Fatalism is the most prevalent philosophical ideal with Heathenism. Don't believe me? Here are some quotes:
Voluspa 20: "Thence come maidens, much knowing, three from the sea, which stands under the tree; Urd the one is named, Verdandi second, on the wood they scored, Skuld the third. Laws they established, life allotted to the sons of men, and pronounced urlag."
orlög, n. pl. fate, doom, fortunes.
Grimnismal 29-30: "Kormt and Ormt and the two Kerlaugar: these Thor must wade each day, when he goes forth to pronounce dooms (domari) beneath the ash-tree Yggdrasil; for the ash is on fire, the holy waters boil. Glad and Gyllir, Gler and Skeidbrimir, Silfrintop and Sinir, Gisl and Falhofnir, Gulltop and Lettfeti; on these steeds the Aesir ride each day when they go to pronounce dooms at Yggdrasil's Ash."
Skirnismal 13: "There are better choices than whining for him who is prepared to die: for one day my age was decreed, and my whole life determined."
Lokasenna 29: "You are raving, Loki! In recalling your foul misdeeds. The fate of all does Frigg know well, although she says it not."
Lokasenna 21: "You are raving, Loki! And have lost your wits, in calling Gefjon's wrath on you, for, I believe, she knows the fate of men even as well as I."
Alvismal 10 and so on as a refrain: "Tell me Alvis, for I presume you, Dwarf, know the fates of all men-"
Baldr's Dreams 2-3: "His (Baldur's) sleep was most afflicting to that God, his good dreams seemed to be gone. They asked the Jotuns, wise seers of the future, whether this might forebode calamity. The responses said that Ullr's kinsman, dearest of all, was destined to die..."
Fjolsvinnsmal 23: "From it fruit, which shall be borne on fire to expecting women, shall that come out which was held within, so it is with the Manna Mjotudr (Fates of Men)."
Fjolsvinnsmal 48: "I am called Svipdag, Solbjart is my father, thence the winds drove me on the cold ways. No one may deny Urd's decree, however lightly spoken."
Helgakvida Hundingsbana I v. 2-3: "It was night, Norns came, they who did shape the fate of the nobleman, they proclaimed him best among the Budlungs, and most famed among princes. With might they twisted the urlag-threads, that he will settle burghs in Bralund; they arranged the golden thread and fastened it directly beneath the moon's hall."
Helgakvida Hundingsbana I v. 4: "In the east and west they hid the ends, there between the chief should rule; Neri's kinswoman (the Norn) sent one thread northward and bade it hold forever."
Helg. Hund. II 27: "Console yourself, Sigrun! You have been a Hildr to us. Kings cannot conquer fate."
Gripisspa 25: "I shall now openly speak to Sigurd, since the chieftain compels me to do so: you will surely find that I do not lie. A certain day is decreed for your death."
Gripisspa 52: "Now we part, so farewell! No one wins over fate. Now you have done as I asked of you, Gripir, you would have gladly foretold me of a happier end of my life's days, had you been able."
Gripisspa 53: "You shall find comfort in this leader of hosts! This fortune is alloted to the hero's life: no man shall be considered on earth or under the sun's abode, more renowned than you."
Reginsmal 2: "I am called Andvari, my father is Oinn, I have fared in many floods; in ancient times I was doomed by Norns to wade in the water."
Reginsmal 14. "I will nurture the bold-hearted prince, now Yngvi's kinsman has come to us; he will be the most powerful king under the sun, his urlag-thread is spun to spread over all lands."
Fafnismal 11: "The fate of the Norns you will find before the headland, you weak-minded fool, you shall drown in the water if you row against the wind, all danger is near to death."
Fafnismal 44: "There may you see the helmed maiden, who rode forth from the fight on Vingskornir (a horse); the victory-bringer shall not break her sleep, you Skjoldungr, so the Norns have set."
Sigurd and Brynhild Fragment II 19: "And you are destined to be my wife with my father's consent. I have ridden through the vafrflames at your requisition."
