This old pagan from the USA have studied Celtic, Nordic, and some Native American paganism, being guided by my ancestors, which are Celtic, Nordic and Native American. In my 68 years, I have found that there are more similarities than differences and have "blended" the traditions to fit me better. I'm mixed, so should my spiritual path. Some people are obsessed with purity of traditions, but true spirituality must evolve with the humans practicing them.
It's not just Norse, Thor and Odin where known throughout all of Northern Europe, the Norse just held out against the Christians longer then the rest... So yes, any Middle, to Northern European descended person can follow this, because they have ancestors waiting for them on the other side... Because this is overall ancestor worship, the gods are our ancestors, they are not separate from us...
Jacob, it's only natural to deepen and expand and "open" your practice. We did (at first) get drawn to your channel bc of Norse Paganism, but the longer we are on this Path, the older (and wiser and more experienced) we get, we realize that Paganism is more than just following old (and dare I say outdated) traditions. It's growing your practice and evolving yourself through that path. You are one of the rarest (Pagan) content creators, if not THE only one who has continuously evolved, and not just by yourself, but you have taken us on your journey and helped us evolve and learn with you! Expanding your consciousness and never stopping learning is (from my humble pov) EXACTLY what Odinnism is and following the 'path of Odinn'. Haters gonna hate bc their mind is unable to broaden and expand. It's simple as that. Kudos to you and your (holy) work!
I've been watching your videos for years now. I have to say this video shows so much personal growth and being down to earth. It shows that that getting out and traveling/studying really improves ones perspective on life and the environment around them. Well done sir!
I’ve Been watching since you used to start your videos with “I’m a norse pagan” I think that’s what drew me in, your conviction. Following your journey to find your calling is amazing and an inspiration ✨ So looking forward to the videos about Ireland, All my ancestors are pretty much Irish descent as-well as Isle of Man (which I believe has some amazing viking archaeology) and really feel the pull to visit both places. Wishing you all the best on your amazing journey ✨
I really appreciated this video Jacob. Our faith should evolve as we grow deeper into our practice. I would describe myself as "expanding". Shamanism practices, and ancestor veneration have become the dominant forces in my faith in the present, but the Gods are also very important to me. North America, predominantly, is made up of people from mixed ancestry so it only makes sense for us North American Norse Pagans to feel drawn to a variety of places and maybe a variety of old Gods from many different pantheons. I don't think the old Gods mind us reaching out to the deities of our ancestors when we go into our practice with good intention. I don't think that our ancestors collectively practiced exactly the same way from group to group. How could they? Their day to day spiritual practices happened in their homes, with their families and THAT was passed down from the parents to the children for generations. The sagas remained the same perhaps...but I think there was far more work being done with local spirits and ancestors than there was work being done with the Gods EXCEPT for certain times of the year when specific Gods were venerated (like for Spring planting, Fall harvest, Summer and Winter Solstice, etc.). In their homes they found what worked and went with it using herbal knowledge, the sagas, and environmental observation as their guides. So I am on the same page as you my friend. ❤
As I was watching, the rains started coming down hard!. So I opened up my door and put the screen across so I could hear, feel, and smell the rain. Then I yelled out thanking Creator, Mother Earth and my Kin, the rain! It's so beautiful!! I laughed and whooped! So awesome and so fitting that it happened during this video. Thank you so much for sharing. I love your videos. You have evolved tremendously over the years and it makes my heart swell!
Im Norse pagan because I honestly can't argue with the results! Ive dabbled in Wicca and reached out to several pantheons thru the years, but the Norse gods were the first and only to actually reapond ❤
So, you are into it for what you get out of it. At least you are honest. I stopped asking "the gods" for things a long time back, once I figured out that we are here to co-create WITH them instead of asking for gifts. Sometimes their plans are counter intuitive to ours, but they can see the bigger picture, and wisdom comes from accepting this.
Congrats on staying with it. You look so much happier and healthier with your travels. I like how you show offerings but also take time for yourself off camera to have a spiritual experience. Hail Freyja ❤
Wow Jacob I'm so proud of you and how you are evolving. So much path has been walked since your beginnings. You are litterally blooming with your journeys. It's truely beautiful to see and to follow❤ the term wisdom has never been so accurate for your page
Hey Jacob, I think your video is very well done and I appreciate the work put into them. The quality, scenery, all of it. I myself am going through some stages, Atheism, Agnostic, Christian, Islam, Norse Paganism, and Pantheism. I haven't really decided for myself which I believe in or disbelieve in but I find videos like these to help along the journey. Either way I try to live a life of kindness and humor, never taking anything to serious and always treating people respectfully. I have no idea on where I will land when my time on death's door comes, and I don't think that is a problem for myself anyway. Life is living, not worrying about where you might go after. Anyway, thanks again for the work you put into these and I hope your journey's are filled with joy and good food!
This is such an important video. I've long said Norse Paganism in America is not a reconstructive religion, it's an evolutionary one, for all the points you make here. We are not trying to recreate Norse culture. We're trying to evolve it, and find the same pieces of our soul that they may have also found. Honoring their ways by using our modern skills, talents, and knowledge to carry on that spiritual legacy.
There never was a universal pagan religion. There were tribal beliefs that had different spirits of the area, ancestors, and powerful forces of nature that were called gods. We can't reconstruct an old universal Germanic pagan religion because such a thing didn't exist. But we can take what we have and move forward.
