuse could go there because they died fighting a battle (be it a mental battle or a health battle or what have you) But if a child who died of sickness or from abuse when to Valhöll, that could traumatize them. With all the fighting and bloodshed and all that every single day
I've seen that to. Or how people claim you won't go there unless you were a soldier. (Which implies that soldiers who survive will still go when they probably won't.)
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Also what they miss that Odin snatches warriors in the PRIME.... if You past that, even death in battle doesnt get You there.
I think Valhalla is over romantized by people tbh. One of the things I really like about Heathenry and to extent celtic paganism too is the variety and showcasing that paradise is not a one size fits all concept.
Honestly, I love how varied the afterlife within Heathenry is, as humans are so complicated. It makes sense, then that our afterlives may be just as complex and dependent on the individual. I will say the imagery of Valhöll is not my desire for an afterlife. Sundri's home sounds quite cozy and Hel's care is appealing as well. Additionally, Calcifer really was checking in on this recording haha. His script writing is getting so good, he's now wanting to direct your videos as well!
I have two main reactions to this. 1) I genuinely hate when other Norse practitioners tell me I have to or should aspire to go to Valhalla when I die. I hide that hatred behind the stubborn insistence that no, I fully intend to spend the vast majority of my time evenly divided between spending time with Njord, Saga, and Idunn, and to spend my weekends nekkid on a beach drinking mead all day. Getting up every morning, fighting, dying, and getting up to do it all again tomorrow seems... boring on a good day, and as you said, nightmarish on a bad one. 2) I have had Heathen friends in the military who genuinely seem to fear *not* dying in some war or another. I have found that the best comfort for this fear is a reminder that only a fool would, on the eve of battle, turn away able hands and willing hearts who genuinely wish to serve the cause of Asgard in Ragnarok. And Odin is undoubtedly many things, but he is not a fool. I can't say with any authority that there is any real backing for this bit of UPG, but it does seem to help my friends, and honestly that's enough for me.
My interpretation always pissed off any other pagans I met in the military, or even people that would say they wanted to go to Valhalla. I don’t think Odin needs just average dudes that die in battle. Anybody can be a soldier, it takes a certain mind to become a warrior. Self discipline, strategic thinking, adaptability all the type of things you should consider if you want to go into Valhalla. I don’t base this off of anything other than my point of view but it definitely makes the brosatrus think twice lol
Same! I always thought it sounded boring too. As I got older and started thinking about things more critically, I asked someone I trusted about heaven. I said "So heaven is a place where there's no pain or sadness, right? Well my grandpa might not have been a christian. When I die, if I see that he's not there and know he's in hell, I can't imagine not feeling upset. How does that work?" And the response that I got was just "Oh, you'll be so enraptured by the glory of god that you won't care". And that moment honestly played a big part in changing how I viewed that religion and I ultimately left. It's not just that I can't imagine having no emotional reaction to something like that. It's really that I don't want to be stripped of my humanity. And I certainly don't want an eternity of more church. lol
Christians say there god loves everyone so why would he condemn some to hell , why does he allow so much suffering, Christianity contradicts itself, I got older and wiser and found a greater connection to paganism for after all that was the practice of my ancestors before Christianity was brutally forced on the northern hemisphere.
@@adriancarter825Christianity doesn't contradict itself. Only the puny humans came up with concepts they applied to God that aren't really taken from the Bible but from philosophy. Like the concept that God is all good, all-knowing and almighty. In fact the "contradiction" comes from monotheism itself in case you want a supernatural explanation for evil. Either you follow Isaiah 45, 7 which says that God does both evil and good, light and darkness. In one. Or you need a minor God called Satan who is responsible. If that's the solution, you basically end up with polytheism, only you call the minor gods demons, Satan, angels, etc.
@@adriancarter825Christianity doesn’t contradict itself, God does love us all that’s why he gave us the choice wether we want to have a relationship with him or not, he just wants to know us and for us to truly know him. If you’re living with sin and all that crap in the world he will not let you into his kingdom because you are carrying darkness and you chose to do that so he will not let any form of darkness into his kingdom.
I feel like I'm the only one in the room who is bringing this up, but the modern conception of the Christian Heaven as a human afterlife is NOT even what the Bible states is the destiny of man. Yes, Heaven IS described like that. But Heaven is the highest celestial (spiritual) realm where all principalities and structures of reality come together and point directly to the Absolute (God), hence it's full of sung praises and casted crowns. Sort of like a metaphysical cathedral that, for all its beautiful complexity and structure, all ultimately contributes towards pointing to the steeple. But this is essentially the realm of God and those highest of spiritual structures and principalities. Not a destination for humans after their death, besides, I guess, Elijah. Which actually makes sense with his status as the prophet of highest importance until Jesus, who apparently is FROM that realm, being an original part of the Trinity. There isn't really that much descriptive talk about the general destiny of a human's soul until the New Testament, where Jesus describes... well, some of what Hell is like, gives references to the fate of those who are saved and those who aren't, and then Revelation gives a full blown description of the eschaton that leads to the fate of mankind. It's this eschaton that determines the afterlife for departed souls, and it's in this book that describes, pretty clearly, what it will be for those who are saved: the dead will rise and, after God's victory following a LOT of apocalyptic events, will rebuild and populate God's Kingdom on Earth, where God will come to reside personally as a sort of Heaven 2.0, or Heaven on Earth. So essentially, it's saying that, like with Ragnarok, all of the events of history on Earth and in the spiritual realms will come to a head and resolve themselves in final battle where good triumphs over evil (interestingly, both myths seem to imply it's by the skin of its teeth) and through this victory everything is set right and God's Kingdom is finally established as a paradise on Earth for all of God's people, living or previously dead, to reside in with Eternal Life. How literally or symbolically all of this is meant to be... is actually a SERIOUS matter of debate in the world of philosophy and theology, but those are the basic themes. It's really not that much different than Ragnarok besides an emphasis that man's destiny is to be ON EARTH, but a new, utopian Earth. The Bible does NOT state that humans go to Heaven when they die, and the concept of Hell is very murky besides some common themes in most of scripture. And some of the best theologists, philosophers, and thinkers in history seem to take the view that Hell is really the torment of a personal spiritual struggle, maybe even during one's lifetime, but not necessarily limited to it. Sort of like how Ragnarok is both an eschatological event, but also represents each person's personal death, the cataclysmic end and turnover of ages, etc., all at the same time. The many layers of different things it symbolically represents is almost certainly also the case with the human afterlife in Christianity, and not least the role of Heaven in Christianity. But the role of Heaven does NOT include a general human afterlife for those that are saved. THAT will apparently be God's Kingdom on Earth where God and mankind will enjoy a paradise free of the woes of sin and suffering of the past. Which is what "every tear will be wiped away" likely actually means. Not that you will have no capacity to mourn those that are damned, but that all past sorrows will be eased and shed as a new age of joy and righteousness begins. Which honestly sounds a LOT more interesting and adventurous than the modern Christian idea of Heaven. I'm not saying this because I'm a Christian, but because I've always been interested in studying both Norse and Christian theology, and if we're going to discuss and study them, we really should be nuanced and accurate about it. Both religions contain a LOT of deep spiritual truths that can be totally lost on us if we don't approach them with understanding and honesty. And I really wish Christians would do that more often when it comes to the afterlife of their own religion.
"Ye-Halla" 😂😂😂 I was born in Atlanta & live in South Georgia...so that was especially funny! I've met tons of self claimed Heathens who only want to be a big scary Viking badass & see nothing more or deeper...so Ye-Halla kinda fits them
Humans are complicated and I believe that the afterlife is too. Hell, I am eclectic so I think I would be at peace with any of the afterlives that I believe in or simply be at peace knowing what is on the other side. Amazing video Ocean!!
The way i understood it, the many go to Helheim, the best warriors go to Valhalla, the best defenders go to Folksvang, the best craftsmen go to the hall of what ever God is the patron of their trade. So a particularly good sailor might go to Njord
You are the kind of Atheist that I like to make friends with. It's fun watching the look on the face of your stereotypical Atheist when I have the friendly kind standing up for me when messed with.
@@gentleasa5728 well im in no position to be certain about it but what seems to be most likely is, nothing. Just no longer living. There is probably some strange experiances as the brain dies, hallucinations or somthing. And that is the last thing that I would experiance. The world goes on withought me, and the people who love me will miss me.
@@mobilemollusc615 Thank you for your quick reply. Funny I never realized it , but my Grandfather that raised me had that same belief. Other than him, I’ve never taken the opportunity to think about it. I do love Learning about other ppls thoughts so thanks again.
I try not to get mad when friends attempt to convert me, I k ow they're coming from a good place. I gotta admit, it probably is scary to think "if I don't save them they'll suffer for all eternity." Especially if you love this person
Surely you'd think that would bring into question their concepts of an "all loving god". Your friends like you, think you're a good person and that you 'deserve' to be in heaven. But they're _afraid_ that their god will punish you regardless. So Hell would be full of decent people who didn't know Gods name. Doesn't seem like such a bad place.
