What Do We Offer the Gods in Sacrifice?

[@TheOakWitch]

Another great video, more great puns. 🤌 Thank you for the shout-out too! I really appreciate the emphasis on being environmentally friendly. More creators need to talk about it!

[@binaryglitch64]

Also needs more cow bell! (It's a reference)

[@preacherofmusic]

Environmental preservation is something everyone talks about but nobody actually does anything with. It saddens me to see things like pollution or litter or things like that because I know that the spirits connected to the lands being defaced are suffering as much as the things living on that land. It's just heartbreaking.

[@Drakonian-gz2nq]

Ocean Keltoi: "Just because human sacrifice was made in the past, does that mean that we should?" Me: "...Yeeeeeeeee...?" Ocean Keltoi: "No." Me: "Yeah! No. Absolutely not."

[@bruisedhelmet8819]

Inevitably when my conference calls get into the rut of talking about bad weather I *joke* that people of old would make virgin sacrifices to change the weather. We all have a good laugh, but I am sure some nervously... and it likely has not helped me move up the corporate ladder.

[@joelbyrnes9710]

XD

[@hartwarg3051]

@@bruisedhelmet8819 Not moving up the corporate ladder you say? I reccomend a compelling blood eagling!

[@bruisedhelmet8819]

@@hartwarg3051 That's a lot of work, and I just got brand new galoshes but no slicker.... Funny thing is early in my career (also frustrated about the lack of movement - I reported to a supervisor that been a supervisor for 15 years) I joked (and again probably shouldn't have) that I'd have to resort to the ol' Roman way of getting ahead.... I am starting to see some of my problem here though... I guess if I can't be an example at least I am a warning - kids don't jokingly threaten the lives of your bosses or coworkers as most people don't have a funny bone.

[@hartwarg3051]

@@bruisedhelmet8819 At least you didn't say "the ol' Greek way of getting ahead"....

[@freshwaterhorror]

Pretty sure offering Freya some brownies is how I ended up with a pregnant cat

[@tomlowe3155]

Offering Freyja expensive wine is how I wound up with a pregnant girlfriend.

[@wyliecoyote173]

Will be careful what you wish for

[@DeepFriedKangaroo2]

Tonight on things I never thought I'd read...

[@PutoMedicoBrujo]

@@wyliecoyote173 mmm i think its more like, be carefull whom you offer to(?)

[@wyliecoyote173]

@@PutoMedicoBrujo i know but i was making a joke by using the quot of the wish master. Bu i do offer too frigg and odin. Yep i gave a offering to frigg then the next day it rain. Both times when i did a offering and my phon said it was not supposed to rain them Two days. Some say it was a coincidence. But i don't believe in coincidence.

[@DragonLandlord]

i've heard of people treating blood donation as a sacrifice, they'd pray to their god before going or as they're donating, put the appointment card or the 'i donated' sticker on their altar and burn it at the end of the day.

[@OceanKeltoi]

Okay thats kinda cool

[@Myke_thehuman]

That’s actually a great idea, might try that myself.

[@benjalucian1515]

Sounds good, but is that any different from cutting yourself for your own blood? You're just going to grow your own blood again, and didn't really do anything but sacrifice with the slight pain and your time.

[@juniperastor531]

@@benjalucian1515 yeah except one also helps people who needed this donated blood for emergencies. You lose blood to help someone and worship your god 👀

[@benjalucian1515]

@@juniperastor531 - OK, but how does that help the god? Gods like burnt offerings, meaning the blood is burnt and goes up to the gods in the smoke. Giving it to someone else doesn't help them. The option you're speaking of sounds like something out of Christianity.

[@RaptureScore]

"Higher Tyr ways of loser your hand" Ocean has good puns, I gotta admit.

[@kylemclean4064]

I was drinking my beer when he made that joke and almost choked from laughing haha 😅

[@ashtar_animates]

My favorite pun so far

[@bruisedhelmet8819]

I come for the heathenry, but I stay for the humor.

[@wyliecoyote173]

Me too lol

[@ModernWhoFan5B]

Describing Witch burning as human sacrifice threw me through a loop, but makes total sense! (Gonna have to try that one on some Christian friends later :P )

[@benjalucian1515]

Jesus is a human sacrifice. The Hebrew bible has God asking for Abraham's boy Isaac as a sacrifice, which didn't seem to disconcert Abraham as he was going to go through with it. And of course poor Jephthah's daughter. What is a Hebrew doing offering as a sacrifice "the first thing he sees"? When did people end up on the list of acceptable sacrifices? Apparently they always were on the list.

[@jesusisking9035]

@@benjalucian1515 Theres a difference between offering yourself to save others and being forced into ritual murder. Jepthaths story is not condoning what he did its a cautionary tale and God had said many times not to swear on anything because nothing is yours its Gods. Now the Hebrews did do human sacrifice since they were (majority of them) pagans. They worshiped Baal, Dagon, Tammuz, Remphan, Moloch...all which required human sacrifice

[@benjalucian1515]

@@jesusisking9035 - yes, there is a difference. But considering Jesus tried to back out ("let this cup pass me by") but god wouldn't let him tells me that he was at heart unwilling. God had every chance to deny Jephthah's sacrifice, but he didn't. Why not? He did with Isaac's sacrifice. He didn't punish Jephthah afterwards, so what can we conclude but that God was OK with human sacrifice, in both Jesus and Jephthah's daughter cases. Please note the Hebrews were still doing human sacrifice AFTER they started worshipping Yahweh-El solely.

