Lord of the Noose: Odin and the Dead

[@JacksonCrawford]

Many of the scenes and names discussed here were originally assembled by E. O. G. Turville-Petre in his book "Myth and Religion of the North" (in the chapter "Óðinn," under the heading "Lord of the Gallows"). While hard to find, and outdated in some respects, that book is still a good overview of Norse mythology, and very well-organized.

[@harbardmalstrom8950]

Christianity and it's stories have allot of things in common with many cultural religions . Some even believe the testaments are a conglomeration of ancent Egyptian and Sumerian myths . Jesus also has traits in common to baldur .

[@nateknudson8500]

What Patreon tier do we subscribe to so that you'll keep your hat on?

[@IAmAlgolei]

@Nate Knudson - Bwah ha ha ha!!

[@Mark-jo3jm]

This is odd, I read that exact chapter of that exact book 2 nights ago, only to find this on my feed today.

[@MrErickloli]

Mr. Crawford, what do you think of the book The Viking Spirit? Would you think of it as a valid source of information?

[@LeoxandarMagnus]

I’ve always enjoyed the fact that Odin was always seeking wisdom of some kind, seeking to improve his own understanding. A stark contrast to the Greco-Roman deities.

[@Shortyrock515]

Im assuming thats where the character heimdall from Thor comes in to play....

[@anastasiossi]

Zeus and Hermes

[@fukoff-i2k]

Odin is not a man

[@SociologicProduct]

Odin sacrificing himself, by hanging in a tree with a spear through his chest in order to get the runes, reminds me alot of a shamanic practice they've had somewhere among one or some of the north american indian tribes, where they would sit themselves in the middle of nothing, with noone around, and not move, drink or eat, until the spirit realm gave them what they sought, which to them was their spirit animal. That practice was supposedly one where they usually spent at least 5 days like this. Odin spent 9 days and 9 nights, according to the story. Odin is a shamanic character (he invented and taught Seidr, found and taught the runes, taught shapeshifting to his wolf, bear and boar warriors) so I think its beautiful how it makes so much sense in that context.

[@AndranikMuse]

Yes, makes sense. It's part of a very ancient Animistic past of almost all human history and cultures. Just to note that Odin learnt about Seiðr from Freyja and then he became a magic and witchcraft god at around medieval time Iceland. Arith Härger, in his channel, talks about it a lot on his videos about Odin and Seiðr.

[@kingslanjohn]

I like the fact that there seem to be two strands to Odin's interactions with the dead - his assembly of dead warriors, presumably chosen for their physical prowess, and then the intellectual tradition of re-animating the dead or visiting them in Hel to learn their wisdom

[@IanAannevik]

A film student from Norway watching from Sarajevo, Bosnia. Never felt more interest in Norse mythology and culture than after I moved away from home. Thank you for your commitment, it's insanely inspiring. Tusen hjarteleg takk!

[@FiikusMaximus]

Are you from the west?

[@IanAannevik]

Yes, I am.

[@FiikusMaximus]

@@IanAannevik it's the most beautiful part of Norway

[@aurorasartorialis7092]

Amusing that Yama, the Sanskrit Lord of Death, also carries a noose. He seems to use it more like a lasso, snaring souls and leading them away from people’s bodies. He is also called Lord Dharma - dharma being one’s earthly duty (being what you are meant to be and doing what you are meant to do, according to both temperament [svadharma] and station [ksatradharma, &c.]).

[@pranavathalye]

A Sanskrit hymn of a similar nature that I was taught in my childhood: "A Brahman offering, Brahman as the offering into the sacrificial fire of Brahman offered by Brahman. To Brahman it is bound to go for the work of Brahman." Bhagavad Gītā 4.24 Brahman~=God as a principle

[@lindaliljecrona4404]

Do you believe the Vedic religion originally was truly polytheistic; or was the idea of Brahman an original Indo-European concept? I believe modern "Hinduism" was influenced by Zoroastrianism and Buddhism to be more monotheistic.

[@pranavathalye]

@@lindaliljecrona4404 While popular worship was and still remains largely polytheistic or kathenotheistic, there has always been some idea of monism (not strict monotheism) in the philosophical circles since Vedic times as can be seen in Mandala X. The idea of Brahman is historically older than Buddhism. Buddhism in fact is not monotheistic, but rather nontheistic. There is no record or signs of Zoroastrian influence on Hinduism. Also Ahura Mazda of Zoroastrianism is very similar to the Judeo-Christian God and not at all to the concept of Brahman. I believe that there was always a philosophical concept of one ultimate principle like Brahman (impersonal which is very different from monotheism) not among the common folk, but among philosophers, and can be seen in various Indo-European branches.

