Which European Country is the Most Pagan?

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Hello, Jacob here to admit that I am not perfect. In this video I refer to "Most Pagan in Continental Europe." In my mind, saying congenital europe refers to "the European continent" as I am aware that the UK is not part of the political European EU. But, I have learned now that Continental Europe just means the lands tied to the actual continent and not the Isles (does that mean that the islands of all the other countries dont count either?) That's fucking confusing. So the correct terminology is "Countries of the European Continent?" (New) I would also like to correct myself: Finland is often confused as a Baltic or Scandinavian country. I myself forgot in this video, and labeled it a Baltic country. It is not a Baltic state, however is a part of the Baltic Sea countries. Finland is considered a Nordic country, part of the Scandinavian peninsula. But is culturally similar to Estonia as they share similar language markers. And they were ruled by Sweden for a long time! Many layers of history. But I hope you check out my history of Finland video if you are interested in learning more 🇫🇮 Confusing man! Well, you learn something new everyday. What I learned today is that the way we term things is always bizarre. Forgive me for this mistake great KZbin gods 🙏 But which is worse, my saying of this... or when I said McLeod as "McLloyd" instead of "McLoud" 🤔 ?

[@Lukejb2Butterworth]

there is still one European nationality that has maintained its ancient traditional religion complete with Priesthood . These are the Mari of Russia's Mari El republic on the Volga river . Mari are a part of the eastern Finns or Volga Finns along with the neighboring Udmurt's who have all so maintained their ancestral religion although to a less degree than Mari , whose Chi Mari Yula Pagan religion is one of the 3 official religions of Mari El along with the Orthodoxy of the ethnic Russian and Islam of the Tatars .The ancient priesthood is known as the Kharts and the religion is practiced in sacred groves

[@anapaulafaiasambrosio485]

Hi there, your confusion is legitimate... when one says continental Europe, that means all the countries geographically attached to the continent mainland. This term refers specifically to mainland Europe - that is all European countries excluding islands such as Britain and Ireland.

[@Lukejb2Butterworth]

congenital europe ???

[@adammilligan7087]

To be honest the vast majority of British people would still stay that they are Europeans so I wouldn't say that you're wrong here at all, the modern political climate isnt great here but if you look at Britain for 99.9999999% of it's history no one would argue that it's a European nation

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

God you'd hope so! The terminology policy are never happy 😂

[@cuhurun]

As a Brit, a pagan leaning retired archaeologist living in the Baltics, I'd have to say the people of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are far, far closer to their pagan roots and traditions than the British, by miles. Yes, there may be more overt pagan practitioners in the UK, but it's (and I use this term loosely) a plastic, neo-pagan hotch-potch revivalist form of beliefs. A montage of ideas and practices drawn from scattered fragments of folklore and traditions, all without an unbroken cohesive line of origin. The traditions in Baltics on the other hand is that of continuum, an unbroken lineage of traditions that exists within the fabric of society, clearly evident and tangible. With the Baltics it isn't so much that people 'consider' themselves pagan, it's that their culture is still based in paganism, clearly more so than Christianity. For example, visit the place during the public holiday of Ligo, the celebration of midsummer and you'll see, a holiday bestowed with more prestige to these people than Christmas. Their connection to nature is way, way beyond anything you'll find in Britain. Again, maybe not at an individual level, but culturally. For instance, and I've always considered this a pure litmus test with any society, ask a youngster from one of the inner cities in the Baltics to go and collect edible wild fungus. Most will know where to find them and which to pick. Can the same be asked of the British... absolutely not a chance. Such a connection with the land speaks volumes in relation to a culture and it's people, and of it's connection to it's folk soul. Baltic and Sami cultures not only reflect, but are the living, unbroken continuum of their pagan origins, unlike the UK.

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

For sure. You are 100% correct that the Baltics have deeper roots in many ways. However Neo-paganism is not all bad. Neither are the people who follow it. At the end of the day, I have been won over by the people of the UK. Not the governments, policies, or their failing train system! 😂 But the heart of the land, of the ancients, it speaks to them just in a language different than that of the past.

[@kenofken9458]

@@TheWisdomOfOdin As cool as it would be to have less broken connections to ancient paganism, the fact is that we are not our ancestors. We can only legitimately approach the gods as who we are today.

[@Teiws88]

Well said

[@OllamhDrab]

Ah, this old debate as if things have to be single-ethicity to be 'real enough.' Really places like the British Isles and America *are* multi-ethnic places, going way back. The "hodgepodge' can be authentic to those places if untidy-seeming to specific Reconstructionist types. I know I got more than one set of ancestors on those terms.

[@cuhurun]

@@osricfinvara3415 ; indeed so. Also Latvian is noted as being a closely related language to Lithuanian, also bears relation to the hypothetical proto-European language. Estonian, however, is very different and more closely related to the Russ-lingual family group.

[@Iceman9122]

I'm Irish and paganism is strong here. The reason Ireland feels so demesticated is that England wiped out so much of our stuff. We're building it back but it takes a long time to rebuild 800 years worth of damage

[@AmonRa-z8w]

ehrlich gesagt freue ich mich über die Iren, was Großbritannien Ihnen angetan hat, ist schrecklich.

[@Chezarcat]

As a Lithuanian and a pagan I approve this message 😄 All Baltic nanions are pagan at their core, even the christian traditions were intermixed with our own pagan traditions for 6 centuries. And now Christianity is withering and the old ways are slowly rising to the surface ❤

[@AzUniverzumUraesParancsoloja]

As a Hungarian and a pagan I also approve this. 😉 Ukko bless our lives! 🙏

[@kc4276]

I'm not a subscriber of this channel, so this video was randomly recommended to me. I don't want to come across as an unwelcomed guest, but as a Hindu this makes me very happy! I am aware that we share a lot of vocabulary/deities with Lithuanians and other Baltic people.

[@kenolson6572]

@@kc4276 The linguistic similarities between Hindi and the Germanic languages have been apparent to me for a long time.

[@TiernanOleary]

Die Eisenfaust am Lanzenschaft Die Zügel in der Linken So sprengt des Reiches Ritterschaft Und ihre Schwerter blinken Heja, heja, heja! Heja! Und ihre Schwerter blinken Heja, heja, heja! Heja! Und ihre Schwerter blinken Das Balkenkreuz, das schwarze, fliegt Voran auf weißem Grunde Verloren zwar, doch unbesiegt So klingt uns seine Kunde Heja, heja, heja! Heja! So klingt uns seine Kunde Heja, heja, heja! Heja! So klingt uns seine Kunde Es flattert hell im Morgenwind Und grüßt der Grenzen Lande Grüßt die, die uns're Brüder sind Trotz Schmach und Not und Schande Heja, heja, heja! Heja! Trotz Schmach und Not und Schande Es fliegt voraus im Ritterskleid Und mahnet uns zu streiten Für die verlorne Herrlichkeit Drum Wimpel flieg, wir reiten Heja, heja, heja! Heja! Drum Wimpel flieg, wir reiten Heja, heja, heja! Heja! Drum Wimpel flieg, wir reiten

[@jameshodgetts5594]

People have realised religion is more political than anything, to counter this we are becoming more spiritual and putting our churches and bible aside ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Germanic-Wellness]

Thank you this is absolutely a brilliant video. As a Dutch growing up in the province of Zeeland I never knew or cared that much about my history until I moved to England. Living there for over 10 years woke something up in me. The sacred sites, Stonehenge, Avebury, Scottish Highlands, shamanism etc. Now back in Zeeland, The Netherlands. The sea, our leylines connected to Stonehenge and Glastonbury. Nehalennia and our Germanic/Celtic heritage. Still so much to learn :)

[@eveonite]

Do you possibly have any sources to educate oneself on Dutch/Germanic Paganism? Fellow Dutchie here and I've always felt connected to it, especially as a young child, but find it very difficult to find information on it.

