ATHELSTAN'S JOURNAL

I did watch it. Yes it's interesting what you say about the birds. It's also hard to be sure of where the seer and the birds stand on Athelstand. I think the birds seeem like the eyes and ears for the seer. Like, you say, they seemed to inform where Athelstan was when he was with Ecbert. Also, Athelstan seemed to know it was a sign Ragnar was looking for him. I think it may come down to the choice as you say choosing between gods including gods vs other things. Like, between one's allegiances (i.e. faith/earthly love, divine/matieral things or being famous/or leaving a inheritance for following generations).

Why the seer throws the journal in the fire saying the rewards in the next life are yours...it hard to say how the seer feels. Does he just accept Athelstan and his Christianity for what it is. Or, does the Seer foresee the coming of Alfred the Great and what that eventually means for the old gods?. So the Seer feels threatened or is he just like blah all great things end.

Part of me, wonders if the seer is kind of like the snake in Adam and Eve. Or a like a devil in the realm of christianity or paganism. Or even a fallen angel, or a watcher like in Book of Enoch.

Or the seer could be all bull crap. Then people self fulfill his prophesies. Then again there are things that happen like he says but aren't in people's control. I don't know if we are to assume the supernatural stuff is real. But it's fun to speculate..

Anyway. I think that stuff you mentioned about Ragnar needing new land for his people will come to play. Eventually, everyone knows vikings convert. In that scene (throwing book in fire).. the seer is is realizing these ideas of rulers trying to conquer new lands is going to point of no return. As these ideas spread they get stronger, then will be passed down to the following generations. So, this truly death to their gods.

People will want more fertile land and soon will give in to the region's prespective god/other gods. Consequently, no longer needing the Seer. In a way, the rewards for Athelstan could apply more for Christ, who will gain more souls than Norse gods.

Also, Athelstan and Judith were working on the Lindisfarne Gosel..I think. Which also made me question if when Ragnar first took him for a slave, if Athelstan had in his possession the famous Cuthbert Gospel. Unless that was what Athelstan had in his hand and what later crumbled in Sacrifice. Regardless, Egbert was heavily influenced by Charlemagne. As was Alfred. Alfred will learn these tales of pagan and biblical parables and be inspired by both faiths maybe not realizing the pagan influence. Plus, Alfred visited Charles court and studied Carolingian scripts. Laminated gospels like Book of Lindisfarne, Book of Kells and Book of Hours used Christian scripture with Pagan imagery to tell Christian tales. Beowulf embraced norse mythology which is said to be written by Alfred's scholars. Basically, these texts are like picture books. In the sense of using universal symbols and/or common imagery of various cultures that also can represent stories of Christianity. So possibly getting more people to relate to the stories of Jesus by learning about him through recognizable symbols. That is, not only due to language barriers but also most people couldn't read or write. So the journal could represent the power of written knowledge and faith. It's change that will turn the tables on what gods are powerful. So, maybe it's self reflection, reflection of morales through language and depicting humanity through art, that the seer snares at. Another words, jealous no one will have to go through him to understand things or reflect. That is since these concepts become a thing everywhere.

Regardless, of Norse mythology and Christianity converging, Christianity will gain popularity. Yet, Norse mythology will fade but not completely from memory. Even still, eventually, (as the seer may see) due to record keeping the messages of Christian faith may outshine pagan rituals. Im not saying one is better just the turn of events and monks being scholars may have helped. Even more so, with Alfred spreading education. So again, the seer could be sad for that, like Floki. As Floki stated their culture will be abandoned if they settle in and fight for strange lands. However, I think the show will illustrate how Vikings (even as rivals) could have influence these stories and even traded material to make these books. Maybe Ragnar will give back any artifacts that could encourage Alfred to continue what Athelstan started. Some people say Alfred descended from Wodin /Odin through the house of Cerdic.

BTW, I wonder how the seer relates to floki. Not just about the Floki as the next seer. Just who/what is the seer? Did anyone notice that the seer was in the cave with Floki when he was tied up. I didn't catch that first viewing but I know for sure it's what I see on rewatch. Don't know if it was obvious. It's before Floki finds out about his daughter and when Helga is with him. The seer is sitting behind them but more inside the cave.

Anyway, Floki was out of it, mumbling (paraphrasing here) "you'll visit me nine times and be generous and and let me." What did he mean, who will be generous and what will they let him do?

Also, when Floki goes to kill Athelstan, we see him walking on screen. Then, the camera changes focus to a dog that walks by Rollo. The dog looked like it's on a mission like Floki. Is it Floki, as a shapeshifter? It almost seemed like Floki turned into the dog. I thought that I was over-analyzing or seeing things. Though, I've seen a few others bring it up, elsewhere online. I can't find clips for above these two. I don't have screen caps.

Another thought, is Floki the seer and the seer really Loki which is also that god or whatever with Aslaug. I say this because the seer must of gotten the journal from Floki . Actually the seer probably got that if he was in the room when he killed Floki. But then, why is the seer always lurking like a guardian angel behind floki? Noone sees him, not even Floki, grrr. I mean I know that the seer isn't a god. Though, Floki seems seer- like and loki- like.

Actually, one more observation. In the vision Ragnar has of his on their old farm..where Athelstan stands, if you look at the door on the house, it has cross like a church on it. Ragnar house didn't have a cross? I know the Thor symbol looks like a cross. Yet, it's like a church cross shape. So, I wondered if people saw that. Or if I'm hallucinating. Or if it's is Thor symbol. Here is clip pause at 1:24 on the door, above the black cloth thing: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KsF-B1alN6o

While I'm at it, lol, another question; When Ragnar had Odin/Jesus/Athelstan vision, did he get a stigmata in his hand. Or, was if just alike a whip by Odin or whatever...striking his hand away? Here is video clip link, at 34 sec mark: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FJiUjg83Mgg

Lastly, someone asked if this guy in the preview could be the blind guy that sees Ragnar when he dies. I wonder that too. The character right here in first image:
https://www.facebook.com/VikingsFrancais/videos/vb.1029340610428671/1431926686836726/?type=2&theater

Yet, I also wonder... Does he look like the farmer in Frankia that had his family brutally slaughtered by the brothers? Then, I think they leave him left alive, hanging on the door, with his eye/s bloody and poked out. It looks like it could be the same actor but I have bad eyes. Plus the guy in the trailers looks like he has a tattoo on his face. Then again, could be a scar.

Here is clip of horrid farm scene look at farmer before they mess him up at about 2:38 and 2:54. Then when he's messed up at the end at about 3:49. Is it same actor in above trailer?
Here is link to clip https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AK55AOrynj0

Finally, I wonder if we will see Ragnarock. So even more Northman need migrate even if the don't want to leave their customs.