Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - Natural landmarks held significant importance in the daily lives and cultural practices of the Pagan Vikings and Norse people.
In contrast to other ancient civilizations, the Pagan Vikings did not have a structured priesthood or religious leaders. Furthermore, they did not utilize temples or other religious edifices when offering homage to the Norse gods in their Pagan practices. Vikings worshipped their gods in different ways but according to local customs.
Venerating Norse deities was often practiced on farms and at sacrificial sites. Furthermore, in Norse culture, natural features within the landscape were also chosen as sites for worship. There is strong evidence that nature played a significant role in shaping the spiritual beliefs of the people in the Northern regions.
Mountains were traditionally viewed as sacred spaces, believed to provide a closer connection to deities.
One example of a sacred Norse mountain is Helgafell, near Stykkishólm in western Iceland.
From the Icelandic saga Erbyggja Saga, we learn that Torolv Mostrarskjegg (Mosterskjegg), from Moster, also known as Thorolf Mostur-Beard, a devoted follower of Thor, held this mountain to be so sacred that no one could look at it unwashed, and no living creature could be harmed there." 1
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