[@Germanic-Wellness]

@@eveonite I am exploring this myself as well. Here in Zeeland our Celtic/Germanic ancestors used to worship the Goddess of the Northsea. Nehalennia

[@renevanderkooi5473]

@@Germanic-Wellness Sounds almost like Nephalin

[@eormanricnicholason2704]

Love the Netherlands. They say our countries are similar and have a good relationship. Im a Anglo-Saxon heathen. Many of my forebears came from the Neatherlands and southern Denmark. Its nice to see folcs like your self back to our old ways. You folcs host my favourite band Heidevolk and another much loved band Baldrs Dramur who sings in old Frisian. Old language of our forebears.

[@Germanic-Wellness]

@@eormanricnicholason2704 yeah so it seems England (Land of Angels), Netherlands and Baltic countries are now on the leading forefront towards the revival

[@thefrozendream7960]

As a german pagan I would say that also the Witch hunts in the middle ages are a big reason why paganism is so unseenable here. It definitly exists but most of the time with lots of worries.

[@sapiensfromterra5103]

Wie genau kann man euch finden? Ich bin auch ein Heide, obwohl ich im Konflikt zwischen dem Greco-Romanischen Pantheon und dem Germanischen stehe, ich kann mich nicht ganz entscheiden, aber sowohl Jupiter als auch Wotan sind immer bei mir...

[@emmsue1053]

I am British and everywhere you go there are reminders.. Not simply the ancient sites but the old pathways still exist if you know them. Many fresh water wells and springs have flower offerings still laid. May Day is celebrated, Morris Dancers still meet up. We are not overt but its most certainly still celebrated. Thank you, very interesting.

[@davidcheater4239]

So, another controversial one. European Russia has a lot of Pagan religions: Mari, Slavik , Rodnoveroy, Aetsaeg Din, Tengra (which is mainly from Central Asia but still practiced in the European areas of Russia,) Urdmut Vos, Yazidism, and Abkhaz Native religion. Overall, open Pagans are 1.2 percent of the population and some ethnic areas have 8-15% of the population identifying with Pagan religions.

[@A-Fc4rl496]

Yes, Udmurts as far as I know are the only European pagans who never converted and kept their worship continuously.

[@JP-zz7en]

And don't forget of circassian paganism, and they philosophy and tribal moral code, is very interesting.

[@MrDikini]

​@@A-Fc4rl496 Chuvash still maintain tengriism

[@karinanalbandyan3009]

Thank you! You are correct

[@mihanich]

​@@A-Fc4rl496it's Mari not Udmurts

[@yutyut1020]

great video man! so happy to see you looking healthy as ever physically and hopefully spiritually.

[@Emmaforever]

I'm from Finland, I love our old stories. I'm living in Britain at the moment, they have a great history. Really interesting.

[@camhagen1471]

Yeah it's so evil to associate GERMANIC Paganism with GERMAN people and GERMANY! Never be ashamed of your heritage!

[@Damienoos]

Faithfull Christians consider this to be cheating and turning your back on the invite of the God from the before Jews only for heaven.

[@Dovahkiin0117]

@@Damienoosand? Think anyone calling themselves a pagan is gonna genuinely care and take to heart what a faithful christian says Especially after the attempted cultural extermination of said pagans

[@Damienoos]

@@Dovahkiin0117 you don't reject God that calls you dude and go to hell for eternity

[@Damienoos]

@@Dovahkiin0117 that's why Germans and modern people look down on such people as a shame and disgrace to society for betraying their ancestors and God.

[@camhagen1471]

​@@DamienoosI'm not exactly sure what you are trying to say, but in any case I'm not really concerned about the opinions of monotheists.

[@egelmuis]

‘Sinterklaas’ and 'Zwarte Piet' have pagan roots, but have been heavily Christianised. Certain characteristics of Odin's ravens, Huginn and Muninn, can still be found in Black Pete and of Odin in St Nicholas. It is also based on a European tradition of two beings, one personifying the darkness/winter and one the light/summer. In that tradition, around midwinter, the winter spirit brings presents with help from the summer spirit.

[@PyrotechnicsNL]

Exactly and we celebrate Christmas on 25 december while our native German Pegan tradition is " Joelfeest" Its to honor the 12 longest nights and love and respect to the god mother Freija.

[@dutchgamer842]

​@@PyrotechnicsNLIsn't it Yule or Yule Tide in Dutch?

[@Satyr42]

@@dutchgamer842 No that's English. Why do you think us Dutchman have no language of our own?

[@Satyr42]

@@dutchgamer842 P.S. Ik zie nu je gebruikersnaam. Als je echt Nederlands bent dan vraag ik me toch af hoe je dit niet weet. Zijn Nederlanders vandaag de dag zo ontbonden van hun eigen land en oorsprong dat ze onze taal zo verbasteren?

[@markriggelink7074]

​@@Satyr42 helaas wel heel veel Nederlanders jammergenoeg

[@FinnoUgricWarrior]

I was so scared you were not going to mention Finland

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Nah man! I love Finland 🇫🇮 ! My video on Saunatonttu comes out in a few weeks!

[@FinnoUgricWarrior]

​@@TheWisdomOfOdin I'm sure that's gonna be a big one. Sauna is definitely the defining key to our culture and spirituality, majority of folk believe is centered around Saunas. I listen to Finnish pagan music in the Sauna, it's an experience which this world does not have enough words to describe it, it takes me to entirely different world. It's a shrine that every home in Finland has. Sauna is where I feel the most spiritual, and if it wasn't for Saunas, I would've lost all my faith by now, or something even worse.

[@FinnoUgricWarrior]

​@@TheWisdomOfOdin My uncle, also a godfather and my dad's neighbor has this specific type of Sauna called Savusauna, smoke sauna in English, which I can't wait for the next time to try. It smells amazing and it has the best Löyly ever. You also need to try, not only Sauna, but a smoke sauna! :)

[@johnnyboi177]

Not a Pagan, but it is very interesting to learn about these ancient religions in Europe. Very cool to see this perspective as well.

[@firehorse2011]

Thanks again for another fascinating video, it's really interesting to see a comparison between different countries in Europe. Having also spent some time in Glastonbury can definitely agree that it's a very special place that brings people of many many spiritual paths together like almost nowhere else. Keep up the good work.

[@reneebonnell5010]

Yup; keep in mind that Queen Elizabeth II was The Cheif Druid of England. We were reminded of this fact just after her passing.

[@stonesofdestinytribe]

Wow I didn't know that

[@skasteve6528]

She was made honorary Ovate of the Bards of Wales in 1946, but she lost that title in 2006 when a rule change meant that only Welsh speakers could be members.

[@nadinebeck2069]

And I love England for its strong ties to history and tradition! ❤

[@MarinaMJH]

I would also add King Charles supports the Pagans in the UK. He had the Green Man on his invitation to his coronation ❤

[@MarinaMJH]

Wow. I love her even more. ❤🇬🇧❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤

[@MichaelRogerStDenis]

I haven't watched your content in a while. Congrats on the weight loss!

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Thank you, down 50 pounds from this time two years ago 💪 !

[@MichaelRogerStDenis]

@@TheWisdomOfOdin You look great!

[@kev1734]

@@TheWisdomOfOdin You're looking really healthy and happy mate!

[@LearnRunes]

What about the Sámi (Lapps)? They were almost entirely pagan until the 18th century. There are even records of residual pagan practices continuing as late as WWII.

[@priyanthisandarath1365]

They are not indo european their beliefs called shamanism or animism

[@niamtxiv]

​@@priyanthisandarath1365, they are still Europeans. I knew a Samii shaman.

