Behold the Light of the Goddesses: Norse
An icy north wind sweeps across a battlefield as tense, warring tribes anticipate the beginning of battle. A black cloud approaches, sparking ominous electricity, as thunder warns of impending danger. Thick, dark tendrils fall out of the clouds, revealing women riders in full combat armor on massive steeds. These riders rush to the warriors, who immediately fall upon each other in ferocious battle. The riders are the Valkyries, the daughters of Odin, and theirs is the world of war.
This sets the scene for a mythology that presents its goddesses in a way not common to most religions. The femininity of Norse goddesses is unquestionable, but so is their strength and determination, as well as the ability to fight. Other ancient religions also portrayed goddesses as being involved with warfare, battlefield strategy and hunting. For example, ancient Egypt had Sekhemet and Neith. Greece revered Artemis and Athena as powerful warriors.
In Norse mythology, however, strength, determination and battle abilities weren’t an exception for goddesses; they were the rule.
I’m honored to present a brief look at a few Norse goddesses. Norse myths hold a depth that always excites my imagination. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Frigg: Goddess of Foreknowledge
Frigg was the wife of Odin and the mother of Baldr the Beautiful. Baldr was a solar deity, kind and beloved in every way. His brother, Hodr, was blind and the two were devoted to each other. So deep was Frigg’s love for her son, that she devised a plan to keep him safe forever, impervious to anything that existed in the Universe. She sought and received a vow of compliance from everything, both living and inanimate, never to hurt her son. From the highest mountain peak, to the deepest depths of the seas, everything of the earth and sky gave an unbreakable promise to never injure Baldr, except for one plant. Frigg considered mistletoe to be completely harmless. As parasitic flora, it lives upon the boughs of other trees and as such, mistletoe was neither a plant of the earth, nor a product of the sky and was not bound by the oath taken by every other being, or thing, that existed. Loki, the trickster of Norse mythology, angry and jealous of the attention being put to this project, disguised himself as an old woman and approached Frigg, asking her for details regarding the promises given to her. Frigg told the old woman how she’d not worried about mistletoe and the wheels of tragedy were set in motion.
To celebrate Baldr’s magical protection, an event was planned in which the gods would take turns hurling stones, throwing spears, shooting arrows and doing whatever else they could to the immortal Baldr. Assault after assault was made by the boisterous deities. Baldr smiled calmly, totally unharmed as every missile simply fell at his feet or had no affect. The gods cheered and celebrated his power of invulnerability. Loki, still in the disguise of the old woman, approached the contest with Baldr’s blind brother, Hodr, whom was thrilled to be able to participate in the celebration. Loki had fashioned a dart of mistletoe, which he placed in Hodr’s hand and helped him aim. Everyone watching cheered Hodr. He threw the dart as hard as he could, expecting to hear the usual cheers, but to everyone’s horror, the dart went through Baldr’s body and he instantly fell dead. Loki was eventually discovered and punished for his treachery, but the real power of this myth is in the reality it reflects.
Although this myth is a fascinating take on the movement of the Sun upon the ecliptic during the cycle of the year, it also offers powerful commentary regarding a mother’s attempt to provide protection for her children and the inevitable truth, that no matter how careful one may be, the unexpected is always a part of life. Another interesting pattern in this myth is the disguising of Loki as an old woman. This motif is repeated in another Norse myth in which Thor engages in a series of competitions while in a magician’s realm. Thor is challenged to wrestle an elderly woman, toothless and decrepit in appearance. As Thor begins the bout, he’s amazed to find the woman to be remarkably strong, with a grip like iron. Laughing, she easily drops Thor to his knees and the contest is mercifully ended before the god is totally defeated. Thor is understandably humiliated, but eventually discovers that the woman is much more than she seems to be and is, in fact, Old Age itself. Not even the God of Thunder could overcome the power of Time. This tale of an old lady being more than she seems is repeated in tales like Hansel and Gretel and other stories that feature Wicked Witches disguised as helpless old ladies. The message is clear. Never underestimate anyone, for they may not be as they seem. The arrogance of assumptions based on the way people look is dangerous, to say the least.
Frigg is often considered to be a goddess with foreknowledge, seeing deeply into the future and able to discern the paths and destinies of both men and gods alike, not unlike the Norns (knowers of all destiny). It’s significant that with this ability, she was still unable to prevent the death of her son, Baldr. There’s a deep message behind this story, one that bears mulling over.
