Name: The Norns Walk Among Us
Start: 2026-07-19T09:00:00-0400
End: 2026-07-19T10:00:00-0400

Sunday July 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

Norns: the word conjures, usually and stereotypically, the image of three women sitting together and spinning. But Norse myths informs quite clearly that the Norns don’t spin fate in the fashion of the Moirai, the goddesses of fate in Greek mythology. Instead, the Norns shape fate by inscribing words on slips of wood which then they drop into the Well of Urð. Yet the cliché of spinning Norns is quite ingrained, which makes one ponder, is this image rooted into something so deeply imbedded in the human psyche that the simple mentioning of fate and destiny brings to mind the act of spinning? What is then the connection between Norns, working with fibers, word-inscribing and fate-shaping? What is the role of völur, seers, those people who don’t just predict the future but also advise others on choices to make in order to reach certain goals? If everything is fated, whether spun as a thread or carved in wood, what is the point of inquiring, planning, and actively pursuing anything? Predicated on the assumption that the fate laid out by Nornir is not a life-or-death sentence to be accepted with passivity, this presentation explores the above questions through the lens of modern Norse Paganism while giving thorough consideration to mythology, saga material and extant lore. The focus of the presentation remains on seers acting as bridges between this World and the Other and connecting cosmic and mundane levels. Looking at how seership practices emulate the actions of Nornir give a better understanding of the Norns themselves, makes the process of fate-shaping relatable for a modern Heathen audience while providing inspiration for personal practice. This presentation is based on the book “Orlog: The Shaping of the Norns” by Winifred Hodge Rose to which Daniela ‘Svartheiðrinn’ Simina is a contributor.

Speakers

DANIELA SVARTHEIÐRINN SIMINA

Sunday July 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Ravinia C

Workshop

Take aways: Looking at how seership practices emulate the actions of Nornir give a better understanding of the Norns themselves, makes the process of fate-shaping relatable for a modern Heathen audience while providing ideas for personal practice.

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Mystic South

DANIELA SVARTHEIÐRINN SIMINA

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Mystic South

DANIELA SVARTHEIÐRINN SIMINA

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