[@priyanthisandarath1365]

@@niamtxiv thats right they are indigenous europeans of north

[@kyyyni]

@priyanthisandarath1365 "Shamanism" and "animism" are nothing more than modern descriptive categories. There's no reason to equally call those practices as paganism, just like any other forms of indigenous European religion.

[@kyyyni]

@priyanthisandarath1365 Most of the DNA of people of that area (and the area of modern-day Finland, and Scandinavia too) is "indigenous European", stemming from the very first peoples who came there after the last glacial period some 10k+ years before present. On the other hand, languages such as Finnish, or the many Sami languages etc. are not indigenous in the same sense. The thing is that Uralic tribes migrated later on from the south and from the east, and during that process, the local paleo-European languages that those original people spoke were wiped out. Nevertheless Finnish and to even larger extent the Sami languages contain many substrate loanwords as remnants of those indigenous languages. For example many toponyms such as (Finnish) Imatra or Päijänne or (Inarian) Aanaar.

[@zztopz7090]

Paganism is not a religion in Eastern Europe so much as it is a way of life. 19th century writers and USSR films helped archive folklore. We still celebrate pagan holidays like Maslenitsa and Ivan Kupala, and I suspect many holidays were once pagan but changed meaning. Growing up in the country, I would hear references to Leshyi, Baba Yaga, Domovoi, Chur (a Komi god), Mokosh, Lada, Mara, and my parents were city-folk. Theres esoteric meaning in the fables and fairytales, because there was heavy censorship because of the church. Oh, and of course folk songs, embroidery, decorations, musical instruments, kokoshniks, its all inlaiden with pagan symbolism. And theres a reason the church hunted down wise-men and banned certain traditional dress and instruments. Ive also read accounts of people leaving church service to go worship under a rock or a tree until the 19th century. Whats important is not so much the official religious belief, but that the core values are upheld.

[@sewisinc.4545]

As a Spaniard, paganism here flies under the radar and that's being kind. I know a guy who has an odd pantheon that I don't have a good grasp or understanding of and your friend Raul but I have not heard from him in years. I myself have never been very religious and that has translated into my practice as a polytheistic. Glad to be back here. I know I haven't been around much.

[@Updog89]

My Galician grandfather said his homeland was full of Celts and meigas! I have never been there myself but it sounds quite pagan indeed.

[@sewisinc.4545]

@@Updog89 Galicia could be the odd child out of all the regions. They do have an old pagan past and some celebrations could very well resemble and even descend from pagan rituals through syncretism (many of the Catholic saints and virgins are syncretized former local gods or spirits) but most people don't see themselves as pagans and don't think their traditions as such.

[@JP-zz7en]

Well, the native beliefs of the Basques, the Celts, the Punic/Phoenicians, Greco-Romans and Guanches (Berbers) of the Canary Islands, would be examples of paganism in Spain, or cultures such as the vaqueiros de alzada, had a religion that was more similar to paganism than Christianity

[@sewisinc.4545]

@@JP-zz7en what you're saying is right but people in Spain today don't think of their traditions or rituals as pagan but as Christian.

[@JP-zz7en]

@@sewisinc.4545 Well i'm fact, there are many ethnic groups in europe, mostly in Russia that still Perform pagan rituals but they don't identify themselves as pagans, because they still consider the Word "pagan" as ofensive.

[@JP-zz7en]

In Estonia, they are the Seto people, who they still worship a god called Peko, an idol in a sacred hill and forests.

[@SK-nw4ig]

We have Pekko in Finland - god of fields and crops

[@hiramcrespo734]

no mention of Iceland? I was almost expecting it to be number one

[@modernvikingnorway]

strange

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

I will let you know when I make it there 👍 However I do not suspect it to be much different than the other Scandinavian countries. But I am prepared tone happily surprised!

[@hiramcrespo734]

the land looks magical, people still believe faeries live in mounds and halt construction and new development to avoid disrespecting the faeries. Plus the plans to build a temple in Reykjavik and Bjork is from there :)

[@brigidspencer5123]

​@@hiramcrespo734when I visited Iceland several times I was told there that they believe in Elves, not faeries.

[@hiramcrespo734]

@@brigidspencer5123 that … sorry :)

[@melanzanablu2370]

I'm still looking for my way, I'm not able to define my "religion". For now I know I like to speak to plants, animals, moon..and trees are my biggest comfort during hard times. I love the celtic culture, from music to dances. When I went to Scotland I got emotional every time because it is so beautiful but I don't know if it can be related to something more spiritual or not. An italian/slovenian lassie 😊

[@amargeauxrai]

When in doubt, connect with your heritage/ ancestors, and listen to what resonates. Explore, and learn along the way, and always remember that your beliefs can always be eclectic. For example, my practice and beliefs are a mix of Kabbala, Hoodoo, Santeria, and Celtic Folk magic, all of which are within my heritage and upbringing. ❤😊

[@FlammeBoreenne]

Hi Jacob, congratulations for this amazing video. As a french pagan, i just can agree with what you said about my country. There are not many of us who are pagan due to the important role of the christianity in our society. But maybe you can look in northwest of France, around the Normandie or the Bretagne, i know that some druidic groups exist and try to worship our gods like our ancestors did. It is hard to promote paganism in your country when it's considered to be the eldest daughter of the Church. But we, french pagans, do our best to bring back our gods and our values !

[@Eden-yo1td]

Ngl, I have never heard of any groups, but I'm more in the centre/west of France. The only things I can see is the esoteric stores with nothing else than wiccan influence and a whole stand for crosses. I'm glad (and not too surprised) to hear that north west have more pagans stuff, it's really the regions that are most connected to our ancient roots !

[@joiedevivre2005]

The Catholic Church has had its fingers in every aspect of Irish life for so long. The Irish are now finally shrugging off that hold, so I think you will see a strong resurgence in Irish Paganism over the next several years.

[@YagaKimIsolda59]

A Frankenstein religion. Most part died.

[@highloughsdrifter1629]

There's paganism embeded in Irish Catholicism. Here they still light bone-fires at crossroads on midsummer night. Then there's Halloween...

[@YagaKimIsolda59]

@@highloughsdrifter1629 in every popular religion there is the old religions, it's not exclusive

[@Spudknuckle]

As someone who has lived in both Britain and Ireland for many years I would say that the old ways were much more ingrained in modern Irish culture than in modern British culture. However, Britain has seen more of a noticeable resurgence in the popularity of the old ways, leading to a more thriving pagan community there. Both are wonderful. I would suggest visiting a few more European countries before making such a bold statement 😊

[@ALavin-en1kr]

Paganism is about nature. Christianity is about consciousness. Humans are inclined to be either/or rather than both. What is the problem with both, honoring nature and consciousness. It does not have to be either/or it can be both. I would say that the Irish can do both; honor both nature and Christianity. Each is the sum total of the human; one or the other alone is incomplete. Nature is about the elemental; Christianity is about mind and consciousness; we are both; physically elemental plus consciousness and mind.

[@mathewpt4478]

If you look at Christianity it is semi pagan is well the trinity The Baptism All of that stuff to be honest

[@ALavin-en1kr]

@@mathewpt4478 True all religion is based on the same truth and is similar. Also religion is not literal or meant to be understood literally but symbolically. Paganism’s emphasis was on nature or the goddess. They also acknowledged a Great Spirit. Modern religion is more cognitive and emphases the god. The trinity is not just religion it is also science. Although materialism would dispute that, as it believe in just one dimension the elemental or physical. Religion posits three dimensions: Consciousness; Mind; Elements. Science will likely find that religion is right (now there is the hard problem of consciousness for philosophy and science). Even such great minds as Einstein and Spinoza couldn’t see three dimensions; thinking this was the only one. They believed in an immanent god but not a transcendent god and in that, for all their genius, they were wrong. That also affected how the aether was seen and it was declared defunct by Einstein. Now there is something called the L-field or Life field as what separates dimensions;. It sounds suspiciously the same as the aether.

