History
So who are the Norns? They are three Crone sisters Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld. They care for the Tree of Life Yggdrasil. You will find them at the base of Yggdrasil in the realm of Asgard. Each day the Norns sprinkle water from the well of Urd and mixed clay to place on the roots of Yggdrasil to prevent decay or at least slow it down.
The Norns not only care for the World Tree Yggdrasil, but they are also the weavers and spinners of fate.
Laws they gave,
Lives they chose
For the children of men,
The destiny of men. (3)
The Norns do not create destiny, they shape and mold it. They act according to the decrees of orlog, which all the Goddesses and Gods are subject to. It is said that, "at the birth of a hero the Norns span a magical thread and attach it to the heaven, one end was placed in the west and one in the east marking the land that Helgi would control in maturity." 4 It is also said we are each given a Norn at birth who is with us through our life.
"It was man's fear of the future and inevitable death (Skuld's realm) that caused the Norse to generally consider the Norns to be collectively cruel and malicious. They were seldom seen as providing happiness and success. The old Scandinavian saying 'the decree of the Norns' is used to explain the harshness of life with its misery, unjustness, and tragic end."3 The Norns are still feared by many today.
Their Creation
The first witch of the Norse Mythology is Gullveig. She introduced the lust for gold to Valhalla. She introduced greed and sorcery to the Goddesses and Gods. Odin burned Gullveig three times. The triple burning gave birth to the three Norns.
Representation of The Norns
Created By Diana
The Norns
They are not always seen as sisters. Many writings see them as Crone, Mother, and Maiden. Urd is the Crone and represents the past. She is often seen looking back. Urd knows all and is the most prominent of the Norns. She is associated with the color black and the rune Hagalaz. She is guardian of the Well of Urd.
Verdandi is matronly and confident. She is the Norn of now, the present. She looks straight ahead. Look to Verdandi to ground in the moment. Her color is red. Isa is the rune of Verdandi.
Skuld is the youngest of the Norns. She is often veiled and holding a scroll. She is the Norn of the future. She looks ahead into the future. Skuld has been known to ride with the Valkyries. She is most feared since she is also associated with death. Her color is white. Nauthiz is the rune of Skuld.
Talisman of the Norns
Created by Diana
The Norns are very powerful goddesses and can be intimidating. Do not approach them with fear or demands. Just be open to them.
The purpose of this ritual is to ask the Norns for assistance with cleaning out old pain from your heart chakra or any chakra you feel needs cleansing. This is to be done during the dark moon. Cast a windershins rune circle. Lay out the runes at the front of your altar starting with Fehu and through Dagaz. Say each rune as you lay it down on your altar. Have a black, red, and white candle for each of the Norns. Light the black candle calling Urdh to join you, then red and invite Verdandi, and finally white and invite Skuld. Sit quietly and feel there presence. State the purpose of the ritual, what you would like to have cleaned out. Draw the talisman of the Norns (above) over your heart chakra or the chakra you are cleansing at this time. Old pain will surface, allow it to be released. Do not wipe tears, let them flow freely. Messages may come to you, perhaps old forgotten memories. When you feel purged re-decorate your chakra. Thank the Norns for their assistance. Before wishing them farewell kiss your hand three times. Now bid them farewell and open your circle.
This is a powerful ritual that will release old pain. Perform this ritual in a safe place and be prepared for intense emotions to surface. Follow this ritual more cleansing may take place.
The Norns
- Aswynn, Freya. Northern Mysteries & Magick: Runes & Feminine Powers. Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, 2002.
- Monaghan, Patricia. The New Book of Goddesses & Heroines. Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, 2000.
- http://www.geocities.com/cas111jd/norse/norse_norns.htm
- http://www.thorshof.org/spinmyth.htm
- http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~cherryne/myth.cgi/Norn.html
- http://www.luth.se/luth/present/sweden/history/gods/johannes/nornorna
- http://www.pantheon.org/mythica.html
This Page was created in honor of the Norns. Thank you for your guidance, lessons, and blessings.