Before my dog died, I knew I was pagan, I knew I leaned Norse pagan...but I didn't truly felt drawn to a particular god or goddess. I adored Freya, but she didn't call to me. After my dog died I was sticker with grief. He'd been with me so long and had been the main reason I hadn't committed suicide. I was beside myself, sobbing into my pillow one night when suddenly an imagine I'd never seen before come to me, and I felt calm for the first time in days since he'd gone. It was a woman, she was beautiful to my eyes and in her lap was my dog. She smiled, and I felt warmth and comfort. He was safe. I heard her name, Hel. This was Hel, and he was safe and she was here for me. Just...thinking about it makes me want to cry again, but with joy and comfort this time. Now when I'm feeling so many emotions I can't keep them in I go to my altar and let them out and offer them to her. One day I hope to meet her, and plan to see all my dogs again in Helheim.
Must admit, until this video I *only* heard about the part where Freya was getting the first pick on the slain, but learning that pretty much all more major or minor deities had their respective after-lifes for various means how one had departed from life, it was quite mind-blowing! That said, it only makes sense for me that Valhalla was not for everyone, even to people of those times, of the Norse or Germanics from the times of Rome, it would be quite strange in fact that there would be only 'good' and 'bad' options of afterlife. Wish I could learn as much about my Slavic roots like that, but alas, we have even less to go on than in case of germanic heathenry. In any case I love the material, pretty much opened my eyes to this aspect about those old cultures!
I've been incorporating the odd fact here and there about Slavic polytheism into my videos because there's such an interest in it lately as well as relevancy to Heathenry as an adjacent culture. But my knowledge on Slavic polytheism is unfortunately very very surface level. But I'm getting more into exploring it lately.
@@OceanKeltoi Any cover of that topic would be amazing for many I reckon! Sometimes even might run into the same sources that some seem to treat as being about the Norse and Slavic alike. Which is not that weird given there was a lot of interaction between, so while there are differences, it's also easy to get an impression that those 2 spheres of cultures are pretty similar. With some luck one day I may find and obtain some verified sources about that, but current situation is pushing such plans of search as secondary things to do.
A permanent afterlife i dont think they had. I see them more as waiting places for the different parts before they come together to make a new human life. Life, death, rebirth, life, death, rebirth, life, death, rebirth..... forever.
I wonder what it means when Odin said for Hel to provide for all those "sent" to her... Would the gods/goddesses collect the pieces of soul in their domains and give them to Hel to sort out?
Valhalla is a quasi-heaven for me. It's both nice but also violent and hard, as a training ground. I remember having a vivid dream about Valhalla and thought it was beautiful but I did see an all out war take place. Helgafjell, Gimle and Hel struck me as being closer to heaven.
I wouldn't mind seeing an extensive list of the ones known. I personally think there are just as many as there are gods. I know I have a book that mentions frigg having one for lovers, never to be separated.
You know, most of my life I've thought about the afterlife as a thing that's different for everyone, based on what one finds eternally pleasant, which was hard for me to reconcile with any one spiritual belief system, or so I thought. This...really aligns with that, and as an eclectic pagan is going to give me a lot to think about.
I have long taken the position that there are many different afterlife destinations. I once had a sort of vision of Helheim being a huge stone castle with many towers, surrounded by an enormous black wrought iron fence with tall mountains beyond that. The moonlight pokes through the clouds. Inside is a huge hall with big ornate chandeliers, and there’s a great library with near endless shelves and armchairs with small gaslamps on the walls. Obviously that kind of environment would appeal to someone such as myself, but the point being that it’s a place of rest where one’s spirit can heal from the trauma of life. The vast green field is how I’ve always seen Folkvangr. I don’t think anyone is limited to only one divine realm either, as there are multiple accounts of someone traveling between different realms in the lore.
Had a similar vision or at least vivid dream. Helheim at least the actually hall was this enormous castle with a black gate, but upon the gate were torches. Inside were royal red and gold decor and seated at a table were happy men and women.
3:14 - Or even more properly Valhǫll, given that ö did not exist in Old Norse. 😉That goes for the other uses of ö in the video too. Apologies for the nitpick. 😆 The only reason ö is even used there is because early typewriters didn't have an ǫ, and early internet couldn't handle it either. Heck, it still looks a little funny, but it's supposed to be a normal o with a hook on it.
I’m about to convert to this faith I’m now just trying to learn about it sadly I wasted a week or so in WoO but I’m glad I saw I think it was red wolfs video he recommended you and I’m so so glad he did
Thank you!!! I've literally had to explain this to so many people. A lot of people I know who like norse myths tend to relate them with the christian myths and its annoying because they don't listen when I correct them. Next time, I'll just direct them to your video
I’m so glad you made this video. I see many new heathens/pagans talking about the afterlife as is Valhalla was the norse heaven and the only good place to go, and I’m glad to have something to direct them to rather than just reciting the historical sources, which gets tiring..
I believe in McNallens book he Mentions that a soul that as well rounded am brave goes to Valhalla while those who are lesser with problems that I did it overcoming life go to Hellheim So bullshit
I have always thought Freya's choice was those who lived with love in their hearts and goodness in life. Interesting information, great to have more info
TH-cam reccomended me your channel and I've always been interested in the Viking faith. My background is from Hindusim, but it is so fascinating to hear how other religions apart from the main ones today, had different concepts. I was always unclear on what the Viking after life actually was. Thank you for clarifying that there are MANY realms. Also, not ALL Vikings NESSCARILY wanted to go to Valholl. Some were content being traders, others warriors, etc. Now with Hindusim, I find a small similarity. We have the concept of reincarnation and enlightenment - i.e the man/woman that mediatates to unlock the chakras in their body so that they achieve moksha which is liberation from an endless cycle of rebirth in this world which is Kali-Yuga. (You have a Guru that helps you along the way) That's one way. But then we have seven worlds of evil, and seven worlds of good. Much like you described the Viking soul going to different realms under different Gods. We have the Lokas - seven planets of good. The highest realm is Brahma Loka - which is basically only the truth can be told there, good and virtous beings can go there. But, there is no need of waste. These realms are but a fascinating insight. Otherwise it's rebirth, go to heaven or to the underworld, then rebirth. That's it. The fact that you drew out that the Viking soul could split into different branches, is a very good concept. Because Christian Sources I don't think really understood the Norse religion that well. Nor would I claim to do so. There is a story where once, the Gurus of our realm, basically old age men with epic beards wearing epic robes, mediated to such a degree that they had more power than the Gods themselves. So the Gods appealed to Shiva, who then I can't remember what, basically stopped it. And going back, to Valholl...it's not a realm of great stuff - it's just you fight for a God, who wants to stop his world from being destroyed - you die then you eat - it's an endless cycle of purgatory in a way but then its not, for some that like this type of afterlife, it's perfect for them! I'd prefer the other Viking realms that you pointed out. If the Viking Norse religion has many halls Then Hindusim has seven planets, has seven underworld s Each have a different source of view, etc, God, etc. I dunno this was a very interesting video please make MORE content like this - stuff like this gives a lot more clarity
Coming from an ex-Mormon, this has left plenty of food for thought. I will say that if Valhalla is the afterlife of eternal fighting, if I somehow ended up there I’m pretty sure I’d try and find a way out cause that sounds absolutely horrifying to me. Either that, or that’s the trauma talking. Ever since my grandfather died, I’ve long considered the afterlife and what I think about it, but it’s through honouring Hel I came to realise one thing; I really don’t care where I end up. I have never cared. All I care about is that I can be reunited with my loved ones - friends, family and so on - and spend time with them again. Between the places you mentioned, I’m still of the opinion that Helheim sounds the most pleasant. It gets more complicated when I consider that some of the loved ones I want to see again - such as my grandfather - are Mormon/Christian, and thus I’m not entirely sure how I’d be able to see them again if the Christian heaven really does exist. I mean, just cause I don’t believe it doesn’t mean it’s not real. But it’s one of those things I try not to worry too much about. I’ll only find out when it’s my turn to leave this train we call life. Until then, I wanna enjoy as much of the ride as I can.
I had the same question about whether i’ll see my loved ones who are of other faiths in the afterlife. I believe a piece of their soul is imprinted, or interwoven, in ours so we’ll have them with us forever.
Mr. OceanKeltoi, thank you for another video. I've been a practicing heathen for the last few years, but I always like hearing your closing statement. Find a way, or make one. It's this idea in heathenry that attracts me. Don't rely on the gods to bail you out, rely on yourself. But honor the gods, and ask for their favor.
A great description of what Valhöll is. It is a warriors paradise. To constantly battle, for their is no greater love than a man who is willing to lay down his life for the ones he loves. Valhöll being described as a place for warriors to train and help protect the gods is an awesome thought for some. For others it’s terrifying. That’s the glory of polytheism. You can choose which god and which afterlife to follow and hopefully attain. The choice is yours brothers and sisters!
In my personal practice, Valhalla is my heaven. Why? Because I believe in the idea of happiness coming from purpose. It’s one of the reasons I hate the Christian Heaven. If people are deprived of purpose, which is what Heaven is as there is not goal or conflict. As an einherji, I would essentially be a soldier of Odin, my main god, a warrior who fights on the side of harmony and order. It’s not a paradise, far from it, but it’s a place of purpose. In my daily life, I don’t openly search for Valhalla, but I personally strive for it. I practice martial arts, I am training to be a history teacher (so I may keep history alive in the youth, and the memmory of the heroes of the past intact). But if I don’t end up there, I won’t be sadden. Though honestly I might aim for Elysium if that’s the case, because my sister is Hellenic, and I wouldn’t mind being together with family in the afterlife.
Another great video ocean man! I personally don't want to go to Valhalla, even though I worship and give to Óðinn. I would much rather go to Þrúðheimr or Helheim and be with my ancestors.
