Hamingja in the Norse Sources. Viking Karma??

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In Norse mythology, hamingja refers to two concepts: the personification of the good fortune or luck of an individual or family and the altered appearance of shape-shifters.
The hamingja was a type of female guardian spirit in Norse mythology. It was believed that she accompanied a person and decided their luck and happiness. Consequently, the name was also used to indicate happiness, and that is what it means in modern Icelandic. When a person died, the hamingja passed to a beloved family member and thus accompanied a family for several generations, continuing to influence their fortunes. It was even possible to lend one's own hamingja to a friend, as happened when Hjalti Skeggiason was about to leave on a perilous voyage and asked Olaf II of Norway to lend him his hamingja. It usually appears during sleep in the form of an animal, but it can also be the spirit of a sleeping person who appears in the form of an animal, as Bödvar Bjarki in the saga of Hrólfr Kraki.

[@jolly3422]

Your ideas on Hamingja really hit home for me. I believe my bloodline may have been cursed with Ohamingya. We (the men in my family) have all had what seems like unfair, terrible luck our whole lives. It wasn't until my younger brother and I began a new path, in an attempt to rid ourselves of the "family curse" that our "luck" began to change. My brother pursued courage and prowess in combat, I pursued enlightenment, spiritual growth and understanding. We share what we have learned with eachother and always strived to be better people than the example set for us. He was rewarded with a very accomplished military career and the respect of the men he leads. I was rewarded with a beautiful, loving wife and children. I also was very fortunate to find a good job that I can support my family with and can retire from. I was the first man in my family for 3 generations to own a home and a piece of land. The discovery of your channel, about 18 months ago, was the catalyst that transitioned me into the "3rd stage" of my "pagan journey", where I began to understand Animism, etc. After just about 9 years in the "am I actually an atheist?" phase. So, Thank you for all the work and research you put into your videos. They have helped me as well as many others, I am sure.

[@lady00303]

That is beautiful... I absolutely believe you can change the fate of your family's ancestors. Your story touched my heart.. Hail Odin, Hail Freya!

[@alishajellison2571]

That is amazing, I'm so happy for you. (I have always wanted to learn how to fight) I also went for enlightenment.

[@kveldulfskallagrim731]

Yet again you never stop impressing. Funny thing is everyone talks about hamingja but there are 0 reliable sources for this to be found online. The only other person that barely covered it is Arith Harger and your video blew his out of the water. Thankyou brother as always

[@violenceislife1987]

Excellent

[@WhiteWolfeHU]

And we are very thankful for both of you, as you are enriching our lives by seeking the truth and bringing to life our ancestors religion. They have to research 1000 yo material and reconstruct this leaving out all the bullshit. Hail brothers.

[@TheFaustianTracer]

the thing you said about being generous and treating women with kindness is interesting. in mahabharat- one of the two primary hindu epics- a slain warrior karna's soul lingers in his body as the "dharma devata" (angel of virtue) protects him due to his accumulated karma of showing generosity to the needy. interestingly, one of his fatal flaws is insulting a woman in public. i love the work you put behind your content and the interpretations you make of the norse deities and concepts. thank you for making these. love, from india IN

[@steveanderson3444]

I have been watching a series on Netflix called Cracow Monsters. A Polish series based around Slavic folklore and creatures. The main character has a female spirit which follows and protects her. I sort of sparked up when you mentioned this. There are so many dieties and folk creatures in Slavic lore, it's almost mind bending. Lol. But,yeah, definitely a similarity, as there are in most, if not all, animistic cultures.

[@rickw.9298]

Outstanding presentation, research and passion. Your work is appreciated.

[@maurojunior2877]

@Bad Taste Who hurt you?

[@bjorn7355]

Interesting - but not sure I quite agree. The reference to Alexanderskviða is a bit week as it is a translation from a french/latin poem written in 1180 and translated by a Christian priest some 80 years later. It is unlikely that it refer to the viking culture as such. Hamingja has in my mind a clear connection to "gæfa" - basically a predestinated outcome of your life. A classic definition of this is seen in Grettis saga where Jökull tells Grettir that "gæfa" (a good outcome of your life) is different from "gjörfileiki" (talent/qualities). One can say that jarl Hakon ending is a sign of this difference.