[@jesusisking9035]

@@benjalucian1515 That was to show the humanity of Jesus not that Jesus didnt want to do it of his own free will John 10:18 “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” Jesus was God manifest in the flesh 1 Timothy 3:16 and the Word in John Chp 1 so he was God and he was also in the flesh of man being born of Mary. It was to demonstrate that he was come in the flesh and still had human emotions like fear. God doesnt have to do anything he wants to do, if he stopped you from every wrong you committed would he be seen as a just judge on Judgement day? God said over and over not to swear yet Jephthah did it anyways and the fruits of sin are shown. Not every action in the Bible is an endorsement. Its a history book that details Gods commandments and the history of men. They did still sacrifice but they did it to other gods, not to him. Nowhere does God ask for or commend human ritual sacrifice. He did mention many times of human sacrifice but it was in condemnation to idol worship. Thats why they were kicked out of Israel 3 times cause they never stopped

[@benjalucian1515]

@@jesusisking9035 - no, it sounds like a human who REALLY doesn't want to be sacrificed. The guy was sweating blood. Does that sound like a willing participant to you? And he 's not being "asked" to do this, he's being COMMANDED to do it as your bible verse just proved. God stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac. That didn't affect anything for judgment day, did it? So why didn't Jephthah's daughter get the same courtesy from god? Considering Abraham didn't balk at god wanting Isaac sacrificed, I'd say that points to the Hebrews thinking there's nothing wrong with human sacrifice.

[@viridian6423]

I've always felt drawn to animal sacrifice, but only in a symbolic sense. I take the time to craft an "animal" by carving it into a shell, painting it onto a stone, or building it out of sticks and strips of fallen bark. Then I can leave it where it seems correct (or yeet it out to sea) without causing any harm.

[@OceanKeltoi]

This is called a Votive Offering, and there's a ton of historical evidence for practices like this.

[@viridian6423]

@@OceanKeltoi A-ha! I knew there was a word for it. I'm sure I would have found it had my aura not filled up my whole house. These things happen.

[@SilentSong123]

Might be better than good offerings I just don't want a bunch of bugs everywhere..

[@preacherofmusic]

That sounds rather wholesome and like something I might do myself actually. Thank you for the idea, friend, I hope you don't mind me using it.

[@ego8330]

I normally eat the offerings not only to clean up but also that the gods and i can enjoy something together

[@IsaacandFriends]

That actually neat. Plus it's something that's somewhat based in ancient traditions, at least with eygptian/khemitic anyway. The priests and community would share in the food offerings during the evening and other meal times as a community meal to honor and share a meal with gods.

[@ego8330]

@@IsaacandFriends thats cool

[@ego8330]

Btw any stories on offerings like Things thar happened or maybe what are your types of offerings most of the time if you actually do them

[@IsaacandFriends]

@@ego8330 Normally not a whole lot, the air in my studio apartment gets lighter and I might feel more energetic for the day. As for offerings that depends upon the god/goddess to whome I am making offerings to. For goddess Bast I'll offer some cat nip which she seems to enjoy. Thoth or by his ancient egyptian name Djehuty some chocolate covered espresso beans. I sometimes offer the espresso beans to Isis/ auset. Egyptian gods tend to have multiple names as those names have changed often in translation or use. I make a general practice of burning incense on a daily basis as kind of a good morning greetings to the gods.

[@ego8330]

@@IsaacandFriends idk why but it seems a bit costly but maybe its just me

[@exnedu1738]

Dude, Just yesterday I was reading a book with an author who basically said if you didn't make animal sacrifices you weren't a real pagan. Thanks for the video.

[@Mars-ev7qg]

Im pretty clueless about European paganism, but even i can tell whoever wrote that book is a total fool.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

🤨 No.

[@amandaaustin8691]

My husband bought pigs blood from the store for an offering to Odin and he said it was the most magic he has ever felt! I love the way you described what to choose "whatever you would offer a welcomed guest" I've never thought of it that way!

[@hartwarg3051]

So, "Carrie" was a welcomed guest? What a big misunderstanding!

[@AbhiramN_1289]

That is how pujas or Hindu rituals are done.

[@realityhelix564]

Love how he disgusted himself with his own puns there at the beginning.

[@OceanKeltoi]

I am the problem

[@doofinpuss23]

@@OceanKeltoi that's ok we love you anyway

[@1CT1]

Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you will be saved. John 3:16 (Share the good news of the gospel around the world!)...... ,,.. Have a wonderful rest of your day/night everyone, may the LORD bless you all, and farewell!.,,,,,,.....,.,,,..,,

[@realityhelix564]

@@1CT1 uh guy? My comment was literally about puns. Maybe take your copy/paste proselytizing elsewhere?

[@doofinpuss23]

@@1CT1 with all do respect my friend you are preaching to the wrong crowd since most of us were Christians at one point

[@AWindy94]

I'm listening to this in the living room. Those puns made my partner audibly groan from the other room 😆

[@OceanKeltoi]

Success

[@Drakonian-gz2nq]

By the way, christian witchcraft is 100% true. Here in Brazil it was extremely common. My grandma was a "benzedeira" ("blesser" or something along these lines), it consists meinly of prayers and songs said/sung to one or a group of people by one of these "blessers". This is one of the motives i want to become a Seidr.

[@sandryasilva5744]

Também sou neta de bezendeira... e criada em um berço assemblano, por muitos anos vaguei de religião a religião e sempre nunca me coube. Me achei retornando as minhas raízes de benzedeira e tenho cultivado este amor por wiccan/pagan e só nas últimas semanas fiquei sabendo sobre Deus Norse. Estou amando como se fosse uma filha roubada voltando ao lar.

[@ingriderbert5959]

Que legal achar brasileiros aqui!

[@sandryasilva5744]

@@ingriderbert5959 per acaso você já morou em marietta, Geórgia, USA? Eu procuro uma amiga de high school a anos. Estudávamos na wheeler high. Aliás foi ela uma das pessoas que me apresentou a Imanja e deste então uma sementinha de curiosidade tem crescido em meu coração. 🤞

[@thegingersheep]

Ocean that Tyr pun was well done but I still face palmed when it happened.

[@OceanKeltoi]

At least you have a palm 😭

[@thegingersheep]

@@OceanKeltoi Well played sir well played. I hate you for this but I have to respect you for it too,

[@asagrimmr1459]

My grand parents made offerings of chickens and my grandfather would use blood from deer when a successful hunt had been made. The difference is that these were given to the "house spirits"

[@Amy_the_Lizard]

My grandparents on my mom's side did the same thing, but usually with bread or crackers Edit: And also green beans the time they had too many green beans and wound up eating just green beans for a week before they expired. It was deemed that the house spirits should participate in the green bean disposal as well since they lived there too...