Freyja: Embodiment of Passion and Joy
Freya is often called the Norse Venus, or Goddess of Love. This description is a vast oversimplification. Freyja could be seen as the embodiment of passion, celebrations and joy. She was the happiness of a successful harvest and the fertility that brought new animal life to our planet. She was filled with desire and inspired it in others. She brought the joy of life into the hearts of even the most cynical. Her beauty was matched only by her strength and her skills in the magical arts, making her a deity to reckon with. In some cultures, Freyja would have been considered a sorceress. She was definitely a Shaman. Her ability to walk between worlds and affect the outcome of the future, made her a deity to be respected. Freyja wasn’t Aesir, like Frigg. The Aesir dealt with warfare and the affairs of the heavens. She was Vanir, the rulers of the Earth and fertility. As such, her realm focused on the more tangible aspects of life, including love and need.
A popular story about Freya has to do with her immense beauty. A Jotun (enemy of Aesir and Vanir) stole Thor’s hammer and demanded that Freya be delivered as his bride, or never see the hammer again. This problem was solved by dressing up a furious Thor to look somewhat like Freya and delivering him into the thief’s kingdom. I’ll bet you can figure out how the story turned out.
Freya ruled over an afterlife known as Folkvangr, meaning “warrior’s field” This was where she delivered half of the warriors slain in battle, the other half destined to spend eternity in Valhalla. No one seems certain as to what the actual criteria was that decided the destination of the souls of the fallen. I believe that some men were suited mainly for battle, having been born warriors, while others were called into war from other walks of life. This was a good and fair division, giving each of the fallen their best possible eternity. There’s benevolence in that idea, one that speaks to the respect of a culture for those who sacrifice their lives in war.
Idunn: Keeper of Eternal Life
Idunn was in charge of the Golden Apples that bestowed eternal life to the Gods. As was the case with Freya, she was abducted, this time through the treachery of Loki. To make a long story short, Idunn was abducted by a giant and then retrieved by Loki, under duress.
The main point of interest with Idunn is her affiliation with the fruit of eternity. She’s reminiscent of the Hesperides, the keepers of the Greek Golden Apples. The Priestess in Tarot is often shown with seed bearing fruits and flowers. The reality is that such fruits are the immortality of the species of flora involved, just as woman, the real goddesses, bear within them the immortality of mankind. This may bring to mind the fruit eaten by Eve in The Garden. I’ll leave it to the reader to ponder the importance of this train of thought.
Hel: Powerful and Intimidating
One of the most interesting of the Norse goddesses, Hel, was the daughter of Loki and the ruler of Niflheim, the land of the dead for those hadn’t died heroically. Half alive and half corpse, she was powerful and intimidating. At one time, “going to Hel” meant to die without heroic honor.
The Valkyries: Choosers of the Slain
Of all the female entities in Norse mythology, perhaps none are as indicative of powerful feminine energy as the Valkyries. The word Valkyrie means “chooser of the slain.”” These women were daughters of Odin, chief of the Aesir. They moved into the dreams of warriors, giving them visions of blood and carnage. These were warnings of unavoidable combat, omens of dark outcomes. Battles only began when the Valkyries rode to the battlefield. The Valkyries chose who won and who lost, usually at the direction of their father. Disobeying Odin’s direction did happen, with grave consequences. After a battle ended, the Valkyries transported those chosen to reside in Valhalla. There, the Valkyries waited upon the resurrected warriors in an eternity of feasting, drinking, fighting, dying and being resurrected. I can’t think of another mythological version of the afterlife like this one.
Richard Wagner’s Classic operatic series, Der Ring des Nibelungen, tells the story of Siegfried, an ancient hero of the Norse and Brunnhilde, the Valkyrie whom falls in love with him. Brunnhilde defies her father, Odin, by trying to save Siegfried’s father’s life. In a nutshell, she’s punished with mortality, betrays her beloved Siegfried, gets him killed and eventually throws herself on his funeral pyre, singing as she goes. It may not end happily, but wow what an ending. If it had be me, I’d have had her last note be Soprano C” thus ending the opera on a high note.
The Norse Gods have become fashionable again, due in part to the cinema, but the big screen renditions of these deities bear little resemblance to their bigger than life counterparts.
There’s a grandeur and majesty to the gods of the Norse, a sense of heroic dynamism that can fill we mere mortals with awe and never fails to entertain and excite the imagination.
I wish you all peace and love.
