Odin Explained: Runes and Magic

[@Survivethejive]

Buy the Great Rebellion on Steam now at store.steampowered.com/app/2732820/The_Great_Rebellion or directly from the developer's website great-rebellion.com

[@Hadrada.]

This was brilliant thanks If you ever have the time it would be good to do an in-depth video on Heimdall as I’ve read before that it was him who gave us the runes not Odin but Odin took up the runes, and also I’ve read before that Heimdall is a version of Odin I don’t know if that’s true? Anyway thanks for your video 👍🏼

[@DynoStorm]

Everyone buy this game, it's incredible and dangerously based!

[@thethinredline4714]

I like that you mix in the esoteric aspects of the religion in to your analysis it gives a much better understanding

[@colorpg152]

the mixture of hermes and odin was superficial one made for propaganda purposes because relating him to zeus would have the opposite effect since the german tribe allied with the roman had affinity for hermes, also your badmouthing of Prometheus was insufferable.

[@Survivethejive]

@@colorpg152 The Germanic people adopted a Roman week of their own accord and it spread to all Germanic peoples and all of them voluntarily equated Odin with Mercury's day so no it was not merely "propaganda purposes"

[@musamba101]

My great uncle was the last bard (troubadour as they called themselves) in our family. He could sing his songs in perfect Medieval Spanish rhyme all night long. He could sing about anything and everything. I am very glad I was able to be witness to that dying world! My maternal ancestors were Canarians that ended up in the Caribbean some 300 years ago, but isolated themselves and preserved the culture (until the roads opened up the hills where they were from in the early 1950's).

[@jmaaybraak]

Oh wow. I'd have loved to have been so lucky! I'm sure u will always honor his memory.

[@musamba101]

I didn't know how lucky I was since I was just a kid back then, but I do know now. @@jmaaybraak

[@skeletorlikespotatoes7846]

Anyway I could find information on this ? And gather it? I want to become the same

[@dentkort]

​@@williampatrick8814Onto what? Most of his theories are wrong. His only redeeming trait was being based.

[@thethinredline4714]

very cool, you should carry on the tradition

[@TheBlahman3]

"WHO IS WODEN" was my first Survive The Jive video and was a major step in my journey to Asatru. It's definitely my favorite video of yours, and I've shown it to quite a few people.

[@AA-em3yx]

In Tengrism there is also a world tree that reaches from the underworld into the starry sky and on which a priest figure hangs

[@freehatespeech6804]

That's really interesting, thanks for sharing that information

[@ArnavSharma-bj4ct]

Tengris are a copy of afanasievo or probably the afanasievo became their elites

[@AA-em3yx]

@@ArnavSharma-bj4ct No, the afansievo were conquered by turkic people and mixed with them. they were not the elites.

[@jihangirastra3851]

What primary sources detail the worldview of Tengrism?

[@lairdkilbarchan]

I imagine the earliest runes would have been carved in wood and have long since decomposed, making the subsequent surviving earliest stone carved runes appear as if the already established writing system they used suddenly appeared out of thin air.

[@Survivethejive]

quite so

[@lairdkilbarchan]

@@Survivethejive Yeah, thought as much. 🥸👍

[@belstar1128]

even a lot of the stone ones have probably been eroded by now we got very little left from the pre Cristian world

[@copperlemon1]

There's also the consideration that a lot of possible inscriptions on bronze, silver, and gold may have been destroyed when the objects were melted down or otherwise reworked for other uses.

[@whitemakesright2177]

​​@@copperlemon1 Yeah, that's a good point that often gets overlooked. We tend to think of these metals as having great longevity, and they do, but they are so valuable that they often get cannibalized for other uses.

[@A_Koenig]

The basic pattern of Hermes/Mercury is movement. He is the messenger of the Olympian Gods, i.e. he travels between the realms of immortals and mortals. He also accompanies souls on their way to the afterlife. This pattern is also behind his popular symbols, the winged sandals (fast travel), the wide brimmed hat (worn by travelers as protection against the sun) and the Caduceus (sign of a messenger). He is therefore also the God of travellers and merchants (also thiefs, as a matter of fact). Communication and speech are his second main attribute because they are linked to his role as a bringer of messages and as a connector of different spheres (divine/human/underworld). Since the mind was conceived of as internal speech, he also becomes associated with intelligence, memory, wit and later philosophy. Just from these attributes you can see a lot of parallels with Odhinn, mainly a gift for speech, travelling, the wide brimmed hat, the staff and a general air of craftiness or secrecy. An interesting thing about the identification of Wotan and Mercury is its early date, far predating the Eddic poetry. So the association of Wotan with language or magical speech is obviously pretty ancient.

[@SonsoftheEagle]

The knight. As on a chess board , he's the only one allowed to move through dimensions.

