Wæs Hæl Ooh-Aah2! My take is more or less elitist. What was left to us is largely drawn from the beliefs of the Vikings, who were both rather martial & had rather a fatalistic/gloomy outlook (there is, frex, evidence that the early Englisc had no concept equivalent to the Viking Ragnarok).

Our gods expect us to be the best we can (which is what I mean by being elitist - only the best is good enough). The sword-dead, go to Valhalla, Odin's hall. Most of the rest go to Bilskirnir, Thor's hall, or to one of the other 'lesser' gods/goddesses. The straw-dead & suicides go to Hel.

In the modern world, where violence is not (thankfully!) an accepted part of life, one must inevitably re-interpret somewhat (or go on a killing spree... ;-) ). So, to me, the sword-dead are the most glorious dead, those who have made the best of their lives, fulfilled their potential. In a society that venerates warriors, this is what the great warriors/chiefs are, no?

Most of the rest go to a less prestigious part of heaven, welcomed & respected, but not the creme de la creme. The straw-dead (literally, those who died in bed) I take to be those who died helpless (not ill - see next!), who failed themselves & those around them. Suicide I have always regarded as cowardice - running away from your problems - & selfishness - not caring about the effect your actions will have on others around you.

So the message is about striving to do as well as you can, in whatever way you choose, throughout your life, bearing in mind due respect for those & the world around you, (being the best murderer you can is NOT a route to Valhalla!). *Not* being a git for most of your life & apologising in the last 10 minutes, which sometimes seems to have been the case with... other faiths... ;-)

It's not something I think about day-to-day. I don't "go to church" every sunday, I rarely perform any sort of blot, ritual, or ceremony. It's something that's rooted in the way I try to to live all of the time. Not occasional lip-service, but every minute of every day. No asking for forgiveness, or trying to blame my mistakes on a Satan, but accepting my own responsibility for my actions & continuing to strive for the best that I can be.

Gsilver - inadvertantly this is probably a very good window on the 'between the lines' I asked you to see earlier!

And, if anyone is wondering, I doubt I will achieve Valhalla, but I'm damn sure that Hel will not be my lot either!