[@mathewpt4478]

​@@ALavin-en1krAnd then there is the muslims who says we are all going to hell they even reject jesus being god 😂

[@ALavin-en1kr]

@@mathewpt4478 They are right in saying that no one is God but God. Jesus is One through his Christ Consciousness with God or God Consciousness; which means being conscious everywhere not just in the body. Jesus was One with God. There is only one God. Mohammed was a prophet his knowledge was dictated to him by an angel.

[@mathewpt4478]

@@ALavin-en1kr I mean God can limit himself to be a human being in his Human nature and for some reason they think Christians worship a human

[@alexanderaugustus]

Your description of the Dutch seems very apt :) thanks for mentioning us!

[@cosminpopa8208]

Great review brother, it's true in Netherlands, weird people but great friends, very different people 🎉 keep the good work

[@PyrotechnicsNL]

Greetings from Groningen, my ancestors and myself are as I can see Anglo Saxen, West Germanic . 75% non religious . My family are all sailing fishing and hunting people . We have our ships in the harbor of Lauwersoog these days and its an beautiful fresh water lake and in 10 minutes in the beautiful Waddenzee . In my family and friends it's my whole life long very down to earth. Big farms, everyone has dogs and cats and BBQ with campfires while fishing or swimming at the lakes or channels . And Groningen but especially Friesland is Valhalla for watersport and very connected to it . And my other neighbors Drenthe wich are Saksisch as myself have absolutely the most beautiful old saksisch villages and many traditional farms and houses with Rieten roofs. And every road is curvy with traditional stones and huge trees along each road . Drenthe has the most beautiful forests very ancient also . Friesland the most beautiful water channels, lakes, almost every village or city massive harbors and don't forget the 5 beautifull Islands we have in the Sea. Those all have the most beautiful beaches and nature and old villages. And Groningen is the Capitol city of the north and In my opinion one of the most beautiful cities and vibes of the Netherlands with very nice history aswel as Drenthe and Frisians also . We have our native language wich is offial by law . Still our native territory and the mentality strong to those grounds connected. Very important and strong leylines, with Neolytic Hunebedden massive tens of tons multiple meters big stones that are not found even closer as Scandinavia . And I always love Dokkum since I came on vacations with my parents on an 10 meter ship and all the nice towns. Urk, Stavoren, lemmer, etc . The channel from Lemmer to Delfzijl is 118km long and today one of the most important channels of the Netherlands . ❤️❤️

[@brigidspencer5123]

Wow! My very religious mother-in-law is from Groningen and she never mentioned any of this! She immigrated to America with her parents and siblings right after the war and all my Dutch in-laws talked about was their dislike of Catholicism, bible reading and going to church twice on Sundays. She wants me to visit Groningen to do an accurate family-tree for her to leave to her grandchildren.

[@PyrotechnicsNL]

@@brigidspencer5123 You should visit Groningen and create your own opinion. If you look at history and what I feel personal Groningen is heaven for everyone with good intentions and hell for people with bad intentions. We judge behavior, not beliefs. But I have close friends that are rejected by their family because they were honest about how they experienced the church and the restrictions for being open minded. We were skaters listened to rock, hiphop, and Dutch gabber music. And for those reasons he also always was the black sheep of the family and church community. It was very sad to experience him to be rejected by the family for his own honest free will. And he is warmly welcomed by my family and all my friends. btw they were strict "Gereformeerd". I think the decline in religion is the cause of the freedom of free will in The Netherlands. We can be honest and its an fact that religion was forced onto the people of most of Europe, not out of love or free will. But out of the need to survive and fear. And if your grandmother is Katholiek I understand her different perspectives, Groningen today has only 5% Katholieken.

[@JKRavenBlood]

Rieten dak = thatched/straw roof.

[@simontenkate1786]

Dat wie tige nijskjirrig! Ik wenje mear as tritich jier in East Europa. Jo skriuwen is moai. Ik seach Birdaard, Dokkum, Visvliet, Harpel, Smeerling, Harlingersiel, Spiekeroog ut myn tinzen weromkomme. Tige dank.

[@nadinebeck2069]

I'm from West Germany. Majority is no longer memeber in christian church. We value our traditions which are rooted deeply in old Germanic tribes. That's why we have different holy places and customs in Bavaria, Rhineland or Frisia in the north. Germanic tribes (also Franks) shaped the christian holidays. Eastern, European Thanksgiving and Christmas are old Norsk religious holidays. Danish and Swedish still call christmas "Jul". And we still avoid hanging clothes on lines to dry between the "Rauh-Nights" between christmas and new year. That's because Odin and his hordes are running around and try to beat the creatures of the underworld. We also burn herbes to avoid bad spirits during these days. But most people forgot the origins of."christian" holidays. Catholic church did a good job 🤮

[@epona1525]

Amazing. In Austria, Catholicism an pagan tradition went hand in hand. Until today. It's not a big theme. Not for the church, not for the people. Most people a not very religious, but they live their traditions. The christian traditions as well as the pagan traditions.

[@AxGerm756]

I do that too in Germany. 😂😂 My Parents and grandparents told me that. And to this day, no clothes drying on lines from Christmas to New Year.

[@ragnarruckus2825]

Thanks so much for another very cool exploration. It helps make sense to me now why so much of the material I read and the content creators i follow are English (or welsh!) even though I can also read German. Germany and Ireland seem to carry old ways in the literature & culture, but there just seem to be really great creators putting out material I really get into: you (a fellow Kentuckian) Survive the Jive, Luna Leodrune, Hearthwitch, Stella Marie

[@saintinel]

Great video! I think you nailed it in terms of accuracy. If I had to make a list, it would have almost the same order of countries. (Except for the Baltics, I didn't know enough about them.) Greetings from the Netherlands! ^^

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Oh man, got to get to the Baltics then when you can! Such a hidden gem of old traditions.

[@saintinel]

@@TheWisdomOfOdin I just discovered your channel (& glad I did! ;) and I see you covered already some about the Baltics, so I go watch those videos soon. Thanks & Skål!

[@PyrotechnicsNL]

@@TheWisdomOfOdin Me to

[@pyrothem]

What a journey. It is so rare to have first hand information leading to your options, most people just Google crap and spit out what was fed to them. Thank you so much for sharing what you have learned through lived experience.

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Thank you! That means a lot 🙏 I look forward to exploring more and evolving this conversation over time

[@AyeGee721]

To me, I always loved Gaelic Celt stuff. But the most unique imo opinion is Finland and the Sami. Their paganism stems from Siberia and Eurasia and truly sticks out next to the Scandinavian Sweden and Slavic Russia surviving the test of time.

[@anapaulafaiasambrosio485]

0:00 Hi there Jacob! Great video 😊 How about Portugal? I see every year pagan manifestations growing there, though still very underground indeed. I find it a pity you skipped my lovely country 😢 with a lot of ancient pagan history too... On the other hand, in Belgium, where I live, it's almost inexistent, to my knowledge 🤔 Also, when one says continental Europe, that means all the countries geographically attached to the continent mainland. This term refers specifically to mainland Europe - that is all European countries excluding islands such as Britain and Ireland. Nevertheless I find the UK, Ireland and the Baltics deserve their place, and I very much agree with you. More of these videos are super welcome

[@brigidspencer5123]

So true! Portugal has the oldest megaliths, even older than Stonehenge in Britain and Newgrange in Ireland.