This cleared so much confusion up for me, thank you! Helheim seems so much better then Valhöll to me as someone who just wants a peaceful place for eternity..Skål!
Do you believe Valhalla is reai, or a metaphor? As a modern day believer, is it different than how our ancestors saw the after life? Great video, thanks brother.
Thank you for addressing how certain afterlives don't seem appealing to certain people. I worship Odin and Freyja, but if I'm being completely honest, I don't think Valhalla would be my top pick for an afterlife! I'm far from a warrior, lol. I might like Hellheim better.
My grandfather, a descendant of Danish immigrants, was an architect and passionate about his work in life. I wonder if he's spending his afterlife with the Dwarves like Brokr and Eitri, learning of their building techniques? I also wonder if his wife, my grandmother, is with him or perhaps in Folkvangr with Freya?
Like many of your videos, I'm sure this is one I'll come back to more than once. Great job as always! Thoughts of the afterlife are common enough for me since I became a heathen, almost a year ago now. I hold ritual to honour my ancestors quite regularly, and I have made a point of mentioning Valhalla as well as Helheim in those rituals, and even Ran's hall. I really enjoy the concept of the multi part soul, so it makes sense to me to mention those potential afterlifes too. I do like to think that I will end up in Helheim myself, and I also hope that my ancestors will have eventually journeyed their way there too, even if only in part.
As a former Catholic, I can't help but draw a similarity between your second to last possibility for Valhall and Catholic idea of Purgatory, a place to be cleansed before entering the Christian heaven. Personally I like this idea as it makes sense to me that those who died violently may need to overcome that trauma before entering Hellhiem. Like you I am agnostic about the afterlife as it was Christian ideas about the afterlife that drove me away
I know this is a crazy question… lately I’ve been watching a show where little kids believe they have been reincarnated. Usually their first life was a violent one. They usually remember a lot of details of the other life. Maybe that’s the meaning behind the fighting and resurrection in the stories of Valhalla? Maybe it’s talking about them being reincarnated over and over? Or not! 😂
I think in a way it's a metaphor for achieving Word Fame and becoming pseudo-immortal through an individual's deeds. You never truly die and have therefore reached the ultimate reward, it doesn't matter how many times you're cut down you will persist. It may also likewise serve as a metaphor for escaping the cycle of death. You're a warrior who died in battle but in Valhalla you can be wounded and dismembered over and over and over again but you will not stay dead and neither will your opponent. What makes battle terrifying, dying and having to take a life, is no longer a concern because no matter how bad your injury you will always return to the hall at the end of the day to drink and feast. It takes mortal combat and reduces it to something like a sport or game rather than malice and fear. Like I absolutely hate violence and the idea of hurting another human, I will always opt to endure punches before I throw one. But I love wrestling and sword fighting because everyone is made relatively safe and we're able to enjoy ourselves because we don't have to worry as much about hurting ourselves. Valhalla may be just like that, it removes what makes warfare so scary. This could also explain the other afterlives, you drown at sea you now live with Aegir and Ran in the domain of the sea but cannot be drowned. You die of sickness and/or hunger and you lay in Hel's Sickbed and are served by her utensils "Hunger" and "Famine" but you will not die from sickness nor will you die from hunger.
This video is a great way to crack open this conversation. It is my understanding that Freyr has set me on a quest in this life . For that reason I seek some afterlife among the Vanir. Being a polytheist who has studied soul retrieving I wonder if the places of Lost Souls would be a part of Helheim. Could it be by itself as multifaceted as the rest of the universe? For the record I agree with your assessment that Valhöll is a loop for souls that cling to the glory of battle and is itself a way of redemption. Almost passing through Valhöll on one’s way to their ancestral mound and from their to whichever incarnation or rest they have earned, chosen or been assigned. Great content
Well, it kinda is but kinda isn’t, all it is, is endless fighting and feasting with fellow fallen friends and family, until the day of Ragnarok when Odin Simmons them to the Battlefield one last time to fight the army of the Frost Giants
I can't sleep & being up in the middle of the night listening to Norse legends is time well spent. Thanks for your exciting vocal work on yet another great video. 🌟
Same, sitting out on my back patio on a rare nice day in Georgia… the idea of an eternity in a city made of precious metals with nothing to do but suck up to a deity sounds like hell. Give me a land of greenery any day. But preferably a short term life before we go back for some more. Let the wheel turn, anything one thing for eternity would eventually be hell.
When I was an RN working on the maternity unit, I remember being disturbed when I was told by a new mother that she and the baby's father had decided to name their newborn daughter "Valhalla". We're supposed to be supportive, but I had a hard time NOT asking why they would want to name a beautiful baby girl for a grim, bloody hall where the battle-slain continuously re-enact their brutal deaths over and over again. I think they must have had a very generic Marvel Comics idea of Norse mythology. .
Even as a military man, I always saw myself going to Helheim, but I'd be honored to become one of the chosen. Valhalla has always been a place of higher purpose to me. Where you'd train and die each day to eventually serve and die alongside our gods to save a glimmer of what they created from those who want to destroy it.
"...die alongside our gods to save a glimmer of what they created from those who want to destroy it." That's actually a beautiful description of Ragnarök. Because not all is destroyed. A small, charred branch of Yggdrassil remains, floating across the Ginunga-void like a piece of driftwood. Eventually the driftwood washes ashore on a distant beach. Out of the wood is born a man and a woman - Ask, and Embla (I think roughly translated into "Ash and Ember")... the man which is the ash, the stuff, the matter, and the woman, which is the ember, the spark of life.) And together they walk the beach and then they meet three Aesir brothers, which is reminiscent of how the world was made the first time. And so we come full circle. If this is what you imagine yourself helping to achieve, then it's a noble thought indeed.
I think a big issue is in, for lack of a better term, "translating" one religion to another. The Christian concept of sin for example doesn't have a direct correlation in Germanic/Norse religion. We could loosly equate the G/N concept of honor to sin as both are guiding principles for behavior. But they certainly are not the same. The concept of heaven as perfect bliss isn't the same as the nightly farting in Valhöll, which may be fun times but requires daily war essentially. Nor is the connection to Yahweh the same as being close to Oðinn by living, training & feasting in Valhöll as in heaven it seems more like a merging of spirits into one where in Valhöll there is a band of brothers situation but all are still sperate.
This weekend I was at a Ren Faire and a vendor had a “Passport to Valhalla,” featuring a large valknut on the cover. I’d like to say I just facepalmed and left the booth, but he tried to sell it to me. (I didn’t buy it, lol)
My understanding of Valhalla has always been that it is not a place of reward; it is a place of duty. It's Odin's hall, so the inhabitants are there before Ragnarok, and their duty is to prepare to fight for the gods when Ragnarok comes. There is some reward: the warriors get to party during the night, but they also spend all of their days training for the final battle.
I live under an “as if”; I cultivate the energy of my body, my mind, and my spirit. If there is no afterlife, then I have given back more than I took coming in. This is a minor grace. If there is an afterlife, then I hope to be prepared for it.
My view is that it’s not a paradise of pleasure and peace. But instead, a paradise of purpose. A place where Warriors find focus and a chance to serve the Aesir and the realms themselves.
@@benjiman_OBE War is nothing but thrill, it's fun you are thinking of. There is nothing fun about war. Thrill is actually the opposite of fun. Your adrenaline isn't pumping because you are having a happy old time, but because you are able to notice death reaching for you from around every corner.
@@benjiman_OBE There was a point when I no longer saw the need to buy the latest update of the dictionary. People started changing the language in order to compensate for not being able to not lie, so I may be a little behind.
@@benjiman_OBE I know right? In the proper context language changing can be pretty cool. But sadly we need to invent a new word to mean what thrill use to. How about, Xuarah. That way a word that starts with the letter X while actually making an X sound can finally exist.
I remember someone once said that basically, the concept of Valholl (a place where felled warriors go to later return) and Helheim (a terminal place) basically support the idea of reincarnation to an extend. With Valholl basically being just a step-inbetween two lives and Helheim being the norse equivalent of Nirvana.
I personally think Heaven is more nightmarish than Valhalla. To be in Heaven is to be frozen in worship of God, forever...or at least "until the end of the age" which, depending on how you read the Bible, implies that no matter what happens God will just start it all over again, for reasons completely inaccessible to our knowledge if any. That's not to say Valhalla doesn't have it's downsides from the sounds of it. I'm inclined to say that I'd have fun drinking mead, fighting, and being re-animated before Ragnarok happens, but I can kind of see how that idea would seem kind of cursed, because really you're just being killed and re-animated until finally you die in Ragnarok with nearly everyone else, all in an attempt by Odin to forestall the inevitable. In all this my inclination is to take from this an engagement with the shadow of the world full of gods, in view of Odin's nature and inclination. Assuming a life beyond life, my preference would be either to think in term sof reincarnation (which is a view that I think is justifiable in Heathenry and some polytheistic traditions outside of Heathenry), life in the underworld chilling with the spirits and gods of the underworld, hell but it's literally just you hanging out with shades and demons, or to join with the gods, with the presence of divinity itself, and become part of the cycles in which they participate; that last idea seems to find more expression in Greek mysteries and in Egypt than in Heathenry. But in any case, I can't complain after I die.
Seriously. Just stop with the whole “I’m going to Valhalla when I die” BS. Most of y’all saying that couldn’t fight your way out of a wet paper sack, let alone fight all die in battle with Odin’s chosen. Come to think of it, why would we want to. Give me peaceful rest and lots of loving any day.
