Reenactors?

[Cyrus]

Have you ever attended a reenactors meeting?
There was a multi-era convention (from Prehistory to the Vietnam War) with 1350 participants this weekend in France.
I went there, I wanted to see if I felt anything special about the scenes, the atmospheres and to be able to talk about historical points.
Indeed I had feelings at the camps of the Vikings, Native Americans. I had shivers when I saw the reenactors of Napoleon’s Grande Armée shouting "long live the Emperor" at the sound of drums.( I guess I was in the opposite side in 1812).

But I was disappointed by the reenactors of the Vietnam War. I think they replayed much more movies than the real Vietnam war. by the way I asked them why they were interested in this period and the answers were the movies, the music...
I was touched to see close up an M60 machine gun, perhaps memories of my last life as a US marine in Vietnam, I would have liked to take it and maneuver it but it was not possible. I would have had a hard time explaining my own motives to them. They were already suprised of my interest and knowledge.

That’s why I answer but as a joke:" I was probably there in a past life!"

It was an experience to see if I could feel something special about an historical era, maybe something related to past lives but I would not like to be a week-end reenactor. Memories of past lives are not a game for me.

Hi, Emma.

First of all, take into account that the Vietnam war was viewed rather critically and negatively by many in its epoch. It's a very dubious honour in many places to be known as a Vietnam war participant, to say nothing of a "a hero".

Now, the re-enactors.

Sick people, if you ask me.

When lots of adult individuals gather in an open field, all clad like participants of a Napoleaon epoch battle because they fancy themselves being the real participants - it makes me think they badly need a good psychiatrist.

I know of a case of an aged university history professor, who killed a young girl-student some 30 years younger, who was his lover and who had repeatedly co-participated with him in such meetings, as battles, high society dancing assemblées etc. He killed her in his flat for some words of her he hadn't liked, and he started cutting her to smaller pieces to take her dead body outside little by little, and during one of such expeditions he was caught by some street dogs just when he was throwing her legs into the near-by river, at midnight. So Madame Bovary style.

IMHO

 

[SeekerOfKnowledge]

There was a time when I attended medieval markets and events.
There always is some kind of compromise, of course. Modern hygiene, modern medicine and such.
I also went there by train and not on foot or by horse. Would have taken way too long, and I didn't learn how to ride in my current life (anyway, the poor horse...).
One thing for me was not using my watch (and later, phone). When an event is well organized, you don't need one, because there are people running around who announce everything.
A battle here, music and dancing there... and it is just wonderful to escape this fast-living time and live in a more simple way. A bit like a campfire party, a weekend in the mountains or some meditation retreat.
While modern inventions can be helpful and a lot of things are great to have, it is an interesting experience to live without for some time.

It's weird how war for me is a horrible thing, as is animal abuse and any kind of violence, yet at the same time I just love historic weapons.
That, and while I am all for equality, I sometimes catch myself thinking "I shouldn't do this as a woman" or "this shouldn't be done by...".
I seem to remember things from a little longer ago, so yeah, it is possible that I was drawn to these events by some forgotten memories of other lifetimes. As I have the tendency to overthink, I leave it at that and continue what I have done during the last time: try all kinds of techniques to train intuition, remind myself to live more in the now, and all that.

Anyway, I wouldn't say that everyone who attends reenactment necessarily had a life in exactly that era. For some it maybe just an interest to experience something different they can't have in everyday life. It's possible, of course, and I also believe that in many cases there actually is some connection between reenactment and past lives.

 

[MlleElisa]

Hi All! I have done some historical reenacting and i love it! Hope to do it again soon. I have played 18th Century aristocracy. I'm especially interested in the era, but also like 19th Century. I strongly believe, without a doubt, i've had a past live in the 18th-19th Century. Also, my whole being, what i'm interested in, always brings me back to those times So for me, there is a strong connection there. I do not agree with everything from the past tho, so i avoid the things in reenactment that don't fit with my current ethical ways, but i do enjoy going back to who i was/am <3

 

[Eva1942]

I’m a huge supporter of a reenactment group who portray the Confederate Brigade I was in during the American Civil War. I love reading all their posts about the meets and stuff, but as far as re-enacting for me is concerned, I can’t participate as the memories are too raw and unhealed to do so.

Eva x

 

[Totoro]

Hi, Emma.