[@Shin_Lona]

It's interesting when comparing Thoth, as well - in the composite of Trismegistus. There are parallels with Odin here that aren't really found associated with Hermes / Mercury. These being written language and knowledge in general, plus the connection to magic. I've always considered the role of psychopomp to be the primary unifying aspect. Trismegistus was a Greco-Egyptian synthesis, so I'm not sure to what degree that would have influenced the Roman counterpart - especially since it was a later development, becoming prominent in the Alexandrian period of Egypt. Presumably, Mercurius was well established at this point. The Egyptians also don't share the common Indo-European root, so the correlations suggest there is something inherent within the archetypes found within the pantheons of various cultures. A god that brings knowledge to humanity is certainly a figure found in many ancient civilizations. This is a rather curious mystery, that some have linked to a common experience, shared by geographically distant cultures, in our remote past.

[@thomsonmaclean2041]

I agree. Mercury, Odin Wodin Wednesday. Also Zeus, Je Zeus, Jesus, Jupiter.

[@kighzerlankmann8113]

It’s such a lonely path to be a Pagan in the US, your videos help. Thank you.

[@JethroBulmer]

Cutting ties with abrahamism can be quite difficult here

[@farzanamughal5933]

What does being a pagan involve

[@kighzerlankmann8113]

@@farzanamughal5933 Honoring the Old Gods. I mainly read the Poetic Edda, Perform blots and pray. I bet its different for every pagan.

[@denisla3546]

​@kighzerlankmann8113 Problem with solo paganism is that ancestral pagans would practice their beliefs in a community and in a way of life , paganisam is not only a religion its a way of life. Paganism is all-encompassing practice

[@kighzerlankmann8113]

@@denisla3546 yeah i agree, i would love to have a community but it ain’t easy to find.

[@LearnHittite]

Fantastic way to begin the weekend! Thanks for your great content. 🍻

[@Survivethejive]

cheers!

[@FelixGWilliams]

Busy writing my latest medieval history article today, and now I can watch the latest STJ video when I take a break. Blessed by the gods! 🙏

[@KonservativLeben]

Absolutely lovely, your editing is on point! Respect and best wishes from Germany :]

[@breakaleg10]

Between you and Creaganford, this is very interesting to learn how the old Germanic peoples reasoned and thought. We might never know exactly how they lived but we know a lot more today than when these studies started, which is true of almost all science and humanities.

[@websurfer5772]

When I choose the runes from a bag they are very accurate to my situation. They say, "Stand Still" and "This is the winter of your life" and "I can of my own self do nothing," and "Protection." I'm disabled and bedridden and I get these same runes all the time, even before I became this disabled, decades ago. Other people pick from my bag and get different runes that give more promising forecasts for themselves which fits their lives.

[@nachtwandeling1237]

1:33 Same. I watched that video many times. It's very informative and the last part with the atmospheric music while suggesting the Odinic trinity preceded the Christian one makes it very based.

[@skiveman]

Well I sat down for a quick listen to see what the video is about and lo and behold I'm now at the end. Shows you just how entertaining and informative this was.

[@thomassugg5621]

Always looking forward to your videos 😁 they are always really interesting and insightful. Greetings from Essex

[@margotishrn]

Oi OI! 😎👍

[@cemersoy-el1ns]

Essex pagans 💪🏻🔥

[@margotishrn]

@@cemersoy-el1ns greetings from another Essex pagan! 👍

[@albertito77]

28:18 when Othin shrieks whole taking up the runes I imagine Goku powering up.

[@ZerilathImmortal]

I think this is the closest practical explanation of what is the Germanic mystery school. Thank you

[@Survivethejive]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GodsDogICXC]

I think it’s one of the videos that got people into you though, more so than being your best video. Amazing work and documentary! Game looks good too, going to support them.

[@scaldedape6213]

Psycopomp, Hanged God, Lord of the Draugr and the Wild Hunt. Wayfarer, wanderer, beggar, King. I read a book recently called The Hanged God by Shani Oates. I dont know much about the author and I tend to dismiss left hand path beliefs; but i thought her theory how the act of hanging criminals in America was tied to old Odinic tradition was very interesting. Pulling someone up from the ground by a rope thats been tossed over a tree branch as a way to suspend them between "here" and "there." Leaving them suspended to be judged by the Hanged God, or lord of the dead. She also mentioned older examples where corpses would have wooden chips with inscribed runes placed in their mouths so that they would be forced to speak to the Hanged God.

[@runemasterhariwulfaz5267]

I think another interesting connection between Odin, galdr, and the runes is his gift to Ask and Embla, Ønd (breath/soul). There is an obvious linguistic connection between breath and soul. But galdr or song is nothing but specialized breathe, exhalation. By breathing a certain controlled way you craft a galdr, essentially. I don’t think the connection is a coincidence, perhaps the gift of galdr to man was a refinement of his first gift.

[@douglashibma1688]

I've come to the understanding that the Greek Hermes, Roman Mercury, Egyptian Thoth, and Biblical Enoch, are all one and the same person. I had never considered that Odin was within the realm of possibilities for comparison. Quite an interesting subject to study.