Interesting video. The ancient Egyptians had a concept of a many faceted person, the body, the soul and the spirit. The body stayed in the tomb, the soul went to paradise where it pretty much continued life as it is on earth, and the spirit traveled back and forth visiting earth and paradise. I am pretty agnostic myself, but I am open to ideas and do not exclude anyone's mythology as better than anyone else's.
Honestly I always believed that Valhalla is warrior heaven. I always believed that only those who died a warrior death will go there. And those who weren’t a warrior would go to Helheim. And honestly I prefer to spend my time in the Hel’s domain
The catholic heaven, (catholic was the faith Jesus installed, remember christians separated with their similar but different beliefs) requires you to not only accept salvation, but ALSO die without sin, by doing a lifelong confession before your death. Essentially you cannot enter heaven with sin staining your soul. If you die with sin, then your soul goes to purgatory, where your sins are washed away. That's why many catholic prayers include the souls in purgatory, because praying for them helps them advance through their journey. Of course if you commit a deadly sin without confession, then you go straight to hell. That's why it's important to confess your sins every once in a while. And personally, I believe that even hell is temporary. AFAIK there's no biblical evidence to back my opinion, but being that God is all forgiving and good, then I think that depending on the gravity of your sin is the length of your stay in hell. Even the worst of sins, after thousands of years in hell, might be cleansed. But who knows.
The “Cristian” believes of everyone going to heaven that are good, and everyone that is bad goes to hell is a Christian apostate teaching. It’s not actually taught in the Bible. The early apostate sects that broke off from the early Christian congregation. They adopted Greek and Roman ideas that had already been used in first century judaism, No does it say the human consciousness goes anywhere. It says the body goes back to the ground humans originated, yet it does talk about a reserection, or a “standing up again” back to life for those righteous And unrighteousness. On earth after a battle called Armageddon. As for a need for a redemption, well the biblical Adam was a perfect man, and sinned by choice, and lost that for humans thus a imperfect sacrifice won’t be equal to a perfect one, thus Christ, god’s perfect son, a perfect sacrifice to regain what was lost. I’m fascinated by the stories of my Scandinavian ancestors, and look for comparisons, Anyway, I often wander as a reader of the Bible wander if one of the wife’s of one of the sons of Noah carried stories of the Nephelem who some of those characters may be after
Ocean, great video. Perfect puns, lol! I think you nailed it pretty good, all the variety. I think ever since we, as humans, started questioning EVERYTHING, we also started planning answers. And just like now, with christians, I'd bet every mind had it's own version of an afterlife. Maybe you can move from one to another, through choice or not, depending on worthiness! It could be 'like sands through the hourglass, these are the days of our afterlives!' Cue music, lol. Damn I'm old. 👍🥰💖✌
I don’t care where I go after this life. I care where I am going in this life. Our views on the final destination has been watered down to where people will grasp at anything. It reminds me of when the Christians would say “be good or you won’t go to heaven”. I remember I remarked “why go there I probably won’t know anyone there”. If there is a Valhalla I doubt I’ll be going there unless there is a great battle and I die in it. As for now I will die a old man’s death. Cheers
Personally I also love the idea of reincarnation down the ancestral line. That the halls may be a sort of waiting place before reincarnation or a place for a part of the soul while another part in reborn. The afterlife is something I don't suscribe to know but since my deconversion from christianity it is at least no longer something I fear.
In the Catholic Church there's also purgatory which is the middle ground essentially. The only reason somebody truly ends up in hell is because they rejected God's love and forgiveness Not only did they reject Christ, they rejected the holy Spirit. That's the only unforgivable sin. Judas didn't go to hell because he betrayed Jesus and killed himself. He went to hell because he rejected God's mercy. That's what sent him to the fire.
Christian* And it atleast in My humble opinion: is not fun. Valhǫll, is a place for Kings, Poets, and Warriors who died in battle by the Valkyjurs’ choosing. It’s a place of nonstop: Fighting, Death, Feasting, Again and again and again.
@@Dice_roller well there is helheim you do what you did in life and its green and peaceful with some work so you can never get used to it and get bored of it a place for normal people like you Vallhöll and Freya's version of it are for fearless madmen like me
I always view Valhal as Odin preparation army to fight in the twilight of the gods. I never see it as a heaven. Sure, there might be glory to be a chosen one to fight with Odin in the last battle. But it's more a honour then a resting place after death.
Honestly, my ideal afterlife would be traveling to the various halls, learning and growing in wisdom. Learn smithing from dwarves, runes from Odin, fishing from Njord and stories from Bragi. That's the afterlife for me.
I feel like Hel would be that cool aunt who always has tickets to the place you wanna go and always has somebody who owes her something.
You’re cringe bro.
I'm not of any particular faith, but I've always thought my ideal afterlife would be kind of like a "spectator mode" from a videogame. i'm a formless force of observation that can travel the universe at my leisure, go back and forth through time, seeing everything i've always wanted to see and learning new things all the time. i'd like to watch the development of life on earth, and when i'm done with that, watch the development of life on some other planets. see if they ever develop a culture i would recognize as such, hear their music if they make it. i think that'd be a neat afterlife
I view it this way. No matter where you enter, all the halls are just places reachable by travel through Helheim. Maybe Odin or Freyja just get first crack at talking to warriors and convincing them of the importance of having Einherjar. Maybe the Einherjar train for a while then go visit family and come back years later to resume training. Nothing I have read makes me think any of the afterlives are permanent. In fact the very nature of Ragnarok ensures they are not. The very existence of Ragnarok also makes me thing everyone in the afterlife will receive training, either in Folkvangr or Valhol.
@@littlesnowflakepunk855 you should read Starmaker by Olaf Stapledon. It’s a short sci fi book written from exactly that POV.
Thank you for this much-needed video! I see so much confusion on this topic online, and I think you are spot-on.
I could listen to you tell stories all day long.
I was under the impression that Odin was eh...collecting --selecting--warriors to serve at the time of Ragnarok. So depending on your pov it could be a great honor or a great burden (curse) No R.I,P. for you...you get to spend eternity preparing for the Ultimate Battle. Not my idea of Heaven but to each their own :) Always enjoy your videos. Fantastic channel 👍💜
YES! Thank you for this video! My personal view of Valholl, I would rather not 'relive' my death over and over and over again. Hel welcomed Balder to her table, so I think that's good enough for me. Hail Hel! Side bar, have you done a video on Nerthus yet?
Amazing video as always! It is quite interesting to think about the many different possibilities of the afterlife and their respective lords of the hall.
New subscriber! Love the references given. Going to surf your whole channel later 😅😅😅
Wherever I go after I die I just hope I find my peace!
I love the way you speak
I forget the source but i once read that the Anglo-Saxon pagans believed in a golden field. And it stuck with me so that when i die i will walk those golden fields with those who wait to meet me there and wait for those who have yet to join me.
From what I understand Valhall seems to be not so much an afterlife but a training ground for ragnarök where all the warriors train to improve their skills and everyone who isn´t a warrior (or simply a fighter) goes to another afterlife where they won´t have to think about ragnarök
so basicly valhall isn´t so much the endpoint but more of a temporary place before the final battle
I will promise Odin I will fight for him during Ragnarok if he agrees to share custody of me with my wife in wherever she ends up, be it Folkvangr or Helheim
That is beautiful man 😌
I love your content. Great video, thank you so much
If their is a Valhalla I would be willing to fight by yourside till the giants little toe reaches man's height. The power of some souls is just to great for me.
I remember, a few years back, when I had cancer, someone sent me one of those stories from Tumblr about people who died from cancer going to Valhalla (I think there was a child that died from abuse in the story?). And honestly, I hate it. What good what I be if I died from cancer in Valhalla? Helheim, at least based in Saxo's description, sounds more like the place I'd like to go after death. The idea of Valhalla is great and all but I'm no warrior, I'm just a simple poet, and I find some of the modern ideas of Valhalla to be overhyped romanticisms that just give the wrong impression and grossly misinterpretate the lore. Anyway, great video! Cheers for posting!
I once wrote a short story about a farmer who died in battle defending his neighbor and going to Valhalla. It's indicative of my own understanding and research of what the Einherjar were. I personally believe that Valhalla and possibly Folkvangr is where the valiant dead go, and what made them valiant is what we generally consider to be exceptionally good attributes and actions. Like a firefighter who runs into a burning building to save a child. Or, to use my story as an example, a man who sacrifices himself for the good of his fellow man/the community.
The culture of the Norse is so much deeper than what pop culture media has portrayed it as. I wish I could learn more and share that with people like you do, my dude.
Ocean:” the closest to Christian Heaven would be..”
Me:.. Gardens of Freyja
Goat leaking Meade.... I mean it's gotta be better than goat cheese, I'll have one.
I do appreciate C.S. Lewis's remark that a hell for humans and a heaven for mosquitos could be the same place.
It's interesting how the English word hell is similar to the word Hel/Helheim.
The German word for hell is Hölle, which sounds similar to the word Valhöll.
I would love a video about the passing of the seasons and the gods or other spiritual ethnicity associated with that change.
I've been laughing at Yee-halla for 5 minutes straight. 🤣
Multiple afterlives seems to make a lot more sense to me, personally.
And speaking of Christian ideas of Heaven and Hell--western Christianity has a wildly different view from eastern, not least the former's rigid focus on SIN.