About the Author
50 Questions to Ask the Akashic Records
The Akashic Records are a source of wisdom and spiritual knowledge that allows access to information about life, purpose, and soul experiences. Consulting these records can provide clarity and direction in various aspects of personal and spiritual life. In this article, we explore what the Akashic Records are, what topics can be consulted, how many questions are usually asked, and how to formulate them properly.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Akashic Records?
- What Topics Can Be Consulted in the Akashic Records?
- Examples of Questions for the Akashic Records
- When is it helpful to receive an Akashic Records reading?
- How Are the Answers from the Akashic Records?
- What to Do with the Information from the Akashic Records?
What Are the Akashic Records?
The Akashic Records are an energetic compendium of all events, thoughts, emotions, and experiences of each soul throughout its existence. This concept comes from the Sanskrit word “Akasha,” which means ether or sky, indicating a non-physical dimension where this vast information is stored. The Records are considered a spiritual tool for self-awareness and personal evolution.
Accessing the Akashic Records allows individuals to obtain answers about their life purpose, resolve past traumas, and receive guidance on present and future decisions. To open these records, it is common to consult an experienced reader who uses meditative and prayerful techniques to connect with this dimension. However, it is also possible to learn how to access one’s own records through dedicated spiritual practices.
In the series Beyond Belief, Bill Foss explores the depth and relevance of the Akashic Records. In the episode Journey to the Akashic Records, he shares how to access this realm and understand soul patterns and karma. It is a conversation with George Noory that broadens the perspective on healing and life purpose.
What Topics Can Be Consulted in the Akashic Records?
The Akashic Records can be consulted on a wide range of topics that cover all areas of life. From questions about life purpose, personal relationships, and professional challenges, to physical and emotional health. It is also possible to explore past lives and understand how they influence the present.
Consulting the Akashic Records provides a deep and enlightening perspective that helps to better understand current experiences and challenges. The answers obtained not only guide decision-making but also promote greater self-awareness and spiritual growth.
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How Many Questions Are Usually Asked in the Akashic Records?
Generally, it is recommended to ask between three and five well-formulated questions to allow for a detailed and meaningful exploration.
Limiting the number of questions helps avoid information overload and ensures that each query receives the necessary attention and reflection. This also allows the querent to assimilate and process the answers obtained properly, facilitating a better understanding and application of the guidance received.
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How to Formulate Questions for the Akashic Records?
Formulating open-ended questions is important to obtain clear and useful answers from the Akashic Records. Questions should begin with “what,” “how,” or “why” to encourage detailed and reflective answers. For example, instead of asking “Should I change jobs?”, it is better to ask “What can I learn from my current work situation and how can I improve it?”.
It is also important to avoid yes or no questions and those based on specific times, such as “When will I find love?”, as the Akashic Records do not operate within the limits of linear time. Instead, formulating questions that explore personal growth and life lessons will provide richer and deeper answers.
Examples of Questions for the Akashic Records
Formulating appropriate questions for the Akashic Records is essential to obtain useful and enlightening answers. Below, we present various examples of questions in different areas of life, which can help guide an effective consultation.
Examples of General Questions
- What is my life purpose at this moment?
- How can I overcome the current obstacles in my professional path?
- How can I improve my most significant personal relationships?
- What spiritual lessons am I meant to learn in this phase of my life?
- How can I cultivate greater self-esteem and confidence in myself?
- What are my unique gifts and talents, and how can I use them better?
- What steps should I take to achieve inner peace and harmony?
- How can I release old patterns or beliefs that no longer serve me?
- What can I do to attract abundance and prosperity into my life?
- What is the best way to contribute positively to my community or the world?
Examples of Questions About Love or Relationships
- What are the main challenges we face as a couple?
- How can I deepen the connection with my partner?
- What do I need to understand or change to improve our relationship?
- Why do I feel that the connection with my partner has been lost?
- How can I strengthen my self-esteem in the face of my partner’s criticism?
- How do I handle the pain and betrayal of infidelity?
- Am I at a point where divorce is the best option for me?
- How can we rekindle passion and intimacy in our relationship?
- What concrete actions can we take to support each other in our personal goals and dreams?
- What is the impact of our families of origin on our relationship, and how can we manage it?
Examples of Questions About Health
- What message does my illness or ailment have for me?
- How can I improve my physical and mental well-being?
- What habits should I adopt or change to improve my health?
- How do my emotions affect my physical health?
- What can I do to achieve a healthier balance in my life?
