Beginner Tips for Norse Paganism/Heathens: Never Before Heard Answers

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3 tips that you have probably never heard before, but are very important for understanding the Norse religion in the most historically accurate way possible.

[@CrestOfArtorias]

A man who warns oneself against blindly trusting him is to be respected.

[@Thulesmann]

I agree and therefore I upvoted your comment, but I have to say that you worded it in a confusing way. Here, let me re-word it for you as it should be (I know, I am being very annoying but I can't help it): "A man who warns you against blindly trusting him is to be respected."

[@binaryglitch64]

@@Thulesmann I would have just said "*others"... because that would've cleard things up easier... 'A man who warns others against blindly trusting him is to be respected.' But your right, that they're right... I am skeptical of everyone, even myself... so to me, it's unnecessary info, a given, but I see that others need to hear it, and to them it is extremely valuable words. Maybe even forged by the hanged one, at the cost of an eye. (Ruins, I mean to say maybe its runic... sacred language of wisdom.) Maybe I look too hard.

[@hiddenwoodsben]

d'accord

[@hiddenwoodsben]

@Marcus true, but i came to trust this very man quite a bit over time and i think in his case, it is warranted.

[@jrob6123]

Wrong..... It's a phycological trick to sway sheep into following blindly.

[@SiegoderWalhalla9B]

My church is the wilderness. Mountains, rivers, lakes, streams, wildlife. I gather energy, strength, and peace from that.

[@AK-vs9nr]

I thought i was some freak for some long years because im like that... Grew up roaming in the woods, just sitting beside streams and listening to the birds. Moved to the city and have a short schedule for that kinda stuff. Also havent been calm, happy and centered since i left that place. Truth is, people like us feel it in our bones that that's our place, yet we still choose to live in a fancy city or get thrown in it by the system. Lame.

[@SvensktTroll]

@@AK-vs9nr Why don't you try to get away from the city?

[@waynebrandon4351]

it's funny, growing up, there was always something spiritual about being in the deep woods alone. I could never explain it, until I was awakened to my ancestors ways. it's like my soul knew where I belonged, even before my mind did..

[@TempleOvBlackLight]

I think so many of us are feeling the call of the old ways, a longing, to be back to our more natural roots. We see and hear the nature spirits and mourn for how nature has been treated. The Abrahamic religions teach selfish ways, that the planet, nature, even animals are all here for our abuse and misuse. They look forward to an apocalypse to save them anyways, so why worry about how badly they treat the planet. The old gods call, though and we are returning to our Animist, Shamanic ways, an honoring the All father, the spirits of the land and puking up the foul doctrines that were forced on our ancestors.

[@TempleOvBlackLight]

@Lizzie Lives Fair enough. I have definitely went through several stages of questioning my beliefs since my initial awakening from Monotheism. My journey began back in 2005 and it took until 2011 to really find my true spirituality. Questioning is healthy and a good thing, so much better than blindly believing in something that was spoon fed to you according to what geographical region you live. Monotheism is very good at controlling minds, quite opposite of a truly personal spirituality, which allows for freedom to explore and question everything.

[@rainer1980]

Christians too often treat their god like a kind of vending machine in which they ask for things from him without it being their truest desires, and they don't often want to work towards thing things they're praying for. Too many bring that into heathenry. Drawing some parallels, The Ancient Greek story teller Aesop says, "The gods help those who help themselves," and Menader of Athens went on to say, "Do not pray to the gods for an untroubled life, but pray that they give you an enduring heart." Heathens don't ideally ask the gods for help until we have tried to fix our problems first, and just can't seem to solve it no matter what we do. It's a last resort to ask the gods for help, not a first go to solution at the first sign of trouble. If you've tried, and failed multiple times, perhaps the gods will more likely meet you half way.

[@danielbergersen4459]

That is very interesting and wise, on what you have to say! SKÀL💀🍻

[@sabintao]

Also, the monotheistic/Abrahamic religions place so much emphasis on division and rank among adherents. Having read some texts from anthropologists and historians regrading the spread of Christianity, you get the uncanny feeling that this 'religion' is nothing more than authoritarianism.

[@trickyfoxx6941]

@@sabintao exactly even with the render unto ceaser line and that turn the other cheek crap like your supposed to just love your abuser. Sounds like the start of a bad marriage!

[@trickyfoxx6941]

Well said, health and happiness!

[@memyselfandi8544]

If anyone here was truly your friend, they would explain where this rabbit hole leads to. Satanism is a vast collection of lies that distort the truth of Jesus Christ, who died to give you a chance to choose truth over lies, and life over suicide. If the Messiah is not Jesus Christ, then why is everyone in power belonging to the cult of Satan, the Freemasons? Don’t believe? Look it up. Can’t have the biblical story without the Bible. Can’t have an Antichrist without a true savior Jesus Christ. This is a time of transition which nobody can deny. Time is very short.

[@stevefraser6628]

The term "God botherer" is coined for a reason. You are your own judge every minute of every day. The Gods have heard the needy whinings of humans for eons. Take responsibility for your own path.......then the way opens.

[@TheWazil]

The gods of the west are personal and finite, the gods of the East are infinite and impersonal. The gods of Islam is capricious.The Living God is both infinite and personal!

[@TheWazil]

Hinduism: That influence is due to the mystics of the early 20th century.

[@TheWazil]

The gods: Any god that had human sacrifices were considered important gods. This is still prevalent among African tribes.

