when you die where will you go?

[MonSno_LeeDra]

Think about it, When you die where will you go?

Many Northern tradition followers will probally want to go to Vahalla or one of the other great halls of Nordic Legend. Doubt to many will want to go to Hel. Granted thier are supposed to be two parts of Hel, one where the common person goes that is not like the biblical hell. The other part a place of scourging the truly bad.

Many modern Wiccans seem to tout the "Summerlands" as the place they want to go too. Have never really understood this place as they describe it. Is their heaven like the Christian heaven?

Will the followers of Roman / Greek inspired religions go to the Elysian Fields?

Of course the Judeo-Christian followers will want to go to the concept of "Heaven" as they are told.

Part of my heritage is supposed to be Native American Indian does this mean I can go to the Happy Hunting Grounds?

So many possibilites so many places. Will we be like the old cavalry and be allowed to stop at the fire on the way and spend eternity on the open plains? Eternity, even as we watch the souls of others move across the landscape to the final rest.

So where will you go?

[David19]

Personally, I think the Sumerian religion is for so I will probably go to Kur (the Sumerian underworld), I think you go to the underworld or afterlife depending on which god(s) you worship in life and/or what path you are on - a Hellenic Pagan will go to Hades (I don't think everyone went to Elysian Fields, wasn't it just for Heroes and those initiated into the Elysian Mysteries?, anyone know different?), or perhaps if reincarnate (I know that followers of the Orphic mysteries believed the soul reincarnated), a Heathen will go to either Hel, or one of their gods halls or depending on how they die (e.g. I think if they die at sea, they go to the hall of Ran(sp?), the sea goddess or something?), a Wiccan will go to the Summerlands and reincarnate, a Celtic Pagan will go to their afterlife(s) - I don't know too much about Celtic afterlife beliefs, a Christian/Jew/Muslim will go to their heaven, a Buddhist will reincarnate (or reach Nirvana, if they've gotten rid of their karma), etc.

Some people seem to think we all to the same place, but I think there are many different possiblities, depending on your path and/or god(s) you follow, how you died, etc.

Cool topic, BTW.

[Theres]

when you die where will you go?
i'm going to DISNEYLAND!

:hehehehe:

[ModernKnight]

Think about it, When you die where will you go?

Like many other people, I'll be put in a box which will be put into a hole and covered up. Perhaps if I'm lucky, I'll get an above-ground barrow.

[Simply Puzzled]

Many modern Wiccans seem to tout the "Summerlands" as the place they want to go too. Have never really understood this place as they describe it. Is their heaven like the Christian heaven?

Will the followers of Roman / Greek inspired religions go to the Elysian Fields?

I think the Elysian fields are pretty close to what the Summerlands are, completely different from heaven.

[Philosophia]

My physical body will be returned to the Earth. But my energy or "soul" will return to the world and be reused again.

[Rick]

It started as a joke when my children were young, but my now-grown daughter says that she will solemnly & faithfully respect my wishes to have my ashes placed on a replica Viking ship & sail it a-blazing onto the lake near where the kids played soccer.

Be careful what ya say in front of kids... they never forget... :hehehehe:

As to my spirit/soul/whatever... entrance into Valhalla (Hall of the Slain) requires being slain in combat... snowball's chance of that happening... and then all that battling, day after day... sounds like a lotta work... http://bestsmileys.com/oneofakind/9.gif

That said, long ago I had a waking vision of a seat with my name on it at a long table in a great hall filled with many long tables... my life-long best amigo's name was on the seat just ahead of mine (one seat nearer to the head of the table)...

BTW, Helheim's not a bad place by any means, just the destination of those that die a 'straw death' (dieing in bed, such as with illness or old age); you feast with your Ancestors, what could be better than that? I don't know about the 'truly bad' getting scourged, but yes, there is a section reserved for murderers, rapists, etc that is not at all pleasant.

[aluokaloo]

i'm not sure, i believe i'll be sent to the asphodel fields, or perhaps helheim. when I was a kid, had this dream, and I saw a beautiful place of sunlight, and wilderness, and flowers. interestingly enough there was a maimed dog ahead of me while my spirit was waiting to go into the afterlife.b eventually i'll be dragged kicking and screaming back to earth.

[Shanti]

I havent decided yet.

[TheWomanMonster]

Somewhere else,
and then I'll be back.

:wave:

[aluokaloo]

I havent decided yet.

you mean you don't know shanti? I would of thought that they would've told you already! after you bite the dust, you already have a spot reserved to be inducted into.....The Horrible Knights of Nee!

[Shanti]

you mean you don't know shanti? I would of thought that they would've told you already! after you bite the dust, you already have a spot reserved to be inducted into.....The Horrible Knights of Nee!OMG the knights of neehttp://img386.imageshack.us/img386/2363/happy8km.gif

[cheddarsox]

I will cease to exist. My body material will get reused and that is it.

