The end of the world is almost upon us if Norse mythology is to be believed, which predicts the Earth will split open and release the inhabitants of the underworld Hel on 22 February.
On Saturday, according to Norse legend at least, the series of events leading up to Ragnarok will culminate in an epic battle, where Norse gods Thor, Loki, Odin, Freyr, Hermóðr, will fight. Odin will be killed by Fennir and the other creator gods will fall.
The Earth will fall into the sea, and life as we know it will cease to be.
It’s not all bad news though, as the world will re-emerge anew and fertile, and two human survivors will be in charge of repopulating the Earth.
Events leading up to the Viking apocalypse Ragnarok have apparently already begun, after the wolf Fennir, son of Loki escaped from his prison and the giant serpent Migard emerged from the ocean.[amazon asin=1495933415&template=*lrc ad (right)]
Ragnorak is described in the 13th century Prose Edda, written by Snorri Sturluson. The Vikings believe Ragnarok occurs after three freezing winters, with no summers in between.
Experts from the Jorvik Viking Centre predicted the world would end on 22 February to coincide with the grand finale of the 30th JORVIK Viking Festival.
According to the group, the sound of an ancient horn could be heard across the rooftops of York on 15 November last year, as “a portent of doom and the beginning of a countdown to the Norse apocalypse”.
The horn belonged to Norse god Heimdallr, who would blow it to mark 100 days before impending doom and a countdown is now running on the festival website.