[@wrensview171]

Part of the wildlife health portion is general safety as well - if you live near the smokies Do Not be a reason the bears are too curious around people

[@thesayerofing]

Used to practice Shinto. Our priest/teacher would display the offerings and then distribute them, often because we would run short on space. First in first out kinda thing. Kind of a nice looking community pantry if you think about it where extra would get donated.

[@IsaacandFriends]

As a former Jehovah's witness turned khemtic heathen I really appreciate these videos. It really helps provide interesting perspective.

[@tghartman321]

Ex-JW here as well!

[@IsaacandFriends]

@@tghartman321 yay, we both escaped from the cult!

[@LisaAnn777]

@@IsaacandFriends another Ex JW here! although I don't consider myself any religion now, more agnostic than anything but I love theology and mythology in general its all fascinating.

[@jw-vs7wh]

ex JW here as well, these videos are so helpful

[@LynnaeaEmber]

I was raised as a Christian Scientist and my husband was a Mormon. We've all escaped a cult.

[@johnmcmahon9062]

In Ireland the idea of giving was called 'Dan' and was so important that it continued with Celtic-Christians. It was said to be a 'gift from god (through the holy-spirit) to man, a gift from man to to god'. Scotland is a mixture of both Nordic and Celtic tradtions. Offerings where burned or broken before being offered to the deties and wassailing was practiced in Britain.

[@politicamufu648]

isn't Dan an indian word

[@johnmcmahon9062]

@@politicamufu648 I gave it a quick search and found nothing, but Irish and Hindi are both Indo-European and distantly related.

[@franchorvat7341]

In slovenia where i live "Dan ti" means "I give you" (Dan/Give) (Ti/To you)

[@anandhrajan99]

​@@johnmcmahon9062 Dana means gift or offering in Sanskrit. Primarily denoting some kind of selfless charity

[@ageekedmonkey7360]

My first "offering" was a joint roach to Odin. I left it out on my porch next to a small alter I had made expecting nothing of it, a couple hours later I walked by the door and found a crow on the porch who upon making eye contact grabbed the roach and flew away. I was just starting to learn about modern paganism in general but this quickly helped me decide where my focus lie.

[@Leathurkatt]

Going to Wild Horses Monument in eastern Washington, I walked among the metal sculptures of the horses, quietly speaking with the spirits they represented. I was wearing my amber string necklaces and carefully snapped off one piece of amber from each string, placing one at the feet of the herd Stallion, and one at the feet of the lead Mare, as offerings to the horse spirits. It was quite a moment, and I could feel them, hear their hooves thumping against the ground, their breath in the air, their voices calling out. As for regular offerings, I will frequently leave offerings of cat food outside since I live in an apartment and there are Crows, Raccoons, Opossums, and feral Cats in the area and cat food is better for them than bread. I also leave offerings of water, including sugar water, for hummingbirds, butterflies, and such. Water is sacred to life and quite a valuable offering.

[@stairwayunicorn4861]

From what i understand of offerings of food to Egyptian gods, the meal is left alone on the altar for some time. This allows the god to dine on the spirit of the food, after which the priests can eat the "leftover" physical part... or give it out as alms. consider for example the difference in taste and aroma of a freshly grilled steak and one that has sat and gotten cold... i think the gods would really enjoy carbonated beverages!

[@dukemakaveli]

Do you believe this shit?

[@navigator5426]

One of the things that my late father who's family practiced Druidism for 35 generations ( in secret for at least 30 of those generations ) was how to communicate with the Spirits/ Gods. So even though I looked at written sources and learned from my father what was acceptable as an offering for various Deities I also used the methods of divinitation etc I learned to ask the God/Goddesses and various Spirits ie Elves and faeries what they would accept and/or preffer as an overing. And while the list is as varied as the Gods and Goddesses themselves, there are two things that are common among all the God and Goddesses. The first is that depending on the Tradition there are some offerings that all the Gods/ Goddesses will accept. That is to say, that all of the Gods and Goddesses within a certain tradition will accept certain things as offerings. Those things will vary from Tradition to Tradition. And secondly any offering however small or large is appreciated when the offering is accompanied by sincerity from the heart of the person making the Offering. And so a penny given with sincerity from the heart will be as valued as gold and gold given without sincerity will be regarded as not even worth a penny, and may even be seen as a bribe. And many Gods and Goddesses see a bribe being offered as a sign that the one offering it thinks that the Gods and Goddesses are corrupt and can be bribed into doing one's bidding even though the request of the briber is corrupt and unjust.

[@krispalermo8133]

As a late teenager heavy into paganism, trying to see which gods I wanted to work with. I spent over 15 hours working on a painting to be a burnt offering to a war goddess, I just told everyone it was my .. bribe. Two of my girl friends got into a wrestling fist fight over who was going to get the painting and there was no way in hell I was going to burn such said painting. Some woman I never seen before came out of nowhere in my circle laughed and said, " Finally some entertainment ! " 2.) I tried, to .. work with .. said god/ angel/ demon/ unclean spirit, just to see if I could call them to see what they were like and if I could send them away without help. Sneak something/ one into the house without .. grandma knowing. She really didn't like some of my visitors, well she had problems of her own to deal with. One time I called the Finnish god of decay, not much on them/ him/ her. More or less just a camp fire ghost story to explain some natural event in life. Then there were some of the Dungeon & Dragon spin off books on world myth regarding the Finnish spirit of decay with added fluff. Mostly regarded as a monster for heroes to defeat. A glorify zombie with blow flies. I met some spirits I will Never let back into my living area ever again. Besides my bed room was the most heavy warded place there was. I politely offer Finnish Decay some mead and a chair in the room's corner circle under the right lighting conditions. Decay show up after a few days of just talking to .. him .. with polite question and Decay was just happy people are talking about him again in stories. Well as for .. bribes .. go, a gift given is a gift require to be given, " never take gifts from the Fae/demons." A favor given is a favor owed. So I set up a couple of bottles of mead, wine on my table for the next night to pour out and road kill on a coup of offering outdoor spots. I could swear the Finnish Decay came out my closet that night drink half of my two other bottles and walked away with the other three. Guest Decay didn't want to wait for a normal offering, then again when you visit someone, you are to bring drink, go figure. The next day coming home from work off the back roads being a country boy, took a different road home, cause of reasons, felt that .. urge .. again, helps to find side jobs. Other than helping people just change flat tires, there was enough dead road kill raccoons less than a day old to fill six 5gal buckets to pickle as coyote & bird food that winter, with the pelts to cure. I just thank Decay for dropping by, I did not ask for a few hundred dollar gift back in pelts and dog/ bird food. To be on the safe side I took the money I made from curing the pelts and give it to the local food shelter.

