The end is nigh once again. After 2011's Rapture, 2012's Epic Mayan Fail, the 2013 solar flare scare, Nostradamus, and several other prophecies that came before, we are once again looking at Armageddon in the face as it charges at us adorned in Viking armour with its yellow teeth bared while screeching Norse curse words. Yes, the next end of the world is a Viking apocalypse and it's a lot more metal than any End of the World prophecies so far.
What's Happening: On the 14th of November, the mythical trumpet Gjallerhorn was sounded in York (Jórvík), signalling 100 days remaining till the end of the world. What happens next is a “Winter of Winters” leading to Ragnarok (“The Doom of Gods”). Morality shall disintegrate and the world will descend into chaos. Mountains and skies shall be flung asunder, and poison shall stain the ground and air. A wolf named Skoll shall swallow the sun and another named Hati shall devour the moon and the world will go dark. Then Fenris the Wolf shall slay Odin, and the other creator gods shall meet their demise. During the world's end, the sun's beams will become black and the weather will become treacherous. Brothers will fight and kill each other; sisters' children will defile kinship. No man will have mercy on another.
Why It Makes Sense (?): Like all the apocalyptic omens, the world is rife with immorality. What is so unique about this one? The legend states that “Boundaries Shall Crumble.” Well, democracy has very much seen to that. There is the internet. Just like gender and species, distance is no longer a barrier either. Another notable omen is the sighting of the mythical Midgard serpent. Sadly, the real version of it is not very metal because it happens to be just some giant oarfish sighted in California. Apparently, it came ashore dead due to distress. But what of the most obvious omen of all which is supposed to be a long G.R.R. Martin-esque winter? Well, one such mini Ice Age is supposed to be around the corner due to decreased solar flare activity. What is a mini Ice Age if not multiple winters fused into one?
What to do now: While you and I shall probably run and quickly begin crossing things off our bucket list, or cry ourselves to sleep listening to depressive black metal bands waiting for snowfall, people on the other side of the globe will be partying hard. The end of the world “co-incidentally” happens to go hand in hand with the Jorvik Viking Festival in York where people will feast like Vikings, drink like them, cosplay and have Beard Bashes. They will also train to fight and be equipped for the apocalypse, giving the world one fine send off. Of course, none of this makes it look like a major publicity stunt for their 30th Viking Festival.
“Ragnarok is the ultimate landmark in Viking mythology, when the gods fall and die, so this really is an event that should not be underestimated,” said Danielle Daglan, director of the Jorvik Viking Festival in York.
What Next? End of the world has become something of an annual event. It's about time they made it an international holiday, and maybe hold festivals to recognise the creativity of people so they can come up with better and more personalised versions of the End of the World. Who knows? That might actually turn out to be entertaining or at least should give us a good laugh when our doomsdayer friend is proved wrong.