At the Well of Urd

The gods are parasites. The cosmos is dying. And the cure might be worse than the disease.
For ten thousand years, the Norns-Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld-have woven reality from their dwelling beside the Well of Urd. They've edited out chaos, removed unwanted possibilities, and maintained the pattern that keeps existence from dissolving into the primordial void.
They never questioned the cost.
When Urd tastes copper in the sacred well-the unmistakable flavor of theft-she discovers a horrifying truth: the gods have been unconsciously draining life from every realm they rule. Odin's wisdom, Thor's strength, Frigg's foresight-all of it stolen from the very beings they claim to protect.
But the erased possibilities haven't vanished. They've gained consciousness.
Led by the first Urd-the sister edited from existence for opposing tyranny-these Forgotten beings return through tears in reality, bringing with them a terrible revelation: the system designed to prevent chaos has become the source of suffering. And through the wounds they create, Ginnungagap stirs-the primordial void that hungers to reclaim all creation.
As probability storms ravage the Nine Realms and the Well of Urd cracks, three sisters face an impossible choice:
Maintain control and watch reality slowly bleed to death.
Or release their grip and risk absolute dissolution.
But transformation has already begun. Thor learns to support moments rather than command them. Frigg reveals she's carried the truth for millennia. Loki discovers that honesty might be his greatest trick. And in the spaces between order and chaos, consciousness itself awakens to a third option-one that requires everyone to choose what they'll become.
"At the Well of Urd" isn't about gods and heroes. It's about the moment consciousness recognizes its own cage.
This is philosophical fiction dressed in Norse mythology, using ancient stories to explore modern questions: What happens when those in power discover they're the problem? How do systems designed to protect become structures that oppress? Can transformation happen without destruction?
And in the end, only one question matters-the question the book asks directly of you:
What will you become?
Perfect for readers who:- Loved the philosophical depth of Circe and Piranesi- Question the systems that shape our world- See mythology as psychology, not just stories- Want fiction that transforms, not just entertains- Are ready to be asked what they'll choose
Launching on the Fall Equinox, September 23, 2025-when day and night stand in perfect balance, just like the choice between control and transformation.

Julie Golston is a Danish-American writer who explores transformation, consciousness, and the systems that shape our lives. With a background in justice-centered leadership and gender-based violence prevention, she brings a unique perspective to fiction, examining how power structures maintain themselves and what it takes to transform them.
Her novels blend mythology, philosophy, and social justice themes, asking readers to question the patterns they accept as unchangeable. Whether exploring consciousness through code or mythology through mathematics, her work centers on the moment systems recognize their own patterns—and choose to break them.
Her previous novel was selected for Apple Books audio narration. She writes in both English and Danish, believing some truths need multiple languages to be fully understood.
Julie lives in Southern California, finding inspiration in the spaces between cultures, languages, and ways of seeing. Her work has been shaped by her experience in organizational development, crisis intervention, and navigating institutional change.
She believes stories aren't just entertainment—they're maps for transformation.
Connect with Julie at: juliegolston.com