The ancient Norse were one of the few cultures to create a mythology that did not necessarily promise eternal life of any kind for the souls of the deceased. The world was believed to be heading towards a final destruction called Ragnarok when the gods and their enemies alike would perish in a cosmic battle
In Norse mythology, seidr was magic practiced by shamans, who travelled between the worlds of the Yggdrasil tree of life, to bring wisdom from the Three Fates.