The Völva's wisdom and the Vikings' faith

The earth was like a large island, surrounded by sea. In the middle of the earth was the home of humans, called MIDGARD, protected by a fence made of the eyelashes and eyebrows of the giant Ymer. Beyond the fence, was the country known as UDGARD, and there, in the cold and mountainous land by the sea, lived the giants. Up above the clouds, ASGARD was the dwelling-place of the gods; from up there they could see the whole earth. And above them - its branches stretching across the world - stood the crown of an ash tree, YGGDRASIL.

The Völva is everywhere and nowhere! She lives in a wooden house by the stream, but often she is visiting Ribe Town or the market place, casting her runes to tell people their fortunes or singing her songs of mockery against the Christian missionaries and ministers. Perhaps you will find her sitting by the fire in one of the houses, sometimes surrounded by a pack of children. The young ones listen eagerly to her captivating tales about gods and heroes from the old days.

The Völva has a great knowledge of and a special connection to the old gods, the Aesir, and she is the one who officiates the sacred rites marking, for instance, Mid Summer and Mid Winter. She also holds a great knowledge of medicine plants, which is why many Vikings seek her advice when they are poorly or in pain. 

If you have questions regarding Odin, Thor, Freya or any of the other gods or the old ways, our Völva is the person to ask! 

Programme 02.07. - 06.07. 2012

11:00-17:00: Play and learn in miniature Midgard and Asgard.
11:00-17:00: Hands-on: Whittle your own rune stick.
11:00-17:00: Hands-on: Shoot a Viking longbow.
11:00-17:00: Hands-on: Min your own Ribe coin. 
11:00-17:00: Hands-on: Borrow a magical Viking cape and become a Viking.
11:00-17:00: Hands-on: Ground flour and bake a flatbread.
11:00-17:00: Viking kitchen: Nature's herbs.
11:00-17:00: Viking kitchen for children: Help make herbal tea.
11:30-13:00: Hands-on: Make your own amulet.
12:00: Warrior training for children
12:00-15:00: Watch as the blacksmith makes Thor's Hammer.
12:30-13:00: The Völva's wisdom and the Vikings' faith (DANISH).
13:30: Falconry show.
13:30-14:00: The völva's wisdom and the Vikings' faith (ENGLISH).
14:30-16:30: Hands-on: Draw a rune and have the völva give you a piece of advice.
15:30: Falconry show.