[@tenebrisrex333]

@@TheWazil barbaric

[@GhostsOfTheAngelcynn]

@@tenebrisrex333 do Christians not make sacrifices at lent?

[@artemis12061966]

that is what makes paganism great..the freedom , individuality and creativity of it.

[@briantatejr6465]

I watch because of how transparent you are

[@milagrolevy6806]

"Clear your mind of what religion is" - Great point! Ty.

[@zXxTripwirexX]

Wow. My Grandmother loved paganism and used many Norse and Celtic spiritual practices, with a touch of Wicca(She was a bit cheeky, and just liked being called a witch I think). She just passed in February, but she would've loved your channel, man. I'm almost sad that I'm discovering how interesting this is now, It would've been cool to share this with her and learn from her.

[@Redrosewitch]

Bless her heart. God Rest your dear Grandmother.

[@midnightblue3285]

Wicca is realigion not pagan

[@zXxTripwirexX]

@@midnightblue3285 yeah, I specified the Wicca because I understand its a bit different. Super fascinating as well 👍

[@midnightblue3285]

@@zXxTripwirexX Wicca is crowley magic a freemasonic creation of new age chiristianty

[@BurntMushroomBlacksmithing]

And not to offend your grandmother, but Wiccan doctrine has been plagiarized from Alaster Crowley. Like 50% word for word, check it out.

[@talismanskulls2857]

My view on things is the wind has never written a word and does not describe itself. But you know it when it moves.

[@Thulesmann]

Also, about the Runes: I recommend that newcomers avoid reading anyone else's interpretation of the Runes at first, and instead meditate upon each of these and record what they think it might mean. Only then after doing this should they read others' interpretations, starting with the oldest historical records. This would be an interesting experiment, if someone were to do a survey of the results from many newcomers to see if there is a common thread and to see how closely this matches the oldest interpretations. It would be especially interesting to see what little children would come up with. This would be a way to determine how deeply embedded (if at all) in our collective folk-soul or DNA the Runes might be.

[@xbemos]

I love how awake and alive you are. I’ve told ppl this about interpreting dreams and other things but runes are hands down dna sensitive and it’s critical to understand dna when it comes to Nord Rituals esp these little babies. Great great point. Please keep sharing that w ppl. Because if people are using other peoples interpretations, safely as many of us know from years of our own experiences, there are grave mistakes and put falls doing it someone else’s way.

[@Thulesmann]

@@xbemos Thank you for that. My proposal would be a sound method for proving the existence of inherited genetic memory or archetypes, if indeed such do exist. I don't know why it hasn't been tried yet.

[@frostwarrior787]

Great advice, I really appreciate it. Will definitely do it! Thank you. If it's not way too personal, may I ask, have you tried this yourself? If so, was your interpretation close to the old ones or more unique? Only if it's not too personal to ask, sorry if so.

[@Thulesmann]

@@frostwarrior787 No unfortunately by the time I began to meditate upon the Runes I had already read others' interpretations of them, so it was too late for me to do this experiment. I wish I had thought about it beforehand, but unfortunately I didn't. That was back in the '90s. Since that time I never really developed a strong interest in the Runes beyond their historical and cultural context, but recently that changed when I encountered the perspective of someone whose knowledge I respect about these matters, and so I have dived into Runic meditation. The result so far has been not so much in the form of new knowledge but rather in a definite increase in my mental sharpness. I am in the early stage of this program, however. Thank you for your great question, and for your respectful tone.

[@kelleren4840]

As a scientist, I LOVE this idea.

[@LadyRedsTechReviews]

Love it! Other pagans think I'm weird for not setting up an altar and having a ritual for every little thing or because I don't always seek a talk with the gods because somebody upset me.

[@GothiGrimwulff]

I agree. Expanding on Hinduism. One of their practices (and this exists in many pre Christian religions) is discussion. They foster discussion about religion. I think that's extremely important. It pulls us away from Dogma, and allows us to find our own way. Rather than one set before us by an online "guru".

[@norsemagicandbeliefs8134]

Yes and Hindu Gurus seem to be so much better at not telling people what to believe. they will just ask questions and explain things in a way that people come to the right answer themselves.

[@GothiGrimwulff]

@@norsemagicandbeliefs8134 I try not to do that myself. Obviously I have my UPG, and biases, but it's important to let others bloom into themselves without my dictation.

[@McHobotheBobo]

This is also the case with the Jewish Rabbinical tradition - Dialectics is a very old method

[@GothiGrimwulff]

@@McHobotheBobo Very true. I know a Heathen who was raised Jewish. He was saying they'd spend days on just the meaning of one word. Absolutely amazing. These are the traditions we can learn from.

[@McHobotheBobo]

@@GothiGrimwulff ~8000 years of tradition and commentary leads to many changes in understanding of the meaning in words, it's utterly fascinating

[@aleksandervaldal]

I believe in those background beats

[@crusader1777]

I'm probably the only Christian here but I've been loving these videos. It's interesting trying to understand such a vastly different religion, despite my disagreements with it

[@trickyfoxx6941]

Oh your not the only one here just the only one carrying themselves in a propper manner so enjoy and be welcome among the forrest brother we're all children here

[@epicallyeverything1872]

You're not alone. I'm a history loving Christian and I love learning about other religions.

[@filiushermesio]

I am also Christian!

[@Redrosewitch]

Good for you, being so open to exploring what other people believe and practice.

