Did Vikings Pray ?

[@ArithHärger]

The figure on the Thumbnail for this video isn't from the Nordic Iron Age but rather from the Bronze Age, representing a kneeling woman wearing a cord skirt, found in Fårdal near Viborg. Her left hand reaches towards her right breast, while the right hand probably held onto a religious object (now lost). Her wide ocular expression, coated with gold, may be interpreted as sun symbols. The Sun was a central religious and symbolic element in Bronze Age religions. This woman demonstrates a religious posture, postrated or kneeling as a sign of devotion towards a particular Bronze Age belief system, and her eyes wide and blank in trance, a typical representation in religious figures in a state of communication with the supernatural from periods such as Bronze Age and Iron Age. Have a great day, dear friends! Thank you for your time and support.

[@alysmarcus7747]

Thankyou as always Arith! I think also that some rituals can be created out of gratitude too, and then there is that humans love a habit, yes? and you said that at 24.🙃

[@roygomez1514]

I am of Spanish origin, but my roots are Goths, and I find all these videos very interesting and instructive. Thank you for sharing, all this teaching material is very important to me!

[@thepeopleslibrary8673]

I think most people in the Iberian peninsula have Goth ancestry.

[@angelaseverino6874]

I completely understand trying to find the deep tree roots of my self

[@expandingknowledge8269]

i don't know about the Vikings, but Conan prayed to Crom. In fact he said if your not listening to me Crom, the hell with you.

[@ArithHärger]

works with me.

[@expandingknowledge8269]

@@ArithHärger Cheers from New Hampshire, love your channel!

[@Wolfparadox]

Conan : Crom, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, or why we died. All that matters is that two stood against many. That's what's important! Valor pleases you, Crom... so grant me one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!

[@expandingknowledge8269]

@@Wolfparadox my favorite Arnold flickeroo!

[@HeavenlyDemonicly]

I'm almost shocked that anyone would think or suggest pagans (specifically Norse pagans since they're the main topic of this video) did not pray or commune with their Gods. Prayer, communing with the Gods, nature, spirits, what-have-you is a very human experience; regardless of the people or culture practicing. It's not weakness to want to build relationship with these entities, whether it's for survival or simply giving praise. To think otherwise is pretty nonsensical and perhaps these people who claim such are just envious because they can't establish such a relationship with their entities. -- Really enjoyed this one, thanks for what you do! Can't wait for the next video! 👍❤

[@ArithHärger]

Yes indeed, I think it all comes down eventually to whether people establish, or not, any relationship with entities other-than-human and other-than-animal. It's a question of perception. Communication is a natural human behaviour, and the need to establish communication, especially to achieve something beneficial. Human communication is extended to a variety of beings communities come in contact with or experience, so prayer is simply a formulation of words in order to establish communication to obtain something beneficial. It may certainly be hard to understand prayer or even believe in its effects if someone doesn't (or is incapable) create any relationship beyond the human social environment. Thank you, be well! :)

[@HeavenlyDemonicly]

@@ArithHärger Excellently put! I also wish you well friend :)

[@dabitz6167]

Next video: Did Vikings sleep?

[@kyntyr5474]

No ofc not

[@ArithHärger]

There aren't concrete evidences that they actually slept. Some literary sources indicate that they would go to the bedroom or just the bed, but you can do anything there and not actually sleeping, even pretending to sleep which is not actual sleep, or shutting the eyes to rest after a hard day's work doesn't count as sleep. Of course we could argue that there are graves in which they seem to be very peaceful and comfortable in their eternal slumber, but I think that would just be speculation because the purpose may not have been to sleep but probably they just died. Hard to know without proper evidences. I'm 34 years old and I've only actually had a good night's sleep 3 times, so people in the past probably never slept. In doubt, yes I'm being sarcastic. This is how some people have been arguing when they don't want to accept something, even when presented with irrefutable proof.

[@sandra.helianthus]

@@ArithHärger hilarious! Thank you 😂🌻

[@dabitz6167]

@@ArithHärger Great point, Arith! But what is sleep, though? What if we are actually asleep during our lifetime and we only awake once we die? Just sayin'...