[@SungazerDNB]

It's a hypothesis. Don't mistake it for an understanding. Happy researching!

[@kkurrent66]

Yes

[@GingerNuts361-ny4qp]

I’m glad you explained this, I’ve been wanting to understand just this topic for quite some time

[@bobbyg5154]

Can’t wait for the courses! Thanks for all you do!

[@CharlesGriffith-j4q]

Stephen Flowers (Edred Thorsson) in his work makes it clear that galdr is an inherent quality of the runes, and that Odin gained galdr at the same time as he gained the runes ("I took up the runes, screaming I took them, then fell back again") That scream was the first galdr!

[@heikkijhautanen4576]

Hail Odin and Wotan!!!

[@yaaklynx56]

I think you are exactly right about this. The runes and the knowledge contained therein are much older than the written form. I am fascinated by the idea that speaking a rune is what activates its empowerment. After all, what is speech or language but a way to bring forth the abstract( thought) into the concrete reality?

[@anglishoutlander162]

I see Woden's sacrifice as him sacrificing himself to his higher form.

[@slynt_]

The Ubermensch :)

[@Arnsteel634]

I found it similar to how a person has to make sacrafices to gain success at things in life. I had to work hard sacrificing my time and energy to build a company or pay my way through school, etc.

[@wulfsorenson8859]

@@Arnsteel634no Odin’s sacrifice was shamanic - it was an initiation. Not the same as you creating a company 🙄

[@Arnsteel634]

@@wulfsorenson8859 I agree it was shamanistic. But the analogy still applies. You sacrifice part of yourself now for something later

[@FindTheTruthBeforeTheEnd]

Hey that game looks pretty cool. Not even lying.

[@87stevan]

Was that a picture of Yuval Noah Harari used for one of the bad guys??..or am I seeing things. Lol. Oh the Jews aren't going to like that one. xD

[@rolandmoritz9304]

Dev of the game here, it was ;) @@87stevan

[@david-jr5fn]

The Irish have parallels to these three types of knowledge, the runes and the ogham alpherebet, the mead and the hazelnuts of knowledge and these incantations are simply called poetry in irish mythologies

[@MargaretYoung-ud8xy]

Don't forget Fion and the juices ( blood?) Of the salmon and knowledge. Or Donn and the wild hunt.

[@mupsoftaren]

The thing about writing and music is something Plato is infamous for. In Phaedrus he criticizes writing and in Book 7 of Laws he dictates how music (religious chants) should be tightly controlled and taught to children at a young age (even the womb). (Also the Anubis-Thoth parallel, as aspects of Osiris/Zeus, to Odin and Hermes.)

[@TenkaFubu]

Extremely interesting! Thank you for this and for spreading your knowledge

[@Patrick-lu7gd]

Great video! Good point about Aesir being galdra smiths, I had not heard that before. According to Havamal it may be galdr is associated with walking through nature, I usually pray when on nature walks. The word rune may refer to whispered galdr, in SOng of Roland Ganelon whispered a sort of prayer to his sword. The song of roland was maybe a galdr to inculcate certain values in the French.

[@SlaveOfDevas]

Rudra the vedic god is said to be the patron god of the vratyas a mannerbund group similar to the ulfhednar.(Source: atharvaveda 15:1) And considering that both odinn and rudra in their root mean rage and fury makes me believe that they are connected to each other

[@stevenjohnson5126]

Hi Tom, one of the first videos I watched of yours was one which featured the Buxted Yew, my father was born in Buxted although we live 10 miles away, so I took my family for a wander over there. I later found that my great grandfather was buried in the church grounds so I went to look for his grave, which we found damaged and overgrown with grass, I then took the headstone home and cleaned it up and brought it back to the church yard. After refitting the stone I sat and pondered the site of the tree and the people who had visited it to worship, which then led me down the path of paganism and metaphysics. So just wanted to say thank you for your work and you never know what kind of reverberations something as simple as an educational video can have for people.

[@Survivethejive]

Wonderful to hear, thank you

[@albertito77]

Thanks

[@PocketSandMan]

Just because at some point somebody wrote down runes doesn't mean that they weren't given the information from something divine.

[@loganus9114]

If Odin is Divine extasy or frency, then he is also akin to DIONYSUS.

[@AlasdairXV]

Norman bowlcut arc over, if you walked around with a north face jacket on with that hair people would confuse you for an irishman.

[@jameymartin5009]

In the Havamal it is said that Woden looked "down to the depths" as he hung upon the Tree (Truth), of which no man knows where its roots run (even though we do know where a few run). It is further said that Woden did this for nine days and nine nights before he took up the runes with a roaring scream. Now, according to Hesiod, "For a brazen anvil falling down from heaven nine nights and days would reach the earth upon the tenth: and again, a brazen anvil falling from earth nine nights and days would reach Tartarus upon the tenth." Woden looked down to the very foundation of reality, and while he discovered that the Tree was ultimately rooted in Ginnungagap/Chaos, he did not reject it. Rather he (had already) embraced it and now invigorated it.