First of all, take into account that the Vietnam war was viewed rather critically and negatively by many in its epoch. It's a very dubious honour in many places to be known as a Vietnam war participant, to say nothing of a "a hero".

Now, the re-enactors.

Sick people, if you ask me.

When lots of adult individuals gather in an open field, all clad like participants of a Napoleaon epoch battle because they fancy themselves being the real participants - it makes me think they badly need a good psychiatrist.

I know of a case of an aged university history professor, who killed a young girl-student some 30 years younger, who was his lover and who had repeatedly co-participated with him in such meetings, as battles, high society dancing assemblées etc. He killed her in his flat for some words of her he hadn't liked, and he started cutting her to smaller pieces to take her dead body outside little by little, and during one of such expeditions he was caught by some street dogs just when he was throwing her legs into the near-by river, at midnight. So Madame Bovary style.

Cryus, I would just caution you against generalizing. Nearly any activity has the ability to be a positive, healthy force in someone's life. However, there's always the possibility that people can get too caught up in it and any good therapist will tell you that if anything interferes with the normal functioning of your life (going to work, taking care of yourself etc) it's a problem.

I've been involved with many varying groups over the years and I tend to avoid the activity and fantasy based ones as I find there's quite a lot of drama in them; almost like they're serving as replacement social circles from high school. It is true to an extent too that many groups with a fantasy based element attract unhappy and lonely people, with their readymade communities and ease of acceptance into them, but again, that's a long way from saying they are sick.

The people who commit grievous crimes through some force of fantasy are quite surely in the minority. People could also look at us and call us sick for believing in reincarnation as well, so again, I think it's best not to generalize.

 

[Cyrus]

Cryus, I would just caution you against generalizing. Nearly any activity has the ability to be a positive, healthy force in someone's life. However, there's always the possibility that people can get too caught up in it and any good therapist will tell you that if anything interferes with the normal functioning of your life (going to work, taking care of yourself etc) it's a problem.

I've been involved with many varying groups over the years and I tend to avoid the activity and fantasy based ones as I find there's quite a lot of drama in them; almost like they're serving as replacement social circles from high school. It is true to an extent too that many groups with a fantasy based element attract unhappy and lonely people, with their readymade communities and ease of acceptance into them, but again, that's a long way from saying they are sick.

The people who commit grievous crimes through some force of fantasy are quite surely in the minority. People could also look at us and call us sick for believing in reincarnation as well, so again, I think it's best not to generalize.

Hi, Totoro:

I'm sorry for having forgotten to finish that post of mine with an "IMHO". All I said there was only my personal opinion and I have no intention to impose it onto anybody.

If some neighbour of mine likes, e.g., to put on women's clothes from time to time - it's no concern of mine as long as he doesn't disturb me with his fantasies.

As for someone calling ME sick for believing in reincarnation - I could even agree with him/her.
Though I'd prefer not to talk of my beliefs to complete strangers.

I still believe, as I already declared when I started to participate in this forum, that I don't consider normal our having déjà-vus, PL memories and believing in reincarnation. There's some flaw in our functioning, some defect in the soul-brain coupling allowing for the escapes of PL memory to occur. Nothing of this should exist in an ideal situation. Maybe the evolution could somehow repair it with time. I hope so.

IMHO.

Best Regards.

 

[fireflydancing]

There's some flaw in our functioning, some defect in the soul-brain coupling allowing for the escapes of PL memory to occur. Nothing of this should exist in an ideal situation.

What about if we were mature enough, all the amnesia stuff wouldn't have been necessary? Since we are vindictive, greedy, cunning, and often plain stupid creatures, we need a protective system. In an ideal situation, we would not need that.

 

[Cyrus]

What about if we were mature enough, all the amnesia stuff wouldn't have been necessary? Since we are vindictive, greedy, cunning, and often plain stupid creatures, we need a protective system. In an ideal situation, we would not need that.

Hi, Fireflydancing:

I already wrote about this once.

I have all the Michal Newton's (and not only his) audiobooks loaded onto my walkman and I listen to my walkman regularly when I make long walks following my doctor's advice to strengthen my heart. So, in one of such long walks I listened to a passage from one of Michael Newton's books sayng that there were times when there was no amnesia on our PL memories, but in one certain moment of the World's history this amnesia was quite suddenly activated: I don't remember details because I heard this when the theme was still too new to me and there were lots of other details I paid much more attention to then. And I don't remember which book it was, neither. Curiously, I remember exactly which street of Barcelona I was crossing right when I was listening to that passage, but I don't remember in which book it was.