[@ArithHärger]

Some sleep in the Waking World, of that I'm certain.

[@Duececoupe]

Nearly at 100K my friend!! I find myself walking along this path, on my way back home!

[@ArithHärger]

To be honest, such a number of subscribers is a little bit scary for me. I might have to finally take it serious ;) Some people, it seems, are afraid of words and some terms, and I am afraid of numbers :x . . . Be well my friend. Good to see your around. Stay safe!

[@Duececoupe]

@@ArithHärger Well my friend, you are more than worth it! I'm not going anywhere, we're on this journey together, you, me, your subscribers....oh and Mr. Thorstein as well of course!! 😉 All well here thank you, I hope that all is well with you and yours! 🤜🏻🤛🏻🍻 Safe travels my friend! Skål!

[@barbarafigueira5295]

I love poetry. It's so Bragi ^^. Of course the heathens used to pray.

[@ArithHärger]

Olá Bárbara :)

[@barbarafigueira5295]

Oi, Ari. Eh bom te ver reforçando a ideia de que os nossos ancestrais não baseavam as suas vidas em violência, brutalidade e vazio espiritual como a narrativa desta era moderna vem enfatizando. Na verdade, somos fruto de muito amor entre pais, filhos e meio ambiente, tudo sob a observância do Divino (fracionado em vários deuses e entidades) sobre nós. Gratidão por me fazer ter menos vergonha de mim. Continue assim ^^.

[@theseekersofhistory8123]

I always do like to listen to you because you have a clear and simple logical line that you follow on every subject. It's seems to be more and more rare personality trade on on people the more time passes. Keep up the good videos.

[@ArithHärger]

In such a stressful world and ever the prospect of a very bleak future, it's hard for all of us to stay sane and to even care enough to keep our minds focused on anything. We all try our best, I'm sure. We do need to establish conversations with one another in order to pass on knowledge and insight. And I speak as an introvert - I hate socializing lol, but I'm not misanthropic (not anymore). Be well, and thank you!

[@theseekersofhistory8123]

@@ArithHärger Indeed. I am unfortunately falling deeper and deeper on the misanthropy. But gladly I have clear plans in mind to escape it all so in that sense despite of my glooming sights for the future of the world I am lucky because I have a clear plan that I know will make me happy and give me peace in the end. I been a nomad for years and I love it but we all will have to accept the reality of life and part of that you grow older and even if the spirit is forever young the body ain't. They say that man starts to become a man around 25 and starts to realise he's mortality around 40. Im 38 very soon and have to agree on this saying. If the gods are willing I can make my home in the lands of my ancestors in a smile isle in the end and become a heathen as I have always felt it inside me that I just was never meant to live in mass society's. Listening your videos have really help me to find the certainty to know that this the right path for me. Especially the concept of heathenry explanations have open my mind a lot and made me realise my right path. So If you are ever in doubt that has your knowledge sharing made a bigger impact in anyone's life. It deff has had a massive effect in my journey to seek my own path. So Ty. May the gods smile upon you and your loved ones brother.

[@ernamoller175]

Thank you Arith for a well researched topic. Blessings.

[@ArithHärger]

With pleasure, thank you!

[@magnekalinsen1185]

At some point it just felt natural for me to use some words as a form of a prayer, 4th stanza of Grímnismál in my case to address Thor and ask for protection. And it always lifts my fears away. If it feels natural today for a person practicing unregulated belief form, why wouldn't it a thousand years ago.

[@ArithHärger]

Thank you for your comment friend. It's very interesting that you say that, because I've noticed quite a few modern heathens are creating prayers out of several excerpts from the sources, especially the Völuspá. I think that is a very good sign of people's creativity, and I personally find it very interesting these several ways to try to engage and create a relationship with the Others. Seems to be quite the natural impulse, almost instinct, for a human to find a more artistic vocal expression to communicate with the entities that are often beyond a more direct verbal communication.