[@Mjölnir-þ]

Really good to see you uploading more frequently tom You don't have to do to much editing. Just record yourself talking in front of camera and give us the knowledge and information. You are really great

[@loganus9114]

Odin personifies the interaction between the Niolithic Farmers who entered Gaul, Germania and the British isles, for like HERMES, who is the Son of ZEUS, the Celts, Germans and British are the Children of the Niolithic Farmers, the Anatolians, Mediterraneans, Indo-Europeans. Odin is indeed THOTH, HERMES and MERCURY. THOTH is the Egyptian HERMES, and as we know, Scotia established Scotland, yet another possible indication of how HERMES aka THOTH, is Wotan-Odin!

[@Survivethejive]

Germanic people have among the least EEF ancestry of all Europeans

[@loganus9114]

@@Survivethejive Then how did they acquire farming, if not by the direct tutelage of Niolithic, Mediterranean Farmers? R1a and b, actually has it's roots in the Middle East, under Haplogroup R1A, so that whole Yamnaya Russo agenda is quite overtaxed and overly inflated. The Niolithic Farmers passed on their farming ways to the Germans, Celts and core Europeans like Greeks and Romans (Italians), also remember, Cattle Domestication comes from the Fertile Crescent aka Anatolia, home of Indo European languages. The Niolithic Farmer, Mediterranean expansion is supported by the fact that Odin is HERMES-THOTH.

[@aidanmcmillan-dx8lq]

He is referencing genetic studies I am sure, rather than speculation which seems to be what you are doing. @@loganus9114

[@danielryan570]

It is both striking and fascinating that Wodan in some form seems to pre date the Norse pantheon and go way way back as you say. Fan of your channel, keep up the insightful work and defending the English, its greatly appreciated

[@RyanTucker-r5d]

Let’s not forget that Apollo at one time was also associated with Mercury in Greece before he was associated with the Sun. The way Mercury travels through the sky confused the Greeks (at first) therefore making them think it was a different planet from the Mercury they seen at night. Therefore Apollo was its day aspect and Hermes was it’s night aspect.

[@Survivethejive]

Apollo also formerly had a mannerbund and wolf association

[@RyanTucker-r5d]

@@Survivethejive definitely and ravens are sacred to him as well. I think Odin’s missing eye may be symbolism of a Solar Cult or Black Sun Cult

[@farfandelosgodos1681]

Apollo is linked with Baldr.

[@chrysocolapteserythrocepha5915]

Odin is similar to Welnos (the night-sky god counterpart of Dyeus [Tyr] i.e. day-sky god), Veles, Velnias, Velns, Varuna, Ouranos, and Dionysus.

[@RyanTucker-r5d]

@@chrysocolapteserythrocepha5915 yes I 100% agree. He’s also very very similiar to Rudra-Shiva. Odin is the meeting of opposites like Dionysus as you said.

[@ayublack9445]

Again another high quality video both in regards to content and quality. I liked the short summary of the Wotan as skyfather argument and given the "functions" or roles he plays, it makes a lot of sense. I still find it weird how Tyr ethymologically seems to just mean "god". I've seen Ziu mentioned in alemannic sources and i still can't figure out who it refers to, is it the alemannic name for Tyr? Is it Wotan or maybe a different god? On another note, very excited to see what you're brewing up with the heathen beginner course! I have several friends in mind who would find it helpful, though not all understand english well. Have you ever thought about adding german translations/subtitles to it? Thanks for all you do and gods bless

[@Survivethejive]

Several vids have german subtitles

[@ayublack9445]

@@Survivethejive i was more thinking about your upcoming online course. though i'm sure that would be a lot of work, so just wondering if it's a consideration for the future

[@mver191]

I came to the same conclusion about Tyr after learning about the Armenian Mihr : "Together with the Vedic common noun mitra, the Avestan common noun miθra derives from Proto-Indo-Iranian *mitrám (Mitra), from the root *mi- "to bind", with the "tool suffix" -tra- "causing to". Thus, etymologically mitra/miθra means "that which causes binding", preserved in the Avestan word for "Covenant, Contract, Oath". In Middle Iranian languages (Middle Persian, Parthian etc.), miθra became mihr, from which New Persian مهر mehr and Armenian Միհր Mihr and Մհեր Mher ultimately derive." Mithras->Mihr->Tyr The etymology and attributes of Mithra also fit the stories and attributes of Tyr. We know he had something to do with binding people together and as overseer of the "t(h)ing" where contracts/agreements were made and justice was spoken, just like Mithra : "Mithra (Avestan: 𐬨𐬌𐬚𐬭𐬀 Miθra, Old Persian: 𐎷𐎰𐎼 Miθra) is an ancient Iranian deity of covenants, light, oaths, justice, the Sun, contracts, and friendship. In addition to being the divinity of contracts, Mithra is also a judicial figure, an all-seeing protector of Truth (Asha), and the guardian of cattle, the harvest, and the Waters." It also makes sense on a linguistic level. The Iranic root "mi-" is to bind, the Germanic version of it is "ti-", from which we have words like "to tie" in English. In Dutch for example "aantijgen" is to tie/bind somebody to a crime for example (aan = to, tijgen = tie). The next point is that the Armenian Mihr kind of had the same status in the pantheon : "Mihr - Cognate with the Iranian Mithra. God of the sun and light, son of Aramazd, the brother of Anahit and Nane. Historically, despite his high place in the pantheon, worship of Mihr was eclipsed by Vahagn." Vahagn can be equated to Thor/Donar : "Vahagn - A "k'aj" (brave). Etymologically derived from Iranian Verethragna (via Vahram -> Vram -> Vam + -agn). The storm god and dragon slayer, identified with the Greek Hercules." This eclipse of worship of Tyr by Thor seemed to be happening in Europe as well. The next point is that the Anatolians had a god that is very clearly linked to the Sky Father root : Sius. Linking Tyr to the same root makes no sense at all and is linguistically far fetched. Linking Tyr to Mihr and Mithra makes all the sense.

