Hel, Goddess of Death, Daughter of Loki: Understanding the Dark Goddess (Norse Mythology Explained)

When one thinks of Norse mythology, many deities come to mind: Freya, Odin, Thor, but what about Hel? What about the Goddess of the Helheim? Do people know of this place? Do people want to know of the Lady who oversees the Nine Worlds? How did she come to be there? Who is this place for? Why is it important in Norse mythology when everyone is trying to get to Valhalla?

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[sinsitysinderella]

Hel is my Mother Goddess, and although I'm very new to pagan practices, she Did respond when I sought her out, in a very loving, comforting, and unmistakable way that touched me profoundly. It was kind of a shock to me, as I had never had an experience like this, nor did I expect one to come of my practice. What drew me to Hel is how she takes all the “non-valiant” people into her care, her loving embrace. She was charged with the task of bringing order and light to the chaotic, dark underworld — picture converting our modern Christian concept of hell into the Greek Elysian Fields. Those who weren't eligible for Valhalla weren't meant to suffer, and why should they? Under Hel's new rule, they were to live out their eternity in comfort and peace (with the exception of course, of the evil souls, who Were sent to the Norse version of Hell). I grew up Catholic, and bipolar, and I was taught that the Already deeply suffering souls who had committed suicide were sentenced to eternal torment in Hell. Mental illness runs in my family, and several individuals in my family tree committed suicide, including my Mother's Father. As someone who was deeply depressed for most of my life, I made several serious attempts, but was always thwarted. If someone's life is so unendurable that they literally can't endure it, why should they suffer eternally? It seems SO WRONG, not to mention unbaptized Babies were sentenced to the same?!? Understandably, I walked away from my religious upbringing. When I learned of Hel, who took the suffering into her bosom, and offered them the peace and beauty they had been denied in life, I was instantly transfixed. She is NOT evil or frightening, except to those who deserved that reception. I have found great comfort in her, even my Christian Mother, upon hearing my explanation of my new spiritual path, wept, at the thought of her father, and those before him (on both sides of my family) who could not bear this life; given a beautiful, kind, sympathetic reception with the promise of eternal peace from her upon their deaths. Hel is absolutely fascinating, and the very real warmth and love I feel from her is exactly what I need. I'm very grateful for her.

[martinceder]

As far as I know (not very far) she was seen as a caretaker and she really cared about the dead. The dreadful place in Helheim was for the dreadful people. When Baldr came she wanted to keep him because he brought light, beauty and joy to the realm of the dead.

[nikoguarro]

I rather go to Helheim than Valhalla. I want to REST.

[RavenAngelsson]

She’s there to build a relationship with and can offer … care and comfort. I have felt her comfort and care. Sometimes she just says life is long and tough. And it makes it all so easier

[LoneStarWomanInACajunWorld]

Hel is my favorite out of the Norse gods & goddesses.

[bethysbarn]

She’s not a hideous looking creature thats half dead, that description came from Snori Sturluston, a CHRISTIAN, these are the only descriptions that describe her like that, the cold description of her and how the dead are treated in Hel are also wrong in this! 💔 you’ve done her pretty dirty tbf 😭💔

[beatricebolstad]

I've been told a different version of Hel 😄 I've been told the story of Hel like this. She was half light and beautiful, and half dark, bluish colour like the colour of death, and everyone went to Helheim. That the beleif in valkyries cought on late into the norse age, and that previously to valkyries they beleived when they died in battle Hel would come, rape their corpses and drag their souls to Helheim where they were doomed to keep fighting, everyone against everyone in one caothic battle, until when Odin would raise them from Helheim to fight for him in Ragnarok. Every time a warrior died, Hel would revive him to keep fighting. Their only escape would be when they died in Ragnarok. The Saga king Sigurd in one of his stories went down to Helheim together with the elf, Guro Rysserova to raise all of Helheim. They called it Oskoreia. After Christianity, Norwegians thought that during christmas Oskoreia would sweep across the sky, and sweep up people into their madness. The only protection was to stay indoors and shoot your guns above the rooftop, later they began using fireworks in stead of gunshots.

Hel was a favourite of Odin, and he gave her a beautiful silver horse to ride across battlefields looking for dead warriors.

[THEROYAL_HIGH_PRIESTESS_]

I wonder if the saying GO TO HELL came from this and we just freely say it not knowing that hel is her WOW

[BradleyMasten]

I love you Goddess. I pray you come home.

[GrandAirTrineAstro]

Wow fasinating recount of some hidden knowledge 👁 and the artwork is so captivting! How is it created?

[WaggaDaBagga]

Valhalla is where the Gods go after they die.
But unfortunately Balder ended up in Hel's kingdom.
Odin tried to get her to release Balder, but they didn't get enough votes.
But Hel's father Loki, voted against it. Thus Balder ended up in Hel's kingdom.
Hel's true form (illustrated) as a skeleton in the shape of a woman.
But in some cases elsewhere (illustrated) as a half-snake demon and half-female (Jottne).

[jimmy-tj]

the incorrect word hell for the torments side of hades might have come from this word ...torments then ghehenna /lake of fire are correct words ...hell is still used ., tartarus being the lowest part of hades..its real and even pagans believe in these places .

[jdddyyy]

So you're saying she's single then 👀

[jokercandy]

Hells angels red vampires puppets chapters haunted redwood cemetery park-81 quebec canada

[truthbehindthelie]

No they didn't they follow a graven image of a MAN!! She has it all!! Not Loki's daughter!! He works for Sin/SUEN/Zeus/the moon god! Moloch! Jews god Catholics god! Christians fell for his son!!! Wisdom, through HER you find God!