One of the users of this forum it seems was going to follow my steps in finding out where exactly that passage was, but for some reasons unknown to me, he lost contact with me, and quite willingly at that.

I myself have no time to re-listen all Michael Newton's audiobooks.

That's all I have to say, right now.

Very best.

 

[Cyrus]

Hi, everybody:

I believe in reincarnation, and therefore I'm sick in the sense that there is some problem with my PL memory amnesia veil which renders possible some leakages of my PL memory and déjà-vus. I'm sick compared to the people that have no déjà-vus and for whom no regression works.

I know that in my PL I was a military sailor in the Mussolini's Regia Marina, but I haven't even dared in this life to buy a military watch designed for the Italian Marina Militare, to say nothing of an entire uniform.

What to say about someone who, knowing for certain that he was NOT Napolean in any of his PLs, not only makes himself an entire Napoleon's wardrobe, but participates in multitudinary shows exposing himself as Napoleon?

Doesn't it indicate that such a person has some problem with the perception of the reality, a kind of a split personality?

Is this normal? Would you trust such a person in some joint business?
Wouldn't you - if only for a fraction of a second - think, that it would do good to call a psychatrist for such a person?

IMHO.

Best Regards.

 

[Totoro]

@Cyrus, I get your sarcasm, but I think sick is a strong word, that's a 95% personal and 5% moderator feeling!

I tend to over explain a bit because I'm usually (self) conscious of other members and I want them understand why I say what I do. I'm sorry if that comes across as heavy handed sometimes.

Again, regarding your Napoleon friend, if he's able to live a normal life and is otherwise well adjusted, I don't see an issue with it. But if he's chasing you down in the street to tell you about it, when you've never asked and you've made it clear you have no interest in it, that's another story.

As I said, I find sick to be a strong word. Often such people are often lonely, unhappy and other issues going on.

I may be taking it a bit personally because I've always worked with people, that others may think are "sick" and I've never found that to be the case.

I recall a particular student a staff member thought was sick. He was displaying lonely, antisocial behavior and this person was convinced he would be the next school shooter.

I corrected the staff member that by telling them that the student's cousin committed suicide and they were rather close and he was having a hard time dealing with it.

I personally have a hard time assuming and or judging, sight unseen, so to speak. To me, sick is a word I would reserve for people who knowingly harm others, without remorse.

I digress.

I tend to agree with the opinion that lives are easier when we don't remember. For instance if you truly want to immerse yourself in a culture, it's hard to do when you're homesick for somewhere else, as many of us are when we do have memories.

Why do we have memories? A lot of reasons. Trauma, strong attachments.. maybe some form of memory is actually normal, but we live in western cultures that pass them off as a child's imagination.

Many of the academically studied cases are in south east Asian cultures where memories are believed in and common. Life simply goes on for them and they don't ruminate over them like we do.

I think it was in Newton's books that postulate that this universe, this planet and life on it were all "helped" along from the other side.

That makes sense to me. In physics and philosophy, there's sort of a loop that kind of says "it makes more sense for nothing to be here, but yet, it's all here and it seems like this is the only way it could have been here. Why is that?"

I have a lot to say in this amnesia point in history, if it exists. I'll follow up tomorrow when I'm not on my phone and I'll put some thought into it.

 

[Cyrus]

@Cyrus, I get your sarcasm, but I think sick is a strong word, that's a 95% personal and 5% moderator feeling!

I tend to over explain a bit because I'm usually (self) conscious of other members and I want them understand why I say what I do. I'm sorry if that comes across as heavy handed sometimes.

Again, regarding your Napoleon friend, if he's able to live a normal life and is otherwise well adjusted, I don't see an issue with it. But if he's chasing you down in the street to tell you about it, when you've never asked and you've made it clear you have no interest in it, that's another story.

As I said, I find sick to be a strong word. Often such people are often lonely, unhappy and other issues going on.

I may be taking it a bit personally because I've always worked with people, that others may think are "sick" and I've never found that to be the case.

I recall a particular student a staff member thought was sick. He was displaying lonely, antisocial behavior and this person was convinced he would be the next school shooter.

I corrected the staff member that by telling them that the student's cousin committed suicide and they were rather close and he was having a hard time dealing with it.

