Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today’s video, we’re going to discuss the Norns, the Norse Fates, a group of entities quite similar to the Moirai, the three Greek goddesses of fate. The Norns determined the fate of each person at the moment of their birth, and they dutifully nourished one of the three roots of the world tree with well water, keeping its trunk, branches, and leaves healthy, thereby combating the damage inflicted by the many animals who gnawed at its roots and ate its leaves.

Let’s get into it.

Yggdrasil, the World Tree, is supported by three roots: the lowest of the three reaches down to Niflheim and is incessantly gnawed at by the Nidhogg, a malevolent monster, in appearance either a serpent or dragon; the second root is found in Jotunheim, the land of the giants, and underneath it is the well of Mimir, where Odin sacrificed his eye for a drink of its waters, endowing him with its mystic knowledge; and the third root is located in Asgard among the Aesir gods, and underneath it is the well of Urd. Beside this well was a handsome hall, and within it dwelt the three principal Norns. With a mixture of the well’s water and of mud from the ground that surrounded the root, they nourished the root, this care making them stewards of a sort, their effort helping to keep the branches strong and the canopy thick and verdant with leaves.

Watch the video for the rest!

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