[@pranavathalye]

@@lindaliljecrona4404 The present day insistence of some Hindus to be exclusively monotheists was in my opinion started as a defensive reaction against Islam and Christianity, where the already present concept of Brahman was conflated with a monotheistic deity.

[@lindaliljecrona4404]

@@pranavathalye So some modern Hindus has adopted a more abrahamitic view on Brahman instead of the original more philosophical and existential thoughts? Yes Zoroastrianism i the origin of the Jewish and Christian fates. Angels also come from Zoroastrianism.

[@pranavathalye]

@@lindaliljecrona4404 Certain Hindus such as ISKCON, popularly known as the Hare Krishnas, are monotheistic where all gods other than Krishna being reduced to the level of demi-gods or angels ruled by Krishna. This is very similar to Zoroastrian or Abrahamic concept where Henotheism turned into Monotheism. To many mainline Hindus like myself they appear very Abrahamic, closer to Christians in thinking than to us. If asked many mainline Hindus will also say that they believe in only one God with many manifestations. However here "God" is a misnomer. Mainline Hindus believe in one reality i.e. Brahman with gods and ultimately all beings (for Advaitins) being its manifestations. This is why gods can split and merge with each other and with human or animal bodies. This is not dissimilar to other old pagan polytheists.

[@lauraweiss7875]

Fascinating overview of Odin and sacrifice by hanging. I immediately thought of the Iron Age “bog man” discovered with a rope around his neck. While this body obviously predates the written stories, I can’t help but wonder if this concept of sacrificing a hanged man wasn’t a common element of ancient belief systems of Northern Europe.

[@mver191]

@@sarahgray430 Yes everybody knows only the comics are accepted as the true original tellings in the scholarly world.

[@frederickburton3440]

It was, Merlin (in Arthurian lore) was tested when some men brought a boy disguised to him three different times. the first time Merlin said the boy would hang, the second that his head would be struck in, and the third when the boy was disguised as a girl "boy or girl he will drown", thinking they'd proven Merlin a fraud the men went off, only for the boy to slip, bash his head on a rock, tangle his foot ina tree branch which under his weight dipped his head below the river.

[@jthecryptid]

Tactics writes that the continental germanic tribes sacrificed men to "Mercury" (another god the Romans equated to Woden/Odin) by hanging or dismemberment, so it's pretty old.

[@paulbrule5897]

In fact about the vinegar thing with Jesus, the romans drank water mixed with vinegar themselves bc it was a way to avoid diseases from the water, so rather than a mischievous act the roman soldier giving Jesus vinegar is an act of charity (one could say the spear to his side was an act of charity too, a kind of mercy killing, bc crucifixion is a long painful death.

[@frankstein7631]

Paul Brûlé At various times and various places alcohol was also mixed with water in an attempt to kill potential pathogens. Or beer (probably low alcohol) was drunk in preference to potentially hazardous water.

[@TheLordUrban]

Vinegar based drinks were also used to replenish electrolytes.

[@Anonymous29785]

But Jesus was in no danger of dying from dirty water before he was going to die of crucifixion. A true act of charity would have been to give him water without any vinegar, because it would have been unnecessary to attempt to sanitize the water if he was doomed already.

[@thedragodile545]

@@Anonymous29785 contaminated water often reacts in your body very quickly. So you could die in the horror of crucifixion, or you could die in the horror of crucifixion while also shitting your guts out.

[@desi3427]

I just have to say that the reason for the spear in the side was not an act of mercy, at least according to scripture. The soldiers broke the legs of the two others, hastening their deaths but since Jesus had already expired, there was no reason. The spear through the side was a way of confirming death.

[@russiansmoke3435]

Thank you for the time and effort you put into educating us Cowboy-Viking. In a world where everyone is looking at himself this fine gentleman is looking at others and what he can do for them. May god(s) bless you with a good and long life.

[@russiansmoke3435]

@@john.premose shut yer mouth ya incel. I will invoke whoever i want while i bless the legendary cowboy viking. Get a life and stop reacting to 3 year old comments.