[@tkenny8527]

Lots of Christian's here lad

[@got2kittys]

When your spirituality develops, you'll find wisdom and knowledge in all faiths. When you are ready to seeit for what it is, wisdom will show itself. The seeker needs to grow enough to use the knowledge.

[@susysnakegirl]

That's a good point, about the gods not being the full focus. I think for many of us, they were the big boom at the beginning of our conversion so to speak. For those that actually feel they had contact with the gods, that usually stops happening after the first few months or year, at least it doesn't happen as often. Of course, those other spirits take a lot more research and digging, but to me, isn't that what life is about?

[@Redrosewitch]

It certainly is. And I love the feeling of going outside and knowing that everything I see is bursting with life and their own life forces.

[@Redrosewitch]

Early in December, I finished listening to Jackson Crawford reading his translation of the Poetic Edda, and what a great insight it gives. I was absolutely gripped. It's also inspired me to look into how the Celtic Spirituality was also influenced by animism. And apparently, it was a lot. Looking at how the Celtic areas here in the UK still have a lot of fairy lore. I shouldn't be surprised at that.

[@Loki_Dokie]

I was about to mention Crawford, but found your comment! He's so great and full of information

[@benjamincompton9767]

Well, it's basically all asatru, norse pagans worshipped odin(I know I know and others) and Celtic pagans worshipped woden... same guy. That's why in english we have days of the week named after norse gods (Thorsday, freyasday, wodensday). I mean, the english word for easter was copied from a norse goddess called eostre. Basically because the saxons were worshipping eostre during the eostre-month, which was same time of year as easter.

[@jackholloway1]

​@@benjamincompton9767celtic pagans didn't worship Woden, you're confusing the Germanic Anglo Saxons who had a very similar pantheon to the Norse with the pre Saxon Celts

[@WildWoodsGirl65]

​@@benjamincompton9767 Woden is Germanic too, from lands that are now called Germany - but not Celtic though the people have lived on the same lands in some places & their terminology can remain, plus some descendants. Celtic: The Dagda, Danu, Áine, Bel, Lugh, Cerridwen, Cernunnos the horned god, Clíodhna, Fliodhais, Brígid... & dozens more, the Celtic tradition has its own from the Tuatha de Danann to local ones of a sacred well or spring & its area, and the practice of the beliefs are quite different, though inevitably the people combined in multiple places. So, some people combined that in their own Ways, but it's rarer to see that happen. A child might pick up a bit from one parent & a bit from another bc as raiding turned into invading them settling, there was some initial intermarriage, before those converting leaders of either group. But Celts didn't worship or know Woden or Odin except as the Allfather of those guys next door or swooping down on their village. People of lineage still practice each of those independently of each other, & combine ng is actually less common than it was in those first generations. You can look up Celtic gods & goddesses & whose Woden was & is. There are multiple sources online that are reliable on these. The Dagda is very much like an Allfather, and Danu Mother Nature or Earth, to simplify that, & many claim there's really only one of any & it all goes back to a Greek & Roman equivalent but be careful of that too bc that belief seems to have come from fringe imperialist source material adopted & spread by types like Wiccans, searching for a replacement religion & craving a monotheistic *type* world just with more than one being - a universal world/universe way, but extra beings involved & they are a modern belief system that chose what they'd like to apply and still affect sources that try to make ALL just one thing. There's some commonality in human nature, but there isn't just one Way or the same beings with different names. Local.beliefs and practices exist, just, humans have similar concerns, similar life needs, so the attributes of certain gods seem alike. Parallels exist. But Celtic is a different tradition than Norse & Germanic traditions. Dagda isn't just a different language than a Germanic language, he's a different being. Danu isn't Gaia. Just like Cernunnos isn't a Satan just bc he has horns, as a god of the forest & hunt. People have printed malarkey that leads folks to think it. But recent material is not just opinion but matters of research IF you avoid reading sources that are of a "pagan religion," like Wicca not to bash them, I'm just saying they're eclectic, they chose & combined from all over, so it's not root material. Chose Germanic sources for Germanic info & frankly, Irish sources for northern Celtic bc farther south it was affected by Roman & Greek perceptions & migrations. The Irish is not adulterated out of all recognition.

[@garynaccarato4606]

As far as me and other religions outside of paganism I think that personally for me Taoism tends to speak to me the most simply because of how humble it seems to be and the fact that it seems to be very well aware of and acknowledges that in regards to the divine as well as most other things that there are simply alot in this universe or whatever that we simply don't know and that were not always going necessarily gain the type of meaningful answers we want in regards to alot of things.

[@jenna2431]

When I read the Tao it's as a wave meeting the shore and retiring again. Agree with your assessment.

[@zeropointconsciousness]

100% right don't trust anyone but your own intuition. That is what it's there for.

[@carolhansen4657]

My great-grandmother, Anna Mathilda Gronholt, was born in 1875 in the countryside to the west of Oslo (Christiana at the time). I have only one picture of her. She had beautiful wavy auburn hair and silvery blue eyes. When I first saw you I thought you look so much like her. I wish I could add her photo here. Thank you so much for your channel. I was raised Catholic but have always felt close to the Sacred only when I am alone in the forest and mountains. I finally moved to the forest to get away from the people and noise, and I have never been happier. I completely believe that one must let the Sacred reveal itself to you, which means you have to open yourself to that and wait for it. Don't ever let a human tell you what to think or believe.

[@SomeGuy-up4yz]

Well, come back to everything that is best in you, Sister. Embrace Nature and the highest things you can.

