Not at all. Good to know you posted that!
Not entirely true. One group of Norse, the vikings, were about on par with the other cultures of the time in regards to violence, but not even they conquered land as a rule. The Norse traveled to the far east, and to north america, as far south as egypt, and had a beneficial relationship with the Sami tribes to the north (who lived like indiginous american tribes, and later suffered similar problems), with no evidence of attempted conquest.
Intriguing! I actually think the exceptions to this notion of “farming gods vs. nature gods” reveals as much as the notion itself. But I have to still point out, that a domesticated (albeit cosmic) cow brought the Norse gods into this world.
This is the origin of religion/mythology itself....to explain the world.
I agree with Joseph Campbell in this instance, that rather than mythology explaining the world, it brings us into accord with it. This connects to the Daniel Quinn’s notion that only the civilized obsess with asking “Why?”. Indigenous folks seem to ask “How - how do we act in accord with the community of life?”. Modern hierarchical folks need reassurance that a life of misery makes sense somehow, so they ask “Why?”. The whole “how the leopard got his spots” style of myth never just explains it - it means to tell us how to live.
The only real problem I had was that it is unfair to call them farming gods, when only two held that association, and then only among other things. Anything beyond that is me getting carried away, or a "by the way" aside.
Unfair? This makes me worry that calling them “farming gods” sounds like pooping on them. I experience a lot of rich story, metaphor, and wealth of meaning in Norse myths. Also, I see more than a couple references to hierarchy, and by implication, farming and domestication. Norse peoples had way more of a connection to the land than any of us. But how did we get to where we stand today? How did our stories change to excuse and rationalize a new relationship? I see the line we crossed as one of leaving other-than-human family - from our father the sun, to an All-Father Odin.
I would like to note that I do not claim to follow this belief... I have a great deal of trouble believing in gods of anything. Spirits within everything is more comfortable for me. It is something I have a great deal of interest in, however, and the mythology resonates with me very much.
I don’t know if you know it, but I have Danish ancestry, and have read about Norse mythology since I was I li’l tyke. So I understand your interest!
PS: (another BTW aside) the ancient Finns spoke of "Brother Moon" as noted in the Kalevala. This region has many parallels with the Norse, but more in touch with nature and animism. Though both are shamanic, ancient Sami and Suomi were far more so.
TOO COOL for school, man. I love it.
By the way, this may all read a bit disjointed, as I’ve got some multitasking going on. I enjoy reading your view on this issues, and the stories you have to tell about Norse people and their myths!