Hurstwic: The Walking Dead in the Sagas: Zombies of the Viking Age

One in a series of presentations for the Hurstwic Heathen Study Group, an organization that meets monthly for informal presentations and discussions on topics of interest to heathens and to anyone with a passion for Norse-related topics.
In this presentation, Dr. William R. Short discusses the ghosts and sorcerers who inhabit the world of the Vikings, beings whose presence is still felt into modern times. This belief in zombies and magic sheds a new light on aspects of the ancient northern religion, aspects that continue well into the Christian era and even to today.
www.hurstwic.com/training/clas...

[@bethelvingthor4093]

May all spirits and souls be one day be at peace.

[@ericward8459]

The Haugbui sounds like an alright gig. Just bury yourself with plenty of entertainments and just chill for a couple of centuries. (Fond Sigh).... That is the afterlife.

[@ragnarblobarr9567]

Actually... I thought it was Hœnir who was hopeless. Hœnir became a chieftain due to his social standing within his own tribe, while Mímir was his advisor. Frustrated with how much Hœnir passed off for others to decide upon rather than deciding on things himself as a chieftain, they killed Mímir and sent his head to Óðinn because of the value that Mímir had to the Æsir. Let me know if you can cite some information in which this story is more like the one you’re telling. Thanks! Skål!

[@ragnarblobarr9567]

Anyone else have thoughts?

[@Pakshee_C]

@@ragnarblobarr9567 You're totally right. Mimir came from the well of wisdom. He was the good advisor. In the video he also says "...decapitated mimir because he is a bad advisor" and in the next sentence "...keeps his head alive because of Mimirs good advise" veeeeery strange

[@ragnarblobarr9567]

@@Pakshee_C I put a lot of faith in the knowledge Hurstwic provides the public.. I’m sure it was a mistake and was just not recognized.

[@knowlize4440]

Leave those poor ravens alone

[@AlexaDoTarot]

Adorable thank you

[@MrRyanmcmahon]

Everything from Snori is already Romanized and corrupted. For example, Hel was never a dark or bad place, it was a ring, a hole (holy ground) where frey and Freya were born and all souls return. It was Rome who made hel a bad place. There are over 60 words in the English dictionary with a root of HEL, none are negative. Etymology is the real key.

[@mrmadness2699]

I was hoping for an explanation for Gunnar of Hlidarend singing joyfully and his mound opening up in Njal's Saga

[@joelhermansen5494]

Some time after Gunnar is buried, a sheepherder and a slavegirl walk past the grave, which Gunnar thinks is joyfull - and then he starts singing. Another evening Skarphedin and Høgne is out walking on the south-side of the burial mound, when suddenly it appears that it is open and that Gunnar had turned himself in his grave to get a better look at the moon. Skarphedin and Høgne think it looks like four candles are burning inside the burial-mound and not a shadow is in there. Also they see that Gunnar is joyful and hear that he is singing in his happy state: Høgne's father, the fearless - cheerfully his face was shining- steady warrior, in the battle has been standing despite the danger, said the jewellery of the helmet, said happily: rather than run, he wanted to take the giant down to take the giant down. After that the burial-mound closeed again. Høgne thpought of it as a sign to keep fighting Gunnar's enemies. Translated loosely from my Nials saga written in Danish. I could look the song that Gunnar sings up in Norwegian or Swedish too if you need it explained.

[@joelhermansen5494]

Joel Hermansen Some time after Gunnar is buried, a sheepherder and a slavegirl walk past the grave, which Gunnar thinks is joyfull - and then he starts singing. Another evening Skarphedin and Høgne is out walking on the south-side of the burial mound, when suddenly it appears that it is open and that Gunnar had turned himself in his grave to get a better look at the moon. Skarphedin and Høgne think it looks like four candles are burning inside the burial-mound and not a shadow is in there. Also they see that Gunnar is joyful and hear that he is singing in his happy state: Høgne's father, the fearless - cheerfully his face was shining- steady warrior, in the battle has been standing despite the danger, said the jewellery of the helmet, said happily: rather than run, he wanted to take the giant down to take the giant down. After that the burial-mound closeed again. Høgne thpought of it as a sign to keep fighting Gunnar's enemies. Translated loosely from my Nials saga written in Danish. I could look the song that Gunnar sings up in Norwegian or Swedish too if you need it explained.

[@robbiehoen]

Can someone PLEASE tell me what these three people in the foreground are constantly agreeing with? What is their story? what do they recognize in what is being told. I have to know :P

[@outtabubblegum3161]

Will the vikings fight on the side of the giants during Ragnarok?