Norns

in Scandinavian mythology, the Three Fates who preside at birth and decide human destiny. They correspond to the past, present, and future, and are represented by three young women. They sit under the world tree, Ygdrasill, in Asgard, and there cast the fates of gods as well as of men. Women who possessed the gift of prophecy were also called Norns. See Mythology; Scandinavian; Asgard