[@gk6993]

My God, to comment in such a coherent and educated way that you have. And for me to follow everything and understand everything, being uneducated as I am. I commend you. You have more than earned my subscription.

[@lookis4879]

Arith is great, He is always very clear about what is Historical and Archaeological fact and his sources,but he doesn't shy away from conjecture, drawing conclusions and making educated guesses I have the utmost respect for the way he approaches reconstructing ancient belief and tradition This channel is always thought provoking and inspirational

[@benhancock8143]

Another awesome video! I love your videos and could listen to them all day. I learn so much! I agree with you about so much being found that there is some kind of prayer! You can just look at Julius Caesar conquer of Gaul how the Roman’s encouraged such practices of local religion and prayers till they merged into the Roman religion. If I want to worship or pray to Hel I will never let others dictate how I should or they didn’t do that I will direct them to this video. Thank you so much for this video it really meant a lot to me. 🙏🏻

[@teresafigueiredo]

Good morning, Mr Arith, I pray and believe it! I loved your work this video is very good 🙏

[@toebeans1385]

As always, very enjoyable , informative video to have to watch while I get ready for the workday!

[@ArithHärger]

Thank you. Good luck on your work, I wish you a wonderful week!

[@womanofwyrd1491]

I really look forward to your videos, Arith. They always give me information to ponder. Sometimes they change my world view, sometimes they augment it and sometimes they make me question my view. I think that is what this channel is all about.

[@kadinmay]

4:08 “social organism,” superb vocab!!! Lol once again great video

[@Goosebear77]

Great Video. Great point about Ibn Fadlan and well made. I do wish people would read more and listen to people such as yourself. I'm a Viking reenactor and studied Norse history and Mythology since I was a Kid. I was there 3,000 years ago too, even before the Interwebs 😆 I've had comments like the one you brought up on a regular basis. Modern Viking Media has a lot to answer for and has set back understanding of the topic in a big way. Channels like this are a breath of fresh air. Tack/Tak.

[@heathen-greaser]

Another great video Arith, really appreciate all you do. Hope your well

[@AG-ug3lb]

Appriciated this video very much, especially the closing words!

[@roofgarden8039]

This is great, thanks for sharing your knowledge Arith! I love so much your work, please keep going!

[@simonekaspy2231]

As always a video with excellent content! Congratulations excellent work Mr. Arith

[@charlieinfinite9434]

When are you going to make a side channel chronicling the adventures of the cats? They deserve their own channel. 😻

[@ArithHärger]

I've actually been asked to open a Tik Tok for the cats lol :D something to think about. I'm already in so many digital platforms already, I'm about to lose my wits lol.

[@charlieinfinite9434]

@@ArithHärger Alternative option: have a window in the corner of all your videos with the cat's adventures playing (silently). That would kill two birds with one stone AND likely encourage multiple views from people who want to take in what you're saying and then separately enjoy the kitties' antics. 😉

[@giverthebeans9711]

This is my new favorite channel, I’ve been trying to find a channel like this for a long time. Time to sit down with some popcorn and binge watch 💪

[@dijanap875]

I really like wooden symbol (letter) on the wall behind you, two weeks ago I had dream about that symbol and the middle line is longer comparing to others. I've been told in dream, look one of the ancient letters, that is all what I can remember from that dream.

[@ArithHärger]

I'm quite proud of this house, as it was built by my parents (not the walls, but the walls were rotting away anyway). It took us nearly 20 years to finish everything and look like this. Quite the ride with many ups and downs, but it is our home made with great effort :) That little detail is quite special yeah :D a place of safety and comfort.

[@tilldeathcomes6611]

Always excellent work, Arith.

[@ThatWitchesRealm]

Awesome topic and video!!!

[@ArithHärger]

Thank you!

[@Domsoutdoorlife.]

Brother, I just want to say thank you for your work. You have helped me with a lot of my questions. Agen thank you.