- How can I overcome fears or anxieties related to my health?
- What steps can I take to strengthen my immune system?
- How can I better manage stress and its effects on my body?
- What do I need to know about the connection between my emotional state and my physical health?
- How can I be more proactive in taking care of my health?
Examples of Questions About Work or Money
- Why do I not find satisfaction in my current job?
- How can I improve my work relationship with my boss?
- What should I understand about my dynamics with my colleagues to improve the work environment?
- Why do I seek my boss’s approval, and how can I overcome this need?
- What aspects of my job do I dislike, and how can I face these challenges?
- What do I hope to find in a new job that I don’t have now?
- What makes me long for the end of the workday, and how can I find value in my work?
- What prevents me from fully living in the present moment at work?
- What would it mean for me to get a promotion, and how can I work towards that goal?
- How can I overcome the feeling that my career or business is stagnant?
Examples of Questions About Family and Children
- How can I strengthen my bond with my child and foster a positive growth environment?
- What karmic lessons do my child and I share, and how can we work together to overcome them?
- Am I repeating patterns from my own childhood with my child, and how can I change them?
- Facing the challenges my child is going through, how can I support them effectively?
- How can I show greater empathy towards my child’s feelings and actions?
- If I feel we are emotionally drifting apart, what concrete actions can I take to reconnect?
- What important lessons should I learn from my relationship with my child?
- How can I contribute to my child’s emotional and psychological stability through my own healing process?
- Are there personal fears or worries I might be transmitting to my child, and how can I manage them?
- How do I find the balance between offering guidance to my child and respecting their independence?
Examples of Questions About Past Lives
- What lessons from past lives still impact my life today?
- How do I identify and resolve repetitive patterns from past lives?
- Are there traumas from past lives affecting my present?
- How have my primary relationships evolved through my reincarnations?
- What gifts from past lives can I use now?
- How do my past life experiences influence my current preferences?
- Should I release any vows or pacts from a past life to move forward?
- How do I apply the knowledge of my past lives to my current life?
- Do I have current relationships influenced by past life connections?
- What is the connection between my purpose in past lives and my current mission?
When is it helpful to receive an Akashic Records reading?
An Akashic Records reading can be especially valuable when deep questions arise that find no answers through analytical approaches or conventional therapies. If you feel you are repeating certain patterns, going through an existential crisis, or facing an important decision, the Records can offer a broader perspective on the purpose behind those experiences.
It is also advisable to turn to this tool when there is a strong inner calling to better understand yourself, release burdens from the past, or explore your spiritual connection more consciously. Many people seek this guidance to understand the origin of intense emotions, complex relationships, or sensations that seem to have no obvious cause.
How Are the Answers from the Akashic Records?
The answers obtained from the Akashic Records are usually profound and revealing, providing a perspective that goes beyond everyday understanding. These answers are not always direct or literal; often, they are presented in the form of symbols, emotions, or even physical sensations that require interpretation. It is important to approach these answers with an open mind and be willing to explore their deeper meaning in the context of one’s own life.
The information from the Akashic Records always has some characteristics: it is constructive, loving, and free of judgment. It is intended to guide and not to make decisions for us, helping us to examine a situation from multiple perspectives. This guidance promotes self-awareness and spiritual growth, allowing the individual to make more conscious decisions aligned with their true self.
Although the answers are always constructive, they may not necessarily be what one expects or desires to hear. They may point out areas of life that require attention and change, which can be uncomfortable but essential for personal development. Ultimately, these answers push us towards a greater understanding of ourselves and our purpose in life.
What to Do with the Information from the Akashic Records?
Once the information from the Akashic Records is received, it is important to take time to process it and reflect on its meaning. This reflection can lead to a greater understanding of oneself and life situations. It is important to remember that the information obtained is a guide, not an absolute mandate. Each individual has the power and responsibility to use this guidance to make informed and conscious decisions in their life.
It can be helpful to keep a journal of Akashic Records sessions and subsequent reflections. This not only helps to remember the answers received but also allows seeing patterns and progress over time. Sharing and discussing experiences with a therapist or support group can also be beneficial, as it provides different perspectives and support on the path of personal and spiritual growth.
The integration of the information obtained into daily life is a fundamental step. This involves applying the insights and teachings received to concrete situations and taking actions that reflect this new understanding. As one works with this guidance, it is possible to experience a renewed sense of purpose and direction, facilitating a more balanced and harmonious life.
