In addition to goddesses, Viking women were also involved in mystical practices such as seership, divination, and prophecy. Seers, often called "volvas," were women who held spiritual power and were sought after for their ability to predict the future. The practice of seership was considered sacred, and these women were often consulted by kings and warriors before making major decisions, such as going into battle or settling disputes.

Volvas were often depicted as wise women, carrying staffs and performing rituals that connected them to the divine realm. These practices were closely tied to Norse cosmology, which believed in the interconnection of the spiritual and physical worlds. The volvas' role was to mediate between the two realms and offer insight into the unseen forces of the universe.

The sagas and historical texts from the Viking Age often describe women who possessed the ability to foresee the future or communicate with the gods. One of the most famous examples is the seeress in the Saga of the Volsungs, who warns the hero Sigurd of his fate. These women were respected figures in Viking society, and their influence was not limited to domestic matters; they were also sought after for their guidance in warfare and politics.

Viking Women in the Afterlife

Viking beliefs about the afterlife were heavily influenced by their gods and goddesses. One of the most important aspects of Viking spirituality was the concept of Valhalla, the hall of Odin, where warriors who died bravely in battle were honored. But there was also a place for women in the afterlife, and it was not just through their roles as mothers or wives.

In the afterlife, women could become shield-maidens, women who fought alongside men in battle and were honored for their bravery. These women were often associated with the Valkyries, who were female figures in Norse mythology tasked with selecting fallen warriors to dwell in Valhalla. The Valkyries were often depicted as fierce, warrior-like women, reflecting the strength and power that Viking women could attain.

Additionally, women could be honored in their own right in the afterlife. In some traditions, Viking women could go to the halls of Freyja, where they would experience a life of prosperity and peace after death, much like their male counterparts in Valhalla. shutdown123