[@fernandez3841]

I don't think I've ever learned this much about my Norwegian side (father). This channel is like school. Takk

[@dreamweaver1080]

I'm not exactly sure what has been going on in my life but it seems like a lot of the good things that I have done in my life, I just turned 60,have gone sour/ wrong for me I could go on and share some of those experiences but that would be way to much to say in a comment. I was raised to be kind, courteous, respectful to everyone I meet yet try as I may may as I try things have just not worked out the way that I was hoping for. This bad "luck" ,so to speak, seems to be a generational thing. My daughter has even asked me, what did our family ever do to warrant such, shall I say, challenges, in our lives. It's like we were born under a "bad" sign. Granted things could always be worse and I do appreciate the good things/blessings in my life.Its like the saying, attitude of gratitude. Again I thank you for this video. It has enlighten me.

[@torstenscott7571]

Fascinating, and I have to consider the popular saying "luck be a lady".

[@punkchaos9]

I wonder if there’s a connection with the aura energy field from eastern philosophy

[@frost8077]

I've believed in karma for a long time, even before learning more about Eastern religions. I feel like it's difficult to quickly explain, but easy to observe and feel in daily life. I don't know if I have strong karma or a very protective hamingja, but something causes bad luck upon those who are rude to me and such. A few times when I've been walking on the street many years ago, feeling extremely hungry with no money, I'll find cash on my path to help me buy a snack so I can continue on.

[@crescentwalker]

The etymology is interesting as "skin" and "step" which immediately brought to mind the skinwalker of SW American indigenous tradition. That skinwalker is definitely not connected to luck or fortune.

[@marioserrano6333]

you should try to get a hold of Mel Gibson, he's trying to make a movie about the Berserkers. he wants to do it in old Norse, and make it real as possible. you could be a great advisor.

[@Vulfheim]

Hell yea

[@gregoryleevandall1880]

Thank you for continuing these great videos my friend 😊❤

[@deepquake9]

I love your research and for sharing this vital history.

[@theajane6444]

Oh geeze. Ohamingja explains a lot. Great video, as always.

[@wodansuz]

I was always unconvinced by the hama-genga "walking in shapes" etymology which I heard from Varg Vikernes (he also thinks "seiðr" and "sed" from "forn sed" are the same word...). I personally deconstructed the word like this myself, which I have not seen anywhere so far: hamr ("shape", from Proto-Finnic *haama) + -ingr (suffix forming a noun denoting an inhabitant or original of a particular place) + -ja (female suffix) This makes it essentially mean "the original inhabitant of the shape/form" with a female suffix making it a female spirit. I find the hamingja, the fylgja, the vörðr, and the vardøger/varðhygi to all be incredibly similar, but as you say, they are not the same (though I am convinced that vörðr is another word for fylgja).

[@burgarn]

Interesting take! I intuitively feel that "hamr" is referring to the hammer as in the beat of your (true) heart (Thor's hammer). So in my mind that would mean walking the path of your heart "Hammargång", which surely creates good fortune and therefor good and strong "Hamingja" if your heart is strong and pure. And this is also where I see the female aspect/spirit come in, seeing as the heart of the goddess is one of nurture, empathy and compassion, which without you end up like Jarl Håkon or worse... no matter how great one might be in battle or things of that nature. History has definitely taught us that the lack of bravery and fearlessness in (ordinary) men and the lack of compassion in (especially) powerful people/leaders (O)Hamingja, leads us closer and closer down the path towards Ragnarök. 💯

[@shortscaryhorrorstories]

So everyone be generous and brave

[@Fires755]

Thank you for this video so informative! Yes, what comes around goes back around again!

[@tarad2058]

Nice just talking about this!

[@jatbatman]

I wonder if it's related to the modern "himmel" and "ga" basically what I wonder is if it actually meant "heaven given" or essentially "given by the gods."

[@caracortage3270]

You are spot on about your etymological hesitation and doubts thumbs UP! It is not the proper interpretation!

[@badcooper235]

Thanks so much for your videos they are great.

