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154 EELIGION OF THE NOETHMEN.
CI-IAPTEE XT.
GENEEAL VIEW.
In conclusion, if we take a general view of the
prominent featvires of the Asa, doctrine, we have the
following summary of the whole
By the reciprocal action of Heat and Cold was
the first unorganized but powerful World-mass pro-
duced, as a shapeless Jotun-forni. From this mass,
through a series of developments came forth higher
Powers, which, by the power of Spirit, overcame the
rude Giant-mass and out of it created Heaven and
Earth, the actual World with its inhabitants, inclu-
ding mankind.
The Gods or -^sir are these ordaining powers of
Nature, clothed in personality. They direct the
werld which they created ; but beside them stand
the mighty Goddesses of Fate, the great Norns, who
uphold the World-Structure, the all-embracing Tree
of the World.
The World-Life is a struggle between the good
and light Gods on one side, and the offspring of
chaotic matter, the Jotuns, Nature's disturbing
powers, on the other. This struggle reaches also
into man's being. The spirit went forth from the
Gods, the body belongs to the Jotun-world ; the two
powers contend with each other for the dominion.
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