In Norse mythology, Helheim, the location, shares a name
with Hela, a Goddess associated with the location, which is different than the
Christian Hell. To avoid confusion, a
number of literary texts often called this underworld Helheim (from Norse heima
or heimr, "home"
"region" "abode"). The
word Hel is found in Norse
words and phrases related to death such as Helför ("Hel-journey," a funeral) and Helsótt ("Hel-sickness," a
fatal illness).
Helheim is one of the nine worlds of Norse mythology. It is ruled by Hela or Hel, the daughter of
the trickster God Loki.
This cold, dark and icy abode of the dead is located by
the world of Niflheim, on the lowest level of the Norse universe. No one can ever leave this place, because of
the impassable river that flows and encircles Helheim. Once they enter Helheim, not even the Gods can
leave. Those who die of old age or
disease, and others not killed in battle, go to Helheim while those who die
bravely on the battlefield go to Valhalla or Freya's Field.
The entrance to Helheim is guarded by Garm, a monstrous
hound. Garm guards the gateway into
Helheim and keeps souls of the dead from escaping the underworld. Garm is often equated with the wolf Fenrir. It can also be compared with Cerberus, the
Greek guardian of the underworld.
Once spirits were through the gates, Hela judged
them and decided whether their soul was good or bad
and to what degree. Then, after Hela had made had her assessment, she gave each
soul it's just reward. Depending upon how they had been judged, the souls of
the dead were settled into one of the nine levels of Helheim, which ranged from
what might be seen as a form of paradise, all the way down to the dark horrors of Nastrand
and Nidhogg. Nastrand was
the house or level for criminals. Nidhogg was a dragon
that devoured the corpses of evil-doers, meaning no
Ragnarok or visiting love ones.
Hela and her army of the dead do
play a role at the start Ragnarok.
Hail to Helheim,
Teach us to praise loss and death
And the passing of all things,
For from this flux,
We know your blessings flow.
And the passing of all things,
For from this flux,
We know your blessings flow.
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