[@coranova]

Another wonderful video! Thank you for your time 😊

[@Forge_n_Brush]

This was a really good video. Thanks for that. Question: was an offering/sacrifice or giving of gifts important in the communication between man and the god/entity concerned? Do we have evidence of this communication with no material component whatsoever? Thanks again for the great video and keep it up. ~Fritz

[@ArithHärger]

Hello there friend, thank you very much. I would say that offerings and sacrifices have been of the utmost importance for many societies, not just pagan or animistic ones. Of course, there are distinctions between sacrifice and offering, especially concerning the intention that one wants to achieve when this type of behaviour is performed, but let's not extend this too much (for now) otherwise KZbin might consider my comment Spam and delete it, as it has been recently happening lol. Offering is usually an exchange of material for something beneficial, and it often comes in two ways: 1) before what is asked; 2) after the intended wish has been achieved. It can be a form of showing appreciation, but the offering (and sacrifice) is often a form of "prayer" but expressed through a pragmatic behaviour (which can also contain prayer as a vocal expression to accompany the action and call upon the entitie(s) towards whom the behaviour is aimed at). More often than not it is to establish relationship or contact to obtain something that is beneficial to the person that does the act. Every society that has relied on the "supernatural" and/or conceptions of the Divine has shown these behaviours in order to establish and also maintain important relationships. Offerings and Sacrifices have often been the culmination of entire ceremonies; ceremonial enactments leading to the point of offering/sacrifice to establish or maintain contact with the entities and forces that propitiate something beneficial. This is one of the focal points, and most important, of yearly and/or seasonal festivities - to build, establish and maintain relationship with everything that helps the human community to thrive.

[@yaotlitzcoatl5915]

I can understand why some would think the word "prayer" is a dirty word because, let's face it, the christians took ownership of a lot of words and things. People hear the word prayer or bless and they instantly think of it in a Christian context. It's something I do as well. Prayer. Ritual. Communing with the gods. It's usually, as you put it, however the individual describes it as. I completely agree. This was a great video. Thank you Arith

[@morganacrows9974]

Perfeito amor, hoje as pessoas estão 8 ou 80 afffff. Eu falo que infelizmente é o Cristianismo enraizado na veia rsrs, querem determinar o que um ou outro deve fazer afffff. Outra coisa as pessoas têm que entender que estamos falando de seres humanos, as pessoas infelizmente têm uma visão romantizada de tudo. Os Pagões eram é são como nós seres humanos. Tem que parar essa doutrinação que algumas pessoas ainda fazem no Paganismo hj. Excelente vídeo como sempre 🤘🤘🔥💜

[@leonardogomes7165]

Saudações amigo de caminhada ! Tudo bem? Acredito que não só oram, como levam tão a sério a espiritualidade que os bersekers são uma prova fenomenal da metempsicose, animismo espírita etc... Excelente vídeo e conteúdo 👍🏻💯 Abraço Leonardo de Soure ilha do Marajó Pará Brasil Fique na paz e saúde 🙌🏻

[@bjornstacy9590]

I would have never thought this would be a debate weather they prayed or not, just how they performed prayer, praying is a type of evocation to ask whatever entity you wish to help or give thanks etc... I could see arguing that it wasn't the norm for them to grovel and whip themselves because they have been evil...

[@elmarm.5224]

This is somethi g which bugs me so much. People with religious trauma tend to avoid such terms but also tend to see their position as the new default. Praying in christianity should also be helpful and not what people imagine or experienced under fundamentalist christian faiths

[@TonyAarvik]

Classic Arith intro "I'll try to be breif." *30min video*"😂

[@stewartthomas2642]

Love your stuff kick on love it

[@denyse6666]

by wearing a hammer or an axe or any other amulet that was worn by vikings it shows that they were asking for help from a higher power or god , in this alone it means that vikings , or at least some of them believed in prayer ...... I think that all through time when humans found that all else has failed that they turned to a higher power for help , be it sun moon stone tree or any other power ......... great video !