[@tinderbox4690]

Your channel has helped me develop an understanding of the Norse worlds, and for that I thank you.

[@keeperofthegood]

Two human traits. Self Sacrafice. You are as you do. Many real examples of people who die in pursuing their chosen life paths. They died for their art, job, adventure etc.

[@Noetic22]

Seriously?! Who dislikes this!? 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@oz_jones]

The Jötunn

[@pathwanderer1183]

@@oz_jones haha! Jötunntuben! of course, i should have known :D

[@TheAschwittek]

Asatru bros

[@bombtubejamz739]

A evil giant that he killed long time ago

[@SacredEagle7115]

Gratitude for your knowledge and ability to share these stories with such base grounding. 🙏

[@Saint_nobody]

I saw a grizzled old man with an eye patch today, at the bus stop today... Was it Odin? 😂

[@paullowe3572]

If you are still alive to tell us, probably not.

[@Saint_nobody]

@@paullowe3572 undead much?

[@steffenjespersen247]

haha you never know, he did like to walk among men as an old man in patchy clothes. :) Did you happen to see two birds about ?

[@tohe0000]

Tack för ditt engagemang i nordisk förhistoria och religion.

[@ntazzy6326]

is there a possibility, that Baldur was sacrificed to Odin? there are parallels with Starkaðr sacrificing the king with a "spear" given by a god while he was blind to its danger and killed a person that shouldn't have been killed. could it have some significants?

[@micadoolan]

Just started watching. Instantly addicted. Thank you soooo much! 🥰

[@hamnose]

Thank you. I have over the years been bewildered by the various identities of some pagan gods compared to Roman and Greek gods. There are common motifs but the gods of different people are often very different from the correspondences the ancients made.

[@grizmayhem4210]

That's funny. When I watched Deadwood I thought "sorta like Oðinn." Who Ian McShane is now playing.

[@holmgeirgautreksson2451]

Strarkadr definitely deserves his own video; his stories are really great and gory!

[@colinp2238]

Havamal is my favourite of all the Norse scripts. I believe that the stanzas 138,139 are Odinn's quest for the knowledge of the magic of the runes and not just for the figures. The reason why I think this is because of his description in 140-145 and possibly to 164 seem to describe magical formulae.

[@MrSilvUr]

I like that the shadows of the horse's legs on the ending card creates an eight-legged horse, like Odin's horse

[@hayley6094]

Not gonna lie when you first said "He wakes up this dead volva" I totally thought you meant he woke up /as/ a dead volva, which honestly doesn't sound far-fetched for Odin.

[@enumaelish11]

I might have missed it, but... wouldn't the offering of Odin to Odin be a practice of initiation?

[@hrafn1718]

I can't wait for your Prose Edda translation. Was hoping you would do one as soon as I found your channel and began reading your Poetic Edda translation. Much appreciation for the vids and wealth of information shared too.

[@samgardner8456]

Every time I watch one of your videos, I get another D&D character idea. Speak with Dead is such an iconic idea. Carrying around the preserved head of an ancient sage? Even better.

[@sicksour7791]

Great video as always doctor!

[@dallonknox7018]

Your videos are always in such beautiful places! Makes me miss Montana.

[@BucketPukes1969]

I’m from the Bay Area. If you were at UC Berkeley still I’d be filling out applications right now haha. Love your channel. Skål!

[@SacredEagle7115]

Thanks for your hard work 💪👌👀🐺🌈🌟💙❤😎

[@badcooper235]

Thank you so much for your channel

[@ericdburton91]

Side note: it would be awesome to just have fireside videos of you reading in Old Norse for ASMR reasons. You have a very soothing voice. :)

[@sunshinesilverarrow5292]

Thank you, very interesting. Hugs & sunshine 🌞 N

[@ChelseaEasterling]

I have heard that Shaman where hung in the trees.. maybe that is why Odin wants to speak to the dead hanged man.

[@jennifermcclean1308]

The ancients were describing what they saw in the sky. .. It's why there are so many similarities between the myths around the world. ..

[@McSwift]

Im only familiar some very, very basic stuff about Norse myth. This was very captivating discussion...of course your smooth voice and the beautiful landscape didn’t hurt.

