When the Norns Have Spoken: Time and Fate in Germanic PaganismThis book argues that within Germanic paganism, considered not as mere cult but as a system of beliefs, it is possible to identify a conceptually coherent understanding of fate which detaches that idea from time, and connects it instead with an implicit theses about the nature of truth as written. Germanic cosmogony, as represented in such precise images as a worldtree, provides a context for an analysis of specific metaphors for the workings of fate as woven or spun by such figures as the Norns - the Norse goddesses of destiny. Employing both philosophical and mythic-linguistic considerations, this book also offers new insights into the persistence of a residual paganism in the understanding of fate following the Christian conversion. Anthony Winterboume is an independent scholar. |
Contents
Introduction | 11 |
Paganism in Myth and Cult | 20 |
Mythical Space and Time | 42 |
Copyright | |
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Other editions - View all
When the Norns Have Spoken: Time and Fate in Germanic Paganism Anthony Winterbourne Limited preview - 2004 |
When the Norns Have Spoken: Time and Fate in Germanic Paganism Anthony Winterbourne No preview available - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
abstract accepted already ancient become belief Cambridge cause certainly Christian clear clearly comes completely concept concerned connection conversion course cult cultures death described destiny divine effect Egyptian example existence expressed fact fatalism fate function future Germanic give given goddess gods Greek hamingja human Ibid idea important insists Kalevala kind language least less literature lives logical London magic man's matter means merely myth mythical mythology names nature never Norns Norse noted offered Origins pagan past philosophical possible precise present provides question reason reference relation religion religious represented ritual Roman roots Saga says Scandinavian scholars seems seen sense significance simply somehow sometimes space speak Studies suggests symbolic taken temporal things thinking thought tion tradition trans Translated tree true turn understanding University Press Voluspa weaving wyrd