@OceanKeltoi Sorry for being late to the party! I have seen some posts, such as on reddit, claiming that Valhöll was a kenning for Mass grave (like this www.reddit.com/r/asatru/comments/4xzkul/valhalla/), and here and there Ive seen references to Neil Price and that he is the one claiming that, but I havent found anywhere that he as actually said that. Have you heard anything of this? Is it plausible? That Valhöll means "Mass grave" that is?
The descriptions of Helheim that I have read and heard discussed with other Heathens is actually one of the main things that converted me to Heathenry from other forms of Paganism. It seemed like such a simple but welcoming sort of afterlife where things are green and peaceful. I could use a lot more green and peaceful in my life, it's why gardening is such a passion.
Wonderful video as always, plus bonus voidling kitty at the end!
I agree, gardening is definitely one thing I would do when I go to Hel.
@@jaxthewolf4572 Just imagine the crazy cool new plants that are probably there the possibilities 😅
Certainly sounds better than a promised Perpetual happiness constructed by an absentee father!
@@tyler3606 You got me even more hyped brother! 😁
Some interpretations say it's a place of extreme cold and death. Or you'll be forced to fight during Ragnarök.
Great video! I did not know of the different afterlives other than Valhöll and Helheim. I had never heard Helheim described as green before, which really caught my attention.
i had only heard of it as a grey place, full of mists, with a boat made of body parts (hair and nails, i think) from the dead
There are many contradictory descriptions of Helheim. But, remember that our understanding of it is often influenced by Christianity. Hel is often viewed as evil, I prefer to think of her as benevolent (at least as much so as a Norse god will be). I am on the cusp of believing in the gods as literal or archetypes. But I do believe there is an afterlife... one that suits each of us best.
@@IAmValenwind That's because of Christian influence, it's a lie that Hel is bare and grey.
@@IAmValenwind nalfagr. that is Loki's ship. nothing to do with helheim.
@@jaxthewolf4572 great description.. How else would they describe it!!!
I remember getting into long arguments with people over stuff similar to this. Because they thought that Valhöll was the best of the Norse afterlives, they would start interpreting it so that a child who died of sickness or abuse could go there because they died fighting a battle (be it a mental battle or a health battle or what have you)
But if a child who died of sickness or from abuse when to Valhöll, that could traumatize them. With all the fighting and bloodshed and all that every single day
I have seen that story and I hate it.
I've seen that to. Or how people claim you won't go there unless you were a soldier. (Which implies that soldiers who survive will still go when they probably won't.)
Also what they miss that Odin snatches warriors in the PRIME.... if You past that, even death in battle doesnt get You there.
I am sorry w h a t
@@corypowercat7277 especially since soldiers don't usually die as much in battle these days.
I think Valhalla is over romantized by people tbh. One of the things I really like about Heathenry and to extent celtic paganism too is the variety and showcasing that paradise is not a one size fits all concept.
I'd prefer to go to Sindri's Hall over Valhalla. Eventually Helheim or Okolnir.
Honestly, I love how varied the afterlife within Heathenry is, as humans are so complicated. It makes sense, then that our afterlives may be just as complex and dependent on the individual. I will say the imagery of Valhöll is not my desire for an afterlife. Sundri's home sounds quite cozy and Hel's care is appealing as well.
Additionally, Calcifer really was checking in on this recording haha. His script writing is getting so good, he's now wanting to direct your videos as well!
I have two main reactions to this.
1) I genuinely hate when other Norse practitioners tell me I have to or should aspire to go to Valhalla when I die. I hide that hatred behind the stubborn insistence that no, I fully intend to spend the vast majority of my time evenly divided between spending time with Njord, Saga, and Idunn, and to spend my weekends nekkid on a beach drinking mead all day. Getting up every morning, fighting, dying, and getting up to do it all again tomorrow seems... boring on a good day, and as you said, nightmarish on a bad one.
2) I have had Heathen friends in the military who genuinely seem to fear *not* dying in some war or another. I have found that the best comfort for this fear is a reminder that only a fool would, on the eve of battle, turn away able hands and willing hearts who genuinely wish to serve the cause of Asgard in Ragnarok. And Odin is undoubtedly many things, but he is not a fool. I can't say with any authority that there is any real backing for this bit of UPG, but it does seem to help my friends, and honestly that's enough for me.
My interpretation always pissed off any other pagans I met in the military, or even people that would say they wanted to go to Valhalla. I don’t think Odin needs just average dudes that die in battle. Anybody can be a soldier, it takes a certain mind to become a warrior. Self discipline, strategic thinking, adaptability all the type of things you should consider if you want to go into Valhalla. I don’t base this off of anything other than my point of view but it definitely makes the brosatrus think twice lol
Well you wouldn't get bored...so that's a moot point but okay
@@candymanfam8142 Odin is a god of wisdom. He would be taking the best of the best minds not just any random grunts forsure
@@ForageGardenerFreya gets first pick of the slain so I feel like Odin would have mostly grunts.
Same! I always thought it sounded boring too. As I got older and started thinking about things more critically, I asked someone I trusted about heaven. I said "So heaven is a place where there's no pain or sadness, right? Well my grandpa might not have been a christian. When I die, if I see that he's not there and know he's in hell, I can't imagine not feeling upset. How does that work?"
And the response that I got was just "Oh, you'll be so enraptured by the glory of god that you won't care".
And that moment honestly played a big part in changing how I viewed that religion and I ultimately left. It's not just that I can't imagine having no emotional reaction to something like that. It's really that I don't want to be stripped of my humanity.
And I certainly don't want an eternity of more church. lol
Christians say there god loves everyone so why would he condemn some to hell , why does he allow so much suffering, Christianity contradicts itself, I got older and wiser and found a greater connection to paganism for after all that was the practice of my ancestors before Christianity was brutally forced on the northern hemisphere.
@@adriancarter825Christianity doesn't contradict itself. Only the puny humans came up with concepts they applied to God that aren't really taken from the Bible but from philosophy. Like the concept that God is all good, all-knowing and almighty.
In fact the "contradiction" comes from monotheism itself in case you want a supernatural explanation for evil. Either you follow Isaiah 45, 7 which says that God does both evil and good, light and darkness. In one. Or you need a minor God called Satan who is responsible. If that's the solution, you basically end up with polytheism, only you call the minor gods demons, Satan, angels, etc.
@@adriancarter825Christianity doesn’t contradict itself, God does love us all that’s why he gave us the choice wether we want to have a relationship with him or not, he just wants to know us and for us to truly know him. If you’re living with sin and all that crap in the world he will not let you into his kingdom because you are carrying darkness and you chose to do that so he will not let any form of darkness into his kingdom.
I feel like I'm the only one in the room who is bringing this up, but the modern conception of the Christian Heaven as a human afterlife is NOT even what the Bible states is the destiny of man.
Yes, Heaven IS described like that. But Heaven is the highest celestial (spiritual) realm where all principalities and structures of reality come together and point directly to the Absolute (God), hence it's full of sung praises and casted crowns. Sort of like a metaphysical cathedral that, for all its beautiful complexity and structure, all ultimately contributes towards pointing to the steeple. But this is essentially the realm of God and those highest of spiritual structures and principalities. Not a destination for humans after their death, besides, I guess, Elijah. Which actually makes sense with his status as the prophet of highest importance until Jesus, who apparently is FROM that realm, being an original part of the Trinity.
There isn't really that much descriptive talk about the general destiny of a human's soul until the New Testament, where Jesus describes... well, some of what Hell is like, gives references to the fate of those who are saved and those who aren't, and then Revelation gives a full blown description of the eschaton that leads to the fate of mankind. It's this eschaton that determines the afterlife for departed souls, and it's in this book that describes, pretty clearly, what it will be for those who are saved: the dead will rise and, after God's victory following a LOT of apocalyptic events, will rebuild and populate God's Kingdom on Earth, where God will come to reside personally as a sort of Heaven 2.0, or Heaven on Earth. So essentially, it's saying that, like with Ragnarok, all of the events of history on Earth and in the spiritual realms will come to a head and resolve themselves in final battle where good triumphs over evil (interestingly, both myths seem to imply it's by the skin of its teeth) and through this victory everything is set right and God's Kingdom is finally established as a paradise on Earth for all of God's people, living or previously dead, to reside in with Eternal Life.
How literally or symbolically all of this is meant to be... is actually a SERIOUS matter of debate in the world of philosophy and theology, but those are the basic themes. It's really not that much different than Ragnarok besides an emphasis that man's destiny is to be ON EARTH, but a new, utopian Earth. The Bible does NOT state that humans go to Heaven when they die, and the concept of Hell is very murky besides some common themes in most of scripture. And some of the best theologists, philosophers, and thinkers in history seem to take the view that Hell is really the torment of a personal spiritual struggle, maybe even during one's lifetime, but not necessarily limited to it. Sort of like how Ragnarok is both an eschatological event, but also represents each person's personal death, the cataclysmic end and turnover of ages, etc., all at the same time. The many layers of different things it symbolically represents is almost certainly also the case with the human afterlife in Christianity, and not least the role of Heaven in Christianity. But the role of Heaven does NOT include a general human afterlife for those that are saved. THAT will apparently be God's Kingdom on Earth where God and mankind will enjoy a paradise free of the woes of sin and suffering of the past. Which is what "every tear will be wiped away" likely actually means. Not that you will have no capacity to mourn those that are damned, but that all past sorrows will be eased and shed as a new age of joy and righteousness begins. Which honestly sounds a LOT more interesting and adventurous than the modern Christian idea of Heaven.
