Cattle die. Kinsman die. The self must also die. I know one thing that never dies. The reputation of a dead man.
Havamal Stanza 77
Fate, life-changing decisions, and treating all with dignity
Recently I had the pleasure of penning an article for my favorite guiding company, Midgard Adventure about my favorite destination there, Thor’s Valley. I was invited to write a few more, including a post about my experience through the years with Midgard and how my decision to tour with them changed my life.
This had me reflecting on fate, and how the smallest decisions can have such a huge impact on our lives and those around us.
The concept of fate played a critical part in the lives of Iceland’s first settlers, and how its touch and tensions shaped their daily lives.
Fate was not a passive force, but one with great inertia behind it. One’s fate is determined by many factors. Norns, legendary beings who tended to the roots of the World Tree (the backbone of the Norse cosmos) decided when you were born and your time of death, yet everything in between was a combination of luck, personal decisions, and Ørlog.
Ørlog is made up of all deeds beyond our control such as time and place of birth, parents, consequences of other actions, and elements beyond our control. Yet fate was mutable. It all depended on how someone played the cards they were dealt.
Fate was an active, dynamic force shaped by the deeds of the world through sustained work.
During this period, women who could pull the strings of fate through a special magical practice known as seid were held in high regard and often sought after if one desired to do so. I will go into detail about this on my next post scheduled for International Women’s Day called “Girl Power.” This will explore women of the Viking age as well as legends of the Valkyrie and the goddesses and I can’t wait to share it with you!
Iceland’s first settlers also believed that everything in nature held a spirit known as a vættr and that all things, no matter how unremarkable, from the smallest lichen to the mightiest glacier deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.
This personification of the elements as well as belief in the race of the unseen, was another factor they took into consideration when it came to fate. For example, a farmer may leave offerings for the land spirits in hopes this will ensure a good harvest.
Another belief was concerning the god Freyr, the god of the harvest and one of the most beloved of the Norse gods. Farmers believed that Freyr would disguise himself as an vagrant and visit the farms to see if he was treated with kindness. As a result, the farmers would treat all visitors, no matter of appearance with kindness and respect.
There was the same legend regarding the traveling Norse god, Odin. Be kind to strangers, for you never know who you might be entertaining.
Even the smallest action and how we treat others, no matter how insignificant they may “appear” to us, can have a tremendous impact on our lives.
I often think about how booking that tour a few years ago led to so many changes. Last year I changed my flight on a whim to arrive in Iceland a day earlier so I could partake in a guided hike with Midgard Adventure.
The changes went so smoothly (even my van was available!) I had to believe this was fate. During the trip, I made my first Icelandic friends with whom I shared New Year’s and formed a special bond with Midgard whom I get to write blog posts. Sometimes I pinch myself because it all feels so surreal.
The point is to go through life with deliberate actions and intent. One of the ways I do this is by creating a vision board and partaking in a daily journal and meditation.
Today in particular is believed by many to be a magical day. It is a day where fate can be altered. It is considered a lucky day and a day to take some time to reflect on where you are in your year so far.
Are you taking deliberate actions to meet your goals, dreams, and desires? What card has fate dealt you lately? What is unexpected? Unpleasant? If so, what can you learn from it?
What action, no matter how small today, will you take to weave the destiny you desire?
I hope. you enjoy your extra day today!
Here is the link to my article on Þorsmòrk which includes recommendations about planning a visit to this gem, as well as mythological lore associated with it.
Go ahead and book your trip. You may just have a life-changing experience.