[@ArithHärger]

That's a very good way to put it my friend. I agree. We often see the need to communicate with everything that might give us a little hand, or at the very least that may help us to minimise the more negative aspects of life. From the simplest act of picking a pebble and take it home to become an object with a new purpose and to a certain extent give it personhood, to the wearing of elaborate artefacts with a deep religious meaning. There's always the need to communicate, even if it's often speaking to ourselves loudly, or to our animal companions, or to the trees and boulders. It's almost an instinct to express ourselves to whatever it is that may be out there listening. So, for the Old Norse society, still with several traces of an animistic mindset, it would have been perfectly natural several forms of prayer. Thank you dear friend for your feedback.

[@rachelaspogard6587]

I concur with you Arith, you know your subject very well. I just hope you are writing books for the future. 😎

[@sevenis9712]

This was different and definitely interesting!

[@tns4]

Glad to see you Arith! Any plans to upload these on a podcast platform so I can listen to the audio offline? Thanks!

[@anglosaxon244]

100% agreed.!!! I pray also my way,..or the highway.

[@wegfarir1963]

Pagans did in fact pray. There is an ancient figure of a Suebian man praying, which was about 400-700 years before the Viking age. Saying Vikings didn't pray is the same as saying they had no drums. We have little evidence they did, but we still know they had drums!

[@thorgeist]

Yes they did, one prominent form of prayer was known as útiseta or “sitting outside.” The statue of Freyr in the lotus position, aka meditation, is also a clear inclination of this. Yet, they did not commonly pray like Christians on their knees with their eyes closed and their heads bowed unless it was in meditative state. They prayed by simply talking to the gods, Hamingja, land spirits and elves like they were talking to another person in the room physically.

[@heathenhammer2344]

Kneeling in prayer was part of all indo European paganism .

[@RavenWolfDrum69]

HI ARITH . BEEN SO LONG

[@torsteinnorbertson]

For Salvation pray 5 "Ave Freyas" and 6 "Our Allfather" and you shall be forgiven... I think it's the lack of codified standardized prayers for defined purposes like that which makes people think heathens didn't pray. And not praying because being strong oneself already is wishful thinking. Humans always try to get help by others. If they are weak in special, but also when beeing strong it's never a bad idea to be even stronger. And because the entities being prayed to are constantly surrounding you the chance to get support may be far more likely.

[@ArithHärger]

Yes, agreed, that's one way to see it. Again, the idea of prayer is often understood through the Christian lens as some form of fixed text that has to be recited a few times to work. But prayer in itself is an expression of human behaviour towards the need to be aided or to establish a useful / beneficial relationship with something deemed to have more power under the "field" we want help with. I for one pray to get rid of some people's stupidity, and my own. Doesn't work.

[@torsteinnorbertson]

@@ArithHärger It doesn't work, YET. Optimism is the key 🙂

[@maximilianusofmarchaorient596]

Could you do a video on the contradictions of new religious beliefs such as "Christo-Paganism" and other dualistic religions conflated with actual Paganism?

[@beitophfongfu]

Perdão escrever em português, mas não me lembrava das palavras corretas. Este vídeo foi, falando totalmente fora do contexto, reconfortante. Há tempos que me preocupo com ateísmo e manter estas superstições e por algum motivo, escutar-te falar que faziam e sobre estar tudo bem ajuda a aceitar melhor o fato.

[@petra6002]

I'm writing a short essay about the viking age and the mytholgy, and i find your chanel extremely helpful, so thank you. However I wondered if you have some really good websites or anything that is simple, and good for beginners?

[@POTATOEMPN]

Yo, I love the beard. Growing mine out as well. Going to see how big it can get lol.

[@ratgirl34]

Saw the title and who made it and thought: I mean, yeah. But I think you’re going to get more specific and I want to know more.

[@drengrofthor9368]

People miss understand the viking Age, saying how they were ateist in a way. And I don't think it's true. Every house hold believed I some deity, as a Swedish I heard stories that some worshiped Odin those who had more power, and some others were worshiped Freyr especially farmers, those who were military based worshiped Thor but they all had some beliefs in a deity

[@Vandelberger]

May you research into Finnish tradition and how they influenced or were influenced by incoming Scandinavian culture?