I personally have a hard time assuming and or judging, sight unseen, so to speak. To me, sick is a word I would reserve for people who knowingly harm others, without remorse.

I digress.

I tend to agree with the opinion that lives are easier when we don't remember. For instance if you truly want to immerse yourself in a culture, it's hard to do when you're homesick for somewhere else, as many of us are when we do have memories.

Why do we have memories? A lot of reasons. Trauma, strong attachments.. maybe some form of memory is actually normal, but we live in western cultures that pass them off as a child's imagination.

Many of the academically studied cases are in south east Asian cultures where memories are believed in and common. Life simply goes on for them and they don't ruminate over them like we do.

I think it was in Newton's books that postulate that this universe, this planet and life on it were all "helped" along from the other side.

That makes sense to me. In physics and philosophy, there's sort of a loop that kind of says "it makes more sense for nothing to be here, but yet, it's all here and it seems like this is the only way it could have been here. Why is that?"

I have a lot to say in this amnesia point in history, if it exists. I'll follow up tomorrow when I'm not on my phone and I'll put some thought into it.

Hi, Totoro:

I used 'sick' in the most neutral and inoffensive sense without any intention to humiliate anybody.
Just like not so long ago an American politician called 'sick' one of his colleagues from another party and it didn¡t look as if he meant his colleague had chased someone. If someone chases people, such a person is usually called a 'maniac'.

My example of doing business with such a person is a good demonstration of what I meant.

Children often play assuming different roles, even exotic ones: one is a wolf, another is Santa Claus - but when they become adult, this kind of playing usually passes. It's a little strange to see adult people acting as if they were at the court of Queen Victoria or something of the kind. A little out of one's age it looks to me. Not very typical, even in the Western Society.

In any case I'm sorry that my using of the word 'sick' produced such a vehement reaction. I thought I understood fairly well its meaning in the English language. OK. I'll avoid this word whenever I can.

Ideally, it would be preferable to use forums like this one in one's own language, so that no misunderstandings (real or imaginary) will arise.

I'd like to close this theme, if you don't mind. As for me, I'll never return to it.

Thank you everybody, folks, for your patience. I hope I haven't taken too much of your time.

Best regards.
IMHO.

 

[Jet]

Hi, Emma.

First of all, take into account that the Vietnam war was viewed rather critically and negatively by many in its epoch. It's a very dubious honour in many places to be known as a Vietnam war participant, to say nothing of a "a hero".

Now, the re-enactors.

Sick people, if you ask me.

When lots of adult individuals gather in an open field, all clad like participants of a Napoleaon epoch battle because they fancy themselves being the real participants - it makes me think they badly need a good psychiatrist.

I know of a case of an aged university history professor, who killed a young girl-student some 30 years younger, who was his lover and who had repeatedly co-participated with him in such meetings, as battles, high society dancing assemblées etc. He killed her in his flat for some words of her he hadn't liked, and he started cutting her to smaller pieces to take her dead body outside little by little, and during one of such expeditions he was caught by some street dogs just when he was throwing her legs into the near-by river, at midnight. So Madame Bovary style.

IMHO

I was a Viking reenactor for awhile until our camp was burned down by a forest fire (nobody was there at the time) and then our Viking Festival which was a national attraction was closed by Covid. I wasn't able to participate a lot but I learned a lot about food, dress and also literature. There was a little bit of infighting due to religion. Christians vs. heathens. The group leader I was friends with moved away so I quit and haven't looked for another group. I'm too old for that stuff I think. I'll stick with the literature.

 

[Ocean]

In my country there is an active and quite popular medieval scene overall. Medieval markets, music bands, reenactors, all that stuff.

A friend of mine was member in a medieval group that takes the historical research and reenactment very seriously. They sew their own clothes using just those fabrics that were available at that time period, for example (so they are not allowed to use cotton or any synthetics). Not an easy task as she told me.

They take part in city festivals and medieval markets across the country, sometimes officially representing the history of their local area.
They also participate (together with other groups) in rebuilding Viking houses based on current historical research. This is done in a public area. You can walk there, enter these houses, learn how they were built and how Viking people lived in the past.

When it’s done in a serious way like that, this is really cool stuff, I think, that can teach you a lot about history. It’s awesome to see the past come to life like that (even if we can’t know everything about how things were really like, and so we have to make some guessing and compromises). I’m actually grateful to those people who put so much of their leisure time, money and energy into this with so much passion and attention to detail.