[@pouletvert8707]

Atleasy 25% of belgium gay population is pagan what do you mean by non existent ? Its especially strong in walonnia

[@Aboleo80]

I feel like every country in Europe has preserved some of the pagan traditions regardless if they realize it or not.

[@SK-nw4ig]

Very true.

[@baibhabmazumdar007]

As a Hindu, I'm really surprised that there are still pegans in Europe 😅 It's good to revive your own culture. Love from your another indo european brother ✌️

[@mathewpt4478]

Our culture itself was centered around Christianity genius and the Greek

[@S.Stamos]

Christianity destroyed Greek spirit unfortunately!​@@mathewpt4478

[@S.Stamos]

Hello cousin! In Greece When when we make etymology the first we do is search for Sanskrit roots! Its quite strange that You are the base of White race and American people call you brown! 😂

[@KateeAngel]

Not all Europeans are Indo-European

[@satysunk]

​@@KateeAngeltrue, especially northwest Europe. But the moment you adopted a foreign faith you betrayed your ancient roots, and the only way to revive them without a written record, or preserved pagan liturgy - used around the Irminsul - is to adopt some strands from Indo European paganism and weave them with what remnants of paganism you still have. I am from India.

[@S.Stamos]

As a Greek i can confirm that all ancient traditions live alive in christian everyday life. People replaced just the god not the tradition. Personally i am an atheist but i value and keep traditions as they are very very old. The wicca approach on ,12 gods religion is wrong. If you want to feel the People follow the everyday traditions

[@leradicideglialberi]

Yes I agree with you, to find the real pagan traditions we must search inside some christian traditions were they just replaced the gods with saints and stuff. Wicca is interesting but most of the times just a mix of stuff old and new.

[@SnowElf_96]

Issue being that alot of Paganism has been co-oped by Christians both authors and the church itself throughout European's history that even if you find "pagan" things they are build and remembered by Christians because of its national identity and not its pagan roots. I'm a Christian who is slowly wanting to transition into a pagan but i haven't found a place / community for me yet.

[@amberfusto5906]

The Lord Jesus loves you, please do not go into paganism, the Lord freed me from this and my life has been so different. I was raised into paganism and leaving it was the best thing thats ever happened to me.

[@FilipYule]

​@@amberfusto5906Le contraire pour moi : le paganisme m'a libéré du christianisme et ce fut comme naître de nouveau.

[@XephyrutheMad]

i know it’s hard given how much knowledge is simply lost. but it’s always good to be intellectually curious 👍🏻 best of luck on your journey!

[@isaacaccomando435]

@@amberfusto5906 this is the problem with Christians. It almost seems like you want more people for your religion and don't care about what's best for the people you're trying to recruit. I know that isn't the case. For the most part you guys genuinely believe that Christianity is the best religion for everyone no matter who you are. But some people find paths that speak to them more. There is more than one good path to choose. Let us choose ours.

[@isaacaccomando435]

@@SnowElf_96 I would recommend researching different forms of paganism and reading as many of the myths as you can. It all depends on what gods and goddesses speak to you personally. If you feel that Jesus and the Judean god are present in your life than I would recommend staying Christian. But if like myself, you find that isn't the case or that other gods are trying to communicate with you more directly... You should follow that path. Whatever you decide, I would recommend finding the gods that speak to you, and figuring out your own path first and then trying to find your community later on.

[@pyenygren2299]

15:03 Midsummer and Saint Walpurga, at 30th of april, are heavily celebrated in Sweden. If you have the posibility to be in and around Uppsala at Saint Walpurga, you might _love it._

[@rachellane2836]

Thank you Jacob for all your travelling and sharing of your experiences. I also appreciate your tact and honesty. It is very difficult in these troubled times to be so open and honest. I'm not sure if you are aware that we do indeed have an official and legal Temple of Odin near me in Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK. I haven't been yet myself, as it seems to have a lot of controversy around it and some of its followers political allegiances, which seems a terrible shame as it puts people off from being associated. But hopefully, one day, it will be free of the ones bringing fear and shame and it can grow and flourish for us all to enjoy. 🙏😉

[@Dallas1942]

Hey Jacob! I haven't watched for a few months but you're looking much slimmer. You've evolved into your next form. Congrats, dude! Thanks for giving us this eye-opening educational content as well! Next journey... what's the most pagan place in THE WORLD?

[@experimentalelemental92]

UK Pagans dont realise how many of us there are...

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

So many! It's crazy! Especially in the countryside, I ran into so many people every time I would go out for walks in the hills and around ancient sites. Always evidence of offerings and rituals

[@perodudla4451]

​​@@TheWisdomOfOdinAnd it's a well known fact that people from the countryside are less educated and prone to superstitions.

[@FarqTheEuromutts]

​@@perodudla4451blah blah

[@RyanTucker-r5d]

@@perodudla4451is it a fact or a stereotype? Because I live in a city and can say for a fact that city dwellers are by far dumber than people who live in the country. Plus they are no where near as capable of surviving if something were to go wrong as people in rural areas.

[@alyxiajohnson6604]

@@perodudla4451 and its also a well known fact that hard Christian indoctrination causes brain damage. But keep repeating yourself

[@corinasucre]

Wonderful information Jacob!!

[@Cozak1312]

As a french I can assure you that there is many places remaining with a real pagan identity and not only in french Britain as we could think first. For instance in Languedoc, Auvergne and some others You may still find druids and coven during pagan feasts For sure these places are quite more hidden than the Catholic ones in urban areas Anyway greetings to you

[@Eden-yo1td]

the question tho is always how tf do you find them lmao, I'm in centre/ouest of france and I have no idea where to search

[@aaroncarson1770]

It bears mentioning that the Stave Churches were much more preserved in Norway than in Sweden and they were reputedly modelled on Asatru temples.

[@Aethuviel]

They have been mostly rebuilt in the 19th century though. I live in western Norway and visited a few of these churches recently. The Borgane one seems to have had its look continuously (but of course always needed parts replaced, wood details don't last for centuries in a wet climate like this), but several others used to only look like a barn or shed before they were rebuilt in the 19th century to look like the Borgane church. The Urnes one does have a single wall panel on the outside with exquisite wood carvings, that were brought over from an earlier building (before the 12th century), likely from a pagan temple.

[@FinnoUgricWarrior]

My guess would be one of the Baltics

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

I have a deep love for the Baltics! Cant wait to explore them more

[@FinnoUgricWarrior]

​@@TheWisdomOfOdin Baltics are indeed fascinating, however you should always keep in mind Estonia whilst in modern times is one of the three Baltic countries, it is a Baltic Finnic like Finnish and Karelians and other Finns around Baltic sea, not Baltic and not even Indo European. (the term Baltic Finnic has the word Baltic only because it surrounds the Baltic Sea, confusing, I know) I hope that helps :)

[@FinnoUgricWarrior]

​@@TheWisdomOfOdinRemember to keep birch bark in your back pocket ;) Niche part of old Finnish etiquette, not practiced in modern day enough :)

[@danalasmane6191]

As a Latvian, I also have a feeling that hardly anywhere else in Europe the pagan traditions are so strong and deeply ingrained in the fabric of the society as in the Baltics (i.e., Latvia and Lithuania as the last Balts and Estonia (Finno-Ugric)). We were the last pagans of Europe and both Germans and Russians have tried hard to exterminate our national traditions, but we still preserve many of them. I've been to a Swedish Midsummer celebration - it was nice, but it was very subdued compared to the traditions that we have here in the Baltics associated with Midsummer. One anecdotal example surely is not enough to make generalisations, but I did get the feeling Christianisation had left a stronger mark.

[@marcosflores-march9511]

Have you looked at Iceland? Everyone I know who has travelled to this country tell me how surprised they were to see the pagan traditions are still abundant and practiced.