[@penapenkki]

Hah, I was about to write a comment about the Finnish "runo" and it's possible connection to Galdr, but you beat me to it. Great video as always, keep up the good work!

[@Survivethejive]

Cool, thanks!

[@carisballing]

Why is Helshinski so Houish?

[@belstar1128]

never forget your ancestors never forget their struggle to create a better world for us

[@davidconnellan6875]

You should look into Irish folk tales. Tricksters are always the heroes of the stories.

[@jamesm9560]

This was a true scholarly feat. Thank you for making it and keeping these stories and myths and facts alive.

[@wolfenhauz]

I'd love to hear your take on Jason Reza Jorjani's Prometheanism after this one

[@zaciroth]

Yeah I have a lot to say about him and that faith he is making up.

[@antonyreyn]

Jive did you know Stephen Pollington has a new book Odin the first thousand years? Cheers from Mercia

[@Survivethejive]

yes

[@jameymartin5009]

The notion of the Skyfather was antiquated when the RgVedas were young, and within that context absolutely pale before the references to the "King of Heaven", ie. Indra. Even in Greek mythos, "Father Sky" is Uranus while Zeus is the "King of Heaven". While the King of Heaven certainly possesses many of the attributes of the Skyfather, and so we see these in Woden, the closest figure in the Eddas to a Skyfther is Delling or Dag.

[@EmperorCaligula_EC]

Yeah I always had my doubt about the Tyr-Skyfather theory, for Tyr has no myth that even remotely hint that. Ah Wotan. My first approach and... "contact" decades ago. A God unlike ANY OTHER in the world. I really enjoy your channel, you are so educated in many areas. Sometimes Asatru tend to know not so much outside their own ways, alas. Being a historian and Pagan too, I appreciate you "wearing two hats". For many it is difficult to understand how one lives in "both worlds", and accepts the ambivalence of not demanding "one truth", but a worldly truth and a spiritual truth. Still note mentioning that Prometheus act of betraying the order of the Gods was born out of benevolence towards man, and not of evil intent, and hence his suffering finally ended through the act of Heracles, son of Zeus. As to the Runes, it may be entirely accidental, but when I studied Canaanite Polytheism, many letters looks a lot of Canaanite (Phoenician) letters. Maybe look it up.

[@slynt_]

All later European alphabets come from the Phonecian one via Greek, as far as I'm aware.

[@joarGyjuRanar]

Fionn Mac Cumhaill swims tbe lake of Birog where he is aged to an old man and drinks from a cup that renews him but keeps his gray hair as a testament. He drops his cup and it grows out a sacred tree.

[@arngrimandersen5690]

Druder is from the Cellt , Odin( the guy have 100 name) is a german thing way befor the vikings we found things in Denmark from , 500 AD same time was the Deer danser , is so wild man , sorry my English are not 100%

[@dougmaisner]

I love the new merch. How do the shirts run? A little small, a little big for their size?

[@howareyoualiveifyoudonteatbeef]

I imagine it's Chinese manufacturing... So I would assume the sizes are smaller.

[@dougmaisner]

@@howareyoualiveifyoudonteatbeef At this point better China manufacturing than clown world lol

[@chrysocolapteserythrocepha5915]

Odin (Wotan) is similar to Welnos (the night-sky god counterpart of Dyeus [Tyr] i.e. day-sky god), Veles, Velnias, Velns, Varuna, Ouranos, and Dionysus.

[@francescowolfskin6795]

Total support from Italy 🔥🇮🇹 eternal Glory to Pagan and white Europe 🏛🔥⚔

[@romelos222]

🇳🇱 ❤️💪🏻

[@stargatis]

Pagans aren’t always white❤

[@paolosasso2189]

Appreciate the discussion of galdr

[@slynt_]

The possibility of a connection between Odinic cult and the Hellenic esoteric tradition of Hermeticism is very interesting. I'm interested in Hermeticism because of how much of a well-developed and preserved form of pagan esotericism it is, which is unusual.