[@jrojala]

Ukko is pleased

[@Ozma337]

Arith, have you considered joining TikTok? Your voice would be so valuable among the pagan community there! Hope to see you there soon!

[@ArithHärger]

I don't know what I could do there :/ but it's certainly something to think about in the future, certainly.

[@Slydc5]

Good stuff… Nature is ever changing so I like to think that Norse religion had the same similarities. Their practices had to serve the needs of the people at that time logically thinking.

[@JohnVallevikGreen]

Evidence is an uncountable noun. Don't talk about 20:04 'evidences' or 'an evidence'. However, you can talk about a piece of evidence. Oops! However, in academic English the plural evidences is sometimes used: (specialist) The cave contained evidences of prehistoric settlement.

[@bullvinetheband7260]

Okay first of all they did pray. Second of all the gods were so real that they killed shit to them. Think on that.

[@vivianp5962]

👍🏾

[@ArithHärger]

hey! :D

[@Dimas451]

So according to that guy's comment the Scandinavians sacrificed people for metaphors...wtf

[@Bova13]

I was talking with a friend the other day, about thie very subject. We know how we christians pray, and jewish and muslims and may be the hinduism believers thanks to cinema and tv shows, but we don´t know exactly how they comunicate with their deities. Did they pray in a intimasy way ginving thanx, or did they pray as Conan the barbarian, asking Crom for help, but if he do not help, he can fuck him self. This video gave me some answers. Very interesting as usual. Thanx Arith.

[@MrDizzyvonclutch]

I don’t give ashit if a Viking prayed, for real! I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF THEY PLAYED GUITAR!!! HA!

[@MrDizzyvonclutch]

Sorry Arith for bringing some nosey COMMUNIST CIA PARASITE into your video by merely commenting....

[@ArithHärger]

All I know is that they were into Softcore Metal back then (probably). Not the best of times for music ;(

[@MrDizzyvonclutch]

@@ArithHärger lol, thanks man! I needed that laugh about right now!

[@TalesOfBalkanMagic]

I honestly assume that anyone who believes that "pre-Christian pagans did not pray" has never read any historical literature on paganism and has no idea about the existence of ancient literature and historical sources. Great video, as usual! Thank you!

[@BloodAndBourbon]

Havamal says it’s better to pray too little than too much (in so many words) therefore pre Christians did in fact pray

[@ExcaliburOfYuletide]

I'm by no means an expert, but isn't the earliest havamal from the 1200s? That's already well into the christian era... Who knows what was truly edited into the earliest surviving copy? That's like hundreds of years of Christians at that point. A lot happens in hundreds of years. A lot happens in 50 years, even. Lol Edited to add that the fact that verse doesn't tell people to just pray all the time very well might mean it wasn't penned by a Christian, but it's still just so hard when there's hardly anything that survives.

[@BloodAndBourbon]

@@ExcaliburOfYuletide your absolutely right

[@Stella77_7]

I think the word (religion) should be completely left out of the context in relation to Norse/Germanic pagan practice. Religion is literally the definition of (Organization) as in man-made control. It completely understandable that a individual or community may have practices they use at times and placed but to the best we can see these was NO individual to control it or bring forth a system (religion) rules and controls. The idea people think the ancients didn't pray is silly. As long as humans have a sense of something bigger then they, there is prayer.

[@kukumuniu5658]