[@helygg8892]

I honestly think most paganism from Europe worships the same gods just diffrent names over thousands of years

[@SvensktTroll]

That's true for other religions to.. it's about nature and human aspects of life. Like guide system to understand people

[@Hexenmeister999]

I don't trust you!

[@helygg8892]

@@Hexenmeister999 awww :(

[@pooch83]

I think that's a awful universal idea. I don't understand why there just can't be that many gods. There's that many different people. And if we created them in our imagine then why not?

[@willwillis8849]

This is as close to proven as possible. All the way back to the early Indo-Europeans.

[@LussieMagnusson]

A thing I always do when I see two ravens together I say “Hej Hugin och Munin” . They know

[@tasneemedwards2574]

What does that mean ?

[@LussieMagnusson]

@@tasneemedwards2574 Hugin and Munin are Odins ravens, his sight into Midgård, our plain of existence and through them he watch what’s going on here. Edit: also Hej means Hello in Swedish and all of Scandinavia

[@mademoisellebismuthbismuth3002]

@@tasneemedwards2574 "Hello, Hugin and Munin" in Swedish. And Sweden is not all of Scandinavia.

[@tasneemedwards2574]

@@LussieMagnusson Oooh I see . Thanks for answering the question

[@tasneemedwards2574]

@@mademoisellebismuthbismuth3002 thank you Mademoiselle 🥰

[@MelissaBaker.]

The background rave music is cracking me up so hard, hahaha

[@norsemagicandbeliefs8134]

I use my own crappy music to avoid copyright problems

[@Helmholtzwatson1984]

I was expecting to see techno viking for a sec.

[@regntonne]

doof doof doof

[@vreneli3199]

@@norsemagicandbeliefs8134 can I listen to that track somewhere? EDIT: Ok, just found your music channel.

[@trevorlamb9749]

"Strip club music" 😂😂

[@shanesorensen7878]

Another place other than India we can look to is Siberia and Mongolia with very similar beliefs and practices and also look to Greece for an idea on religion.

[@erictheded3392]

Recently, I've been studying Buddhism and Hinduism and I feel like it helps me interpret paganism and vice versa. I am somewhere in the middle of it all, but I'm most enthused about the religion of my people haha

[@SomeGuy-up4yz]

I personally also study foreign folkways from time to time and take notes. It makes you more well-rounded and broadens your understanding, I think.

[@ianstephens287]

Well said, damn well said, sir. Couldn’t agree more with you on all of it. Especially when you pointed out the close relation between paganism and Hinduism!

[@dannankate]

Glad I rewatched this video. Exactly what I needed to be reminded of as I enter a new phase of my spiritual journey. I’ve delved quite deep into Hinduism and the Vedic path as the unbroken line was appealing…but ultimately felt drawn back to my own culture. But the amount of “ritual” and diety worship that many prompt just doesn’t jive with me-and I find it hard to believe that most of our ancestors would’ve practiced that way. For me it’s about being in communion with the land, developing relationships with the spirits/energies, and being in-tune with myself enough to perceive those subtle energies. It’s simple, but I think it’s in our modern nature to want to over complicate things.

[@debstherottie472]

Wow, I wish I had seen this video 8 years ago. Everything you said hit home. I really tried to be an eclectic pagan and it never gelled for me. (Greek Parthenon mostly). Raised hard core Roman catholic ( hard to shake). Now, I get it. I've seen my temple of worship as my garden and nature these past years. But I don't worship any deity. if anything - it's just more the sun, earth ( dirt/life) and nature. There's nothing more profound to me than the sun on my face, grass under my feet and warmth of sun or chill of winter and snow. I'm really enjoying your content.

[@leadslinger49]

Great video At this point in my belief system. I believe in the Creators and Helper Spirits. 71 years old and I have been attempting to find my way for 40 years. Good video Thank you,

[@nemeseax7123]

Absolutely great advices!As born and raised Asatru, I have noticed a huge amount of Nr3 mistake so thank you for helping newcomers.

[@PJAndersson733]

I love how when you start the video the sun is shining. As you speak, the sun sets. ✨⭐️🌙 Enjoy the music too

[@Sarah-fp9oc]

For me, I feel a lot of people do talk crap when it comes to spirituality. I love don't trust anything. I feel what you're saying align with my personal beliefs.

[@Mentalmagic164]

You can get a good sense of animism from other cultures,but even still you will see differences in each .Also animism changes with technology. We have animism ingrained in our conciousness to various digrees.its why we talk to animals ,trees and fuss at our electronic devices when they go on the fritz.lol

[@helencourteau670]

So glad I found your Channel. I'm sure it's because I just finished the last season of the last Kingdom and started watching Vikings. I have always been fascinated with Norse mythology. Growing up Greek I was surrounded by stories of the Gods. I have been a pagan most of my life and I agree with everything that you have said. For me being a pagan is living in harmony with the Earth and all of her creatures. There are spirits all around us. So happy to have found a kindred spirit. 💚

[@trollkatt]

THANK YOU. This is so refreshing to hear! I am so sick of the christian mentality in the "pagan scene" that I actually left it. I only call myself an animist now. It's usually people with no Nordic roots trying to lecture us up here about our ancestral faith, it's all so tiresome. I agree with everything you said in this video. Greetings from a Swede with 50 % Norwegian ancestry. I grew up without any christians in my family or around me and I can see very clearly what people growing up in christianity are trying to do with paganism and they don't even see it themselves. They're trying to substitute the god of the jews and keep the rest of the religion! Paganism is a way of life, to live in tune with nature, it's not a doctrine!

