Adversity is a certainty in life. Whether it’s personal struggles, professional setbacks, or unforeseen hardships, our ability to endure and grow through challenges defines our long-term success. This capacity is known as Adversity Quotient (AQ)—the measure of how well we handle difficulties and setbacks.

Many modern resilience-building techniques mirror the wisdom of the old pagan ways, where survival depended on mental toughness, adaptability, and a deep connection to nature and the spiritual world. The ancients knew that hardship was not to be avoided but embraced, for it forged strength, wisdom, and character.

Let’s explore how we can increase our AQ by combining modern strategies with the resilience-building practices of our ancestors.

Why Adversity Quotient Matters

People with high AQ:

✅ Adapt quickly to change

✅ Recover faster from setbacks

✅ View challenges as opportunities

✅ Maintain emotional control under stress

✅ Persist until they find solutions

Those with low AQ tend to feel overwhelmed, give up easily, or remain stuck in negativity when faced with challenges. Fortunately, AQ can be strengthened—just as our ancestors did through trial, ritual, and deep-rooted belief systems.

How to Increase Your Adversity Quotient the Old Pagan Way

1. Reframe Challenges as Part of the Great Cycle

The old Norse, Celts, and other pagan societies saw life as cyclical—darkness and hardship were natural phases of existence, not signs of failure. Winters were harsh, wars were frequent, and survival was never guaranteed. They understood that struggle is not a punishment but a teacher.

Modern application:

Instead of fearing adversity, embrace it as a necessary phase of growth. Ask yourself: What lesson is this hardship teaching me? How will I emerge stronger?

2. Strengthen Mental Toughness Through Ritual and Trial

In ancient warrior societies, initiation rites tested both body and mind. Young men and women were put through extreme trials—days alone in the wilderness, endurance tests, and combat training. These experiences taught them to master fear, control pain, and find strength in suffering.

Modern application:

• Practice voluntary discomfort—cold plunges, fasting, or intense physical challenges help build resilience.

• Embrace endurance training—long hikes, martial arts, or strength training mirror the trials of old.

• Commit to personal rites of passage—push yourself beyond your limits to mark new phases of your life.

3. Build Emotional Resilience Through Storytelling and Myth

Ancient peoples told stories of gods, heroes, and ancestors who faced impossible odds yet persevered. The sagas of Odin’s trials, Thor’s battles, and the struggles of mythical figures were more than entertainment—they were blueprints for overcoming adversity.

Modern application:

• Reframe your story—see yourself as the hero of your own saga. What trials must you endure to become who you are meant to be?

• Read or listen to powerful myths that remind you of human resilience.

• Create personal mantras or affirmations based on ancestral wisdom. Example: “Like the oak in the storm, I bend but do not break.”

4. Improve Problem-Solving Skills Through Rune Work and Intuition

Many ancient cultures, particularly the Norse and Celts, sought guidance through runes, omens, and deep introspection. These weren’t just mystical practices—they were ways to step back, see situations from different angles, and make strategic decisions under uncertainty.

Modern application:

• Practice mindfulness and reflection before reacting to challenges.

• Use journaling or rune casting to process difficulties and find deeper meaning in struggles.

• Develop intuitive decision-making by trusting your instincts and learning from past experiences.

5. Strengthen Your Support System Like the Old Tribes

Pagan societies were deeply communal. In times of hardship, people relied on their kin, clans, and spiritual leaders. Solitude was rare—resilience came from knowing you were part of something greater than yourself.

Modern application:

• Build strong relationships with like-minded individuals who challenge and uplift you.

• Join a community—whether it’s a spiritual group, a professional network, or a circle of trusted friends.

• Seek guidance from mentors, elders, or wise individuals who have weathered their own storms.

6. Cultivate a Growth Mindset Through Nature’s Teachings

Pagans understood that nature is the greatest teacher of resilience. The changing seasons, the growth of mighty trees from tiny seeds, and the way animals endure hardship all mirrored the lessons humans needed to internalize.

Modern application:

• Spend time in nature to witness resilience firsthand—watch how a tree bends in the wind without breaking.

• Adopt the mindset of the seasons—embrace times of growth, endure times of hardship, and trust that renewal will come.

• Practice patience—like the slow-growing oak, true strength takes time to develop.

7. Develop Physical Resilience with Strength and Endurance Training

The warriors and hunters of the past had no choice but to be strong, fast, and enduring. They trained their bodies for battle, survival, and the demands of their harsh environments.

Modern application:

• Lift heavy things—resistance training builds both body and mind.

• Push your endurance—long-distance running, swimming, or hiking cultivates perseverance.

• Engage in martial training—learning to fight (even recreationally) builds confidence and resilience.

Final Thoughts: Embracing the Old Ways for a Stronger Future

Our ancestors knew that adversity is not the enemy—it is the forge that shapes us. By adopting their mindset, rituals, and ways of training, we can increase our Adversity Quotient and face life’s trials with the strength of warriors, the wisdom of sages, and the resilience of the old gods.

Will you crumble under hardship, or will you rise—like the phoenix from the flames, like the oak in the storm, like the warrior in battle?

The choice is yours. Embrace the struggle. Become unbreakable.

Thank you for reading and may your kin keep the fires lit.

Stormrœnsønn