Essay Database

WYRD, FATE AND GEIS The old Nordic word 'wyrd', from which the modern adjective 'weird' is derived, is a kind of synonym for 'fate'. Yet unlike the Greek concept - with everything preordained, predestined, fixed, wyrd is dynamic, active, a chaotic interweaving of choices and consequences, and sometimes some very strange twists... which is why it's called 'weird'! Although the basic concepts underlying both wyrd and fate come from the same Indo-European myth group, they've …

…up, be fatalistic, and let reality roll over the top of them, which will get them nowhere. Instead, one might try to fight against the unfairness of fate, which will also get them nowhere. Or they could accept that reality is weird - and in doing so, learn to craft a unique relationship with fate. A weird choice in itself, perhaps: but which would you choose? Bibliography A comparison/contrast of wyrd, fate, and geis.