I'm sorta looking forward to the mental rest.

[MonSno_LeeDra]

I think the Elysian fields are pretty close to what the Summerlands are, completely different from heaven


I tend to agree but have heard so many different theories as to what the "Summerlands" will be like that its more akin to the Christian concept of heaven. Granted thier is probally a significant amount of cross-over as the non Abrahamic religions gain more footing in the so called "Pagan" umbrella.



As to my spirit/soul/whatever... entrance into Valhalla (Hall of the Slain) requires being slain in combat... snowball's chance of that happening... and then all that battling, day after day...


In my understanding and concept of Vahalla I fully agree. Given its supposed to be a hall for the best fighters who will rise to the assistance of the gods in the final battle of Ragnarock.

Yet like the concept of the "Summerlands" I see and hear more and more about how "Dying" in battle is being re-written to match the modern religious persception of "Warrior". Even the very concept of "Warrior" is being re-written.


BTW, Helheim's not a bad place by any means, just the destination of those that die a 'straw death' (dieing in bed, such as with illness or old age); you feast with your Ancestors, what could be better than that?

I think this is true of many religions regardless of the destinaiton ie Helheim, Hades, underworld, etc. I wonder if it is not something carried over as an echo of what the Judeo-Christain concpet of "Hell" is supposed to be.

From a warrior base I guess I could see it as being bad in the facet you did not die in battle but suffered a non noble death, ie old age, accident, murder, etc. I guess that would be seen as a failure to the Nordic clans, the Japanesse Samauri class, the warrior class of Celtic fame, The warrior caste of the ancient Med basin countries, even the Knights of old Europe.



OMG the knights of nee


It could be worse you could be part of the former group known as the knights of nee. Sorry can't recall their catch phrase.



Some people seem to think we all to the same place, but I think there are many different possiblities, depending on your path and/or god(s) you follow, how you died, etc


I agree but it does make one ask. If I go to place A and my partner goes to place B then is their truly a gathering of those you loved and new in this world over their? But that is a different thread all together.

[aluokaloo]

I tend to agree but have heard so many different theories as to what the "Summerlands" will be like that its more akin to the Christian concept of heaven. Granted thier is probally a significant amount of cross-over as the non Abrahamic religions gain more footing in the so called "Pagan" umbrella.



In my understanding and concept of Vahalla I fully agree. Given its supposed to be a hall for the best fighters who will rise to the assistance of the gods in the final battle of Ragnarock.

Yet like the concept of the "Summerlands" I see and hear more and more about how "Dying" in battle is being re-written to match the modern religious persception of "Warrior". Even the very concept of "Warrior" is being re-written.



I think this is true of many religions regardless of the destinaiton ie Helheim, Hades, underworld, etc. I wonder if it is not something carried over as an echo of what the Judeo-Christain concpet of "Hell" is supposed to be.

From a warrior base I guess I could see it as being bad in the facet you did not die in battle but suffered a non noble death, ie old age, accident, murder, etc. I guess that would be seen as a failure to the Nordic clans, the Japanesse Samauri class, the warrior class of Celtic fame, The warrior caste of the ancient Med basin countries, even the Knights of old Europe.



It could be worse you could be part of the former group known as the knights of nee. Sorry can't recall their catch phrase.



I agree but it does make one ask. If I go to place A and my partner goes to place B then is their truly a gathering of those you loved and new in this world over their? But that is a different thread all together.



actually i tend to see that as an extension of the original question.

[Brigid Rowan]

I think its all there...that once we die, the paths are nearly limitless. Have you ever gone to Epcot, and walked to the main lake, and all around it, are the many nations, displayed and circling the body of water? I think when I leave this place, there will be places for everyone...viking halls, feilds and meadows, hell as the Christians know it, and all other afterlife possibilities. It will be like looking at the vastness of the heavens, and realizing that earth was like elementary school, and before us, lies the rest...unimaginably big in scope, uncluttered by the tiny man-made boundaries our mortal minds require. And that in the utter vastnessthat is space and time...that we are free to learn and grow.

I have a place there, waiting for me, and friends as well, and I will be met, with those that loved me in this life and have gone across before me..and by those that loved me before I came to earth. And darn it, we WILL eat drink and be merry!...and I really really secretly hope I can fly like Peter Pan, go on cool adventures, and shoot fire from my fingertips! :)lol..

[David19]

I think its all there...that once we die, the paths are nearly limitless. Have you ever gone to Epcot, and walked to the main lake, and all around it, are the many nations, displayed and circling the body of water? I think when I leave this place, there will be places for everyone...viking halls, feilds and meadows, hell as the Christians know it, and all other afterlife possibilities. It will be like looking at the vastness of the heavens, and realizing that earth was like elementary school, and before us, lies the rest...unimaginably big in scope, uncluttered by the tiny man-made boundaries our mortal minds require. And that in the utter vastnessthat is space and time...that we are free to learn and grow.

