For the first time since Viking days, Iceland is building a temple dedicated to the Norse gods! The temple, which will be dedicated to Odin, Frigg, and Thor, will be circular and will overlook Reykjavik. However, the new space will host slightly different rituals than the old temples: according to Hilmar Orn Hilmarsson, high priest of the neo-pagan association Ásatrúarfélagið, the current worshipers “see the stories as poetic metaphors and a manifestation of the forces of nature and human psychology.”
“I don’t believe anyone believes in a one-eyed man who is riding about on a horse with eight feet,” continued the massive Norse buzzkill. Oh, also? They’re not going to do real sacrifices. Really, if you’re going to put the time into building the temple, you should go ahead and commit to Sleipnir the eight-footed horse, because he freaking rules. And we suppose this also means that Thor won’t battle the mighty Jörmungandr, and that Odin won’t be swallowed by the dread wolf Fenrir?
Blasphemy.
The new temple will host weddings, funerals, and initiation rituals modeled on the old school Viking ones, and it will include an open dome to allow the sun, or, rather, Sól, wife of Glenr, drawn through the sky by the mighty horses Arvakr and Alsviðr, to fill the space with light until she is devoured by the monstrous wolf Sköll. So book your events now!