I'm not saying this because I'm a Christian, but because I've always been interested in studying both Norse and Christian theology, and if we're going to discuss and study them, we really should be nuanced and accurate about it. Both religions contain a LOT of deep spiritual truths that can be totally lost on us if we don't approach them with understanding and honesty. And I really wish Christians would do that more often when it comes to the afterlife of their own religion.
"Ye-Halla" 😂😂😂
I was born in Atlanta & live in South Georgia...so that was especially funny! I've met tons of self claimed Heathens who only want to be a big scary Viking badass & see nothing more or deeper...so Ye-Halla kinda fits them
Humans are complicated and I believe that the afterlife is too. Hell, I am eclectic so I think I would be at peace with any of the afterlives that I believe in or simply be at peace knowing what is on the other side.
Amazing video Ocean!!
The way i understood it, the many go to Helheim, the best warriors go to Valhalla, the best defenders go to Folksvang, the best craftsmen go to the hall of what ever God is the patron of their trade. So a particularly good sailor might go to Njord
Well said
It's really fun being an atheist viewer of this channel. I love hearing other people's beliefs
You are the kind of Atheist that I like to make friends with. It's fun watching the look on the face of your stereotypical Atheist when I have the friendly kind standing up for me when messed with.
What do Atheists believe happens after death? Or not. If ya don’t mind me asking.
@@gentleasa5728 well im in no position to be certain about it but what seems to be most likely is, nothing. Just no longer living. There is probably some strange experiances as the brain dies, hallucinations or somthing. And that is the last thing that I would experiance. The world goes on withought me, and the people who love me will miss me.
@@mobilemollusc615 Thank you for your quick reply. Funny I never realized it , but my Grandfather that raised me had that same belief. Other than him, I’ve never taken the opportunity to think about it. I do love Learning about other ppls thoughts so thanks again.
@@gentleasa5728 what about you
I try not to get mad when friends attempt to convert me, I k ow they're coming from a good place. I gotta admit, it probably is scary to think "if I don't save them they'll suffer for all eternity." Especially if you love this person
Surely you'd think that would bring into question their concepts of an "all loving god". Your friends like you, think you're a good person and that you 'deserve' to be in heaven. But they're _afraid_ that their god will punish you regardless. So Hell would be full of decent people who didn't know Gods name. Doesn't seem like such a bad place.
@NBDYSPCLthat’s what led me out of Christianity, I couldn’t accept that God was going to torture those I love forever
Before my dog died, I knew I was pagan, I knew I leaned Norse pagan...but I didn't truly felt drawn to a particular god or goddess. I adored Freya, but she didn't call to me. After my dog died I was sticker with grief. He'd been with me so long and had been the main reason I hadn't committed suicide. I was beside myself, sobbing into my pillow one night when suddenly an imagine I'd never seen before come to me, and I felt calm for the first time in days since he'd gone. It was a woman, she was beautiful to my eyes and in her lap was my dog. She smiled, and I felt warmth and comfort. He was safe. I heard her name, Hel. This was Hel, and he was safe and she was here for me.
Just...thinking about it makes me want to cry again, but with joy and comfort this time. Now when I'm feeling so many emotions I can't keep them in I go to my altar and let them out and offer them to her. One day I hope to meet her, and plan to see all my dogs again in Helheim.
Must admit, until this video I *only* heard about the part where Freya was getting the first pick on the slain, but learning that pretty much all more major or minor deities had their respective after-lifes for various means how one had departed from life, it was quite mind-blowing! That said, it only makes sense for me that Valhalla was not for everyone, even to people of those times, of the Norse or Germanics from the times of Rome, it would be quite strange in fact that there would be only 'good' and 'bad' options of afterlife.
Wish I could learn as much about my Slavic roots like that, but alas, we have even less to go on than in case of germanic heathenry. In any case I love the material, pretty much opened my eyes to this aspect about those old cultures!
I've been incorporating the odd fact here and there about Slavic polytheism into my videos because there's such an interest in it lately as well as relevancy to Heathenry as an adjacent culture. But my knowledge on Slavic polytheism is unfortunately very very surface level. But I'm getting more into exploring it lately.
@@OceanKeltoi Any cover of that topic would be amazing for many I reckon! Sometimes even might run into the same sources that some seem to treat as being about the Norse and Slavic alike. Which is not that weird given there was a lot of interaction between, so while there are differences, it's also easy to get an impression that those 2 spheres of cultures are pretty similar.
With some luck one day I may find and obtain some verified sources about that, but current situation is pushing such plans of search as secondary things to do.
A permanent afterlife i dont think they had. I see them more as waiting places for the different parts before they come together to make a new human life. Life, death, rebirth, life, death, rebirth, life, death, rebirth..... forever.
It is cyclical, I agree.
The nuance of nordic/germanic afterlives is quite interesting
I wonder if it’s high tax?
I wonder what it means when Odin said for Hel to provide for all those "sent" to her...
Would the gods/goddesses collect the pieces of soul in their domains and give them to Hel to sort out?
Valhalla is a quasi-heaven for me. It's both nice but also violent and hard, as a training ground. I remember having a vivid dream about Valhalla and thought it was beautiful but I did see an all out war take place. Helgafjell, Gimle and Hel
struck me as being closer to heaven.
Oh my gods...2 seconds in and you hit me with yeehalla
I wouldn't mind seeing an extensive list of the ones known. I personally think there are just as many as there are gods. I know I have a book that mentions frigg having one for lovers, never to be separated.
You know, most of my life I've thought about the afterlife as a thing that's different for everyone, based on what one finds eternally pleasant, which was hard for me to reconcile with any one spiritual belief system, or so I thought. This...really aligns with that, and as an eclectic pagan is going to give me a lot to think about.
I have long taken the position that there are many different afterlife destinations. I once had a sort of vision of Helheim being a huge stone castle with many towers, surrounded by an enormous black wrought iron fence with tall mountains beyond that. The moonlight pokes through the clouds. Inside is a huge hall with big ornate chandeliers, and there’s a great library with near endless shelves and armchairs with small gaslamps on the walls. Obviously that kind of environment would appeal to someone such as myself, but the point being that it’s a place of rest where one’s spirit can heal from the trauma of life. The vast green field is how I’ve always seen Folkvangr. I don’t think anyone is limited to only one divine realm either, as there are multiple accounts of someone traveling between different realms in the lore.
Had a similar vision or at least vivid dream. Helheim at least the actually hall was this enormous castle with a black gate, but upon the gate were torches. Inside were royal red and gold decor and seated at a table were happy men and women.
My new religion, Yehawla.
3:14 - Or even more properly Valhǫll, given that ö did not exist in Old Norse. 😉That goes for the other uses of ö in the video too. Apologies for the nitpick. 😆
The only reason ö is even used there is because early typewriters didn't have an ǫ, and early internet couldn't handle it either. Heck, it still looks a little funny, but it's supposed to be a normal o with a hook on it.
i found some of that, but, i'll be straight up with you, it's not available in the font i'm using 😂
I’m about to convert to this faith I’m now just trying to learn about it sadly I wasted a week or so in WoO but I’m glad I saw I think it was red wolfs video he recommended you and I’m so so glad he did
Thank you!!! I've literally had to explain this to so many people. A lot of people I know who like norse myths tend to relate them with the christian myths and its annoying because they don't listen when I correct them. Next time, I'll just direct them to your video
I’m so glad you made this video. I see many new heathens/pagans talking about the afterlife as is Valhalla was the norse heaven and the only good place to go, and I’m glad to have something to direct them to rather than just reciting the historical sources, which gets tiring..
I hope that when my time is done, I will meet my wife in Folkvangr once more. I have no desire to end up in Valhalla
I believe in McNallens book he Mentions that a soul that as well rounded am brave goes to Valhalla while those who are lesser with problems that I did it overcoming life go to Hellheim
So bullshit
I have always thought Freya's choice was those who lived with love in their hearts and goodness in life. Interesting information, great to have more info
TH-cam reccomended me your channel and I've always been interested in the Viking faith. My background is from Hindusim, but it is so fascinating to hear how other religions apart from the main ones today, had different concepts. I was always unclear on what the Viking after life actually was. Thank you for clarifying that there are MANY realms. Also, not ALL Vikings NESSCARILY wanted to go to Valholl. Some were content being traders, others warriors, etc. Now with Hindusim, I find a small similarity. We have the concept of reincarnation and enlightenment - i.e the man/woman that mediatates to unlock the chakras in their body so that they achieve moksha which is liberation from an endless cycle of rebirth in this world which is Kali-Yuga. (You have a Guru that helps you along the way) That's one way. But then we have seven worlds of evil, and seven worlds of good. Much like you described the Viking soul going to different realms under different Gods. We have the Lokas - seven planets of good. The highest realm is Brahma Loka - which is basically only the truth can be told there, good and virtous beings can go there. But, there is no need of waste. These realms are but a fascinating insight. Otherwise it's rebirth, go to heaven or to the underworld, then rebirth. That's it.