[@faramund9865]

Because of your video of Fylgja I read Thorstein Vikingsons saga. And I ran into the word 'hamhleypa', meaning 'shapeshifter'. Second part being related to 'leap', which means run or walk in most other Germanic languages. Wiktionary also lists 'to go in or out' as a meaning, so perhaps to go in or out of another shape? Either way, the first part is obviously the same 'ham' as in 'hamingja'. And to me -ingja just sounds like the suffix -ing. Do any other words have the suffix -ingja?

[@erikhoff5010]

There's the word Ing, short for the name Ingwaz. The 23rd Rune of the Elder Futhark. Then there is Yng, believed to be Frey, Vanic God of plenty.

[@blakes9771]

I like to believe that if you’re walking down a path that’s not true to yourself, you will attract “Uhamingja” but maybe that has to do with courage as well

[@adudewatchingyoutubevids]

Love this video and the information shared. Always eye opening to hear your perspective and knowledge.

[@ladyspider4904]

Once again your video has given us more knowledge. Thank you so much.

[@markhall9007]

Have a great alfablót everyone, celebrate the ancestors that came before us.

[@jerrycarnes9487]

Game for the proud....I've heard it to be a persons luck as well. Then I heard a persons Hamingja was a serious matter and not just the game of chance in the beer hall but also that luck on the battlefield. Sounded good to me lol.

[@fadouasahnoun2665]

merci merci merci!!!au plus pres des sources , grace a toi! continue comme ça, tu fais un excellent travail !

[@freyatilly]

Very interesting and insightful. Thank you

[@nnonotnow]

Great teaching. Love your videos.

[@DarknessovHezrou]

Well done. Thank you.

[@chargodude]

I think a good interpretation is to take "walk" poetically. Luck and probability shapes and changes your "walk" through life. Based on your choices and wyrd, you could have different "walk-shapes".

[@loriannepresnell7951]

Seems like when one lives according to the moral path of one's Ancestors unseen forces gird you up and offer protection and good energies...thx again for your astute and scholarly ass kicking presentations!

[@ColoradoStreaming]

Since I have taken up a path of Paganism and Shamanism I keep seeing repeating numbers when I look at clocks. Its almost every day now and I see 11:11, 2:22, 4:44 etc. Its like a little reminder someone or something is just beyond sight looking out for me.

[@chaselingaas]

Great video!

[@brokerevolutionary]

Thank you so much 🫶

[@shanesorensen7878]

The mongols have a very similar concept to this called the ami I think.

[@NixxiomOnYouTube]

Excellent video on the topic, dude. Good sources, no BS and even a little bit of personal interpretation, but not too much to the point of things sounding ridiculous like what you see when other heathen KZbinrs attempt to explain this pre-Christian worldview of the northman. Subscribed!

[@tocarryembers]

From a reincarnation perspective which I think is the most most significant aspect of paganism as a whole, Hamingja = To walk in shapes. Act honorably (naturally, healthfully, productively, beautifully, justly) and you will walk/live in another shape/body.

[@kachirro]

This explanation of hamingja makes me think about Hermodr, the rider to Hel after the death of Baldr. I believe the Hermod in "Beuwolf" and Hermodr from the Norse myth are the same person... Hermod lost his hamingja in life and works to reclaim it after his death in service to Odin.

[@violenceislife1987]

🕉 Dharma. Namaste.

[@runeguidanceofthenorse]

Great video.

[@ivanaki3336]

Great approach of a neglected subject. Looks like you do read the comments 👍🏻

[@darkartsbyadrienne]

This was so good! Question, do women have female hamingja? Could women have female fylgja? If a woman is often sick does that mean they are mean to other women? So fascinating! Thank you for sharing

[@-RONNIE]

Good video thanks 👊🏻

[@davidelohim8047]

Hamingja is to have had good luck, or rather to have had a blessing in your life In that moment

[@Valfreyja9]

Awesome video! Greedily i drank from your mead of wisdom..🤩

[@kevinkelly9033]

Excellent video. Is a persons orlog connected to their humingja in any way ?

