Norse god Heimdallr blows his horn above the city of York to start the 100 day countdown to Ragnarok, the Viking Apocalypse.
Via Metro World News
Abandon hope, all ye sinners, the end is nigh.
On Feb. 22, the oceans will boil, the sun will be devored and monsters will walk the earth, as Ragnarok – the Viking apocalypse – spreads across the world, according to some believers.
Jay Commins, spokesman for the UK York Archaeological Society and Jorvik Viking Festival, says it’s not all bad news.
Metro: What are the signs?
Commins:The great thing about legends is the signs are open to interpretation. For Ragnarok, it was said that ‘boundaries between nations would crumble,’ which could be taken to mean the Internet age. The legends talk about a vast, unyielding winter, and plenty of research suggests a mini ice-age could be happening now. Also, sea serpents were a portent, such as the oarfish washing up in California.
How long have you been monitoring these signs? Are they more convincing than the Mayan prophecy?
We always have people looking out for signs and interpreting legends, but as they are based on myth and legend, it’s hard to be certain that Ragnarok will definitely happen. I would say this threat is at least equal to the Mayans’.
Is there any hope of salvation?
The legend says the world will be reborn. This is a nice apocalypse where there is a chance to come out the other side. Some say this has already happened, and on the day we might be celebrating the birth of a new world.
Are Viking descendants freaking out?
There are still many Vikings practicing the lifestyle, training and studying. They will all be at the (Jorvik Viking) Festival, but it will be a celebration. We all recognize we are just fish in a North Sea legend.