[@thorlof23]

Personally I believe the sacrifice of the self to the self is letting go of ego fear and pride so that one may grow in spirit and wisdom

[@RMunoz-te7jc]

You have no idea how close to the truth you are. My meditations have literally lead me down this path. I got sick from it. But I saw so many viking rituals I never knew about. In some spooky weird way I would here about the story later in real life . Just writing this makes me dizzy. " Why I don't meditate anymore" I'm Mexican with practically no knowledge of this but the meditation visuals I saw were deep. Deep af. I received a bone in one. And also in another I was in a huge orchard when angels of gold started stepping out of the oak trees. Later I found out the story's actually existed in the lore. Crazy stuff

[@zegeist333]

@@RMunoz-te7jc this is awesome what is your meditation technique? I try but it’s very difficult for me

[@RMunoz-te7jc]

@@zegeist333 it was holding one thought, and only cabbage and spinach shakes, some vegetables in a soup no meats or sugar or preservatives. Water only. Then listen to your thoughts , visualize and hold a thought .it's really hard to get it going but it was by far the best year of my life!!

[@RMunoz-te7jc]

Also it will take a toll on your body eventually you'll have to eat some meat with fat and salt. But I fill like the meat made it alot harder to think clear

[@zegeist333]

@@RMunoz-te7jc thank u for the quick response

[@paytonn6833]

I love your videos so much, it actually helps me when I research this stuff and gives me more information to use and tell others! I also use it for artwork and to make true to the myth art!

[@backupnoname]

06:01 are we just going to pretend that he didn't make a hat magically appear on his head?

[@AskTorin]

I really enjoy your content. Thank you for every video that you upload.

[@MidgardMusings]

Great video Dr Crawford! In my own practices of working with Odin in ritual, the sacrifice or offering is always comes at a high cost in order to receive what is asked.

[@dominomasked]

In terms of Odin communing with death/the dead for knowledge...his mind is portrayed as two carrion birds...

[@Atlas-pn6jv]

I just got back from Wyoming. Can't wait to go back! Beautiful area!

[@ericdburton91]

Interesting that hluti can be such a general term meaning either just a "thing" (catch-all noun, if I'm understanding correctly) or something of great significance, and that the word "thing" itself also can mean either a general noun or an intentional gathering to discuss and debate and vote.

[@user-bl3fo7dz3o]

So I’ve been writing this poem in Old Norse and I know that Dr. Jackson Crawford only reads these things if they’re from his patreon - supporters, which I believe is very reasonable - but I’m sure many of you, his viewers, have a good insight in Old Norse, or at least better than me. Thus, I implore you to criticize this poem: Proteusa saga víkinga Þau víkingar spurnu Á vápna sennu At hraustum hjǫrtum Herskip þeira lagðisk í orms lǫgum En þat þeim Ekki erfiði þótti Branda blik þeira Skinu á skjǫldu Margir vǫrðar váru til vargsblóts sendir Gnauð geira var grimm En þá þau orku áttu Var in mestu málmr Í millum anskutu Til siðasta dropa dreyra Hins siðasta drengs Váru þau drepin Þau tǫluðu eitt tjǫrva tungu En nú var þat þeim talatt Saga siga En endi hrygðar, Harmdauði mikill Er hjaltans mót mækis Here’s what I thought I wrote: Those vikings did tread Into the quarrel of weapons With bold hearts Their ship laid itself In serpent’s waters But it to them No problem seemed The gleam of their blades Shone on shields Many defenders were To wolf’s feast sent The din of spears was fierce Though they had strength The greatest metal was Among foes To the last drop of blood Of the last valiant man They were killed They spoke only a tongue of swords But now it was spoken to them A saga of victories, But a tragic end A great sorrow-death Is the warrior’s sword-meeting

[@eujenia491]

To me both this story, and the crucifiction are clear and compelling stories of initiation. I would be interested in someone looking at the crucifiction story and comparing it to stories of initiation. Fascinating video!

[@forestgoddess1111]

Can’t wait for your audiobook! Which one did you read?

[@TheBeardedAxe]

Very well delivered. Thank you :)

[@GraceDivineEntertainment]

Mr. Jackson, thank you for your video. One question. Do you think the literature alludes to whether or not Odin actually died while hanging from the tree? And yet, he continued to live sort of like Hella who appears half alive and half dead? You mention christianity, Jesus. He died, but he was resurected. Ironically, he knew he was going to die and to some degree, as far as he could get away, he could have prevented it. But he willingly died as it appears Odin did as well. In Mexico we have these natural landscapes called cenotes. They are holes filed with fresh water. The Aztecs and Mayas thought that they were sacred. They used to dive inside. We are told that as they entered salt water, they got the sense that they were dying. Having to do with the change in pressure? Anyway, it would be awesome if you could do a video on the meaning of dying for the Norse. Thank you so much.