I have a place there, waiting for me, and friends as well, and I will be met, with those that loved me in this life and have gone across before me..and by those that loved me before I came to earth. And darn it, we WILL eat drink and be merry!...and I really really secretly hope I can fly like Peter Pan, go on cool adventures, and shoot fire from my fingertips! :)lol..

I really like that belief.

[skilly-nilly]

I want a shrubbery!

[Know Your Rights]

My body itself will be cremated.
As for my soul... I believe I will either go to the Summerlands (which I doubt) or be reincarnated (which is the most likely thing).

[Baobabtree]

Think about it, When you die where will you go? I would hope that when I die , I'd have managed to have gained enlightenment, and thus be able to attain moksha, but I think it's more then likely that I'll be reincarnated, and possibly spend a brief period of time in the heaven of my patron deva, Shiva (or perhaps his son Murugan, or his wife Kali whom I'm also devoted to). But, these outcomes really depend on how I live the rest of my life. When I first started to follow Hinduism Krishna was my Ishta Deva, but over time I became more connected to Shiva and his family. Who's to say my Ishta Deva won't change yet again? And then there's the fact that the way I live my life, and my morals might change too. Right now I'm not really concerned with death or the afterlife, so I don't really worry about it that much.

[ILOVEAUTUMNS]

are those near death experience books a good indication of what's to come or is that just the brain losing oxygen causing these experiences in people and not the passing over itself??????????

[spiritbear99]

My thought on the afterlife is somewhat like the end of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Trilogy, the last book being The Amber Spyglass. We are part of the fabic of the universe. Though we have physical form now, our bodies will eventually break down again into simpler chemicals and elements and nourish other physical forms, like animals, oceans, and maybe in a few billion years a star. So to will our souls go back to a Source; if you believe in a deity, maybe we become a part of that deity, or that deity's realm (Heaven, Hell, Valhalla, etc). Maybe the thought of a soul going to "Hell" is more of like a cleansing cycle where to negative energy is caste off and the soul made pure once more. I think our soul joins a sea of other souls and we all become united again. If you believe in reincarnation, the soul loses its experiences/memories in the soul fabric of the universe, and when another life is ready to begin a part of that soul fabric comes off and becomes its own existence again. The corporeal and non-corporeal things are all interconnected and make each other up equally. If you've ever thought of the feelings/emotions of the mind and the physical responses of the body, it's like that; they are part and parcel of each other.

Kind of a weird idea, but that's what I think.

-- Gally

[Meadhbh]

I think end up in Tir na nOg and then hang around there till I get bored with it and return back to gold old earth.

[Windsmith]

I will go noplace and be nowhere. Except in the ground. Or possibly on the ground, if I'm cremated (depends on whether they've managed to create the natural burial cemetary in my state yet). I don't think about it much, because my brain ties itself in a knot every time it tries to comprehend nothingness.

Ugh. I've just given myself a headache. Off to my fainting couch!

[Stormwt]

I'll be going straight into my Mykee's arms

[Evendusk]

It's said that people make their own heaven or hell and I suppose that could be true. One theory that I've read about the afterlife is that it is a realm where one's own thoughts determine 'reality' since there are no physical limitations barring manifestation. Think of it as a favorite daydream or a nightmare that becomes as vivid and real as real life. It could work on a group level as well- that is , maybe 2 thousand years of millions of people believing in heaven and centuries of millions of people believing in hell has created them so that the people who die firmly believing that they will go to heaven or hell actually have places to go to.

Of course not everyone is sure about the afterlife and many others have differing views on what they will find but if I can decide on where I get to go then I plan on going to the Land of Oz when I die and I bet I won't be the only one there!

[Fire-scryer]

<UPG>
When it is time for me to be called, Odhinn will choose the best death for me at the time and I will become a part of the support division for Ragnarok. I will be a part of the Vitkar that strengthen the armour of the Einherjar and help them by making sure their weapons strike true. Or I could be healing/caring for wounds, or I could be a part of the offensive group using our magics to strike fear into the enemy.

Either way, my days will be spent studying, meditating, and practicing so my skills are kept strong. That way, when the final battle comes, I will be able to serve the Gods and the Einherjar to the best of my ability. </UPG>

[Novembers River]

My physical body will be returned to the Earth. But my energy or "soul" will return to the world and be reused again.

Exactly for me as well. My energy will return to the whole that is divine and be passed out to the universe again wherever is necessary.

[Labrynth]

I will be rejoined with my loved ones in the summer lands till the time comes for me to come back to earth for whatever lessons i still need to learn. <3

[Xentor]

I'll become worm fudder.

[Amber]

I believe in an idea (I can't remember what culture/religion it's from) that the stars are the souls of all the people on Earth who have dies. So I think I'll become a star. =)