[@elizabethgrey6040]

I LOVE that your family has been practicing for so long! Do you mind me asking where they lived? I often try to reconnect to my European ancestors (Scottish, French, English, Welsh) to tie me to my pagan beliefs, but I find myself disappointed that all those countries were heavily Christianized, so it brings me joy to hear of families who practiced ancient traditions that have survived thoroughly to this day. It’s really an amazing thing. You’re part of something historical!

[@erinpritza8060]

“A libation offering today is what’s reasonable within your budget and what you’d offer to an important guest,” time to start offering the gods some baja blast

[@donbillington6251]

I tend to offer things that I find or define as useful or important. As a hunter, I routinely take the life of animals to make meat for my table. Before a hunt, I give offerings and prayer to multiple gods. If I am successful in killing an animal, I do a ritual at the site honoring the animal and then the gods. My favorite cut of meat is the heart and I always leave half as an offering in a makeshift alter constructed on site to give thanks for the nutrition provided to my family. Not sure this counts as animal sacrifice but I suspect it is seen as a similar practice in some circles.

[@GiveMeYogurtForSafePassage]

I personally do make animal sacrifice as I raise rabbits and chickens for meat. Whenever I go to slaughter, I offer some to the gods as I believe they help me in rearing the livestock and so are entitled to their fair share as well as a thank you for their assistance.

[@syddlinden8966]

I've been having fun sharing my sweets and coffee with Loki. I have a small dish I will put some gummies out sweet cereal or cookies in, and a mini moonshine jar for drinks. I leave them for a day or 2 or until I no longer get that "I'm not done with this yet" sensation, depending on the items. Things that can go moldy easily I put in the compost quicker than simple stuff like gummy bears.

[@Luedag]

I am a polytheist who is also sober. As a lot of sober people, I rely on my Higher Power to help me stay the course, which means my connection with the Gods is nothing less than vital. A lot of the times I practice what can be called a “behavioral offering”, doing something I don’t want to do but I know will be an act of service, and doing it as an offering to the Gods, as a way to honor them and strengthen my connection to them. This includes from simple stuff like cleaning the house, to actions like helping others by listening to them, to volunteering, and so on.

[@juliaboyles9697]

I live in an old house which is impossible (without spending more than I can handle) to keep insects out of... thus I do my best to eliminate the ants especially, but also have to avoid leaving food out any length of time or it would attract even more of the fertile boogers. Thus, when I do make an offering, if it is edible by man or beast, it's either where I can keep an eye on it for a few hours before disposing of it or left outside from the start. A few times, when I wanted a beverage to be available to be "drank" instead of soaked into the ground, I used eggshells (empty and clean/dry) halved to use in a natural spot as cups. Digging a small depression for the eggshells to fit into instead of sitting on top the ground, I'd then pour and offer the libation before setting the part offered in the eggshell into the holder. Isn't a huge amount and the eggshell is biodegradable and the spot is picked out to keep it from adversely affecting nature.

[@benjalucian1515]

Same. The state I live in is basically a giant ant hill, so I have an exterminator come out every other month to spray otherwise I'd been feeding all the local ants inside my house.

[@ruki4929]

When you put it like that, offerings are rather simple in a way - treat the gods like you would important guests: like a farmer in the past offering livestock for a feast sounds like something they would also do for people like nobility or such. (that's the vibe, I don't know much about norse culture yet) I still have yet to figure out how to build an altar in a closet, but I'll definitely give it consideration. All I know is that if I do give an offering than throw it out back, it's 50/50 between a Crow and a cat.

[@krispalermo8133]

My family just treats Them as grandparents or elder family members, Loki is the uncle who has a musing tale full of dirty jokes that goes over most people's heads.

[@utardaheidinn9048]

An offering to the youtube algorithm!

[@doofinpuss23]

The real god of us all

[@matthewsteele5229]

Hail Jutübr

[@Razurwulf]

This was so well done. Thank you for mentioning the environmental impacts, and how they need to be considered. Also thank you for mentioning wildlife, a major issue regarding outdoor offerings. And finally, I appreciate that you point out, that not all of our practices in antiquity, deserve a place in modernity. Spiritual, emotional, and psychological evolution through relationship with the gods, and in the world in which I live is the objective. I do this with respect, acknowledgement, and honoring certain aspects of my heritage, and traditions of my ancestors. They have painted on the canvas of my life, and they influence me, deeply, but I am not them. To the table, I bring my own thoughts, ideas, practices...and I do hope that I would make them proud, of who I am, in my own time in history...not their time.

[@ohnoajellyfish]

On your note about knowing the local fauna, yes! I think it's a good goal in general for pagans of all walks to learn their native environments, the flora and fauna, and the symbolism and uses of these things to integrate into our rituals and offerings. In my parts I don't have ash and yew and all that. I have palm, pine, oak, and loam. Few crows and many seagulls. No fjords, but a deep, greedy ocean.