[@thewolfgirloracle]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I was surprised by this list!

[@ilovebacon304]

Thank you for sharing this Jacob!

[@Penseecelte]

I am from France and indeed, the neopagan movement is very weak even if it tends to increase. The thing is that for a long time the only region with a return to paganism in France was Brittany (there are a lot of neopagan druidic movements, I advise you to go and see). However, if I would put a date on the exit of paganism outside of Brittany I would say the 2000s (where the asatru have been building since the 1920s). Celtic paganism is gaining ground in the north but remains timid in the south. There are a lot of neopagan Odinist movements in Normandy too... But it's difficult to really say because they are not too connected to the Scandinavian asatru.

[@iancraigbintliff9738]

As an Anglo Saxon from state side I’m very happy to hear that the UK is first on the list. I think it is getting much more common in the states day by day as well.

[@paulmares9815]

Rodná Víra ( Slavic Paganism ) in Czech Republic is also on the rise, just a bit under radar, because it's overshadowed by other Eastern Slavic Pagan branches like those in Poland, Russia, Ukraine... but deffinitely on the rise

[@LairMistress]

Great video! And I love the footage of Gamla Uppsala around 13:57; I visited there in the summer of 2022, while trekking all over Norway and Sweden on a tour I made up myself. Must go back there whenever I get the chance... :)

[@azazinate]

I lived in Latvia for the last year, and I would say Latvia is extremely pagan and is proud to be called pagan. But I would call them agnostic pagan practice in a new age spiritual way. Latvians are so reserved that it feels like it's hidden they are more of an introverted people. Once you meet some latvians and they explain what different things you see in Riga, you'll realize there's a lot of pagan stuff everywhere and openly. A lot of latvias paganism is now represented in their culture with their songs, dances, events, and clothes.

[@TheFiddle101]

Wonderful and interesting presentation. Thank you. Bulgaria has a bit of a pagan culture too.

[@mykytka7133]

I`m Ukrainian and I can say that Paganism is definitely on the rise. Don`t forget that Ivana Kupala is still one of the most popular and celebrated holidays in Ukraine and Belarus and to a lesser extent in Russia and Poland. Also, Belarus is always forgotten while in fact being close to your description of the Baltics. They are sooo connected to our ancient beliefs and to nature. You can feel it by just listening to their folk songs

[@dorotak-k8211]

Pagan traditions are still well incorporated in Slavic countries, however they are now celebrated partly as Christian holidays or folklore traditions. You can see that especially in the villages. Sadly there is less and less people who are still actively preserving it. Kupala night - midsummer, Dziady - Halloween, dressing up and "carolling" to scare the bad spirits etc. There is many folk tales passed by generations, you can search for Slavic Mithology. Of course there are Rodzimowiercy (native faith groups) but I think in quite small numbers. It amazes me though how many simillarities there still is between all of them in the whole Europe (and Asia) and how long it prevailed despite the Christianity being in place for over 1000 years.

[@defcon7733]

Please do a video soon about Slavic Paganism. Modern Day Rodnovery and ancient stuff. Quite interested about it.

[@tulilind2783]

Although 29% of Estonia’s population feel an affiliation to a religion according to the last census in Estonia (2021), compared with other major ethnic groups living in this country, native Estonians are the least religiously affiliated nationality - only 17% of us have an affiliation to a religion, while 71% are non-believers. The percentage of the religiously affiliated is driven higher than that 17% by the Slavs living here - 65% of Belarusians, 56% of Ukrainians, and 54% of Russians feel an affiliation to a religion.

[@ComeRee]

Shwmae / Hello! Diolch am rannu hwn a gariad fawr o Gymru! Thank you for sharing this and much love from Cymru [Wales]! Rwyt ti'n groeso i mynd yma pob amser brawd! You're welcome to come here anytime brother!

[@heatherfeather1293]

I would love to see Cymru aka Wales. I'm from the US and plan on flying over in another year or two. I've been reading some on Welsh history and I'm hooked. And according to Ancestry, I'm a quarter Welsh LOL

[@ComeRee]

@@heatherfeather1293 The beautiful thing about this isle - as was shared in this video - theres just so much history compacted into one isle. However - Cymru is the secret gem of the lot! Ynys Môn [Anglesey] is a beautiful island, and across Cymru are beautiful mountains and heritage waiting for its story to be told. Our national parks in Yr Eryri [Snowdonia] and Bannau Brycheiniog [Brecon Beacons] house some of our finest and tallest mountains - as well as beautiful wild lakes and rivers. Sincerely, breathtaking beauty in land on our shores! Rhossili bay in Abertawe [Swansea] is commonly voted top ten most beautiful beaches in the world. I wish you well in your journey, and hope that you enjoy rain as we've got plenty of that! :D

[@OdinVikingasgard]

Make a video about Russia. Despite the fact that this country is considered largely Christian, many people from Russia unknowingly follow pagan practices and beliefs. I would even say that in Russia the majority of Christians are essentially more pagans than Christians Also in Russia there are many peoples who follow their traditional pagan beliefs from time immemorial

[@diegomaco4245]

I can't speak for all Italy but there are so many traditions and festivities (especially in the south and countryside) that are pure pagan ones with a Catholic dress on. I personally think the issue is that these practices comes from a pre roman time, one that left no written sources and it is very difficult to bring it back because we lost that original meaning and the only one we have is too attached to the Catholic church. The pagan groups I know are based on the Glastonbury temple and worship Brigid, and some are back to the romans Gods. We saw the importance people give to written sources and the "reliable" reconstruction of paganism, and I think that's what stopping italians more than the church.

[@isaacaccomando435]

I find it interesting that you didn't separate England and Scotland. I would love it if you did a future video breaking down the differences between the paganism in Whales, England, and Scotland. Honestly I was predicting you would say Scotland for the number one spot.

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Scotland is my spiritual home, I cant even begin to describe my deep love for that land. But Scotland, is not very pagan. Too few people know the old traditions there. There are whispers on the land of what once was, but after the highland clearances there are too few to carry the torch. I hope that changes one day. I meet more native Scots who hate their land rather than love it in my travels.

[@isaacaccomando435]

@@TheWisdomOfOdin I didn't realize that. I thought I read somewhere that the northern most parts of Scotland were pretty much untouched by the church, historically, and were never converted. That most of their decendents are pagan to this day. At least in northern remote areas. It always saddens me to hear that the ancestral beliefs aren't being practiced on these lands anymore.

[@anniemouse111]

Love your channel! ❤

[@michaelamaestas4950]

I am Native Baltic, Born in the USA , I am Lithuanian . 100% Pagan, even inside the colonization of my land, people, culture . everything about my culture is Pagan .

[@hanipasha8859]

Which God do you pray to? Do you celebrate Christmas? Were you a christian in the past? Christianity is slowly dying in Europe

[@Fae_nnec]

As a french Pagan, I can confirm we exist :)

[@KaneKappel]

Very cool! I'm from the US, but I'm a Celtic Reconstructionist, and I've been feeling a pull towards ancient Gaul over the last few years. If you don't mind me asking, is connecting with your land and ancient history part of your practice? If not, I don't mean to presume--after all, like Todd said very few Greeks are actually Hellenist. I'm just genuinely interested. I've many pagan friends throughout Europe, but I've never met someone who is pagan and French.

[@Penseecelte]

I'm also frensh, Druidist.

[@Penseecelte]

@@KaneKappel Of course our attachment to Gaulle is a driving force for the pagans of France, it is one of the cradles of the Clete world and of Druidism (The oldest cradle is Austria but it has less significance for a French) Afterwards, most French pagans are Bretons. So we have to put things into perspective.