[@relaxedlegsyndrome4883]

Glad you said it! I was a member of a “Viking and Norse Religion” Facebook group at one point, and it just seemed like ridiculous cosplayers and narcissists. Something tells me it was a more “normal-every-day-life religion.”

[@thedirty530]

I love this... I feel this on a deep level as it is and a healthy skepticism is more important than ever in the digital age!

[@greatstag]

droppin a deuce next to a tree in the woods is the most viking thing ever

[@torstenscott7571]

I just found your channel and as someone who grew up in Wyoming but now in Oklahoma, I can appreciate the connection to nature you get in the wild of Montana. I would argue that our walks in nature, our communing with the vettir, is in fact our Bible or source. We don't need a middle man priest or stagnant desert book. Thanks for the video.

[@beefwellington7791]

I am in Alberta, it is my times out in the wilderness that far surpasses any book or building, all sorts of spirits hide in the landscape and those within it, you just have to know how to look.

[@NoirOtaku]

I've been saying the same things and folks give me the stink or crazy eyes... Great video!!!

[@MortuaryKvlt]

Well said. Very good to see you brought up the topic of "what religion should be "/ "What paganism should be" and keeping things close to the animistic roots and looking to historical sources

[@theviking6052]

So glad I came across your channel today! My KZbin feed had you in it today the video about the different viking countries, Norse countries during the viking age

[@Jewelsmith]

So glad I found this channel. Thank you.

[@jamestaylor7226]

The grand prize in life is dying the person you want to be, lots of different paths to lots of different locations, for different people.

[@runeguidance1341]

Agree, that's why it's great! Also:Ancestor work is wayyy more important than "dieties."

[@thorgeist]

The focus on the Gods is definitely my biggest critique as well, to come in contact with a God or Goddess is rare. Once, may be twice in a life time.

[@WR3ND]

0:17 Dropping the spirit bomb deuce. 😅 Good to be able to have a laugh. Some people take these things seriously emotionally but not so much practically. Cheers.

[@jessecorbitt5674]

Really like your video. It put things in perspective for me.

[@patriotwolf1750]

I love this video brother. I don’t criticize other pagans. We are all on a path and I for one keep an open mind take what I want and leave the rest behind. I get so sick of people thinking their way is the only way. Last time I checked I haven’t been to a pagan temple with a preacher telling me how to live my way of life. Thank you for this I have been blessed on my path since 10 years ago leaving Christianity and I’m much more happier and feel really close to my ancestors.

[@theunknownshadowish]

Didn't thing a PREACHER could BE pagan... let that SINK in a pagan PREACHER .. kind of an oxymoron isn't it?

[@douglasalfseike3867]

I love how candid you are.

[@jenna2431]

Just an amazing offering. Thank you.

[@Crunchifyable2]

Another youtuber from a while back said you would go to to the gods a few times a year in holy tides. The various wights / spirits were more of a regular contact for the common people. In the same sense perhaps as you would not contract your mayor or elected official every day, especially if your primary focus was farming or hunting or the home etc.

[@martinsvolgart9803]

I'm a Danish geek, and I've studied religion since 2009 because...that's a rabbit hole, you never stop. The image you showed and the theory you shared that Hinduism is basis for paganism is very new to me. In fact, my studies show that the monotheistic God of Abrahamic religion springs from it. I'm not saying both aren't possible when running half of the same story through tribal religion with local stationary deities, I just want to read what you did to get to this conclusion! If you're up for geeking out and following that trail, do make my day.

[@apostatepostbox2821]

As someone who is still new and learning, in a world where people voice opinion as fact, and searching through communities that are either toxic as hell, or usually a little off-base (or completely out there in the wrong direction), I come back and watch this regularly every month or so. It helps!

[@Cernunnos_83]

I read a lot of books and follow you and Ocean Keltoi. You are both great.

[@quotedearjangmi]

I agree about clearing your mind before diving into something like this or even Hinduism which is something I have been fascinated by for awhile. When ideologies lack dogma, it is definitely for the best to start from scratch. You have to be like a baby or someone with no memories. Thank you so much for this upload. You have been much appreciated over here.

[@TheWitchInTheWoods]

Well said. The Norse had much more respect for the deities of the earth, and it's really important to mention that it wasn't all about Odin and Valhalla. There were the practices of society too, and not just the warrior.

[@hellboy4860]

It’s a wonderful religion truly not just for the warriors but for those who wish to understand the earth better

[@spinelspinel9361]

Exactly! Helheim wasn't even that terrible a place, more akin to purgatory, before Christianity messed it up.

[@noreenebailey-treece7634]

Thank you I've just started watching your videos. You express well what i wish i could get others to understand.

[@dae-dreamerlastnamehere4971]

Thank you so much for posting this. It's very informative.

[@dawningRAIN]

This video is one of, if not the best I've seen on KZbin. I've bounced around the KZbin Norse Pagan community and found most of the creators to be pretentious echo chambers that didn't want dialogue or discussion to happen around the religion. So I have become pretty private with my practice, but really enjoyed listening to your perspective. You just seem so very down to Midgard! Looking forward to watching so more of your content! Also please carry your opening into other videos 🤣

[@s.s.6219]

Thank you for the work you do. Luckily I just came across your channel and watched a few videos. I am not that new into paganism yet I have lots of things to unlearn and learn. What can I say, you are a gem! Honesty that we need and knowledge we seek. You seem like a kind hearted person, someone I would like to be friends with. Anyways, I enjoy every video here. Have a wonderful weekend and life ✨

[@TheTruthseekerman]

Thank you for your balance approach.