[@lizzycorvus5109]

I believe the Aztecs offered their own blood in small quantities to the gods, but they believed that blood fed the gods and thereby kept the world going, so their religion was a unique case in terms of justification

[@MrChristianDT]

Oh, and with food offerings, my ancestors on the Siouan side would've had two forms of this. The first is taking a pinch of what you're eating & casting that into the fire. This also applies to foraging for fruit, in which you deliberately cast away the first piece you pick. The second was our version of a Day of the Dead ritual, where you would serve an entire meal to the ancestors, I would assume, at a mound. Whites saw some tribes do something similar when holding vigil after a chief died & they asked them how they knew that the spirits of their ancestors were enjoying the meal & not wild animals or the homeless who had been cast out of the villages for one reason or another. The representatives of the tribe in question responded "The food belongs to him/ them, so they can share it with whoever they want."

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

I really love that response, it hit me in the heart! ❤

[@bezoticallyyours83]

Thank you for sharing that, I like it a lot

[@jamesdixon5714]

I've come to associate certain incense with certain deities. I had some profound experiences with a spirit while burning sandalwood and patchouli, so when making ather offering or prayers I burn that blend of incense. To me it's similar to buying my fiance's favourite desert if he's cooking dinner on a given day; it's something they seem to like and I bring it out to say thanks (or if I want something!). Also, during lockdown I've taken up baking small loaves of bread during the week. Some I use for soup and other's I leave as offerings when I'm out hiking. I did feel some anxiety about how to start making offerings when I first started out; but I've come to realise it's essentially giving gifts to someone dear to you: get to them and choose gifts that they would like, give something that's precious to you (even if it's only some of your time!)

[@destressed131]

So, feeding the stray cats outside my house could be seen as an offering? 🤔 it would make me super happy if that could be part of honoring the gods (I already do this).

[@krispalermo8133]

Drop $20 or $40 on little stuff toy kittens and hand them out to people that need an emotional pick up.

[@thegracklepeck]

That makes me really happy. I always feed the stray kitties around and the idea of it also being an offering sounds really nice

[@Duke_Romilar_III]

Freyja would approve.

[@samhampton6771]

I was going for a walk while listening to this so I couldn’t see the screen but when he said “higher TYR ways of losing your hand” I just stopped and groaned in pain at such an appalling pun.

[@markwilson6920]

Ocean ive been watching these and ive gathered books on this and I have introduced your channel to a few people all I really want to say to you is thank you and may the Gods bless you

[@DanCooper404]

The night before my first deer hunt, I drew a crude picture of me standing triumphant over a dead buck, then burned the paper out on my balcony and let the wind carry the ashes and smoke away. The next day, I was the only one out of my hunting party to kill a deer, and it was a buck. After I field dressed him, in thanks, I buried his heart in the woods and said a prayer for his spirit.

[@Praellium]

I usually try to keep my offerings as natural as possible, like fruits or vegetables. Or home made when I can, like home baked bread or home brewed mead.

[@marcelob.678]

Converted a week ago and have been struggling with this question. Great timing!

[@thatoneguyinthecomments7809]

You know I was always worried about doing an offering and I might be doing something wrong but you really helped me out so thanks man

[@mgtmoviemaker]

Great video as always. I really appreciate you taking the time to explain how morality evolves with our understanding of the world and why we shouldn't exactly imitate every single thing an ancient person would have done.

[@shanehiggs1779]

I've used food quite a bit - especially if it's a meal I've prepared from scratch. I also regularly share my tobacco, beer, mead, or whiskey. Although I don't do so as regularly as I'd like, I have dedicated guitar practice as an offering and played a song (such as I'm able to) for the ancestors, spirits, and deity. Or if I'm in a drawing/painting mood, will dedicate the time at my drawing table. Almost anything can be an offering, if done with focus and reverence.

[@BrokenDharmaForge]

I have a chunk of tree that we had to remove after a storm one year. Its now placed under a maple tree and my altar. I use a clam shell to hold bird seed offerings and like to put out fruit, honey, and simple parts of meals like (cooked) rice or a little bit of my home made baked goods. The altar isnt dedicated to any one god, more the spirits of nature. The animals in my years make quick work of the food.

[@ravensthatflywiththenightm7319]

I live near a forest that's got a lot of crows, and before every meal I offer meat and fish and water to the crows. I like to think it's my own personal way of offering to Morrigan, whom I've always felt connected to, though lately some cats have come along and occasionally steal my offerings. And it's been reminding me how Freya has first pick of the valiant dead. But Odin's got ravens, not crows.

[@RoanThorrson]

I use both incense and libations in my ritual work; For harvest or autumn rituals, i make bread from scratch and place it on my altar.

[@Leeshlongington]

Once dumped some mead that didn’t ferment correctly out In my yard and it made for some very drunk squirrels.

[@nathanweber8613]

Always love your sarcasm. Thank you for keeping our animal friends in mind.

[@WillemAlarik]

A week late, but I just wanted to say that I love your content, as someone who’s new to practicing Norse Paganism, I appreciate the time and effort.

[@landonrowles6154]

Thank you for this video and all your others, as a new Norse Pagan, your videos help a ton. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve gotten starting this path was to make an instagram to meet other heathens and to document my journey and what I learn. Having someone like you to help me through such an important thing in my life makes me want to do the same for others! I can’t wait for the next video, you are awesome!

[@ganjaandgeckos2077]

I am from the Midwest so I was taught how to give offerings buy my Native American friends. Although the land may be different the methods are much the same. I was taught to give an offering that means something to you and to give it with a full heart. I personally save a bit of my meal, the juiciest piece of a steak or something as simple as my last bite of ramen noodles gifted to my gods with a simple prayer and a full belly.

[@crescentdarklight]

I think that it's also cool to also give offerings that aren't physical. I have come into the habit of singing hymns that I personally created to sing every day of the week to specific gods that I've designated on various days. (I'm also heathen) I feel like it's okay to create new ways of offering things, new ways of worship that simply did not exist in the past or if they did we just can't know. Either way, it's good to mindful of the past, but it's also good to explore our options now in where we live. Especially since a lot of us can't offer physical things. I think of these not as sacrifice, but as some type of acknowledgement. There's still loads of things we can offer that aren't physical and I don't feel like a lot of people know or understand that enough. Which doesn't make physical offerings obsolete in any way, because those are good too, I'm just saying that we can expand our horizons sort to speak by not only relying on historical sources, but also our very inspirations.