[@Survivethejive]

Maybe no earthly connection but pertaining to the same metaphysical reality

[@meduseld6610]

Perhaps you could argue that Odin in his human/shamanistic form is obediant to Odin the Alfather. A sacrifice of "myself to myself" is Odin the Shaman giving tribute to his highest, Third form Odin the Alfather in order to divine the esoteric knowledge that belongs to Third

[@Survivethejive]

Sort of what i said in the first video

[@loganus9114]

HERMES (Odin) has rulership over the North -West, precisely the location of the Celtic and Germanic people, if we use Delphi as the axis.

[@evaldasd2907]

Some suggestions what the first line at # 138 Haavaamaal could indicate and what clues it might lit: "Veit ek at ek hekk vindga meidi a" "Do i know that i hung on a windy tree (meidi)" Do i,are rhetorical and shows a dreamy shamanic state of mind. Windy,picture a horisontal sway,latitude or the earth equatorial orbit. Meidi,might aswell be a pyramide the tree of life,since its the only time its in use at the sagas and old norse. The twelve counsil might points to the months,the Zodiacs of 2160 years in its 25920 years of orbit

[@thegreatgriff]

I think you were right to say that the Futhark runes might have been influenced by the Etruscans - the runes are very reminiscent of the Etruscan script; the people of Etruscan origin who would become the Rhaeti must have taken their script with them from northern Italy on their migration to the Germanic world. Makes sense then that the syncretism between Rhaeti/Etruscan and native Germanic elites would birth Futhark.

[@Survivethejive]

Regardless of which script it comes from, it is unlikely to have anything to do with a migration to the Germanic world

[@Rher_the_Moon]

The only thing I'm curious about is if Galdr related to the oral interpretation of written works. Most of the worlds surviving religions teach you "how to read the text" through spiritual leaders and it sounds like the Runes and Galdr were performed simultaneously. I bring this up as a distinction from Galdr just being songs used in a pre-writing era for remembering information.

[@thegrymwolf6360]

Amazing work as always Tom!

[@Survivethejive]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@KevinArdala01]

A wanderer; seeker/holder of secret knowledge; frenzy; died and resurrected (on tree); trickster; and enthuses and encourages his followers, but when he no longer has use for them, or they've exceeded his need, he leads them them to their demise - all of this sounds like Dionysus to me. I wonder whether the origins of Dionysus are much earlier, foreign, and more obscure that previously thought; and that his later, Greek, joyous, rituals don't represent the mood of the original cult.

[@jameymartin5009]

Woden (master of states of consciousness or "mental excitement") gave Mankind the breath of life, on which are carried his subsequent gifts of language and poetry and magico-religious song. Breathing is reflective of states of mind. And state of mind can be influenced by conscious control of breathing. Hence why odhr is given by Will. Control of breathing is of course fundamental to singing.

[@merlingeikie]

Yahl in Viking times was a 'sea king' who did not rule land but was sea born.

[@lyonz42]

Do you draw any similarities between Hermes having a Caduceus with two snakes and Odin having Gugnir with two ravens (Huginn | Muninn)? I would assume having a staff or spear of any kind would represent authority, like a modern scepter, but is there any (historical | mythological) significance in the pairing of familiar-esque animals?

[@Birkarl_]

Runo in Finnish means poem, runous, poetry

[@Birkarl_]

Moden Finnish that is

[@zaciroth]

Runa / Rune is mystery in Germanic.

[@macraghneall6883]

what a gem of a video. so informative.

[@martinbowman1993]

I think each rune represents a myth and in a way they have mundane purpose but also a sacred purpose in that they help order the myths from Audhumla to Thor defeating Hrungnir.

[@badmen1550]

My favorite insight into the legend of Odin was by the late great English author Colin Wilson. Odin gave one of his eyes to Fricka, in exchange for the power of the Law. He sacrificed a part of his spiritual vision in order to manifest his will in the earthly realm. He sacrificed himself to himself, his higher self, in order to become more than man. Such is the power of the runes.

[@Survivethejive]

I am a fan of Wilson but never knew he wrote about Odin. Where does he do this? odin never gave his eye to Freyja

[@badmen1550]

⁠​⁠@@SurvivethejiveHere you go, this is from Wilson’s Religion And The Rebel (in which he’s referencing Richard Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelung): *”Readers who know Wagner’s music drama will remember the story of how Wotan, the Leader of the Gods, gives away one of his eyes in exchange for Fricka. Fricka brings him, as her dowry, all the forces of the Law. Wotan is the pure force of creativeness; he is the poet, the visionary, the idealist, the man of genius through whose dreams and visions all civilization advances. He is a clear mirror in which the Will of the Life Force is reflected. But as a visionary, he has no practical power; his visions stay in his own brain. That is why he needs the alliance with Fricka, who brings him the power of the Law-the power to put his visions into practice. But in exchange for Fricka, he has to give away one of his eyes: that is to say, the man of pure genius has to compromise when he wants power to put his ideals into action.”* In the same section Wilson also discusses “mimesis” (memory? Memir?) as being one of the themes of Wagner’s Ring cycle. But you may be right, there could be some of Wagner’s and Wilson’s own creative license being taken here.

