The Norse Yggdrasil and the Controversial Concepts of Heaven and Hell

When Christian monks began to record the mythological tales of Norse stories, they encountered many concepts that were completely alien to them. Among these were the destinations for the dead, with one exception being the realm of Hel or Helheim, ruled by a goddess named Hela. This place was neither the fiery Gehenna of Hebrew tradition nor the dark Sheol, but a place of cold temperatures, not always torturous, and not divided into the Elysian fields of Greek mythology. Hel is often translated as "hell" in English, though it is rooted in Norse context.

The Norse Nine Worlds and Their Complexities

The Norse concept of the nine worlds, with Midgard as the central world, is a complex and intricate universe. This world is surrounded by the encircling ocean, with the frost giants, fire giants, and mist giants fighting and chasing one another in perpetual battle. At the center lives a giant named Ymir, and three gods—Odin, Vili, and Ve—nourished a great cow named Audhumla, from which many of the first creatures emerged. This concept, with its numerous realms and battling entities, was beyond the comprehension of the Christian monks, who nonetheless recorded the tales.

The Transformation of Hel into Christian Hell

As the Norse concept of Hel became HELL in the Norse language and ultimately Hell in Christian parlance, the place of cold became more terrifying. The only mention of cold in a Hell context is in Dante’s Inferno, in the ninth circle, which highlights the evolution of the concept from cold to fiery torment. Helheim, in contrast, was merely a place for the dead, not the fiery destination of eternal punishment as described in many Christian texts.

Reflections on Life and Afterlife in Norse Mythology

The tale of the universe’s creation and the perpetual battle of the nine realms is often reimagined when Christians encountered this faith. The tale was adjusted, and in the process, many elements were colored to fit their beliefs. When faced with questions about the existence of Hell or Devil, it's important to remember that these concepts were man-made and used by religions for control and to instill fear.

According to contemporary interpretations and many spiritual belief systems, after death, one typically enters the middle astral realm, also known as heaven, where one is greeted with unconditional love. This realm is reserved for those who have lived positively and can be referred to as heaven. After a period of time, a life review occurs, and individuals may need to repay any karma they have accumulated.

Lower astral realms, which are often associated with negative behaviors and negativity, also exist for those who have lived a more tumultuous life. However, just like the middle astral realms, these individuals are also greeted with unconditional love once they progress. The highest realms, the higher astral, are truly amazing and represent the ultimate destination for all souls.

Many spiritual traditions teach the importance of love, self-love, compassion, forgiveness, service to others, kindness, and giving. Negative behaviors such as hatred, selfish acts, racial abuse, control, murder, and drug abuse are considered detrimental to the soul.

We all have incarnated as animals, birds, insects, trees, and flowers before reaching human evolution, while some souls have bypassed these stages and moved directly to human form. Similarly, some have come from other worlds or dimensions.

Whether we are perfect or not, it is crucial to remember that all human beings are equal, as we have all taken on different roles in past lives. It is essential to respect all life with love.