Just one question,for whome we should pray? All gods around the world have followers, we have 99% of the population who pray we should live like in paradise, but instead we have hell and no god can stop the suffering. Something is wrong here...maybe all gods are evil and deliberately create hell for us so that we pray even more, i.e. feed them with our energy how the inaction of gods (of all religions) towards the misfortunes that befall humanity and their followers is explained Vodou believers have their gods but black skin people were enslaved by colonizers and their homeland is in the hands of foreigners the same thing happened to the redskins in America they had their gods, they still have them, but they became guests in their own home, where the laws are made by the colonizers White Europeans too are becoming more and more guests in their own home and everywhere indigenous traditions, indigenous spirituality are being destroyed, and religious institutions are being forcibly placed in place of this void why do all the gods allow the destruction of their followers and their traditions? A good example is La Santa Muerte,her followers claim that this deity is extremely effective, does not judge anyone and fulfills prayers instantly :) but just look at the people of Mexico,they live in terrible poverty, poverty and corruption is destroying this country and people some of these people are gangsters, they fight each other, gang against gang when I ask LSM followers why their deity allows all this, they are unable to answer me no one can answer this question why gods they pray to are unable to do anything about the suffering in the world what's more, those who live well and are rich they are usually evil people who take advantage of ordinary people as if gods only grant requests of evil people,so maybe gods are evil? The same applies to, for example, Tibetans, Europeans in the Middle Ages and the Crusades, Africa and slavery, America and indigenous people, conquistadores, etc. evil people gain power and wealth, and good people pray and remain poor and weak, without the protection of the gods :( How is this possible?Why? There are three solutions: either the gods do not exist, or they are not as powerful as the followers think (they simply cannot do much), or the worst option, the gods are evil and want us to suffer. After all, the few people (5% of population?)who rule the world are mostly psychopaths they cause wars etc and they have in their hands the fortune of almost the entire Earth, why do bad people live like in heaven and good people live here like in hell? Where are the gods, where were they during the inquisition and all the great wars? What is the point of praying to them and asking for help?

[@leandromol]

[@typhvam5107]

The idea that ancient peoples considered the "Gods" and other metaphysical entities/phenomena as "metaphors" is ridiculous to the extreme. One does not dedicate much time and effort towards metaphors, one does not modify behaviour for metaphors, one does not invade cities and target temples for metaphors, one does not conduct animal and even human sacrifice towards metaphors, and one does not build temples and artifacts towards metaphors. This is so detached from reality, from history, from intellect that such a comment can only have been made by someone very young and naive, unexperienced with life, and with little contact with others who do not share his/her views. That comment reeks of modern atheistic projection into the past, a sin very common in modern times that extends beyond religion, but into culture, society and so forth. Analyzing the past with modern views will never lead to truth.

[@Amadeus8484]

No. They fought to please their gods and get favour. Hersirs could not only get more from doing it, they also got a bit of favour just from being alive. Myth units sadly cannot earn favour.

[@hoppermantis7615]

Ancestral lineage & race memory is important. But not an answer all to ascension. Just an ingredient within the struggle. My inquiries are more towards a blot & private fest with libations, along with a prayer chant . More Hand up than hand out. My own , being away from society unless kindred. Once having a wanderer arriving . (Mysterious to say the least.ᛏ? With a bizarre wrist band) More with questions than dialog. Being quite a foggy encounter.

[@TheNeighborhoodZenPriest]

With all due respect, race memory as in memory inherited by one's ancestors that exists in the absence of any sensory experiences, does not exist. Beliefs and general recollections transmitted from one generation to another within a culture is another thing all together however.

[@shoaibislam7056]

You talk about how you're tired of viking this and viking that. But here you are talking about vikings. Why can't you talk about the Nordic and Germanic people from before the iron age?

[@jrojala]

Why don’t you?

[@CrunchyMom88]

Begging your god to help you or someone else is weak christian mentality. The Gods cringe at weakness. Man is supposed to help himself and GIVE THANKS to the Gods. We give offerings and never ask for forgiveness or for help. We have the means to help ourselves and our fate has been decided. No God is going to change our lives, only we do this. We do not ask for help, we do it ourselves and then we thank our Gods with a sacrifice for giving us the means to achieve. *The only* exception would be to give a sacrifice to Freja and/or Frigg for fertility and reproduction, but even that can be celebrated during a blot and it isn't necessary to use prayer. The xt mentality has seriously poisoned our faith.

[@jrojala]

I’m kinda struggling to believe that you literally think these supernatural things literally exist. Talk about a “weak christian mentality.” Mommy told you god is real and you just can’t let it go.