[@roykosonen8197]

In modern Finnish, "runo" no longer has any sacred or esoteric significance and merely means "poem" (and "runoilija" means "poet"). The Finnish word for "rune" is "riimu". It's unfortunate that English translations of the Finnish national epic, the "Kalevala", mis-translate the word "runo" as "rune", when it means "poem". BTW, to my knowledge, no evidence of the use of runes has been found in the Finnish historical and archaeological record, but if I am wrong about that, then please, someone correct me.

[@keenanarthur8381]

We have a number of static historical sources regarding Norse/Germanic/Anglo-Saxon Paganism, but living indigenous traditions are dynamic oral traditions that continually evolve. So, while we have evidence regarding worship of the likes of Odin or Thor, and a lack of evidence regarding worship of the likes of Loki or Angrboda, I tend to base my understanding of those deities as much on personal relationships with them as on historical sources. My view is that the “good vs. evil” thing is an Abrahamic concept that projects subjective moral principles onto an amoral universe governed by natural laws of cause and effect, and which fluctuates between polarities such as light/dark, hot/cold, order/chaos, etc. For example, black shamans and white shamans in Siberian and Mongolian indigenous religion are not evil or good, but they work with chaotic/dark deities or harmonious/light deities depending on their family or initiatory calling. With regards to the ancestral religion of most of my forebears, I view Ragnarök as a natural consequence of the murder of Ymir and various other Jötnar by the Aesir, I view Surt as the oldest living being in the Norse pantheon, and I view Odin and Loki as equally nefarious entities based on personal gnosis as much as knowledge of the sources. Also, for what it’s worth, I had a life-threatening illness as a teenager that mirrored Odin’s self-sacrifice on the tree. Odin wanted to be my patron, but by the time I met him I had already been serving Kālī as my matron for three years as part of my recovery from said illness. There are some things to be said about cross-cultural parallels between Sanskrit and Runes and Hebrew in Kabbalah as consisting of primordial vibratory powers.

[@tristantinnon1926]

Othinn, the inspired one, divinely mad one...Sturlusson actually notes, presumably of his own comprehension, that Odin is really Dionysus-Bacchus. I have a whole neo-Pagan theology and magical religion...book really...to write here about Odd/Herne The Hunter, Ode The Wanderer, The Horned One, and The Green Man...but so much of Wotan/Woden/Odin is connected to some liminal state and divine madness. And I do think this has strong literal correlates, wandering shamans and Father Christmas and perhaps a Hyperborean and more generally Laurasian shamanic cult. The process theology in Greek with Dionysus and much of Odinic lore is an interesting parallel study. Even Christianity seems like a (badly botched) version of this process within Judaism/Yahwism. The more I look, I agree ALL world myths and religions have both deep human origins and, naturally, are a reach towards the Objective Universe, and that "Laurasian" myths and religion have an even more specific common origin.

[@borntowar5581]

What if Odin is actually Saturn/ Kronos cos his son is the StrormGod who kind took over from Pops? Some Greek sources say Kronos became governor of part of the Underworld.

[@farfandelosgodos1681]

Saturn is more linked with Njördr.

[@KevinArdala01]

Re: the King Arthur short you made... There's an interesting lecture on KZbin by philologist and historian Andrew Breeze that goes into quite compelling detail about the origins of King Arthur. It's worth the watch and I'd be interested to hear what you thought about it, it's quite a bit different from the general, conventional, narrative. (His book on the same topic is due to be released on Uppsala Press.)

[@haraldbredsdorff2699]

This is just me, playing a synonym word play, and what words sound like each other. Galdr remind me of 2 Norwegian words. Gal, that means insane, but mostly a person who scream words that does not mean anything. It supposedly have its origin in galinn or gala, that was enchanting songs. (this could be the phenomena of speaking in tongues) And gale, that is the scream the roster scream in the morning. This make me suspect Galdr is the magic of using your voice to make things happen. Like the rooster, that awakens the sun each morning with it's spells. Or a king, inspiring his menn. But this is just me spitballing, and I could be completely wrong.

[@HeroicIdeal]

Excellent video!

[@Survivethejive]

Thank you very much!

[@illiaise]

Doesn't Odin practice sei∂r to some extent? Shouldn't we consider that a fourth form of magick that he knows?

[@Survivethejive]

Yes but it isn’t acquired through sacrifice or wiles. It comes from the Vanir and is shameful

[@hansspadvii]

Thank you so much.

[@MS-Melas]

Fantastic video, as always Tom!

