..but we all know that Freya gets the first pick. So the best, bravest, fiercest and most honourable warriors go to Freya's hall, not Odin's Valhall.
If that is so, why is "going to Valhall" so much more advertised and desired among the Asatruar? They can't be all trully dedicated to Odin, (or actually actively participating in the army) yet it seems that all that ever gets in the public and the media (movies, music lyrics...etc) is dying for Odin and going to Valhall.
I mean, who wants to hang out with the second best? Who wants to BE the second best?
Am I over-simplifying this?
2007-09-13 10:19:01 · 10 answers · asked by Ymmo the Heathen 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
farien, Freya's hall (in Folkvang) has a name too, it's Sessrumnir. Besides that, I don't think name would alter the preference that much.
Thrudheim: Okay, I might be over simplifying it, but you're reading WAY too much into my question.
Firstly, you can't deny that all this odin and valhall business gets all over the media, movies, even comic strips, fiction etc. It's one of the only notions of Norse Heathenism that people who are not of the belief have.
Secondly, it's kinda logical that the first pick gets the creme de la creme, isn't it?
Third, I know that Valhall is a later addition to the beliefs and therefore questionable. I was just asking about the story, the popular "myth" (for the lack of a better word), that appears in the public.
2007-09-13 10:38:22 · update #1
Fine then, "Viking belief". Happy now? ;)
"when has logic ever played into ANYTHING that the gods sometimes did?"
Um, okay, I guess you have a point with this one, LOL!
"Third, I know that Valhall is a later addition to the beliefs and therefore questionable."
Okay, depends on which tradition you're following, it's arguable what you take as "later" and what not. After all, the roots of the norse heathenism go as early as neolithic animistic beliefs. So I'll let you pass on this one.
2007-09-13 11:24:49 · update #2
"Ask someone what a viking was and what a heathen is, see if they know the difference."
Yet again, I was referring to a general public knowledge and opinion. Nitpick!
"Tradition? what is this, wicca?"
Geeesh, One has to be so careful which words they pick with you! Path, order, geografically-specific strain, however you want to call it! Norse heathenism differed even back then. Every clan worshipped a bit differently. They all even had local gods.
Can't you for once try to understand what I'm trying to say here, and not pick on every single word like a damn niggle?!
And no, don't insult me by calling me a wiccan please.
your point?
See previous paragraph. As in location, the beliefs differed in time, too.
"And BTW......before ANYONE gets all pissy....this is what we heathens DO, we argue, disagree, agree, drink, laugh, argue some more."
YUP! Here's a horn of mead for you. Now where did I put my sword...?! ;)
2007-09-13 11:46:30 · update #3
Yeah Daughter, that's more or less what I was talking about. It's all over the mass media, but people don't really know what it's all about.
It's weird how the public preferrence picks something out of context and blows it out of proportion.
2007-09-13 12:05:20 · update #4
OKay, thanks for all the verbal sparring (it was very amusing!), but it's half past one AM here and I need to catch some sleep if I want to get up in the morning.
So if you wish to continue this, you're most welcome to drop me a mail, a message on the 360 page or to wait till the morning! :)
Thanks and good night!
2007-09-13 12:13:52 · update #5
Ahhh my beautiful Heathen's......and their very hot tempers.
Oh were to start on this one. Ymmo I get what you are saying. The fact is Thor and Valhalla has been glamourized (and even completly falsly combined) in the media and comic books because it sells. It appeals to young boys who want to be "viking warriors". And...well Thor does rock. Can you blame them?
I agree that the Valhall obession is annoying, BUT anyone who learns about it and actually studys it understand the truth about how it all works.
And for who ever above me says Asatru is all about macho....I'm 5'4, blonde, wear GAP and perfume every day. I'm not sure how "macho" that is. I'm about as girly as you get.
edit: ROTFL Thrudheim sooooo true. Pass the mead!
2007-09-13 11:47:46 · answer #1 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think the reason you don't see that about Freya in any movies or books, is probably because it's not a story that sits well with a society that views mainly Masculine Gods as being Superior (I know, in Asatru, gender is not basis for Strength, etc... Gender isn't an issue at all) When one thinks of war during those times, they think of the Vikings and how the media portrays them as all Huge Men who pillage villages, etc... (I guess no one really reads up on history, they just assume the media is telling the truth all the time - it's a shame, they're missing out on some really good history, imo).
I wouldn't call Odin second best, it seems it's more of an agreement between Odin and Freya that she gets first pick rather than she is better than he is.
No, I don't think you're over-simplifying. But I doubt you will find many in here who even know what it's about. ^_^
2007-09-13 10:34:06 · answer #2 · answered by River 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The einherjar are going to fight on the side of the gods REGARDLESS of "who gets first pick", and it only states she gets first pick, it does not state that she picks "the best, bravest.....etc."
Who the hel said going to Vallholl was "so much more advertised and desired among the Asatruar? "
I love eating, fighting and drinking, but then dying only to do it again the next day? and the day after that? It would get a little boring after awhile. I'll go to Bilskirnir, or maybe the halls of my dísir, or my ancestors.
And yes, you most definitley are over simplifying this...to the Nth degree.
"Asatruar is like the arts part of the after-life.'
Asatruar is what the followers of Asatru are called chucklehead. And I accidently gave you a T.U. when I totally mean to T.D. you for your ignorance.
"2.The Norse and Vikings usually appeal to a macho sensibility. Going to some Goddesses hall just isn't as attractive as the sitting at the hand of the All-Father."
