Yggdrasil as Animist Cosmology

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Here I argue that animist cosmology differs from Christian and modern cosmology in terms of the external/internal borders, entanglement of the divine sphere with human life, and lack of systemic coherence. I emphasize the relational and transformational nature of animist cosmology and critiques the modern tendency to impose systematic structures on ancient cosmologies.
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[@havenwyld]

What you share in this video is profound and so illuminating. I had never heard anyone explain a conception of Yggdrasil in quite this way. It really resonates with me and makes so much sense. Deep gratitude to you for your offering!

[@NordicAnimism]

thanks a lot :-) I recommend checking out my playlist on symbols of the world tree: kzbin.info/aero/PLpgfnnXC81dWQ6oHAB3zNFPCJgdVa38Zx

[@NordicAnimism]

and do check out Nordic Animism accross platforms. Here: linktr.ee/nordicanimism

[@amyjones2119]

This reminds me of a video Jackson Crawford made recently where he said that to the Norsemen the dead were not gone, they were still thought of as existing inside their burial mounds. I don't remember which video, maybe it was around Halloween? Today when we think of the dead we think of them as being somewhere else that we don't know, and we think of the universe in this vague way too. It's likely very important regarding climate change that we relearn to relate to the world in the way you described. I think finding a place in nature and forming a relationship with it could be a good start. I myself have inadvertently made a lovely area in the woods into a person (in the animist sense) who I give to and who I ask of. I have also focused on learning the names and information of the plants and trees etc in this area (it's large so there's a lot to learn). In this way we can learn to really see and relate to nature. Greetings from Sweden and thanks for a great video.

[@marykayryan7891]

Also it seems interesting in the second image of Yggdrasil, that each "level" of the tree is linked and even knotted to the level above and below-also showing the interdependence and co-existence of each. In the first Yggdrasil image, each "level" seems pretty distinct and independent.

[@sylviawoodham334]

your description feels like it fits my meditation on the different dimensions

[@jazminebellx11]

Yes, Yes, Yes. In other words thank you for bring this back to life.

[@erictheded3392]

This perspective is perfect, and I have discovered through a study and meditation. The Christian sees the metaphysical as outside the physical, separate and other worldly, a thing that can be ignored or disregarded when convenient. But the animist perspective understands that the metaphysical is deeply tied to our reality. I feel the power of something greater in nature, I am in awe at its wonder. I see that as some sign, a reminder of our place, scientifically we are the dust of the universe come to life, and what better can we do but to treat ourselves, our species, and the planet with love and care. For me, it's a matter of duty to try and help societal and environmental reform. It comes natural to me now, to truly love and empathize in a way I couldn't quite understand as a Catholic. I try to explain but most don't understand this relation I have to my nature, my life, and to my spirituality, but it's a life changing perspective.

[@ellengran6814]

We once believed in «spirits», emergence from within. Later we were told it was all created by an outside God. Today I would say science has proven our forefathers were right. To me, Yggdrasil is kind of the same concept as yinyang.

[@kirkha100]

Thanks. You opened a window for me and my perspective has expanded.

[@hat_maker]

ah thank you for the wonderful video! I'm so glad I discovered your channel. ( i also particularly loved the way you put animist cosmology as the divine sphere not being distinct from human life but deeply entangled in human life )

[@vivianbeasley]

I would love that cleaner drawing as a tattoo, I'm looking for something more traditional for Yggdrasil and that's about as trad as you can get lol

[@Sejdr]

Excellent video! Scholars need to be careful when using analytical concepts in order to organize material and not fall into the narrative trap (which some do) and believe that the "map is the reality". This has as you say spilled over into our non-academic way of relating to for example pre-christian norse beliefs. I myself have done this.

[@milapolitical5753]

I think this video says some really cool things but it starts out almost the first 10 minutes is extremely academic and then after that you introduce some great examples that I feel make it more accessible. It's a good video though.