[@Bdfhvj]

Thank you for this. It is good to hear your good sense!

[@WolflordFenrisVargr]

Actually man, I think having a holy book/source is the greatest part of the problem of all the major religions. Especially the Abrahamic ones.

[@Wiwaz]

Exactly no holy book, and no “prophets” receiving cryptic messages from their cloud father.

[@HroduuulfSonOfHrodger]

I try my best to study and understand why our ancestors turned their backs on the Old Ways and eventually converted to Christianity. I do this by trying to put myself in their shoes 1000+ years ago. The Christians came with what was sold as "civilization" stemming from their connection to the Roman Empire and ancient Greece. No one else in Europe had anything like this. These civilizations were literally thousands of years ahead of the rest of the world. They came with what I call "the Greatest Story Ever Sold" and a huge book (Bible), and a writing/reading system to dangle as the carrot. There are plenty of history books that reveal first time encounters between the Germanic tribes when they realized the technological advancements of Roman cities compared to their tribal villages. Today we see many people leaving the cities and modern tech advancements behind to move "off the grid" and go back to a simpler lifestyle. But back in the bronze and iron ages, people seem to have been seeking ways to make life easier (since it was already so hard!) and only the wealthy royal elite could afford many of the civilized advancements. Christianity (while we see it as another form of controlling populations and draining people's earnings) gave the poorer classes a glimmer of hope that they too could possibly one day move up in the world. It was basically a glimpse of a better future. Hindsight is 20/20, and we know now as we look back that Christianity was just a new tool used to oppress people while selling those people on supposed eternal liberation. Our ancestors' Old Ways were 99.9% completely annihilated and deleted. Nearly completely erased so we could never go back to those simpler lifestyles and belief systems. Luckily there are enough pieces of the puzzle that were hidden in the ground or wherever, so we can rediscover them and try to grasp a portion of what religious/cultural/spiritual life was like as Heathens and Pagans before any Germanic people had ever heard of the Christ myths. I'd love to find a way to estimate how many of our Heathen ancestors converted willingly versus the stats on those who were facing "convert or die" choices, and converted to save their lives, AND those who chose death over Jesus.

[@HroduuulfSonOfHrodger]

@@Wiwaz Meant to add to my other paragraph about how we see today, and the OP mentioned in his vid, how a majority of Heathens/Pagans try to turn our culture into a non-Christian version of Christianity. We are used to that structure and organization. I believe this was one of the reasons why our ancestors eventually converted. Even the OP mentions how Old Ways Heathenry was up to each individual. Then you see this new religion (Christianity) spread like wildfire that brings supposed "civilization" with it, and a huge book, and you no longer have to do the thinking yourself. You can have priests tell you everything. Again, most people are lazy when it comes to religion. They don't want to do offerings and try to interpret the responses of the spirits. It's far easier to have some "holy man" come tell you right from wrong and if/how/when God answered your prayer. Ignorance is bliss. As an ex-Christian, I can somewhat agree with OP that sometimes it would be nice to be more organized and part of a real community, with leaders and scriptures. I want nothing to do with the Christ myths. But when we compare this hodge podge that we have today, and we realize it was a similar hodge podge 1000+ years ago, and then you see the close-knit, organized Abrahamic religions and how ideally they have everything we are lacking, I start to see why our ancestors left the Old Ways behind. It's sad. I wish they hadn't. And I think there is far more to the overall picture of our Old Ways culture that we are missing. This is what motivates me. Decolonize Heathenry. Get rid of all Abrahamic influence. Return to the ways of our ancestors before they were forced to convert. We will spend our lifetime learning (WITH HOMEWORK DAILY!) what the rest of that picture might've looked like. We have to dig. We have to read. We have to come together as one people. We have to get off the internet and meet each other in person. There are so many riddles out there for us to unravel and solve. This should be what drives us. We know we cannot trust our literary sources thanks to the Christian authors. This complicates things, for sure!

[@norsemagicandbeliefs8134]

You are not wrong! Books can always be misinterpreted and used for bad. I think trustworthy religious leaders are more important.

[@WolflordFenrisVargr]

@@norsemagicandbeliefs8134 there is the rub though. Power corrupts, or as Frank Herbert said, “power attracts the corruptible”. I think any spiritual path has to be solitary. I don’t mean you can’t talk, share ideas, etc, but you should never trust a leader. “ do not follow in the footsteps of the wise, seek what they sought.” -Basho

[@justinsmith5016]

I have a mentor he and I have been friends for 3 yrs now. We are very similar but even our beliefs are very different. I walked the path of a Soldier for 14yrs. Now I put that same focus into learning about my spiritual path. I agree paganism is to personal for there to be an overall umbrella but we need to understand were all family. Of course we need to f@#k with each other its how you grow.

[@joblack420]

Thank you for keeping it 💯 real Viking people are on the raise All father in power you in good ways

[@liami2022]

Beautiful video. Thank you!

[@Revenantssf]

I thought you where in Oslo.... looks like a place I stayed when I was up there 4 years ago. :)

[@MysticButterfly9]

My thoughts exactly !!

[@NoobieDoobieDo]

"Trust no one" is the best way to learn any subject. Just keep researching and reading.

[@bykrydr1380]

certainly appreciate your honesty.

