Heathen perspective on death and the afterlife

[Brynhild]

How do you view such matters?

[Skandi]

Well if you are going to take things pretty literally then all that happens is you change worlds, and which world depends on your deeds.
The Heathen perspective is that death is no more of an end than it is a beginning, and as such is nothing to be feared, as you do not truly die, but go and live elsewhere, either waiting for to fight in ragnorak, or just in living again in Hell's realm.

[Jägerstaffel]

Guess this would be one of those instances where my views may differ from the vast majority of Heathens. :)

[Psychonaut]

I've said as much here, but I don't think that beliefs in celestial abodes are helpful to mankind. I take Nietzsche's criticism of the Afterworlders in Thus Spoke Zarathustra seriously. Living your life for one that may occur after you die is a prime way to waste this one life that you know you've got. This is, IMO, the biggest failing of Christianity. So many Christians have spent their lives denying many of the things that are best in life so that they can attain a spot in some (likely imaginary) Heaven; this is a tragedy. I focus, rather, on the two varieties of "immortality" that we know are attainable: the genetic continuance of ourselves through our children, and the memories of our deeds. Putting up these two in our minds in place of some unearthly Heaven encourages us to live meaningful lives full of familial connections and great deeds in this life, which is infinitely better than a life of miserable asceticism.

[Nodens]

The lesson of Eternal Recurrence:


This crown of the laughter, this rose-garland crown: to you, my brethren, do I cast this crown! Laughing have I consecrated; ye higher men, learn, I pray you—to laugh!

Speculation about that which we cannot know. While, as others have stated, there is no empirical reason to accept the traditional notion of an afterlife, the overwhelming prevalence of belief in the continuation of self lends itself (in my view) to suspension of judgment. In any case, any Heathen afterlife is one where position is earned by deeds and living well, not piety and self-denial.

Edit: I think the AFA FAQ puts it well:


To be honest, we of Asatru do not overly concern ourselves with the next world. We live here and now, in this existence. If we do this and do it well, the next life will take care of itself.