[@valhoundmom]

Is Mimir related to Bran in Irish tradition?

[@DrFrankenskippy]

'Expanding on context to meaning; self to self' ... also can be viewed in more metaphorical light of 'ego space-time bound self' to our all pervading formless/boundless nature of self (enlightenment). Hence self sacrifice (proactive surrender self as fuel catalyst to our ultimate enlightened self aware nature)

[@alexandrafrench187]

That was fantastic!

[@bassplayer5]

Fascinating as always!

[@Donovaneagle2098]

Thanks!

[@francofernandes2006]

You might be cool, you might even be awesome, but you'll never be as awesome as the guy who travelled to all existence, took his own eye out, hung himself from the tree that connects all the universe together with a spear impaling his chest, transformed his own thoughts and memories in crows to watch all worlds at once, and recruits the biggest army ever with the best of the best of all humankind even if he has to kill them to do so, just to try and prevent the whole world from ending, which deep down he knows damn well he cannot stop.

[@Ritziiii]

How did i only found out about you now ? 😄 this is amazing

[@laughingdaffodils5450]

You're right that our Norse sources are quite late, but Tacitus shows that Wotan was already big many centuries earlier. The elements of these stories that overlap don't necessarily indicate one is copied from the other though - they're examples where both agree with mystery religions in general, and most likely both are drawn from sources earlier than either.

[@valhoundmom]

Mimir's head, hmm the Welsh Bran was a giant and the talking head in the Grail castle...interesting..Bran is wounded by a spear in the groin and his men travel with his decapitated head. First many years until the door facing Bristol is opened in the Tower, the the head decomposes

[@RobFied]

Another great episode from you! I wonder why the dead know more about the future than Odin, who is a god. Are they thought to be taken out this world after they die and thus can look on it from the outside? Like in SciFi novels, where the people traveling to the 5th dimension can have a look at the time continuum of our 4-dimensional universe?

[@michaelkingsbury4305]

Liturgy of St John Chrysostom: thine own of thine own we offer into thee in behalf of all and for all. A god becoming The God? Screams or ululation are often found at the moment of sacrifice. Thanks for the mini-lectures. Ex-rancher, ex-Christian non-asatruar godless heathen with an interest in this stuff.

[@Magius61]

Interesting to note that the tradition of wise dead headless guys was important in Celtic myth and carried forward into Christianity in the British Isles. Many tales of Saintly fellows getting chopped and having wells or springs named after them. Of course often this is likely to have been a co-opting of a local deity.

[@lindaliljecrona4404]

But it is hard to know; these myths speak about people not Gods.

[@Magius61]

Linda Liljecrona Many ancient Celtic deities were manufactured into saints during efforts to convert the people. To view Gods and Men as entirely distinct categories when looking at historical sources is a bit too simplistic.

[@lindaliljecrona4404]

@@Magius61 Yes but unfortunately we don't know what figures in the Irish tales are what deities, or heroes, or kings or whatever. The Celtic sources from other parts of Europe are scarce. Probably because the ancient Celts didn't write and the fact that they had a priestly class, so maybe religion was more elitistic with the Celts. (They are from Ireland; not from Celtic Anatolia, Central Europe, Northern Italy etc. It is Irish tales, not some universal Celtic tales. Like Norse sagas are Norse not Germanic; they are from Scandinavia not from Langobard Italy or Visigothic Spain)

[@TOBAPNW_]

​@@lindaliljecrona4404 There is a writing system native to Ireland. It's known as Ogham.

[@ChrissieBear]

Every time you make a video my urge to run a "Norse Western" rises.

[@jthecryptid]

Something i cant help but wonder is, why hanging specifically? My guess is that its because hanging is an ancient form of public execution generally reserved for criminals and captured soldiers. Odin (including his older germanic self, Woden) is the god of war and dead soldiers, so captured enemy soldiers would be a choice for sacrifice. If hanging was a common means of executing criminals/soldiers, Woden/Odin would become associated with hanging. I dont actually know though, this is just me guessing based on what little info I've seen on pre-Norse Odin

[@MrJarl66]

What happened to Tyr? He was important in the early times, but disappear before the viking times.