[@milesfromnowhere1985]

I'm a homebrewer and gardener, so I regularly make offerings of a beer or mead (in a horn and also spread around my garden), and whatever flowers, fruits and veggies are in season for me. In both cases, it is a gift of my production or labor, and, particularly in the case of Thor, it seems favorably received ( I live in a microclimate where the rainstorms often just go around me, so if I hear thunder or see stormclouds, I will ask for a blessing and pour a drink, and nine times out of ten, I will get rain)

[@milesfromnowhere1985]

Also, my wife set up an altar for our cats under a tree in our yard: any birds 😢 or voles ☺ they kill are placed here, and are gone in the morning

[@ArchToAchilles]

I'm so glad you made this video! I have always loved the idea of offering a portion of a meal I've made. I love to cook, and my hearth is a focal point of my craft. So when I offer a portion of something I've cooked, I feel like I'm offering the best thing I possibly can. I have offered alcohol because it always seemed like the "right" way to do it. But going forward, I think I'll offer tea instead. I don't drink alcohol, so offering alcohol doesn't make sense for me. But I love tea and it takes time to make. So tea would be a much more personal offering. I'm very glad you touched on the controversial topics too. I think you spoke perfectly of it and what you said is what needs to be acknowledged more often, I think, especially for new comers. Onto the video about disposing offerings!

[@jarmo8134]

The way i usually do my "offerings" is by pouring my sauna beer to the "kiuas" ( no idea what that is in english its kinda like the oven that heats up the sauna). The smell of the beer (which is good) goes up in the steam and creates a nice feeling. This practise is done all around Finland but its not really a ritual, its just for the smell, but it feels kinda like sharing my drink as a offering and it feel nice.

[@markusjones1598]

Great help, I was always fearful that sometimes i might not be offering enough, or indeed what was even acceptable to begin. Love your videos.

[@thatguy8718]

Man your corny jokes in the beginning are actually awesome. This is helping make ALOT of sense of the tales and stories. I'm the type of person who likes to fully understand what i follow or beleive in.................and these help make very clear lines. Thank you

[@carolynsager6069]

You are my favorite speaker online for Norse Paganism. Thanks for the great videos.

[@Eluthane]

Some times I just have a ritual meal where I invite a god to participate in the meal but consume the meal myself so that I don't leave environmental waist. It's a bit of a mock offering and I'm not sure if there is historical precedent for that, but it makes me feel better about not littering.

[@danachos]

Yooooo! I literally just asked for a video explainer like this, and here it is! Such a huge, huge thank you!!

[@CeiliAllorien]

I never get further than the intro before I hit like because the puns always get a *rise* out of me.

[@KaosRunes]

When I lived in th country I would put out food for the Gods, land spirits and elementals. But in the city the only food I can put out would be bread. I also give other things not just food. I've thrown change into a pond, left herbs on my altar. Giving one's own blood is different than trying to offer someone else's. I've read that one way we can offer to Freyja is to improve soil quality and also growing flowers are ways to gain her favor. For Odin we could sacrifice free time and gain knowledge through studies and research. For Thor I'm sure lifting an insane amount of weight safely might earn his attention.

[@metalchemik]

So, watering the trees and feeding half-wild cats living in my district seems to be a good offering to the gods (:

[@OceanKeltoi]

not wrong

[@janinegriffiths8281]

Thank you for your insightful talk on offerings. I think people need this information so we can all evolve our thoughts and feelings about welcoming the gods, and each other.

[@allenc.7589]

I bury my offerings at the foot of my altar and in my garden, it's shared with the God's that way and makes fertile soil for planting, which helps grow more the next year to offer, a very nice and clean cycle that benefits everyone equally.

[@chainsawman10]

My boyfriend wants to do a Blót so will definitely watch this with him

[@1CT1]

Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you will be saved. John 3:16 (Share the good news of the gospel around the world!)...... ,,.. Have a wonderful rest of your day/night everyone, may the LORD bless you all, and farewell!.,,,,,,.....,.,,,.

[@JTD19881369]

@@1CT1 is this sarcasm?

[@misterragnar2521]

@@1CT1 nah i'm good

[@justinerickson282]

@@1CT1 why would we want your corpse god, your cult that drinks his blood? I pray to Odin and the old gods. We have protectors not martyrs

[@veir1442]

@@1CT1 ewwwww

[@Ghosttxddxs]

I've always felt drawn to offerings that preserve or help life grow, such as starting a garden and tending to the plants or helping the local fauna feed (such as leaving animal specific foods out for them) a gift to the Earth in addition to the gift to the gods for taking care of us :)

[@TheSpanishInquisition87]

Higher tier (Tyr) ways of losing your hand. Ugh! Lol

[@faelynnewolf6878]

Oh, I missed that joke/reference originally 🤣🤣🤣

[@bruisedhelmet8819]

Oh I am stealing that joke for sure.

[@tabbyblack133]

I rolled my eyes hard at that one.

[@TheQuinnawesome]

I actually had a makeshift altar in my backyard when I was in the army and the crows on post loved me for it I would typically leave out breads and things like dark beers

[@potatopotahto4500]

The video I needed. Always a pleasure viewing your channel Ocean !

[@carolynsager6069]

There was this elderly nun on tv I use to what. She was full of wisdom and was teaching people every week. Something happened to her eye and she wore a black patch on is. She said people in her parish and others in the area would bring her broken statues that could not be thrown away. So she accumulated a lot of these not knowing what to do with them. She saw a new church built. She decided to unload all of it in to hollow pillars the builders just put up. I thought maybe this may give everyone ideas.

[@BlackFlagHeathen]

I’ve noticed that what I do with offerings when I’m done with them usually depends on the deity or entity I made the offering to. With Freya I usually feel the most comfortable consuming them myself. With Thor I often just leave it outside, dump it outside, or bury it. With Odin, I’ve found it depends. Etc, etc.