Then there are those medieval markets and groups that have also fantasy elements to them. It’s still good for fun and entertainment, I think, although it does not represent the reality of past periods and can’t be taken all too seriously.

Children often play assuming different roles, even exotic ones: one is a wolf, another is Santa Claus - but when they become adult, this kind of playing usually passes. It's a little strange to see adult people acting as if they were at the court of Queen Victoria or something of the kind. A little out of one's age it looks to me. Not very typical, even in the Western Society.

I would disagree on that. Many adults still enjoy role playing of some kind, be it reenactment, video gaming or actual acting in theater groups or the like. It’s all a form of escapism, I think, and maybe that’s a thing of our modern times, but many people need that from time to time. Reading and writing novels is also a possibility to identify with and to become someone else for a while, to live in a different world. To me that’s all much the same and it’s fine as long as one does not get obsessed with it and does not forget to live real life. Speaking out of experience also

 

[Jet]

In my country there is an active and quite popular medieval scene overall. Medieval markets, music bands, reenactors, all that stuff.

A friend of mine was member in a medieval group that takes the historical research and reenactment very seriously. They sew their own clothes using just those fabrics that were available at that time period, for example (so they are not allowed to use cotton or any synthetics). Not an easy task as she told me.

They take part in city festivals and medieval markets across the country, sometimes officially representing the history of their local area.
They also participate (together with other groups) in rebuilding Viking houses based on current historical research. This is done in a public area. You can walk there, enter these houses, learn how they were built and how Viking people lived in the past.

When it’s done in a serious way like that, this is really cool stuff, I think, that can teach you a lot about history. It’s awesome to see the past come to life like that (even if we can’t know everything about how things were really like, and so we have to make some guessing and compromises). I’m actually grateful to those people who put so much of their leisure time, money and energy into this with so much passion and attention to detail.

Then there are those medieval markets and groups that have also fantasy elements to them. It’s still good for fun and entertainment, I think, although it does not represent the reality of past periods and can’t be taken all too seriously.



I would disagree on that. Many adults still enjoy role playing of some kind, be it reenactment, video gaming or actual acting in theater groups or the like. It’s all a form of escapism, I think, and maybe that’s a thing of our modern times, but many people need that from time to time. Reading and writing novels is also a possibility to identify with and to become someone else for a while, to live in a different world. To me that’s all much the same and it’s fine as long as one does not get obsessed with it and does not forget to live real life. Speaking out of experience also

 

[Jet]

In my Viking reenactment group we had to have one hundred percent accurate clothing as far as style went but we didn't have to make our own dye or dye our fabric. However, we had to have the type of accurate material in a accurate color for the time period. We were encouraged to see our own clothing by hand and not by machine.
My opinion on reenactment is that it is very educational.
I suppose if you weren't interested in history, you would not be interested at all.
We also had to have accurate weapons for the time period....such as, your bows and arrows cannot be fiberglass.
All in all it can be an expensive business because you may not have the skill or knowledge to make your own weapons and have to buy them from a person who is accomplished in making that particular item(s,).
I think though all in all reenacting is a great experience. Most of the people I know involved in it are educated people.

 

[fireflydancing]

Some time ago, I was involved in a project around a medieval farm. My interest goes towards plants, so twice a week I worked there to take care of the medieval garden, and the medieval fields and sometimes I did the animals too (chickens, pigs, cows).
Other people walked around in medieval clothing, well, only when the schoolchildren came for a visit. There was a program for young children to learn about history and they were allowed to cook soup from the vegetables from the garden or bake bread on a stick. I don't remember if those clothes were made by hand or by machine.

Once or twice a year there is a Viking-themed event with a market. I've never seen it, but then all people get dressed up as Vikings, play old Viking games, and have a lot of fun. It's part of our history and a good way to learn about it. There are still a lot of descendants of Vikings still living. There is some genetic trick to find out if you carry their DNA, something with the hands. I don't remember exactly.

I don't consider those people crazy or sick. It's a lot of fun to keep history alive (other than by the internet).