[@eormanricnicholason2704]

I don’t know why you say sadly about the UK. Yes where in a nasty place politicly but heathens and Pagans here are very proud and love our ways. Im a Anglo-Saxon heathen and head blótre/Godhi/religious leader of a group in the west Midlands and East Anglia. We are very proud heathens and love our gods and forebears. UK has loads of sites. Sutton Hoo, West Stow Anglo-Saxon village based on a real settlement, Stone Henge, the Dali Lama called Glastonbury the belly Button of the world, we have Isle of Sky, castle Ewen, one not mentioned is the Shetland Isles little Island politicly part of Scotland but was always a Viking culture since they took it. Many Viking huge public gathering blóts still done today. There also Wicca groups and Druidic Brythonic Celtic groups. Yorkshire has tuns of Heathen history to show. Bamburah Castle Northumbria/land, Tamworth Castle in Tamworth where Mercian Heathen re-enactment known as the Thegns of Mercia I believe are based. My group is Thegns of Fynsida. We are real heathen Anglo-Saxon worship and historically accurate. We have the Famous Odinist Fellowship, also the Hearth of Devon who a very knowledgeable historian is there Alderblótre. The UK has tuns of pre Christianity to offer. Not fair to remark it as sadly as we are very proud and like many other countries are in constant battle to defend it from the evil politics. Im tired of all this hate towards us because of a empire built by Norman, Tudor and Stewardish hands. My forebears of the Anglo-Saxons and Britons was the working class all through it since 1066. Britons who remained in England and could not afford to flee to Wales longer than that. My forebears had no such say or opinion in the time of the empire what crowns us our primal hate from the rest of Middengeard/Midgard.

[@la1sk203]

As much as it pains me to say it as an Estonian, but the most pagan country in Europe is Russia and it is by a mile, they still have minorities numbering in the millions especially in the north who have a protected right to practice their beliefs even during USSR. In the Baltics our paganism is more of a tradition and cultural thing while in Russia it is a tapestry of ancient religions that trace their unbroken chain of activity to times before writing.

[@robertberger4203]

This is a really interesting video . Another part of Europe where pagan. traditions. have been revived is in Russia and Belorussia . I'm not sure about Ukraine . The old Slavic. gods are now. worshiped to some degree and pagan. festivals have been revived . In the Volga region of Russia , several hundred miles east of Moscow , indigenous tribes related to the Finns such as the Mari have. preserved. their ancient. faith . The Mari are indistinguishable from the Russians in appearance . , Other peoples in the region who speak languages related to Finnish include the Mordvin , Udmurts , Komi and others . There is an interesting video on youtube about the Mari people . I don't recall the channel but you can easily just put "Pagan traditions of the Mari people of Russia . "

[@PariahThistledowne]

Slavic Heathenry is VERY interesting to me....I often chose Polish Pagan Neofolk over Irish or Saxon when I need a boost.

[@JP-zz7en]

I noticed that in the neopagan circles and groups, they don't reconize the Mari peoples as pagans because they are not of indo european origin, instead they are uralic origin so, they are more relationated to other north asian indigenous peoples than Europeans.

[@JP-zz7en]

In Russian, in the region of caucasus, peoples like circassians, Nakhs, Chechens, Ingush, Abkhazians and Ossetians), they still perform pagan rituals, but so many of them identify as a muslims or christians.

[@PariahThistledowne]

@@JP-zz7en same with the Sami, Inuit, and North American Indigenous tribes that are pagan. Neopagans are certainly just as prone to foolishness as anyone else.

[@tedclare5504]

I’m English and have been a pagan (Germanic/Anglo Saxon) for over 25 years, in that time I’ve seen paganism go from an unknown fringe in the UK to suddenly being everywhere. The only problem with paganism in the Uk is that it has no direction, it seems to be a cobbled together mix of ideas and terms that people jump on and then declare themselves pagan, it would probably be better if they found a “belief” that resonated with them and then tried to follow it whilst learning as much as they can about its history and traditions, that way it would be more complete and have greater depth rather than the shallow practices we see so much of today.

[@xarcana-studio]

I think your list is very accurate.

[@NigeWebb]

Shwmae Jacob, I'm half Irish, half Welsh, full on PAGAN. I love the videos. Keep them coming, bach! Hwyl nawr, Taffy Nige.

[@DeBaardigeBard]

Thank you for mentioning the Netherlands and showing some shots of Castlefest (2023).

[@BinroWasRight]

Well said! I envy you your travels but am delighted to learn of them. I'd put the Baltics at Number One because they're the only option of the lot whose paganism isn't a reconstruction or revival. It just went underground for a few centuries...wrll, maybe more in the woods down the lane than underground *grins*. As you mentioned, the Baltic region was the last in Europe to "convert", and only at swordpount by a theocratic state waging war at them. In Estonia and Latvia especially paganism is innefably woven into nearly every aspect of traditional culture in one way or another. It may seem subtle but I think it's actually so pervasive that it can be hard for an outsider to fully comprehend. And then there are the Sámi, as others have mentioned. One of Europe's few remaining ancient Indigenous cultures. Incidentally, one of my very favorite things about nature-based faiths such as Wicca, Druidry, Heathenry and Ásatrú, Indigenous Animistic and Shamanic traditions and Shinto is they all put love and respect for out planet, our mother, our species' cradle and one and only home, at the forefront. They are the most ecologically-minded of all faiths, and could show the rest of them how to make conserving and protecting our world more of a priority.

[@peggywoods4327]

YES!! Your section on The Netherlands featured scenes from (last year's) Castlefest 🥰🥰 I'm in the US but travel to NL for this magnificent gathering. Finland is a (serious) goal destination for me...

[@jarraddove]

Highly enjoyed this video Todd. Heill Óðinn 🤘

[@elle7193]

Great video! Honestly, when I saw title, my first guess was Lithuania or Baltics in general. I'm myself from Poland, but I am qietly observing the grow of original believes in the Baltics. Netherlands was a Surprise. I used to study Russian culture and one thing I want to mention, I agree, there is a sense of shame when it comes to spirituality in Eastern Europe. At least from my limited experience. Russia might be an exception though. It could be down to the fact, that the Church in the countries of Warsaw Pact wasn't that persecutet as in the Soviet Union. After the USSR together with it's Ideology collapsed, people felt thirst of a new path. Opposite to the former Warsaw Pact countries where Church still has a dominant position.

[@suzannahdarcy6903]

I'm interested in the paganism of the Alps. It may be more subtle than the countries listed here, but it's definitely a thing. I guess I'll keep looking for more information

[@ns987]

As a Russian, I read the Estonian national epic "Kalevipoeg" in the elective subject at school. An interesting book, by the way, in one of the chapters the main character buys building materials from Russians. All the fairy tales and legends of the Baltic peoples were actively translated into Russian during the Soviet era.

[@Eden-yo1td]

as a very quiet french pagan, no idea were to seek us. However, I have some thoughts about why we are so few : half of the french population is atheist, and not only that but we are *very* attached to the seperation of state and religion. It's very visible in schools, it's often discussed that omg no they can't wear their hijab it's too religious oh no (to be fair, don't wear big crosses, it's not gonna be well recieved either, even if the anti muslim biases are big). I feel like this big seperation of religion and public life made religion an extremely private subject. I don't see example of religious people around me, in all my (short 22 years of) life, I've met 2 people who I knew was catholic, and that's it. The others I had no idea of their faith. Therefore, us pagans don't really meet each other, and it's incredibly difficult (at least for me) to feel really connected to the gods in my little corner, in the midst of my really atheist family. Anyway, I probably don't explain well, but TLDR : In my opinion, the absence of pagans in France is linked to how absent religion is in a lot of aspects of life and how private it is. edit : Oh and, I mean, outside of this, christianism takes all the space that is left, but you've mentioned that aspect in your video

[@PariahThistledowne]

I am Saxon and Gael...in a Pentacostal stronghold of North America...and my practice is Animist more than Asatru. The Christians view me as a Native Shaman wannabe, lol...and that is fine. Gaelic Christianity is VERY Pagan...almost like Voudon or Santeria.

