aldurstakmörk

Aldurstakmörk, also known as "Elder Night" or "The Long Night," is a term used in Norse mythology and later medieval Scandinavian folklore to describe a period of darkness and chaos that preceded the final battle of Ragnarök. The concept originates from the *Poetic Edda* and *Prose Edda*, two foundational texts of Norse mythology compiled in the 13th century.

According to legend, Aldurstakmörk occurs during the events leading up to Ragnarök, the apocalyptic battle that will destroy the world. It is characterized by an extended period of darkness, often described as lasting for three years. During this time, the sun and moon are devoured by the monstrous wolves Sköll and Hati, respectively, plunging the world into eternal night. The stars vanish, and the sky grows black, symbolizing the impending doom of the gods and the cosmos.

The term *aldurstakmörk* itself is a compound of Old Norse words: *aldur* (eternity or age), *stak* (stake or spear), and *mörk* (darkness), though its exact meaning is debated. Some interpretations suggest it refers to the "darkness of the spear," possibly alluding to the spear Gungnir, wielded by Odin, or the stakes used in the binding of Loki during the earlier events of Ragnarök.

In later medieval Scandinavian traditions, Aldurstakmörk was sometimes conflated with the biblical "Great Darkness" or other apocalyptic motifs, reflecting a blending of pagan and Christian influences. The concept also appears in some Icelandic sagas and later folklore as a time of widespread misfortune, where monsters roam freely, and the natural order collapses.

While Aldurstakmörk is primarily a mythological construct, it serves as a powerful symbol of cosmic upheaval and the inevitability of destruction in Norse cosmology. Its imagery of prolonged darkness and despair has influenced later literature, art, and cultural references, particularly in themes of apocalypse and renewal.