[@mishapurser4439]

I would love to see a video on reconstructionism and revivalism, explaining the nuance that separates the two. As I understand it thus far, revivalism is reconstructionism adapted to modern sensibilities and circumstances. For example, as a vegan I will avoid using animal products in my praxis, except for the hyacinth macaw feathers I use which were molted naturally and the cashmere scarf I use as an altar cloth which was a Christmas present.

[@KamikaziHobbit]

The first thing i noticed about learning about pagans is the environmental thoughtfullness. i couldnt imagine someone burning plastic in libation, that just sounds kinda counter intuitive with a nature based faith.

[@OceanKeltoi]

You’d think. But its always good to say just in case.

[@KamikaziHobbit]

@@OceanKeltoi oh for sure!! im so new to the pagan path im still in the learning phase and since you responded to my comment i want to take a moment and thank you for all your videos i have enjoyed so far on my journey. Find a way or make one. love it:)

[@cm60854]

Love the video, keep up the puns

[@coregoon]

So far I've only given libations when on my own, so food and such is only when in a group. When giving food we've usually had a fire, so everything solid goes in there. I understand that this may or may not (I'm honestly not sure) be entirely historical, but if nothing else it's certainly practical. With drink it really doesn't matter much what else you have around since you can just pour it on an appropriate area on the ground (when I do that solo it's at specific spots on a graveyard, i.e. family). Another thing I do that I'm not sure of the historacity of is that whatever I give I'll have some of myself. If it's liquid I'll have a sip before pouring out the rest, if it's solid I'll break off a bit to eat as I give the rest. I don't give anything I wouldn't eat or drink myself.

[@Duke_Romilar_III]

Give the Gods a more than fair portion, then consume the rest yourself. They appreciate that you share with them.

[@lauraarruda2645]

Hello, Ocean! I'm new to norse paganism, only starting my journey now. I'm so glad I found your channel!

[@aalin5701]

Got it. Reading Ibn Fadlan will fix Britain's heat wave.

[@OceanKeltoi]

Not guaranteed, but always worth a shot. Rhetoric has a strong connection with culture there, why not the weather?

[@LadyBlack22]

Hey there, I'm a Buddhist Christian Witch, and I'm a bit new to a lot of this history and many ideas and I just wanted to say hello, thanks for making your thorough and thoughtful content. I'm sure you don't need another random person's opinion, but I think you do a great job of retelling what we can know and also modeling how everything should be viewed with the knowledge that we are somewhat evolved creatures viewing others' practices in different periods of history. Very well spoken, sir! Thanks, once again!

[@avalsnep9910]

This one video kept showing up on my feed like I’ve seen it at least ten times I think something is telling me to watch it

[@arweninnj]

Thank you for making a video that is informative, well thought out and relevant to this modern yet traditionalist heathen. 👍

[@OceanKeltoi]

Thank you so much!

[@pokenectionswithprofessorp2979]

I'll offer some of my own ideas; George Bataille examined why humans seem to sacrifice and his observation was based on what's called 'base materialism', which goes even further than regular materialism. If we reflect on a universe with functionally limitless gifts, we have to question why it is that we still lack. We can see this as a smaller version of the problem of evil that is addressed through political ideology like communism and capitalism, but those economic models assume that we're trying to address a lack, rather than asking what we do with the excess. Assuming that everyone's needs are accounted for, what do we do with the remainder? In older societies, a surplus was not universally good; it could rot, it could lead to overpopulation. The societies that survived at the ones who were willing to do the unthinkable and dispose of excess ritually. Excess is not even limited to actual resources, but to said overpopulation. In other words, sacrifice in George Bataille's view, is a means of controlling boom-and-bust, feast-or-famine cycles from a base materialist view. Gifts must be respected, not just because we should be thankful, but also because they are temporary and fleeting. There is also another aspect, when it comes to the sacrifice of animals. Even though animal sacrifice can be seen as obsolete today, I think it's still a valuable perspective that can inform other practices. In the view of George Bataille, we recognize that other creatures are sentient, but in older civilizations, we couldn't always subsist on a purely vegetarian diet, especially in colder regions. It just didn't scale. Aside from that historical note that I inject; we recognized that at the moment of a death necessary for us to live, we must visit violence upon another living creature and reduce their subjective experience and return their subjective experience back to a material universe (in the base materialist view). This is a source of both great anxiety and great awe; humanity feels drawn towards death (this is also known as 'the death drive') and through sacrifice, George Bataille believes that we regain control over this death drive. Shifting gears radically, we can look at KonMarie. Marie Kondo is the lady from who the meme 'this sparks joy' and 'this does not spark joy'. This is actually an exercise she performs in cleaning, where she asks what possessions she has that she feels an emotional bond with and those that she does not. There is, however, a secondary aspect to this exercise. Sometimes, you have to let go of things that you know that you can no longer use yourself or that don't serve you as they maybe once did (see my previous comment about gifts being temporary). I propose that, similar to George Bataille; letting go of something that sparks joy, but is no longer for you, is an acceptable offering to the gods. You are returning what you have borrowed and you are expressing thanks. A sacrifice may even be a respectful rejection of a gift or opportunity. Something that gives you discomfort or anxiety for letting go, but you know that you cannot make use of. And rather than burning it, you can sanctify it first; giving it a thorough cleaning, placing it upon the altar and giving thanks for the honor, before respectfully donating it to someone who would appreciate it (which does not exclude the thrift store). Reframed through this lens, giving up addictions can be a sacrifice; fasting so that others might eat can be a sacrifice. It's not minimalism; in fact, by acknowledging that you would use it and be thankful for it in the future, were it meant for you, you respect the offering all the more by passing it and waiting for a better time.

[@jimmiemumbles]

Thank you for the great content and answering my questions about disposal of offerings before I even asked.

[@sithplays9288]

Loved this video was helpful and informative and loved the Tyr hand joke had me dying!!!