[@sarad6627]

An excellent video and with sources too!!!!! Could you add to your earlier video on the moon please. I would like to know what substance the moon carries or is composed of that makes it effect the human world's growth and death cycle in animism. Basically, how does it work?

[@bumblebee6825]

I thought it was well known that the substance the moon is made up of is cheese.

[@bradhartliep879]

I, Brad, breed of Vahalla and Scotia; The blood-born heir, begotten of Odin; Fired of Ice; from Ashen Tree o'er Standing Rock; God-made-Man; aged in the Aquarian Sun .. I know that I hung on a wind-rocked tree; Hung swaying with the breeze, for nine full nights. With my spear was I wounded, my flesh to my heart; Pouring my living waters of blood out to all; From basin to mouth; All-Father to Gaul; And to Odin did I offer my Flesh as my Lamb, Myself to myself, for one and all: my sacrifice; And on that tree, the sap of which no one knows; From what root it springs; from what soil it grows; Bread no one gave me; no food for them all to eat; Nor life from my blood-stained cauldron of mead; Downward I peered, to runes engraved myself; Wailing to teach them; screaming I took them - Then fell I back from there; arisen at last; My steed riding me higher .. into the stars ..

[@urflamme]

This is such an important video / message - expertly delivered.

[@Ner0mancer]

Dude, the rune wheel at the beginning... What is that? It looks awesome!

[@NordicAnimism]

Look for "Nordic Wheel of seasons" on my channel

[@NordicAnimism]

Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZonPpHetqpV3ebM

[@Ner0mancer]

@@NordicAnimism awesome! Thank you 💚

[@amyjones2119]

Academics would say that the Ockelbo runestone just shows the story of Sigurd the dragon slayer and that the tree is Barnstokkr, do you have any thoughts on that? Though I don't see how we would meaningfully separate different trees in runestones, and it would be very strange if such a central thing as Yggdrasil would not be portrayed on a single stone.

[@amyjones2119]

Maybe the sagas are meant to communicate religious information?

[@NordicAnimism]

@Amy Jones - i actually have a video coming on exactly this topic

[@amyjones2119]

@@NordicAnimism oh that's great! Looking forward to it :)

[@heathertheheathen8441]

Thank you for this video!

[@danielarciniegas550]

wonderful, id love to see you share some diagrams on metaphysics

[@rhiannonfugatt3269]

My understanding is the serpent or dragon is the earths energy. The earths ley lines and how they are connected to lighting. The cosmology I see in the tree the center of the trunk is earth or middle present time. The underworld, ancestors, and the past being the roots, and the other or upper world where deities, the future in the branches. Everything is connected through the center. There is also a boundless spirit that flows through the center out the branches and roots and makes a circle around the tree. Imagine energy that is in constant motion and shaped like a donut. Just my experience from much time spent in tree meditation and journeying through the tree. There is more to it than this, but not going to write that much here.

[@austinhuffman1175]

Its also symbolic for the placenta

[@Aidanimation]

Great work

[@maree-anne]

Omnicide that does not exclude mankind ourselves, at least not by those who believe they have the power and the right to decide who should live and who should perish; who is a waste of resources and who is not. How did humanity become so distorted and, dare I say it, so evil?

[@sarahgilbert8036]

Takk for at du bruker Grieg's I Dovregubbens Hall fra Peer Gynt 😉😎

[@fabricedemonaco6886]

Yep Yggdrasil is a ladder.

[@zoozooe]

🙏♥️

[@ramlebelier8225]

Yggdrasil is the tree of genesis in the Bible, the tree of life among the Celts, the Christmas tree among the "Christians"...Santa Claus is therefore Odin...that's why we find three pyramids in Egypt, a country where a solar deity arrived by the sea. The symbol of Odin is the Valknut, Three intertwined pyramids..and that's why the bible is not the truth, and there is no uniq God from Judaea and PHARisians... PHARaons

[@starrychloe]

I’m sorry this was hard to follow. Almost a word salad. Continuously reaching for the camera was also annoying.

[@calisson47]

My thoughts exactly.