Tell that to the loads of heathen women......and BTW, there is a kindred named Vingolf that I belonged to,it was the hall of the goddessess........and if being with the goddessess doesn't sound "attractive" to you, well then........you might be a little ergi
"3. How do we know that Freya picks the best, bravest and fiercest? Maybe she just picks the one's who she thinks are the cutest."
Freya did love her the men.............and the dwarves for that matter.
" think the reason you don't see that about Freya in any movies or books, is probably because it's not a story that sits well with a society that views mainly Masculine Gods as being Superior (I know, in Asatru, gender is not basis for Strength, etc... Gender isn't an issue at all)"
read the Sagas, some of those women......DAMM, they even pissed me off.
"But I doubt you will find many in here who even know what it's about. ^_^"
You might want to edit that........just sayin'.
"Okay, I might be over simplifying it, but you're reading WAY too much into my question."
How so????? You made the statements, not me.
"Firstly, you can't deny that all this odin and valhall business gets all over the media, movies, even comic strips, fiction etc. It's one of the only notions of Norse Heathenism that people who are not of the belief have."
No, it is the only stereotypical image of VIKINGS that people get, not so much heathens, I tell people I am heathen they get a quizzical look on their face.
"Secondly, it's kinda logical that the first pick gets the creme de la creme, isn't it?"
no...when has logic ever played into ANYTHING that the gods sometimes did?
"Third, I know that Valhall is a later addition to the beliefs and therefore questionable."
Thats news to me.........Ragnarok on the other hand...
"Fine then, "Viking belief". Happy now? ;)"
Ask someone what a viking was and what a heathen is, see if they know the difference.
"Um, okay, I guess you have a point with this one, LOL!"
you guess huh.............
"Okay, depends on which tradition you're following,"
Tradition? what is this, wicca? out here, your either a heathen or you follow Theodism or Normannii, either way it is still heathenry, just a little different, and PLEASE don't tell me your norse wiccan or whatever the hell they call themselves nowadays, the way you used "tradition" makes my skin crawl.
"it's arguable what you take as "later" and what not. After all, the roots of the norse heathenism go as early as neolithic animistic beliefs."
your point?
"So I'll let you pass on this one."
mmhmm.......................
And BTW......before ANYONE gets all pissy....this is what we heathens DO, we argue, disagree, agree, drink, laugh, argue some more, so don't go getting your panties in a wad, this is business as usual for us.
2007-09-13 10:28:46 · answer #3 · answered by Thrudheim 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
1. 'Valhalla' sounds better than 'Freya's Hall'.
2. The Norse and Vikings usually appeal to a macho sensibility. Going to some Goddesses hall just isn't as attractive as the sitting at the hand of the All-Father.
3. How do we know that Freya picks the best, bravest and fiercest? Maybe she just picks the one's who she thinks are the cutest.
2007-09-13 10:27:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd want to be in Freya's meadhall if I was worthy of being chosen.
I'd bet that Leonidas and His 300 Bodyguards would be candidates for Freya's table..... (if they would even be considered eligible -- there is the possibility of a prior claim by Haides and Persephone)
****Trades an amphora of Greek wine and some fresh barley bread for some Mead and joins in the fighting.... When you have 2 Greeks you have a (loud) discussion, 3 Greeks is a fight, 4 (or 300) Greeks is a war... and 5 Greeks is a family
2007-09-13 10:29:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anne Hatzakis 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That might be freakishly excellent...simply feel approximately it...you might be in a fully alien atmosphere...with out a clue of the foundations or symbols. You wouldnt have a clue what to do or in which to head or what was once even taking place... but when there's an afterlife of any kind...might we comprehend or pass willingly..or might we be stressed and reluctant to difference... I feel this subject is a kind of all night time dialogue ones...in which you'll be able to pass deeper into the social ramifications and feature plenty of beverages within the in the meantime
2016-09-05 12:58:53 · answer #6 · answered by doolin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, THIS particular heathen swears by Hel's lacy undies that the very next noobatru who asks how he can be assured of a spot in Valhalla because he wants to fight beside Ol' One Eye at Ragnarok is getting *bogged.* Or blood-eagled.
Or, well, at least laughed at hysterically. :-P
Metaphors, people. Met. A. Phors. The stories are what WE tell . . . you don't think we *literally* came from driftwood, do you? Or that the earth was fashioned from the body of a slain giant? Or that earthquakes are *really* Sigyn's potty breaks from keeping dripping venom out of her husband's face?
Anyway, as scholars are fond of noting, Valhalla had a much larger impact on heathen *literature* than it ever seems to have had on actual heathens.
"The lives of the brave and noble are best," the Havamal says, because every day is Valhalla for them---to struggle, to overcome, to breathe wod, to emerge victorious, and party like a Viking afterwards . . . just as the sluggard, the coward, the fool, the paltry man and the witless one spend each waking hour in grim Nastrond, in their own shamed hearts and tormented minds.
2007-09-13 12:57:51 · answer #7 · answered by Boar's Heart 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Why is it that every ancient culture has this glorious afterlife for soldiers who die in battle but those who are cowards and flee in egypt was thrown in a pit of aligators. My guess is that was a very bad death.
This only proves my point that religious leaders have always used religion to get men to fight their wars for them.
They work with the King. When will all that end?
2007-09-13 10:28:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Valhalla seems to be more like the party section of the after-life in Norse mythology. Asatruar is like the arts part of the after-life.
Most people would rather get drunk , fight, screw, fight again, and eat and drink some more. They were vikings after all.
2007-09-13 10:26:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
oh lol I was just in the middle of telling my daughter about this then I look round and this question is right here
so thanks for simplifying it for me rofl
2007-09-13 10:25:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