[@ianyoung8392]

I'm being dead honest. A lot of the people that come up after a google when learning about Norse Paganism are...... far from masculine in their expression on this subject. You are by far the most masculine, I salute you and I hope you go into further analysis in the future regarding wisdom, lifestyle and culture we can learn from with these ancient civilisations.

[@ollicron7397]

You mean the guys who sound like "Hi, Vsauce here..."? 😂

[@ianyoung8392]

@@ollicron7397 I had to search that guy. I would say he isn't feminine, just very nerdy sounding and perhaps Jewish in their elocution. I'm not going to name content creators but a lot of people who talk about Nordic paganism express themselves not about the subject, but as much about themselves. They talk about religion, about their journey, but they don't really focus on the Pagan warrior side. More, "I'm woke AND Pagan!" Whereas the gentleman here concentrates almost completely on source material and historic relevance. For myself, focusing on feelings and the self is very feminine if you're of a warrior mindset. To which the females were shield bearers too.

[@thequestlordsteviequest]

Hell ya I’m a Norse/Hindu and I liked that hindusim has the ways of healing yourself and what not

[@midnightblue3285]

Probably it is vedic not hindu norse ..

[@trustamanda6049]

you are just amazing....thank you for sharing

[@jesussamurai8433]

Coming from a Buddhism background the transition has been much easier than anticipated. However finding books and reliable sources to start off was difficult I’m currently still just caught up on runes.

[@malcolmthorne9779]

I went through this searching process myself and, while I venerate and respect the beliefs of my ancestors (norse, I'm swedish), I found myself drawn elsewhere. I dabbled in a lot of different varieties of occultism, mysticism and "magic" in my younger years and have had a continous interest in mythology and religion. I ended up kind of creating my own belief system that just kind of made sense to me. I go a bit back and forth about what to call it but the word I use the most is "tenebraism". I am sworn to the True Dark and its True Aspects. Shadow (the known and unknown), Blood (life and death) and Fire (creation and destruction). In my beliefs, it is not a "one true path" the way religions like christianity tend to think, but merely one river among countless others that all feed into the same ocean that is Wisdom. Being a "tenebraist", basically means I choose to stand with and by one Great Power that is merely one Power among a vast ecology of others. The central theme of my beliefs is "be true". The great foes of all kin of the True Dark are the decievers and the corrupt, and the Great Lie that is divinity.

[@trickyfoxx6941]

I went roughly the same way only ending up at chaos instead of the dark. I see chaos as the true order of the universe spun in the hand of Eris which i call my fair lady. All life is adversity and only in the fire do we become our true selves. The tree will stretch out it's roots and choke the weaker tree and steal its light. Life and death, creation and destruction, scourge and kiss. Simply follow brother wolf and he will teach you everything you need to know about living. Wolves got to eat!

[@malcolmthorne9779]

@@trickyfoxx6941 Shadow grace you, son of Eris, so that when truth reveals itself to you, in all its horror and beauty, you are ready. You may have found another river in your search, but I'm glad you went searching at all. Faith without choice is meaningless. And while I've always had an... adversarial relationship with the established religions (the deists in particular), I have always found faith to be a very important part of life. Even if that faith is placed in your kin, your loved ones or your people instead of something more esoterical it is still faith. It's a bit like music, but for the spirit; life is just so much richer with it in it.

[@trickyfoxx6941]

@@malcolmthorne9779 music is great, vibrations are nice in the end all life is strife. Good continued journeys friend should we ever meet I'll tip my hat and greet.

[@PoPphys]

All I know is Dark is faster than Light. Everywhere Light goes Dark is there first. You can’t be any faster than *already there*!

[@HappyCatholicDane]

Here is another tip. Something I have struggled with as an esoterically inclined “Christian”. Don’t try to find the pure “religion”. No such thing exists in the human world of form, never have and never will. People are diverse, and practice religion in different ways. Not just with regional differences, but with different groups and people holding different narratives. That is true of religions like Christianity, and it was certainly true of ancient paganism. We doesn’t know as much about Norse religion. But if you for example take Greek religion, you get a host of different cults and varying understandings of the cosmos. As such, you can find many variations on the same myths. Where does Aphrodite comes from, Zeus or the sea. Both myths exist. Different groups and regions, had their own beliefs. You can for example find people who believed in Hades as an eternal resting place for all, some who believed in a Heaven like afterlife for the elite, and even some who believed in reincarnation. This is even more true, if you consider time a factor. Christianity today, is not the same Christianity as 2000 years ago. Some things are similar, but a lot is not. Norse paganism existed over a very long time, and it is unlikely that it stayed the same. The written sources are sadly sparse, but the physical artifacts show changes in the cult practices throughout time. Anyway just something to think about. Use it if you can, disregard it if not. Also I want to compliment you on your channel. Both as a Dane who grew up listening to the old myths, and as a historian who is in love with the past, I really like a lot of what I see. Even if I am not pagan/heathen, I find value in learning about the past and in good stories.

[@dandyrevisionist7879]

Good message, thank you.

[@driver55]

Totally agree with your perspective here. Too much focus on the gods and not the daily connections we lived with. Great video thanks brother.

[@TurinInquisitor]

I think Jackson Crawford is a reliable scholar.

[@mohammadmontazeri]

Thank you. And an idea: When you are in that beautiful nature, just don't mix music to the video, the ambient music of nature is enough (Just an idea)

[@CodyHill82]

Just threw something on, as I got in my car.. I totally agree! Great video, solid advice! Thanks for sharing!