The fact that you drew out that the Viking soul could split into different branches, is a very good concept. Because Christian Sources I don't think really understood the Norse religion that well. Nor would I claim to do so. There is a story where once, the Gurus of our realm, basically old age men with epic beards wearing epic robes, mediated to such a degree that they had more power than the Gods themselves. So the Gods appealed to Shiva, who then I can't remember what, basically stopped it. And going back, to Valholl...it's not a realm of great stuff - it's just you fight for a God, who wants to stop his world from being destroyed - you die then you eat - it's an endless cycle of purgatory in a way but then its not, for some that like this type of afterlife, it's perfect for them! I'd prefer the other Viking realms that you pointed out.
If the Viking Norse religion has many halls
Then Hindusim has seven planets, has seven underworld s
Each have a different source of view, etc, God, etc.
I dunno this was a very interesting video please make MORE content like this - stuff like this gives a lot more clarity
Coming from an ex-Mormon, this has left plenty of food for thought. I will say that if Valhalla is the afterlife of eternal fighting, if I somehow ended up there I’m pretty sure I’d try and find a way out cause that sounds absolutely horrifying to me. Either that, or that’s the trauma talking. Ever since my grandfather died, I’ve long considered the afterlife and what I think about it, but it’s through honouring Hel I came to realise one thing; I really don’t care where I end up. I have never cared. All I care about is that I can be reunited with my loved ones - friends, family and so on - and spend time with them again. Between the places you mentioned, I’m still of the opinion that Helheim sounds the most pleasant. It gets more complicated when I consider that some of the loved ones I want to see again - such as my grandfather - are Mormon/Christian, and thus I’m not entirely sure how I’d be able to see them again if the Christian heaven really does exist. I mean, just cause I don’t believe it doesn’t mean it’s not real. But it’s one of those things I try not to worry too much about. I’ll only find out when it’s my turn to leave this train we call life. Until then, I wanna enjoy as much of the ride as I can.
I had the same question about whether i’ll see my loved ones who are of other faiths in the afterlife. I believe a piece of their soul is imprinted, or interwoven, in ours so we’ll have them with us forever.
Mr. OceanKeltoi, thank you for another video. I've been a practicing heathen for the last few years, but I always like hearing your closing statement. Find a way, or make one. It's this idea in heathenry that attracts me. Don't rely on the gods to bail you out, rely on yourself. But honor the gods, and ask for their favor.
tbh folkvangr is too underrepresented in viking media
And Fólkꝩangr may just be another alias for Ꝩalhǫꝇ, people really forget about the other Norse afterlives.
A great description of what Valhöll is. It is a warriors paradise. To constantly battle, for their is no greater love than a man who is willing to lay down his life for the ones he loves. Valhöll being described as a place for warriors to train and help protect the gods is an awesome thought for some. For others it’s terrifying. That’s the glory of polytheism. You can choose which god and which afterlife to follow and hopefully attain. The choice is yours brothers and sisters!
Are those gods & goddesses real?
In my personal practice, Valhalla is my heaven. Why? Because I believe in the idea of happiness coming from purpose. It’s one of the reasons I hate the Christian Heaven. If people are deprived of purpose, which is what Heaven is as there is not goal or conflict. As an einherji, I would essentially be a soldier of Odin, my main god, a warrior who fights on the side of harmony and order. It’s not a paradise, far from it, but it’s a place of purpose.
In my daily life, I don’t openly search for Valhalla, but I personally strive for it. I practice martial arts, I am training to be a history teacher (so I may keep history alive in the youth, and the memmory of the heroes of the past intact). But if I don’t end up there, I won’t be sadden. Though honestly I might aim for Elysium if that’s the case, because my sister is Hellenic, and I wouldn’t mind being together with family in the afterlife.
Another great video ocean man! I personally don't want to go to Valhalla, even though I worship and give to Óðinn. I would much rather go to Þrúðheimr or Helheim and be with my ancestors.
This cleared so much confusion up for me, thank you! Helheim seems so much better then Valhöll to me as someone who just wants a peaceful place for eternity..Skål!
You are such a great polytheistic theologian your doing great work!
Do you believe Valhalla is reai, or a metaphor? As a modern day believer, is it different than how our ancestors saw the after life? Great video, thanks brother.
Thank you for addressing how certain afterlives don't seem appealing to certain people. I worship Odin and Freyja, but if I'm being completely honest, I don't think Valhalla would be my top pick for an afterlife! I'm far from a warrior, lol. I might like Hellheim better.
you ride there at the command of the V8, Shiny and Chrome.
Ride Eternal
My grandfather, a descendant of Danish immigrants, was an architect and passionate about his work in life. I wonder if he's spending his afterlife with the Dwarves like Brokr and Eitri, learning of their building techniques? I also wonder if his wife, my grandmother, is with him or perhaps in Folkvangr with Freya?
Like many of your videos, I'm sure this is one I'll come back to more than once. Great job as always!
Thoughts of the afterlife are common enough for me since I became a heathen, almost a year ago now. I hold ritual to honour my ancestors quite regularly, and I have made a point of mentioning Valhalla as well as Helheim in those rituals, and even Ran's hall. I really enjoy the concept of the multi part soul, so it makes sense to me to mention those potential afterlifes too.
I do like to think that I will end up in Helheim myself, and I also hope that my ancestors will have eventually journeyed their way there too, even if only in part.
As a former Catholic, I can't help but draw a similarity between your second to last possibility for Valhall and Catholic idea of Purgatory, a place to be cleansed before entering the Christian heaven. Personally I like this idea as it makes sense to me that those who died violently may need to overcome that trauma before entering Hellhiem. Like you I am agnostic about the afterlife as it was Christian ideas about the afterlife that drove me away
I know this is a crazy question… lately I’ve been watching a show where little kids believe they have been reincarnated. Usually their first life was a violent one. They usually remember a lot of details of the other life. Maybe that’s the meaning behind the fighting and resurrection in the stories of Valhalla? Maybe it’s talking about them being reincarnated over and over? Or not! 😂
I think in a way it's a metaphor for achieving Word Fame and becoming pseudo-immortal through an individual's deeds. You never truly die and have therefore reached the ultimate reward, it doesn't matter how many times you're cut down you will persist.
It may also likewise serve as a metaphor for escaping the cycle of death. You're a warrior who died in battle but in Valhalla you can be wounded and dismembered over and over and over again but you will not stay dead and neither will your opponent. What makes battle terrifying, dying and having to take a life, is no longer a concern because no matter how bad your injury you will always return to the hall at the end of the day to drink and feast.
It takes mortal combat and reduces it to something like a sport or game rather than malice and fear. Like I absolutely hate violence and the idea of hurting another human, I will always opt to endure punches before I throw one. But I love wrestling and sword fighting because everyone is made relatively safe and we're able to enjoy ourselves because we don't have to worry as much about hurting ourselves. Valhalla may be just like that, it removes what makes warfare so scary.
This could also explain the other afterlives, you drown at sea you now live with Aegir and Ran in the domain of the sea but cannot be drowned. You die of sickness and/or hunger and you lay in Hel's Sickbed and are served by her utensils "Hunger" and "Famine" but you will not die from sickness nor will you die from hunger.
This video is a great way to crack open this conversation. It is my understanding that Freyr has set me on a quest in this life . For that reason I seek some afterlife among the Vanir. Being a polytheist who has studied soul retrieving I wonder if the places of Lost Souls would be a part of Helheim. Could it be by itself as multifaceted as the rest of the universe? For the record I agree with your assessment that Valhöll is a loop for souls that cling to the glory of battle and is itself a way of redemption. Almost passing through Valhöll on one’s way to their ancestral mound and from their to whichever incarnation or rest they have earned, chosen or been assigned. Great content
I SHOULD KNOW BETTER THAN TO BE EATING/DRINKING RIGHT AS I START ONE OF YOUR VIDEOS
Well, it kinda is but kinda isn’t, all it is, is endless fighting and feasting with fellow fallen friends and family, until the day of Ragnarok when Odin Simmons them to the Battlefield one last time to fight the army of the Frost Giants
Odin Simmons? Richard's brother? Oh, I see, as they are deemed "fit".
I can't sleep & being up in the middle of the night listening to Norse legends is time well spent. Thanks for your exciting vocal work on yet another great video. 🌟
Same, sitting out on my back patio on a rare nice day in Georgia… the idea of an eternity in a city made of precious metals with nothing to do but suck up to a deity sounds like hell. Give me a land of greenery any day. But preferably a short term life before we go back for some more. Let the wheel turn, anything one thing for eternity would eventually be hell.
I absolutely loved this video! It touched on some things I've often pondered about various descriptions of a great many, and varied, afterlife. Skol.
When I was an RN working on the maternity unit, I remember being disturbed when I was told by a new mother that she and the baby's father had decided to name their newborn daughter "Valhalla". We're supposed to be supportive, but I had a hard time NOT asking why they would want to name a beautiful baby girl for a grim, bloody hall where the battle-slain continuously re-enact their brutal deaths over and over again. I think they must have had a very generic Marvel Comics idea of Norse mythology. .
Even as a military man, I always saw myself going to Helheim, but I'd be honored to become one of the chosen. Valhalla has always been a place of higher purpose to me. Where you'd train and die each day to eventually serve and die alongside our gods to save a glimmer of what they created from those who want to destroy it.
"...die alongside our gods to save a glimmer of what they created from those who want to destroy it."
