| Forseti is the God of justice, peace and truth in old | | | | judged by him could live in safety as long as they |
| Scandinavian mythology; and the son of Baldur ( the | | | | upheld his ruling. |
| God of peace, innocence and purity ) and Nanna. | | | | Remnants of his legacy can be found in today's life as |
| Forseti rules in the beautiful palace Glitnir ( meaning | | | | well! In today's Iceland the president is called a "Forseti" |
| shining ), which serves as a court of justice where all | | | | and the Scandinavian and German mythologies served |
| legal disputes are settled. Glitnir is symbolic of the | | | | as inspirations for J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Ring". |
| importance of discussion rather than violence as a | | | | The next time you find yourself sitting thru any of |
| means of resolution of conflict within the Scandinavian | | | | Richard Wagner's Operas, which are largely based on |
| traditions. | | | | the related old Germanic mythologies ("Nibelungen |
| Of all the Gods in Askard (the home of all Gods), | | | | Lied"), take a moment to reflect on how the peaceful |
| Forseti was considered the wisest. He presided over | | | | mediation based concept of justice in Scandinavia has |
| disputes resolved by mediation (1). It is said that Forseti | | | | been converted to the powerful and bloody Teutonic |
| would always provide a solution that all parties | | | | way of 'conflict resolution'! |
| considered fair making him the ultimate mediator. Like | | | | (1) Mediation is a type of Alternative dispute resolution |
| his father Baldur, he was a gentle God and favored | | | | (ADR) (also known as External Dispute Resolution in |
| peace. Forseti was highly respected and anyone | | | | some countries). |