The Religion of the Northmen
Chapter XV
In conclusion, if we take a general view of the prominent features 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 produced, as a shapeless Jötun-form. 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, including mankind.
The Gods or Æsir are these ordaining powers of Nature, clothed in personality. They direct the world 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 Jötuns, 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 Jötun-world; the two powers contend with each other for the dominion. Should the Spirit gain the victory through virtue and bravery, man ascends to Heaven after death in order to fight in concert with the Gods against the Powers of Evil; but if the body triumphs, and links the spirit to itself by weakness and low desires, he then sinks down after death to the Jötun-world in the Abyss, and joins in with the Evil Powers in the combat against the Gods.
This struggle of the World-Life shall end in a final battle, in which the contending powers mutually destroy each other, and the World which the Gods created is involved in their destruction. But it shall come forth again more glorious and purified. An Eternal God, greater than all Æsir, shall arise as its ruler and the austere Judge of departed souls. Before His power shall Evil depart forever.
The whole is a struggle between Light and Darkness, Spirit and Matter, Virtue and Vice,---a struggle which shall end in the triumph of Good over Evil.
<< Previous Page Next Page >>
© 2004-2007 Northvegr.
Most of the material on this site is in the public domain. However, many people have worked very hard to bring these texts to you so if you do use the work, we would appreciate it if you could give credit to both the Northvegr site and to the individuals who worked to bring you these texts. A small number of texts are copyrighted and cannot be used without the author's permission. Any text that is copyrighted will have a clear notation of such on the main index page for that text. Inquiries can be sent to info@northvegr.org. Northvegr™ and the Northvegr symbol are trademarks and service marks of the Northvegr Foundation.
|