[@Theunderclasshero]

may the all father be with you my brothers

[@thedirty530]

You may have just convinced me... This is everything I wished religion was!

[@alva9690]

Looking into becoming pagan. Thanks so much for this 🌿

[@teresab2009]

Thank you for sharing!

[@johne.nobody2946]

Thanks, man. This is great. Just getting started on my journey after a lifetime of dabbling with different theologies. Enjoying this video in my woods with a horn of mead!

[@trenchcoatmafioso]

Another great video. Best 'norse pagan' youtube channel by far. Your views would be higher if you went wiccatru and got a vegvisir tattoo, though.

[@HroduuulfSonOfHrodger]

Hope you also know of Robert Sass' channel as well. He is probably the best Heathen teacher I've come across. I know the OP of this channel appreciates Robert's work, even though Robert is not perfect. But who is!? kzbin.info/door/zazFbcJN9xINelSKxK381A

[@trenchcoatmafioso]

@@HroduuulfSonOfHrodger I've seen most of his videos, but I don't think he's uploaded in a while.

[@HroduuulfSonOfHrodger]

@@trenchcoatmafioso He's been taking a break. He had Covid that nearly killed him it seemed. He also is not happy about the current state of Heathenry with the Nazis and SJWs. So he seems a bit disenfranchised lately. I hope he returns soon. He still posts on FB on his public Germanic Heathenry page and his private Saxon Heathenry group.

[@trenchcoatmafioso]

@@HroduuulfSonOfHrodger I see. I'm not too active on social media, and watching 'pagan' videos is new to me. I prefer to read books on the subject. Too many heathens I see online make me cringe. I like this channel, though.

[@HroduuulfSonOfHrodger]

@@trenchcoatmafioso Robert Sass has his blog aldsidu.com and he also has books that he will send you PDFs for free, or you can purchase on Amazon or other websites/stores. Most Heathens seeking historical accuracy would recommend Robert's teachings. There are very few, if any, that offer citations and resources for all of their articles, so you can go behind them and look it up, prove them right/wrong, and then agree/disagree. I appreciate this about Robert. And he is always open to correction and communication. If you contact him, he always replies. His work covers Norse and Continental Germanic Heathenry.

[@AndrewMaksymBrainNectar]

Agreed! I want to work with the elves, dwarves and others. But how do we go about doing that?

[@bjornekdahl721]

Do like you do with 'normal people' - the foundation of Indo European spirituality has always been generosity and hospitality; being the host and the guest at the same time and exchanging gifts, creating a relation. And like in all relationships you might receive insight and knowledge as a gift back.

[@AndrewMaksymBrainNectar]

@@bjornekdahl721 I'll try

[@foxmactavish2739]

@@AndrewMaksymBrainNectar Check out the thunderwizarddotcom KZbin channel. He has a lot of crazy junk to get lost in but find his videos about the elves and dwarves, his understanding of them is very helpful in my opinion.

[@norsemagicandbeliefs8134]

Bjorn is right. Offerings/relations are great. Especially to birds/predatory animals where it was believed that some of these other spirits take the shape of. Also meditation and dreaming is very important, as thats the way you can connect on a deeper level with these. Ill do videos about these soon.

[@bjornekdahl721]

@@norsemagicandbeliefs8134 Sent you a long *ss answer about Folkvangr in your precious video, btw.

[@Varagoth]

Filming this during the twilight provides a wonderful effect!

[@chrissmith4568]

Well said, great video and solid info!

[@oneleftshoe21]

Its a knowing. You have to experience it. Drop all knowledge. Take some 🍄 connect to Nature, she is your god.

[@shanekonarson]

Snappin one off , in the Woods 😂 Gold . Now that’s pagan

[@SkydinZeal]

Great videos! You have a pure soul.

[@Arcturas66]

Jelly of you in Montana. I am moving back In a few months and I can't wait. it's a magical state.

[@huginnmuninn9867]

Montana one of the best States. Thanks for all you do!!!

[@susysnakegirl]

"Don't trust anybody." Yeah, I resonate with that. I've been there done that, paid the price. Wasn't born to be a follower, i guess.

[@cainbowman1418]

You're a "Born LEADER!!" DAM! Stop Doubting! "Eye" Bee Live and Let Love GROW, PLS I love xmas!! It's Merry NorsMAS Every DAY!. KNOT JESUS (J=) Every Soul (US). I've planted 300 trees in 3 months I've sent 3 Special Orchid to Mother's Internationally (Is Land - T$T) and 300 being sent to Norway 🇳🇴(NO Man or Woman (we are "People" that's the Law, and gave 5 plants to Mom's this past 2 weeks. (April 💯 (12) was her Birthday 🎂 and S he... Not HE LOVE 👖!!! and will Wear it Proud so help me with my L_ELf out my... Second toe like a Mistake defense definitely defective weird Left toe but I got my MARKS Like a Marksman I've got mine Golden and Burnt it to lazt! How Dare it has any! "T-YpeO" within Pages (Past Providencial "Person" replace (P. ELISE) with Torn Out 1⃣ S.

[@AnitaAnneLloyd]

I agree with your words and views totally. Your instinct and gut feeling will tell you what and how to believe.

[@Samantha-yb7en]

Great advice! Thank you.

[@MrC-55]

My Norse ancestors fought the desert religions, my Native American ancestors fought them as well. The desert religions have wreaked havoc on natural spiritual beings.

[@SomeGuy-up4yz]

I truly hate the desert trilogy.