[@thebrownhound1343]

He never disappeared from viking times, read Hymiskvidha, Sígrdrífumál, Lokasenna and Skaldskaparmal.

[@nik96nik]

On Mimir, couldn’t he be Jötun but one that is allied and valued by Aesir? He is said to be the keeper of the basin of wisdom that Yggdrasil drinks from. So before the Aesir Vanir war, the exchange of Mimir as a god and (the lesser god I fail to recall the name of) make more sense? The Vanir’s outrage knowing that instead of getting two incredibly wise and charismatic gods, they got the god I can’t remember, a jötun, and were deceived.

[@nik96nik]

Sorry made this comment early in video, and am now getting to more on mimir

[@Thenuter846]

I’m writing a book involving Odin. I would like a reference to keep me honest. Is this something you might do?

[@paulaunger3061]

Have a rummage of this channel - he's got tonnes of stuff like that! :D

[@emZee1994]

In reference to the myth of Odin's self sacrifice, and it's similarity to the Jesus myth of self sacrifice, of course it's possible that the Norse adopted this myth from the Christians but I also think it's equally possible that the Christians got this from the pagans through the Greco-Roman traditions The reason I say this is because the Greco-Romans were an Indo-European speaking peoples and their myths had the same root as the Norse ones. So it's possible they had a myth like this which became Christianized and subsequently forgotten from the pagan practices

[@hjeron]

For clarity, In the timeline does Óðinn give his eye to Mimir's well before he receives the runes from the Norns?

[@user-ui3em2ev1j]

Drink from the holy grale will give you knowledge and wisdom

[@Ratnoseterry]

Odin is generally paralleled with Hermes, Mercury, and to some degree Thoth, though he never appears to be held as highly in regard in other pantheon. Odin does give himself to the Vanir to end the war, is frequently said to travel this world as well as the 9 world's and present himself to people who are not necessarily "his people" whoever they might be. The very context of this I feel is best explained when understanding that Odin has 1000 masks, an ability he acquired from, of all things, discovering mead, if I remember correctly haha

[@redstar7292]

With respect nothing to all do with Christianity & Crucifixion. Odin hangs on the World Tree, which is the nine worlds, the axis mundi etc. the roots run to where no ones knows -i.e deep into the earth the ancestral realms and beyond. He hangs as "if" dead, but is not dead, but suspended in a transcended state between the worlds. The World Tree is also Sleipiner his horse, it's eight legs are described to represent ropes the threads of the norns, the thread of fate, and the spirit lines, through which they travel.

[@y11971alex]

I honestly thought the “Lord of the Noose” was a pun on “Lord of the Norse”.

[@modulator7861]

Jackson: To find reeds, just go to any POND that has cattails growin' around it. Cattails are reeds. :)

[@aidanwoodford3532]

I could send you some reeds man, I live in a friggin' swamp.

[@ccxrv]

HUGE lil question: why do you write *er* as in runnic?? In stanza No 138 line 8. "er manngi veit"...I went to several videos and in all of them you do this so Im guessing there is a rule... Thanks!

[@darkiee69]

Mimer is one of the original decendants of Ymer. Mimers well wasn't in jotunheim. It was under one of Yggdrasils roots, the one that leads to Jotunheim. Atleast that's the way I learned it.

[@ColegaBill]

Then there is the question of how much of an influence could Lugus (if modern assumptions on that deity's nature are somewhat correct) have on the Christian Trinitarianism.

[@cosmasindico]

Whoa. Continuity jumps. Just kidding. Great video as always. Thanks.

[@stewartkotler9024]

There's people out there that do animation for people's lectures

[@seanfischer4948]

I wish I knew how to learn the Old Norse tongue

[@hallowacko]

Hey wait a second here... So the runes were adapted forms of greek and italian letters, and such runes are found to be as old as the 2nd century. So would Odin's self sacrifice to steal the runes be only that old? Or is it possible the story was originally that he hung himself for simple knowledge, and then later when the runes came to be used, the story was later adapted, or ret-conned?

[@lindaliljecrona4404]

Runes can be used as a word for knowledge

[@Skrufflez]

This is wholesome? WHY do you live this?

[@Skrufflez]

You told my story through Odin.

[@Skrufflez]

Thank. You. You. You.

[@Skrufflez]

I believe you a seer.