[@generaldingus344]

Hermes Trismugistus gets around

[@eb282]

Comparative theology always sounds like a discussion comparing Marvel to DC to me. Perhaps a more fitting translation of Oden is “trance one” or “the entranced one” or “the one who is capable of achieving a trance like state in themselves but also giving it to others”. The role of a shaman is to do this same thing, achieve trance in themselves and others. Drinking mead, chanting & reading could all be perceived as trance like states. Imagine being an unlettered person at the time and watching an elite person go completely still and entranced at the sight of runes and then they come out of it knowing all sorts of mysterious things like this funny bit of carved antler is a comb

[@Bubbs-x7r]

Before I watch this, i feel like asking why no one bring up Athena/Minerva as linked to Odin. Both are associated with war and wisdom, sages and birds,(owl for athena, ravens for odin), both use a spear as a main weapon. you could throw in Morrigan there aswell. Its just feel the similarities are so in your face its weird not to mention it.

[@reecerobin8413]

Ancient peoples were very particular about the gender of the god. They would not equate a male god to a female goddess no matter how similar they were.

[@Survivethejive]

Freyja

[@Bubbs-x7r]

yes hence my question, as the similarities are imo too obvious @@reecerobin8413

[@Bubbs-x7r]

well yes since freyja is a warrior godess and so on, but the details like birds, spears, as far as I know Freyja had a Boar and cats. and Athena is renowed for her cleverness kinda like you mentioned how Odin was in the video.@@Survivethejive

[@lmonk9517]

​@@Survivethejive freyja is more like Aphrodite. Nothing like Athena imo. Complete opposites in many ways.

[@Dabutormu]

Heathen researchers re-interpreting ancient sources is the mythological equivalent of experimental archeology. Gotta live it first to really understand it

[@CharlieNorth425]

Do you have a preference between subscribe star or patreon? Is one better for you than the other?

[@Survivethejive]

Either is appreciated

[@Kampfwageneer]

Greco-Egyptian Thoth-Hermes was associated with writing and judgement of the dead, said to have invented letters/writing. Communication. In my practice I experienced once when I seemed to be simultaneously contemplating and sensing in the room a lower Cthonic space or underworld that made me unnerved that in a moment I experienced the symbol for Mercury sort of drop into the room and alleviate the tension and snap me out of that and I simultaneously thought of Odin as Hermodr riding to the underworld and that of the duality of the rational and irrational parts of consciousness. I know it sounds schizo but when I was younger I was practicing and experimenting with ritual and esoteric stuff to see if it was legit. These things are both psychological in a Jungian sense but there is an overlap between the physical and non-physical. Sincerity, Repetition and not lusting for results over time you can experience the mysteries but take heed and study the myths well because there are immense practical applications in the stories and symbols that become mind blowing when you see how they apply when you become aware and it's important to learn how to ground yourself and become intimate with Algiz. Cheers thanks for your work Tom and hope this didn't come off too patchouli lol.

[@SummonYourInnerViking]

Bless Wöden, I'd pluck my own eye out for Rune Magic. Gugnïr is a Special Spear I'd like to behold one day. 🤝🏻⚡⚒️☘️

[@rammisalami]

Would be interested to see your thoughts on Gaiman’s adaptations of the Mythologies in his novel and the comics from Dark Horse!

[@Survivethejive]

They are not accurate. His depiction of Thor is disrespectful

[@superintendantchalmers2204]

When you pray do you use the Anglo Saxon or Norse versions of the Gods names. For example would you use Tyr or Tiw?

[@Survivethejive]

Both

[@juriskucinskis4100]

Not sure if related, but in Latvian language verb "runāt" means to speak, and noun form of this word "runa" means speech.

[@fauconleger7067]

Off subject, but what do you think about the theory about Kura-Araxe invasions in Balkans+Greeks Islands (Crete include) and Italy ?

[@BadMotivator66]

it seems difficult to sometimes reconcile the religious view with the academic harsh lens of history and dismantling things to finer components.

[@thethinredline4714]

GOOD ANALYSIS

[@FoundingStockNZ]

Great video, thanks.

[@BadMotivator66]

galdr may be similar in concept to the Vedas which were (are) traditionally sung and are an aural tradition. perhaps the songs were easier to understand/harder to keep from the masses than the art of reading and writing

[@EresirThe1st]

I believe you are mistaken to say that runes were invented as a writing system. It is clear that runes started as part of a magic system first and then later became used to record words, like the Chinese script did. You mention the magic connection to runes in this video, but don't mention carving them as being used in magic before it being a writing system. The suggestion that they developed as part of the Phoenician-Greek-Latin script continuum breaks down for several reasons. 1. The order of Futhark is totally different to that of these scripts, which preserved the A, B, etc order right from the start, as did later scripts based on them like Cyrillic. 2. We know that the Germanic world was comprised of many kingdoms at this time, yet we see no point of gradual adoption from south to north in the historical record. The adoption theory doesn't explain why the whole Germanic world used runes, especially if they were created by a single person or a small group like you suggest. Indeed this seems even less likely when you bring up that priestly authorities across the Indo-European world were generally opposed to writing. 3. The symbolic meaning of the forms of the runes.