When it comes to Ragnarök, that is, the event that brings the Destruction of the Gods and of the World, there are mainly three takes on it. The first, is that a person regards it solely as a myth, and that is never will come to be. The second, is that a person believes that while it may not happen literally as it is written, but that it is symbolic of some event that is yet to come; it's exact date unknown. Then, there is the third view of Ragnarök. When I first became a "Heathen", as I self describe, my beliefs on Ragnarök were that it had already happened. Indeed, that is the same belief I hold now, and it is the third belief regarding Ragnarök. I previously felt as if I was the only one who held this belief, seeing as I came up with it on my own, but I have discovered that other people have developed this same belief on their own.
This belief is one of a symbolic nature. I believe that the events described in the description of Ragnarök are symbolic descriptions of, not the end of the world as we know it, but the end of the Pagan world as they, our ancestors, knew it. The tale describes the Death of the Gods, and indeed, the Gods had died at one point in our history. It also tells of the end of the world. The world has not ended literally, but for many Europeans, there was a specific time period in which their world ended. Then, the tale tells of a rebirth. I will now explain in detail my beliefs regarding these events.
The Death of the Gods and the End of the Pagan World
My belief is that Ragnarök began in the year 496. This is the year that Clovis of the Franks converted to Catholicism. This marks the beginning of the end for the Pagan World, Ragnarök. From this year forward, religious wars were brought into Northern and Western Europe, and to our Germanic Ancestors. Never before had our Pagan forefathers fought over religion, until the baptism of Clovis. From this year and on, there were countless campaigns against the "Heathens", in an attempt to convert them to Christianity. Lies, treachery, deceit, torture, and in many cases outright slaughter decimated the Pagan foothold in the world. The year 793 marked the last attempt to keep Northern Europe Pagan. The Vikings lasted from then until the 11th century, when they were finally snuffed out, and the Gods of Old faded into the shadows. The last great battle that marked the final destruction of the Pagan world took place in 1066 in England. Harold of England defeated the last Great Heathen army, and they would no longer be able to fight for their traditions and beliefs. After this defeat, the Pagans of the Nordic countries were quickly converted, or they faded into obscurity. This marked the end of the Gods and the end of the World, in Pagan terms. The majority of Europe was now Christianized, and the Old Gods were gone.
Rebirth
Then, the story of Ragnarök described that there will be a Rebirth of the Gods and of the Old Beliefs. This Rebirth is taking place right here, right now. If you are a Heathen, Asatruar, Pagan, or whatever you like to describe yourself as, you are part of this Great Rebirth. Europeans and people of European descent from all over the world are heeding the calls of the Gods and of their ancestors; Their Heathen spirit is awakening! For hundred of years after the Christianization of Europe, there were no Pagans in the Germanic nations. Now, all over the world, people are reclaiming their heritage and traditions. We are again a growing presence in this world, and I'm sure that one day we will once again make up a large amount of the world.
Those are my beliefs regarding Ragnarök. If you want to discuss further, please feel free to comment. If you'd like to share your beliefs, please feel free to comment as well. All feedback is welcomed!
Hail!
- Klaufi Wodensson
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