Who are the Norns?
Exploring Norse Mythology
In Norse Mythology, the Norns are the three giantesses (known as Jotun) who sit at the base of Yggdrasil, the world tree that holds all the nine realms together. They are associated with our wyrd, our personal wyrd as well as the wyrd of the collective.
In this article, we will explore what wyrd is, the runes associated with the Norns, and how this can influence our magickal practices.
The three Norns are named Urðr, Verðandi, and Skuld. Modern translations of these names roughly translate them as what has been, what is becoming, and what may be. It’s more complicated than past, present, future. Urðr doesn’t only explore the past, but the unchangeable laws or realities of the universe. Urðr is associated with the concept örløg, which works together with wyrd. Örløg means fate, layers, or primal layers. These layers are said to be the layers of reality that do not change, that have happened already. In our own life, this can encompass the past, as it has happened and is therefore more set in the material world, but it’s also those aspects of life we cannot change. For example, you can’t change the year you were born, or who gave birth to you. However, we can see that even within these “set” states, there is room for change. We can’t change our age, but we don't have to let it dictate our behaviour and personality. We may not connect with our blood families, but we can build families of our own.
In her book Norse Shamanism, Evelyn C. Rysdyk describes wyrd and örløg in a nutshell that I find helpful. She says that we can view örløg as the hand we’re dealt, and wyrd how we play that hand. In this way, we remember that though there are areas of life we cannot change, our destiny is still ours to play. In this way, the Norns don’t have total dominion over our fates. They are still up to us.
I find this an important reminder for all, and in this space, for anyone who gets or gives readings, or practices any kind of magick. The future is not set in stone. Even the past, when viewed through different lenses, may become more malleable. If we view our past as, “I was broken hearted and now I am unworthy of love and no one will ever love me” then this belief shapes our wyrd. However, if the lens of the past action shifts to “I learned from my heartbreak, keep the lessons and wisdom, and know I am worthy of love” then this belief will shape our wyrd. Our paths are malleable. Ideally, as readers and practitioners of magick, we endeavour to craft the best wyrd for ourselves, guide our clients to do the same, and therefore uplift the collective wyrd and create a better one for the planet.
Modern authors sometimes associated the Norns with the runes Nauthiz and Perthro. Nauthiz is a rune of lack and restriction. However, as the Old English Rune Poem tells us, it may prove to be a source of salvation if we heed the warning. I have found that Nauthiz may appear when things aren’t working out because we aren’t on the right path, and humans have a tendency to only listen and look deep when things aren’t working. Perthro is the rune of the gaming up, of divination, chance, games, and fun. We never know how the dice will roll in our lives, but we will never win if we don’t play. Some authors suggest Perthro may be associated with the Well of Wyrd, as in a cup shape, this cup may actually symbolize the well.
If this interests you and you would like to learn more about the runes, and the mythology and magickal practices associated with them, I am offering a 12 week rune program called Journey with the Runes starting January 7th 2024. Each week, we will explore two runes from the Elder Futhark alphabet. The runes themselves are associated with different mythologies, deities, and magickal practices. This program is therefore not only about the runes, but about the many forms of wisdom they offer. Not only will your knowledge of the runes increase, you will have more tools in your magickal tool belt, such as shamanic journeying, spell casting, connection to spirit guides, and more.
Click the link below to join this learning adventure that will be both informative and transformative.
Thank you for being here!
xo Jenny aka the Mermaid Mystic