[@mikeblei6870]

When I see hamingja I always think about the Frisian lastname: Hamminga

[@andreasviklund4097]

Walking in shapes. Ie the soul/essence of you, which was in your ancestors and you and your ättlingar

[@mjpm7888]

As a guy who had and has many things in life I do agree with your theory about this femenine entity taking guard of you. Always treat women well... otherwise you'll had really hard times 💀

[@brokerevolutionary]

Thank you for backing us up 😅

[@kansasboi8742]

what abut life shaping ? how close is the word to the word for life or sperit sole things like this???

[@ethansmith4534]

Hey I'm looking for someone that can make a specific Mjolnir pendant for me with some intricate details and symbols incorporated. I'm having a hard time finding someone who can do it. Any recommendations?

[@allannielsen8696]

Feeling proud of my viking heritage.

[@gregoire203333]

I think ...strength of the spirits...🤨

[@michaelhoes4851]

In Dutch we have the saying " you harvest what you sow" (Je oogst wat je zaait). Could that saying come from the same meaning as "Hamingje" ?

[@michaelhoes4851]

"Harvest what you sow" in the meaning of: you get what you deserve. If you do not sow good things in life you will end up with bad things later on. So being kind, friendly, helpful, etc.. will help you to gather the right people around you that are the same and will help you when you need it. But you do not do it out of selfishness. You do it because that is the person that you are and want everyone (that is a good and nice person) in your surroundings to have the same level of a good way to live.

[@kennethmoore625]

🐺

[@louispellissier914]

According to the saga itself Glumr was Vigfuss' grandson

[@brokerevolutionary]

Could "Haminja" mean (in lamence terms) "to walk in human form"...? I once read a quote that said "the spirit steps in and helps me be who I want to be" (sorry reference forgotten). I wonder if "Haminja" are ancestral spirit guides that are sent to assist their descendants... Spirits in human form, walking alongside man...

[@jimmysmith2249]

The etimology may not take into account the unspoken or alternate meanings that words can take on over time. Taking the etimology literally could confuse because of ignorance of particular cultural factors surrounding the root word(s) at the time of the coining of the new term.

[@fixeswithlight]

Could hamingja as a Word be connected to harmony ?

[@zarkokaradzin5380]

Wait, i read somewhere that the Fylgja are kind a like spirit animal guardian or guide..

[@erikhoff5010]

Skal!

[@enyaskoromnova8707]

Cursed so if those negative people cursed you they get cursed back great ancestry fresh blood wise

[@XD_cRiMeScEnE]

What is Hugr exactly? I get these two confused.

[@BorisMagnus]

Hugr is the thought (like huginn, the raven), part of the self/soul. It's the logical, rational, objective part of out thoughts. In contrast to munr (the raven muninn), which is the desire or emotional side of our self. It's the feelings/emotional part of our mind. Our willpower and passion.

[@jodie1035]

❤️‍🔥

[@nataliegarcia3521]

Til Hamingju mean congratulations in Iceland

[@teardropsonroses6120]

Is there an equivalent for women?

[@Dead_or_Wild]

Sounds like mojo, or juju.

[@elnogo9196]

Your "walk" shapes your "skin". What do you think?

[@brokerevolutionary]

I like that 🫶

[@lookis4879]

Skin, shape, walk, think of tracking When you're tracking quarry you aren't interested in profiling or as bear or boar, you are more interested in the path it is taking Hamingja are female ancestor spirits that are only there with you when you are fulfilling some kind of ancestral destiny, or when you keeping "Face" is important to your ancestral honor

[@nataliegarcia3521]

Egil is my 29th direct ggrandfsther ancestor per Islendingabok I’m Icelandic born in Iceland

[@fernandez3841]

Why do you have an English name and Spaniard surname then?

[@nataliegarcia3521]

My husband is Hispanic I am Icelandic. noboby can pronounce my Icelandic name outside of Iceland. I come from a very well know family in Iceland. I keep my privacy. I am born in Reykjavik and I am listed in Islendingabok with my Hispanic last name and I as all Icelander are descendants of the people in the Edda and Sagas. I am old I grew up with the old beliefs hidden under Christiany in I Iceland it never went away. I enjoy watching this channel but Icelanders have had the traditions longer than anyone because of our isolation, my ancestors are traced all the way back to the 700s unbroken line we have no German dna as mentioned in an other video…we do have Sammi tho and a small portion Native American the rest Norway the Orkneys the Celtic slaves. I 100 percent for sure can trace my linage to Viking warriors. There is an oral tradition in Iceland that go way back..nothing better to do talk stories in your turf house during long winter nights. Some things you will never find in books they only come from the elders and I grew up with that.