That's actually a beautiful description of Ragnarök. Because not all is destroyed. A small, charred branch of Yggdrassil remains, floating across the Ginunga-void like a piece of driftwood. Eventually the driftwood washes ashore on a distant beach. Out of the wood is born a man and a woman - Ask, and Embla (I think roughly translated into "Ash and Ember")... the man which is the ash, the stuff, the matter, and the woman, which is the ember, the spark of life.) And together they walk the beach and then they meet three Aesir brothers, which is reminiscent of how the world was made the first time. And so we come full circle.
If this is what you imagine yourself helping to achieve, then it's a noble thought indeed.
I think a big issue is in, for lack of a better term, "translating" one religion to another. The Christian concept of sin for example doesn't have a direct correlation in Germanic/Norse religion. We could loosly equate the G/N concept of honor to sin as both are guiding principles for behavior. But they certainly are not the same.
The concept of heaven as perfect bliss isn't the same as the nightly farting in Valhöll, which may be fun times but requires daily war essentially. Nor is the connection to Yahweh the same as being close to Oðinn by living, training & feasting in Valhöll as in heaven it seems more like a merging of spirits into one where in Valhöll there is a band of brothers situation but all are still sperate.
This weekend I was at a Ren Faire and a vendor had a “Passport to Valhalla,” featuring a large valknut on the cover. I’d like to say I just facepalmed and left the booth, but he tried to sell it to me. (I didn’t buy it, lol)
I mighta bought it for the meme.
My understanding of Valhalla has always been that it is not a place of reward; it is a place of duty. It's Odin's hall, so the inhabitants are there before Ragnarok, and their duty is to prepare to fight for the gods when Ragnarok comes. There is some reward: the warriors get to party during the night, but they also spend all of their days training for the final battle.
I live under an “as if”; I cultivate the energy of my body, my mind, and my spirit. If there is no afterlife, then I have given back more than I took coming in. This is a minor grace. If there is an afterlife, then I hope to be prepared for it.
I've always viewed Valhöll as the heaven for Warriors who enjoy the thrill of battle.
My view is that it’s not a paradise of pleasure and peace. But instead, a paradise of purpose. A place where Warriors find focus and a chance to serve the Aesir and the realms themselves.
@@dylantennant6594 Agree and how can it be a paradise of peace when there is fighting? Peace = absence of war and strife
@@benjiman_OBE War is nothing but thrill, it's fun you are thinking of. There is nothing fun about war.
Thrill is actually the opposite of fun. Your adrenaline isn't pumping because you are having a happy old time, but because you are able to notice death reaching for you from around every corner.
@@benjiman_OBE There was a point when I no longer saw the need to buy the latest update of the dictionary. People started changing the language in order to compensate for not being able to not lie, so I may be a little behind.
@@benjiman_OBE I know right? In the proper context language changing can be pretty cool.
But sadly we need to invent a new word to mean what thrill use to. How about, Xuarah. That way a word that starts with the letter X while actually making an X sound can finally exist.
Ocean, your beard is looking particularly brilliant here!
I remember someone once said that basically, the concept of Valholl (a place where felled warriors go to later return) and Helheim (a terminal place) basically support the idea of reincarnation to an extend. With Valholl basically being just a step-inbetween two lives and Helheim being the norse equivalent of Nirvana.
I would have loved to hear your ideas on the crazed one’s goal to build an army, the idea of needing to die in a wild fury in order to enter and why.
I personally think Heaven is more nightmarish than Valhalla. To be in Heaven is to be frozen in worship of God, forever...or at least "until the end of the age" which, depending on how you read the Bible, implies that no matter what happens God will just start it all over again, for reasons completely inaccessible to our knowledge if any. That's not to say Valhalla doesn't have it's downsides from the sounds of it. I'm inclined to say that I'd have fun drinking mead, fighting, and being re-animated before Ragnarok happens, but I can kind of see how that idea would seem kind of cursed, because really you're just being killed and re-animated until finally you die in Ragnarok with nearly everyone else, all in an attempt by Odin to forestall the inevitable. In all this my inclination is to take from this an engagement with the shadow of the world full of gods, in view of Odin's nature and inclination. Assuming a life beyond life, my preference would be either to think in term sof reincarnation (which is a view that I think is justifiable in Heathenry and some polytheistic traditions outside of Heathenry), life in the underworld chilling with the spirits and gods of the underworld, hell but it's literally just you hanging out with shades and demons, or to join with the gods, with the presence of divinity itself, and become part of the cycles in which they participate; that last idea seems to find more expression in Greek mysteries and in Egypt than in Heathenry. But in any case, I can't complain after I die.
Seriously. Just stop with the whole “I’m going to Valhalla when I die” BS. Most of y’all saying that couldn’t fight your way out of a wet paper sack, let alone fight all die in battle with Odin’s chosen. Come to think of it, why would we want to. Give me peaceful rest and lots of loving any day.
I know one thing, I’d never take your cynical ass to war.
Most would ironically be going to Hel.
Interesting video. The ancient Egyptians had a concept of a many faceted person, the body, the soul and the spirit. The body stayed in the tomb, the soul went to paradise where it pretty much continued life as it is on earth, and the spirit traveled back and forth visiting earth and paradise. I am pretty agnostic myself, but I am open to ideas and do not exclude anyone's mythology as better than anyone else's.
Honestly I always believed that Valhalla is warrior heaven. I always believed that only those who died a warrior death will go there. And those who weren’t a warrior would go to Helheim. And honestly I prefer to spend my time in the Hel’s domain
The catholic heaven, (catholic was the faith Jesus installed, remember christians separated with their similar but different beliefs) requires you to not only accept salvation, but ALSO die without sin, by doing a lifelong confession before your death. Essentially you cannot enter heaven with sin staining your soul. If you die with sin, then your soul goes to purgatory, where your sins are washed away. That's why many catholic prayers include the souls in purgatory, because praying for them helps them advance through their journey.
Of course if you commit a deadly sin without confession, then you go straight to hell. That's why it's important to confess your sins every once in a while.
And personally, I believe that even hell is temporary. AFAIK there's no biblical evidence to back my opinion, but being that God is all forgiving and good, then I think that depending on the gravity of your sin is the length of your stay in hell. Even the worst of sins, after thousands of years in hell, might be cleansed. But who knows.
The “Cristian” believes of everyone going to heaven that are good, and everyone that is bad goes to hell is a Christian apostate teaching. It’s not actually taught in the Bible. The early apostate sects that broke off from the early Christian congregation. They adopted Greek and Roman ideas that had already been used in first century judaism,
No does it say the human consciousness goes anywhere. It says the body goes back to the ground humans originated, yet it does talk about a reserection, or a “standing up again” back to life for those righteous
And unrighteousness.
On earth after a battle called Armageddon.
As for a need for a redemption, well the biblical Adam was a perfect man, and sinned by choice, and lost that for humans thus a imperfect sacrifice won’t be equal to a perfect one, thus Christ, god’s perfect son, a perfect sacrifice to regain what was lost.
I’m fascinated by the stories of my Scandinavian ancestors, and look for comparisons,
Anyway, I often wander as a reader of the Bible wander if one of the wife’s of one of the sons of Noah carried stories of the Nephelem who some of those characters may be after
Ocean, great video. Perfect puns, lol! I think you nailed it pretty good, all the variety. I think ever since we, as humans, started questioning EVERYTHING, we also started planning answers. And just like now, with christians, I'd bet every mind had it's own version of an afterlife. Maybe you can move from one to another, through choice or not, depending on worthiness! It could be 'like sands through the hourglass, these are the days of our afterlives!' Cue music, lol. Damn I'm old. 👍🥰💖✌
I don’t care where I go after this life. I care where I am going in this life. Our views on the final destination has been watered down to where people will grasp at anything. It reminds me of when the Christians would say “be good or you won’t go to heaven”. I remember I remarked “why go there I probably won’t know anyone there”.
If there is a Valhalla I doubt I’ll be going there unless there is a great battle and I die in it. As for now I will die a old man’s death. Cheers
Absolutely fantastic! Very informative, keep up the amazing work 👍
Well I loved this. I'm so happy you brought up Vaholl as maybe a kenning for a battlefield grave.
On hypothesis of mine is that Valhalla may actually be some sort of metaphor for achieving word fame, a pseudo immortality.
Personally I also love the idea of reincarnation down the ancestral line. That the halls may be a sort of waiting place before reincarnation or a place for a part of the soul while another part in reborn. The afterlife is something I don't suscribe to know but since my deconversion from christianity it is at least no longer something I fear.
finally someone said it
In the Catholic Church there's also purgatory which is the middle ground essentially. The only reason somebody truly ends up in hell is because they rejected God's love and forgiveness Not only did they reject Christ, they rejected the holy Spirit. That's the only unforgivable sin. Judas didn't go to hell because he betrayed Jesus and killed himself. He went to hell because he rejected God's mercy. That's what sent him to the fire.
Cristian heaven sounds so unbelievably boring Valhöll sounds fun
Christian* And it atleast in My humble opinion: is not fun. Valhǫll, is a place for Kings, Poets, and Warriors who died in battle by the Valkyjurs’ choosing. It’s a place of nonstop: Fighting, Death, Feasting, Again and again and again.
@@Dice_roller well there is helheim you do what you did in life and its green and peaceful with some work so you can never get used to it and get bored of it a place for normal people like you Vallhöll and Freya's version of it are for fearless madmen like me
I always view Valhal as Odin preparation army to fight in the twilight of the gods. I never see it as a heaven. Sure, there might be glory to be a chosen one to fight with Odin in the last battle. But it's more a honour then a resting place after death.