[@ic8614]

In Italy we have Pietas - the greatest community for Greek-Roman practitioners here (although we have some hundreds of people abroad too). Feel free to visit our temples if you come back!

[@AndreDeLimburger]

Greetings from the Netherlands

[@Beastbrush]

As an Hungarian I’ve got a better connection to pagan mindset than atheism. I love to learn history about Celtic, Nordic & Slavic because of their spiritual practices. Ofcourse not all paganism was peaceful like the Woad & Galliers who were a barbaric pagan group. I also enjoy the idea more of multiple gods then 1 god because I don’t believe 1 person is perfect or is allowed to have all the power, while in paganism you got different characters with their pros & cons which says that everyone has advantages & problems. Also zwarte Piet was never considered as ‘taboo’ for as an kid we were told that the reason they were dark skinned is from the coals by climbing the chimneys too often that it began hard to clean it.

[@paperklip6593]

WHOA JACOB, when did you lose all that weight and trim that beard, it shocked me.

[@OctoberHourglass]

Hey Jacob, thanks for the upload. Been enjoying your work for many years now. I hope I’m not overstepping, but I’m curious about the Hall? Is it still being built? Would love an update. Much support from Texas. Skol Edit: Also, again I hope I’m not overstepping, but I always love to go back and watch gathering videos you’ve uploaded in the past. But can’t find them anymore. Are those videos still around?

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Everything with the Hall is handled by The Fellowship of Northern Traditions at this point. I am a member of the board of directors, and we are actively working on fundraising. Even though we have raised 25k+ it is not enough to purchase a good piece of land, let alone develop it. Obviously we are also affected by the economy as well, so we have had to focus on ways to fundraise without direct donations lately. It will happen, but it will take time. Until then we still hold over 20 events a year around the USA and the UK 💪

[@OctoberHourglass]

@@TheWisdomOfOdin I understand. Thanks for the reply brother! Have safe travels & I appreciate all of the work you’ve done for our community.

[@MusicWolf]

Its nice to see that you visit castlefest here in NL😁

[@HS-su3cf]

Here in Norway about 50% considers themselves to be atheists.

[@austejajurkynaite9719]

Warms my heart to see someone noticing the Baltics as pagan. Myself, a lithuanian, I sometimes feel lonely in my spirituality, because people around me don't really talk about it, so maybe we really do just view it as an everyday thing and don't think much about what comes naturally

[@billyclyde5129]

Wow I had no idea that demon worship was still a thing Europe. It will not end well for them.

[@christophershockley1110]

You’ve been brainwashed

[@sapiensfromterra5103]

Thats rich coming from someone who worships a demonic and foreign god, your religion literally was a tool of subversion to conquer Rome, you are a traitor to your ethnos

[@NameGoesHere-rw4ji]

Fantastic personal share, like usual. However, recommendation, maybe try not to have items near your mic as it was a bit auditory distracting.

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Haha, was hoping no one would notice! I didnt notice till the editing started, somehow the mjolnir got tangled on top of the microphone. I am more aware of it now

[@NameGoesHere-rw4ji]

@@TheWisdomOfOdin no worries and not a critique. Just an observation for you to gain in the future. Things happen and still the presentation was fun. 🤩

[@dawnygoddess]

Druidism is an officially recognised religion now in the Uk, and the Goddess Temple in Glastonbury is the first officially recognised Temple of the Goddess there in hundreds of years!

[@valhyr]

EESTI MENTIONED 🇪🇪🇪🇪🇪🇪🇪🇪 ÜLE VAINUDE VALENDAV AUR, VAHULILLEDE UDUNE VOODI 🇪🇪🇪🇪🇪🇪🇪🇪 When you're back there Jacob let me know and I'll show you all the sacred groves, cupmarked stones and real saunas 🇪🇪🇪🇪🇪🇪

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Ooo talk dirty to me 😘

[@amanb8698]

My guess for paganism. The Baltics and Finland. They were late to Christianity, were in between Western (Roman Catholic and Protestant Lutheran) and Eastern (Orthodox) traditions, and influenced by German, Swedish, Danish, Polish, and Russian cultures, so religion was more an ethnic identifier than anything else, with Lithuanians mainly being overwhelmingly majority Roman Catholics, with a very small Lutheran minority, Latvians being mainly Lutheran 2/3, with Roman Catholics making up 1/3 (Latgale region), and a small Latvian Orthodox minority, and Estonians mainly Lutheran with a Russian Orthodox minority, Finns in majority Lutherans, with a small Finnish Orthodox minority. They have languages that are unique either of the Indo-European Baltic languages which split from Slavic early or Finno-Urgic languages. The Finno-Urgic peoples have a unique culture that is originally from the Urals area of modern day Russia and hence Uralic. The surviving linguistic Baltic peoples have some of the oldest Indo-European languages, plus they were able to hold onto their traditions longer, that put Lithuania has a well known pagan community despite the openly Catholic identity, Latvia is split between Lutherans, and Catholics, with smaller numbers of Orthodox, whereas Estonia is mainly agnostic/non religious but culturally Lutheran.

[@oddindian1]

Lithuania was the last Pagan region in Europe.

[@jukkahelisjoki5820]

Yes, Estonia pretends to be Lutheran but it's mostly not, more Orthodox.

[@amanb8698]

@@jukkahelisjoki5820 Ethnic Russians I hear. Estonians are traditionally Lutheran, even if they call themselves Atheist today.

[@InqvisitorMagnvs]

Wait-visually Finland’s map/flag was in Scandinavia section. Then Finland was mentioned in passing (but not shown among the flags) in Baltic countries section-and just conflated with the 3 Baltic republics occupied by the USSR as if Finland shared same history (check results of 1939-40 Winter War-Stalin stole 12% of Finnish territory but Finland was never occupied by a Communist regime and politically/culturally is a Nordic social democratic country.) Finland and Estonia are the only two Finnic states (plus whatever remains of Karelians and other Finnic peoples occupied by Russia)-Finnish mythos not rooted in Indo-European like Hellenic, Germanic, Slavic, etc.-that adhered to paganism til Northern Crusades no earlier than the late 12th century. In fact Bishop of Uppsala complained to Pope Alexander III that Finns reverted to paganism every time Swedish Crusader armies left-the Pope replied with 1172 letter _Gravis Admodum_ agreeing that Finns are children of Hell. Finland was integrated as Eastland (Österland) of Sweden for 600 years-during which time both initial Christianization and later Reformation suppression of “superstition” were far less severe than in Sweden proper where people were executed for heresy and apostasy. Instead syncretism of shamanistic Finnish and Norse paganism + Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox mysticism developed (See e.g. _Faith and Magic in Early Modern Finland_ by Raisa Maria Toivo).

[@danielleroberge47]

Im a pagan, US American living in Catalonia, Spain and in this region there are still a lot of pagan based holidays. Love it!

[@blade666vamp]

I concur, i belong to an Anglo Saxon heathen hearth, and it is rising fast

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

I hope to look more into Anglo Saxon Heathenry soon!

[@johnssmith4005]

Claims to be a heathen has 666 is his name ............oops !

[@Kim-J312]

How does the USA rank ?

[@TheWisdomOfOdin]

Poorly 😂 I joke, but I have a video coming out in a couple weeks talking about "American paganism" I think there are a lot in America, but lack direction in general