[@thegreenmage6956]

Spirit ashes. In all seriousness; do women have male hamingja? Do they not have any?

[@nataliegarcia3521]

Ganga pronounced gownga means walk in Icelandic

[@realname468]

Could you use it in a sentence?

[@annieg3489]

When you consider that the old Norse paganism is animistic in its views it makes sense that hamingja has a spiritual essence, non human, other than human, or whatever you can call it. I mean, just about everything had/has spirit in animism, animals, plants, weather, complete landscapes, even words.

[@sumerlilangel]

Hamingja sounds more like spiritual favor. There are many parallels to Christianity. Christians will seek out those who have found favor with GOD and ask them to pray on their behalf. Ego tends to be the downfall. Ohamingja sounds like an imbalance due to an overly inflated ego. From what I've observed in the world, kinder goodhearted people have a harder life early so they learn to build a stronger foundation. The black hearted people tend to have a less stable foundation and build up their achievements too fast. They have further to fall.

[@sarahgilbert8036]

Haakon V Magnusson also spread his offspring all over, maybe a Haakon-trait?? lol

[@Aaron-hy1ei]

Just to throw a spanner in the Danish boast "Our Viking ancestors invaded England". Would you not agree, that as a north Englishman with traced DNA heritage. That it was my viking ancestors that invaded England. The Danes boast, stating it was their ancestors is incorrect as their ancestors did not invade and stayed at home.

[@Stella77_7]

Great info and YES I have personally met and been witness to men who Have It All. Big homes, expensive vehicles, boats, campers....Vacations......But in the end die a horrible dead or get sick. I have always said it was because they are womanizing Azzholes that are selfish treat women bad.

[@kennethmoore625]

So....skinwalker.....😥 🤣

[@Regansaidso]

I was thinking doppelgänger sounded similar

[@joshuaharris5949]

“My opinion” an energy/spirit that walks with you similar to the Christian guardian angel idea. Just a thought.

[@caythorgrimson]

bro norse cant be tougt its born the dead head born free gz naaaaah på trods no fear death what is peace until u die there wil be no peace

[@markhall9007]

Question brother, do the women that you treat so well treat their men like shit, like they do here in USA?

[@KiraFORTHEWIN]

Honey not this...

[@asgrim1513]

why do you call somebody you don't even know "Brother"? never understood that.

[@modernvikingnorway]

Agree.. Its a ghetto culture that use that type of taking. Bro from another mo

[@markhall9007]

Well I spell it brother as to not seam getto as you would by using brotha, or bro. And we have the same DNA and share the same Aryan race, and also because I fucking want to. There’s also that! The person that said there is no such thing as a stupid question should have their eyes peaked out by Odins ravens hugin and munin.

[@asgrim1513]

@@markhall9007 because u share the same DNA with someone you're suddenly brothers? How come? And I'm 99% sure with the Aryan race crap that you're just some American who did a cheap ass DNA test with the results like - 15% Scandinavian.

[@aurevoiralex]

Hello Guys, I'm a translator (Brit or American ENG to Canadian French), and one of my unofficial hobbies is to draw parallels between languages and dig deep into etymology. Anywho, I just had a thought and I'd like your opinions! Hamingja immediately sounded to me like the English word "harbinger". Here is the definition of harbinger in the Cambridge English dictionnary : harbinger noun [ C ] literary UK /ˈhɑː.bɪn.dʒər/ US/ˈhɑːr.bɪn.dʒɚ/a person or thing that shows that something is going to happen. Isn't that super interesting?! LOL Now tell me I'm crazy. 🤓

[@sarahgilbert8036]

Could have a common origin

[@antonyreyn]

Interesting but what about Harmony ? Especially when he draws parallels with Karma, i know it has Greek etymology. Cheers