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The Saga of Vanadís, Völva and Valkyrja

The Saga of Vanadís, Völva and Valkyrja

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If we choose to depend on the manuscripts, instead <strong>of</strong> the patriarchal scholars,<br />

with their <strong>and</strong>ocentric bias, we can have a br<strong>and</strong> new version - or ancient rather - <strong>of</strong> the<br />

story <strong>of</strong> the first humans, Askur <strong>and</strong> Embla. <strong>The</strong> ones, the three, who destine lives, they<br />

are also the ones who give örlög to the first humans. <strong>The</strong> Æsir may create life force, give<br />

breath <strong>and</strong> blood <strong>and</strong> feelings, but the nornir give örlög to those before being örlöglaus<br />

(without fate).<br />

Óðinn <strong>and</strong> his brothers are giant lads, since their mother was <strong>of</strong> the giant race.<br />

Alone they can play <strong>and</strong> build tools, even golden tools, but they cannot create life. That is<br />

only possible after the arrival <strong>of</strong> the mighty women from the mountains <strong>of</strong> Jötunheimar.<br />

<strong>The</strong> three giant nornir are the ones who water the Great Tree <strong>of</strong> Life. It so happens that<br />

the tree <strong>and</strong> the man have the same name, Askur, <strong>and</strong> the life <strong>of</strong> both may depend on their<br />

nurturance.<br />

Ask veit ek st<strong>and</strong>a<br />

heitir Yggdrasill<br />

hár baðmur, ausinn<br />

hvíta auri<br />

þaðan koma döggvar<br />

þærs í dala falla<br />

stendr æ yfir grænn<br />

Urðarbrunni<br />

Þaðan komu meyjar<br />

margs vit<strong>and</strong>i<br />

þrjár úr þeim sæ<br />

er und þolli stendr<br />

Urð hétu eina<br />

aðra Verð<strong>and</strong>i<br />

-skáru á skíði –<br />

Skuld hina þriðju.<br />

I know the ash<br />

named Yggdrasill<br />

wondrous tree watered<br />

in white flowing earth;<br />

thence falls the dew<br />

in dawning valleys<br />

grows ever green<br />

guarding Urðarbrunnur.<br />

<strong>The</strong>nce came maidens<br />

much knowing,<br />

three from the sea<br />

surrounding the tree;<br />

One they named Urður<br />

another Verð<strong>and</strong>i<br />

- scored in wood -<br />

Skuld the third.<br />

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