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Is Valhalla Heaven or Hell? 10 Facts That Might Surprise You

By Scandinavia Facts

Valhalla is closer to the concept of heaven than it is to hell, but it is not an exact parallel. Located in Asgard, Valhalla is where Odin, the god of thunder, reigns. Valkyries, Odin’s maiden warriors, select which elite Viking warriors may enter. The description of Valhalla is what the Vikings would have considered a paradise.

Read on scandinaviafacts.com

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Freyr and Gerd: Lovesick Norse God Seeking Giantess

There is a well-known Norse myth which tells of how the Vanir Freyr fell in love with the giantess Gerd, wooed her, and eventually convinced her to marry him. She was not any easy catch - many attempts and various tactics were needed to gain the proud giantess’ hand…

Article
Wu Mingren
2018
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Gullinbursti: The Golden Boar

Gullinbursti was an attribute of the god Freyr, and sometimes Gullinbursti is referred to as his fylgia, or familiar. Therefore, understanding the god Freyr is key to understanding the importance of his golden boar Gullinbursti.

Article
Jessica S.
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Thor Is Beating the Lutheran Church in a Battle for Believers in the Land of Fire and Ice

Ásatrú, first practiced by the early Vikings who trolled Iceland's eastern shores, is the country's fastest-growing religion—or spiritual movement.

Article
Julia Duin
2021
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Aesir vs Vanir Gods: What’s The Difference?

Let’s take a closer look at these two clans of deities in Norse mythology, what differentiates them, and what aligns them.

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Jessica S.
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The Death of Balder: Everyone Swears an Oath Except Mistletoe

The most handsome of the gods was born to Frigg and Odin. He was named Balder (also known as Baldur or Baldr). He was a god of truth and light.

Article
N.S. Gill
2019
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18 Major World Religions — Study Starters

Religion is so diverse and nuanced a subject that it’s nearly impossible to encapsulate all of the world’s major religions in just a few words. But we’re going to try anyway. This is an entry point for understanding the basics of the world’s major religions.

Article
TheBestSchools
2021
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What’s the Big Deal About Ancestors?

Let’s be honest: is there any term more infuriatingly vague than “ancestors” when it comes to religious/spiritual practice? How far back do we go when we venerate ancestors? Do we get to pick and choose who we honor? What about relatives we actually know that passed on? What about the...

Article
Lea Svendsen
2020
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Modraniht: Mothers Honored During Norse Celebration

Modraniht, Mutternacht (Mother’s Night or Night of the Mother’s) was part of Germanic/Norse Winter solstice tradition. During this feast day, the ancestral founding women, grandmothers, mothers and caretaking women of the clan were honored, along with Frigg and local/geographical female deities.

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Gwyn
2019
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‘Afterlife’ feels ‘even more real than real,’ researcher says

You’re about to go to “heaven” and live to tell about it. And your story will become the subject of scientific research.

Article
Ben Brumfield
2013
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The torture of the grave Islam and the afterlife

According to Islamic doctrine, between the moment of death and the burial ceremony, the spirit of a deceased Muslim takes a quick journey to Heaven and Hell, where it beholds visions of the bliss and torture awaiting humanity at the end of days.

Article
Leor Halevi
2027
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Norse Mythology