Ragnar Lodbrok Day

Early in the morning on Easter Sunday in 845, you're headed to church to attend Easter mass before a big feast at home. Off in the distance you hear a thump, muffled, barely audible, then another, and another... there is almost a rhythm to them. Suddenly out of the fog come dragon heads, ugly snarling, and all to quickly your world goes upside down.

Vikings! Raiders! The shouts and screams fill the air, but do nothing to protect the people from the spears and arrows that are flying here and there.

The church bells begin to ring out an alarm, but it is to late; the Vikings are already inside the city. Why? What kind of God allows his worshippers to suffer this way?

And so goes the story of one of the most famous heros of our lore: Ragnar Lodbrok, semi-mythic warrior and certified bad ass. The man fought dragons, married a shield maiden, fathered numerous sons, and died as boldly as he had lived.

Obviously he also had a good sense of humor since he chose one of xtianity's holiest days to attack and sack Paris. I can only imagine the chuckles and laughs around the fire when he told his lieutenants his plan.

This was truly a man against time, one of those rare individuals who turns the world around him to his will. A bold warrior who never flinched. A true Odin's man who laughed as he lay dying.

And now, over a 1,000 years later, his story has even inspired Hollywood to make a television series about him. Sure it was typical Hollywood drivel, but it inspired many a nerd and basement dweller to attend their local ren fair, get funny hair cuts and wear faux fur and even to buy a Mjolnir pendants or two. And there were even a few of those, mostly well meaning, folk that made their way to Asatru and are now living tru and honoring their holy Gods.

So truly the idea that you are not dead until your name is forgotten is at play here. Ragnar, mighty warrior, is still inspiring people all these many years later.

And so today we honor his memory and lift a horn up in his name. Hail Ragnar Lodbrok!