[@Skrufflez]

I aim to duel. I challenge Your, doubts. Dr.

[@Skrufflez]

I know these words. All of them. My eye is open. I reused and refused all of Odins teachings against me becuase I simply believe I can. What is truth for me is truth for the gods and its just that simple. So why NOT just Simply CHOOSE what to believe?? Odin shares this SAME belief. THEREFORE. SINCE I COMBINED BOTH RELIGIONS, I HAVE YOUR ANSWER. AS well AS for him. I have power to change beliefs instantly. I refused to give it to myself. NEVER expect me to believe you.

[@Mr.Nichan]

lord = valdr load = farmr (of the noose) The Norse isn't nearly as close as the English (If it were, one might wonder if it were a mishearing.), but it struck me as an odd coincidince (or perhaps more Dr. Jackson Crawfords word-choice and poetic considerations of original writers) that they are fairly similar in both languages.

[@conker690]

Great video! Didn’t Tacitus mention that slaves were strangled or drowned in certain German tribes?

[@MrPeterBaak]

I recently read Germania and don't recall him saying anything about hanging sacrifices. Most he mentioned were with drowning

[@willremy5142]

Wondering, is this dead volva really Loki?

[@stewartkotler9024]

Most theatrics in your voice expression of what you describing with emotional outburst and changes in the tone of your voice like you would in a conversation

[@odin1910]

As a fiction of the internet I truly hope humanity will band together to reclassify drug laws in America.

[@mattarmstrong8197]

Odin is a ghost even among the gods.

[@oneukum]

Are their reports or stories about human sacrifices to other gods?

[@kilomcstrife6694]

No Taco Johns' for the old Norse!

[@Thenuter846]

I want taco johns.... they no have it in Cali. Tragic.

[@robbiehoen]

Also: Jezus was not curiffied on a cross. The original texts may even speak of him sacrificing himself to himself on a tree. "1 Peter 2. 24: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree."

[@ceedee873]

That could be a reference to the tree that Adam and Eve ate from.

[@unluckymoirai]

The original texts were mostly written by Christians right? Could that be why there are similarities? Like a way to convince people to convert. Like Yule and Christmas.

[@thomashjortshj974]

They say in denmark the timing of Christ b-day should have been influenced from Asa-believe too christianity.. In denmark they Call Christmas for jul. In denmark they celebratet jul far before Christmas. In denmark Christmas is more important than Easter, some people Think thats from Asa-believe too. In Old days in the north they ate alot of fat things and drank alot in december month so people could survive the Winther . Sorry for my bad english😊

[@SnowElf_96]

I know man tales of the Noose and how its a struggle and its knot a children story to get tied up in.

[@demon13doc]

Julius Ceasar wrote in his diary that in order to conquer the tribes of Northern Europe, they first had to conquer their Gods. Not too long after, Christianity takes hold in Rome.

[@MrPeterBaak]

The slave girl sacrificed in the funeral Ibn Fadlan witnessed was also "hung" (strangled with rope) and stabbed. But why would she be given to Odin? She said she saw her master and her ancestors in the ritual.

[@KungKras]

Rome usually sent soldiers from one province, to guard provinces far away, so maybe it was a germanic Roman soldier who stabbed Jesus? :D I know, really far fetched, but still an entertaining thought.

[@lindaliljecrona4404]

Yes interesting thought. To him they sacrificed Jesus to Odin so to make the sacrifice properly he thrust him with his pilum.

[@lusomarga]

Eurehemerism - an approach to the interpretation of mythology in which mythological accounts are presumed to have originated from real historical events or personages. TIL!

[@colterlemmon9005]

Hell yeah Taco Johns

[@LaraRenee42]

I wonder if some of the writings that we have that are both incomplete and seem significantly more outrageous or just out of place are more like fairy tales? Some fairy tales you really have to be willing suspend your belief, especially the further back you go. And some have little to no moral or teaching point, but tell a good story. Others tell a crap story (imho), but are there to provide a teaching or moral point. In the future if someone had fragments of both types of tales they would be very confused!

[@RobertEFiedler]

Is there really a unsurmountable hiatus between myths, religious lore and fairy tales? I am not so sure. It seems that there are 'bad' stories' which will be forgotten soon and 'good stories' which will last longer. I don't think that the lack of a moral teaching point makes them less worthy. Texts with a clear moral are typically bowdlerized by by religious authorities.