 

[Jet]

Some time ago, I was involved in a project around a medieval farm. My interest goes towards plants, so twice a week I worked there to take care of the medieval garden, and the medieval fields and sometimes I did the animals too (chickens, pigs, cows).
Other people walked around in medieval clothing, well, only when the schoolchildren came for a visit. There was a program for young children to learn about history and they were allowed to cook soup from the vegetables from the garden or bake bread on a stick. I don't remember if those clothes were made by hand or by machine.
View attachment 3004
Once or twice a year there is a Viking-themed event with a market. I've never seen it, but then all people get dressed up as Vikings, play old Viking games, and have a lot of fun. It's part of our history and a good way to learn about it. There are still a lot of descendants of Vikings still living. There is some genetic trick to find out if you carry their DNA, something with the hands. I don't remember exactly.

I don't consider those people crazy or sick. It's a lot of fun to keep history alive (other than by the internet).

I totally agree with you and what a great opportunity to take care of a Medieval garden! Reenactment is a great way to learn history, possibly regress to an earlier life or learn about your ancestors.
I think the hand disease is Dupetrens contracture which only affects descendants of Vikings. My husband and everyone in his family on one side of his family has been affected by it unfortunately. Without the right medical care it will cripple your hand. His family is a very hardy bunch which may have been inherited from Vikings.
I have both Norwegian and Swedish DNA and am interested in finding out anything I can about my ancestors the Vikings. I am especially interested in their religious beliefs though I don't claim to be a modern day Asatruar, which is the modern day word for the ancient Teutonic religion. Asatruar is the official religion of Iceland. I also find the Old Norse language really fun to learn. There is a fellow named Jackson Crawford who was a professor in Norse studies at CU Boulder and gives online Old Norse and other Norse history studies on YouTube and Patreon. I don't claim to be proficient in the language but it's a fun hobby.

 

[fireflydancing]

That's interesting to hear, Jet. I am not very into the Viking world but they came regularly to the area where I live at the moment, doing their raids and their trades and their progeneration. During my walks through nature, I've listened to podcasts about their history and their culture, so I have a more realistic view of how they were and how they acted. And their religious tales are so complicated to understand, that I didn't bother to dive too deep into them.
In this life, I have no links nor DNA related to the old Vikings. I might have lived in Norway and the Faroe Islands in a former life but I doubt that anything Viking related was there. I did learn (started) Norwegian (Bokmal) for a short period of time, just to find out if there were bells that would ring in me. I guess they did. After just two or three months, I noticed I understood more words than I could have known. The language was not familiar and in some way, there was a connection. I started hearing voices in some Norwegian language, not talking to me, just like overhearing conversations. I stopped learning the language after a couple of months. It was enough for me to validate that I was not entirely crazy assuming that I once was born in Norway. My (unproven) theory is that I was born in Norway, fell in love with a fisherman or sailor from one of the Faroe Islands, went with him to live on his island, became a widow at some point, and was left in complete loneliness there. We did have a son but lost him to a German-Danish war (strong validation for this part).

 

[Jet]

That's interesting to hear, Jet. I am not very into the Viking world but they came regularly to the area where I live at the moment, doing their raids and their trades and their progeneration. During my walks through nature, I've listened to podcasts about their history and their culture, so I have a more realistic view of how they were and how they acted. And their religious tales are so complicated to understand, that I didn't bother to dive too deep into them.
In this life, I have no links nor DNA related to the old Vikings. I might have lived in Norway and the Faroe Islands in a former life but I doubt that anything Viking related was there. I did learn (started) Norwegian (Bokmal) for a short period of time, just to find out if there were bells that would ring in me. I guess they did. After just two or three months, I noticed I understood more words than I could have known. The language was not familiar and in some way, there was a connection. I started hearing voices in some Norwegian language, not talking to me, just like overhearing conversations. I stopped learning the language after a couple of months. It was enough for me to validate that I was not entirely crazy assuming that I once was born in Norway. My (unproven) theory is that I was born in Norway, fell in love with a fisherman or sailor from one of the Faroe Islands, went with him to live on his island, became a widow at some point, and was left in complete loneliness there. We did have a son but lost him to a German-Danish war (strong validation for this part).

 

[Jet]

Hi, It does sound as if you have had a Viking experience even though you don't have the DNA. I would be sure that you have had a past life experience.
I am fascinated that you picked up on the Norwegian language so fast. It's difficult. It would probably be nice if you picked it up again.
There is a shortage of teachers that teach the old languages Old Norse, Old English and Gaelic. Norwegian is not the same as Old Norse but I am sure they are similar.
I think it's really great that you have such an interest in Vikings. I would have loved to have had the chance to work on a medieval or Viking garden.