[@greysonbogle5080]

I read and thoroughly enjoyed Ibn Fadlan a few weeks ago in the mountains of New Mexico, and then re-read Eaters of the Dead after finishing the more fantastical accounts of the other guys in the book. Sometimes I’ll make a sacrifice of half a bowl of bud and half a cup of wine, if I paid for them both.

[@Earendil1979]

As an ex christian, and as still trying to figure out belief in general, I have really enjoyed finding your channel. I'm struggling as I start to explore and incorporate both Norse traditions, as well as simply animistic and land based ritual and traditions... I'm struggling with this strange affect from my post christianity, where ritual and performative religion is SUPER difficult for me to engage in, yet, I think that it's important and the pathway to the connection that I am seeking with the gods, or the universe, or God, or..... whatever is there. I've felt it before, but only fleetingly. Anyone have this experience, or any words for me?

[@Cernunnos_83]

We pagans connect directly with the gods, and we don't need priests for example. We feel a connection, we talk to the deities, do rituals and make gifts for the gods. We are very small humans and the gods are high above us. The offerings are important to get attentions from the gods. It is a bond, and it took years to consolidate it. The easiest way is just to start, if you have found your deitie, god, spirit and so on. Good luck and sorry for my bad english. 😉

[@cafra11972]

Have you watched Ocean’s video on Latent Christianity? It explains a lot about the difficulties in connecting to pagan gods after being Christian for so long. I have been a Heathen for about 10 years and at times still find I have to stop myself from ‘thinking like a Christian’ when it comes to making offerings and interacting with the gods. Recognising the differences between what actually is latent Christianity and then what is normal for pagan spirituality is important and can take time. Hang in there, it gets better.

[@graspfire9764]

Get the book Futhark and learn the Holy Runes. Helps with communication to use the tools of our ancestors

[@Earendil1979]

@@cafra11972 I have seen that video for sure. I took a really deep dive into Ocean's older stuff when I discovered the channel and it's sort of what has got me thinking about... Am I just still casting about and rebelling? Or am I actually seeking and believing? I have absolutely felt divine presence and connection, as a christian; but it was often outside of and apart from orthodox (though not always). As part of my deconstruction from christianity I started down the celtic christian path, like Ocean has described... and I definitely find value in some of those ideas still. I absolutely value to real teachings of Jesus, as a radical teacher of love and care for each other, but I realized very quickly that I had "met" other people through their writings who felt like they knew the divine, even though they weren't christian, so the search continues. My most profound and clearly divine connections have come though out in the land, and I feel most connected when I'm observing the points on the wheel of the year, it's just ritual that is seemingly difficult for me as I suppose it feels eerily like the christian focus on ritual, and I instinctively recoil from it. I do understand however that heathen ritual isn't the same sort of dogmatic and performative focus that what I learned from christianity so... I still continue. Thanks for responding.

[@Earendil1979]

@@graspfire9764 Thanks! I will look... I have meditated on the runes using Wardruna rune poem songs which has been very helpful at times.

[@rawcontent5166]

I love watching your videos for they are both educational and comically entertaining. The humor like the "Yeet" there at the end are why I stay, and it is also the humor that is why whenever I see one of your videos pop up in my recommended I click on it. All and all, I just really enjoy your content and hope you keep making more. P.s. I like your saying at the end of each video of "To either find a way, or make one". Where did you get it, or what inspired you to use that?

[@OceanKeltoi]

When Hannibal Barca was crossing the alps with his elephants to attack Rome, there was a point when his men objected to him, saying it was impossible. Hannibal responded that they will "Find a way or make one" It's been a phrase said between me and my brother to reflect our determination over the course of a lot of really sucky situations. Someone told me I needed a tagline for my channel, and I just adopted the phrase, not because I can put it on a t-shirt or anything, but because it was helpful to me, and I think it can be helpful to others as well.

[@rawcontent5166]

@@OceanKeltoi That is honestly extraordinary, truly fascinating. I like both its use and history, from both history it's self to the use of it between you and your brother. I've just been curious because every time I heard you say that at the end of your videos, I've always thought to myself "I bet that has an awesome back story to it". Now knowing that it does, I like it even more. 👍

[@lonelynotation7722]

The animal sacrifice before serving in a feast is new information for me. But it makes sense in that context, like offering and having a good meal with an honored guest.

[@ryanmatthews2068]

I always use mixed bird seeds in a bowl and then throw it into the yard once done. Have a lot of squirrels and deer in my yard now, and not so many birds XD

[@drengrofthor9368]

Interesting video and very good information. In Sweden, we have a similar way of doing offerings. In every opening, we have a songbook in which we as a group sings for the specific God or goddess with drums. When you think about singing, it sounds Christianized, but I think it could also be in honor of the gods.

[@johnjezierski4047]

Found this to be a rather huge help, as I have been rather curious in this topic. Didn’t have an alter, but gave my first offering of Spruce Essence.

[@cinderella_wishes3994]

Thank you for this. I want to start making offerings but I did not know where to start. I have lit insence at my alter before but I wanted to offer food. Would nuts or seeds be a good offering please? There is a few birds that come to mine every other day which I feed.

[@aronhalverson2115]

I myself have only been dabbling in paganism for a few years now, so this was very insightful

[@Wolf-6567]

Very well put, thank you for sharing

[@Wolfparadox]

My practice is Celtic focused but for daily offerings I use water libations and incense, once a week I offer juice, token food /bread offerings. I tend to eat the offerings (with a pinch of the food being placed outside along with the libations ) and in the evenings when I can I light candles on the altar . Oh and instead of blessing my meals I offer it first to my Deities , wait a few moments then eat

[@kiaburr94]

I just eat or drink mine after a good 30 minutes after the ritual, unless I'm making an offering to a God of Death or to Óðinn where he takes such a role(in which case I dispose of it). I do give my pups offerings made to Geri and Freki though.

[@nathanmauk9387]

Penitential handbooks are fascinating as a glimpse into what people actually were doing (but the church preferred that they didn't).