There's much to be said for looking for common threads! For the past few years I've been making a study of the Celtic Triads, The Havamal and excerpts from the works of Gree and Roman philosophers. There is considerable common ground in terms of values and counsel, for example: honor the gods, revere your ancestors, pursue personal excellence, build up your community, practice hospitality--and that's just for starters. As Americans, we are "transplants" and we are genetically and culturally blended in a way that is truly unique. For those reasons (and others) I think the best path forward (to say nothing of the most practical way forward) is for us to look for the lessons and principles of the past--but stay focused on where and who we are in the here and now. Build on the basis of the blending that has already taken place and prioritize forming the bond with the land we live on (as our settle ancestors omitted to do!). Really and truly, I do believe this to be the work and task of Pagans living in the present day (at least in the States). Authenticity can't simply be a matter of looking at the past and trying to "copy & paste" to the best of available knowledge. The traditions and customs we establish amongst ourselves--today--is the foundation future Pagans will look back on. It is authentic for American Pagans to draw upon their whole heritage and build around the commonalities of it. We all experience the changing of the seasons--even if there are different names for similar celebrations and even if we're called to work with different gods. The Seasonal change itself is what we hold in common. The whispers of the land we dwell on is what we hold in common. The desire for Paganism to take it's proper place in the world is what we hold in common. Surely those major factors are enough for us to form lasting bonds, and allowing our differences to become points of interests rather than irreconcilable differences.
I love your videos, whether they're totally Norse Pagan or not. I have a lot of Celtic roots, so it's really nice to see your Celtic Paganism videos, too, and I love your take on Shamanism. You've inspired me to research Shamanism as a potential additional practice in my spirituality. Your worldview is refreshing, as well. ❤
American Celtic folk witch here 🙋♀️ the names are quite hard to pronounce lol. It’s actually funny how in order to learn about Celtic paganism you basically need to start learning the language 😂😂 same thing with learning about places in Ireland or Scotland. The original place names are in Gaelic and Gaidhlig and describe the story of the land
My ancestors came from: Norway, Sweden and Denmark that migrated to: Scotland, England and Northern Ireland so the attraction to Norse Pagan for me is strong. Your Channel is very helpful to me on my spiritual journey. Thank you.
Its okay, I'm 100% glad that you have revealed this info... I started my journey into spiritualism from Christianity, (actually from the Dune series...) and it is an ABSOLUTE STRUGGLE to move to Norse paganism for me, but with these videos, and you being honest, I feel like I can move into this paganism without fear!
Great vid! I think it's amazing that we have so many cultural references from the past to guide us. I find it fascinating that many ancient traditions, such as celebrating Yule (Christmas), and Eoestrada (Easter) have continued, as well as the fantastic medieval and Roman references and archeological finds and the standing stones. It is natural for spirituality to evolve, and I think it is wonderful that you are continuing to keep the pagan home fires burning.
Love seeing your journey, your humble and open approach is inspiring. Don't worry about the 'purists', our pre-christian ancestors didn't know what dogmatism and ideology was, they just lived life.
Oh man, 7 years already. Time really goes by really fast. I glad you keep making content and making your channel grow, it kind of shows how paganism is sort of making a come back. A huge hug from Spain, brother:)
There was a time, 10-15 years ago, if someone said "eclectic", they were bashed by elitists that said we were being disrespectful to traditions, all while most of the people bashing were blabbing false claims about some made up pure blood, ancestral pagan/witch linage or other bullshit. There should be a level or respect when meshing pantheons, but it does appear neo-pagans are aware of this and research the stories, energies (best word I can think of) of paths and deities and are more respectful than those yelling at them. I have Welsh, German and Scandinavian blood lines and although mostly Celtic in (neo) tradition, I certainly have connection with some Norse and Germanic deities. I am admittingly a proud eclectic, hard polytheist, and have been very comfortable with saying that for awhile now since our pagan community appears to have, mostly, moved (evolved!) past the elitist finger pointing negativity!
I think you have the perfect attitude! This humility is very rare today, where everyone has to compete about being "Right" with a capital R. When as you say, we simply cannot know so many things. Some things may be set in stone (pun not intended), we don't know nothing, but we have a few tiny puzzle pieces of a huge, elaborate finished picture that was destroyed and lost centuries ago. What we create will be different (just as the viking age practices were different from the bronze age were different from the stone age), and it will not be truly "genuine" again for at least another hundred years, I think, when we have generations of "shamans" or "priests" who were trained by others. Until then, we have to borrow and learn from others as you say, and we have to find the men and women in our movement of the absolute greatest quality and integrity (rare as a gem in a barn these days), to "fake it until we make it", these first few generations.
I got into paganism through Norse. I've come and gone through my journey over the years, and have been trying to connect to my Gaelic side of my heritage. As such, I have appreciated you sharing your journey. Thank you
Hail to you Jacob. You seem to speak with a pure heart about our traditions. Let us all continue to honor and remember the Gods in the best way we are able. Hail the Gods!
I think this video is an amazing explanation for people just getting into this faith. Ive always been involved in paganism since childhood, but 4 years ago i really started doing research on my ancestors and the old ways specifically because my ancestry is primarily Scandinavia, scotland, and england/northwestern europe. And I definitely agree that many people getting into this faith end up making oaths and trying to do all kinds of things that should be taken very seriously. I havent been to my first gathering, I havent had my first ritual, I havent sworn any oaths. Ive merely learned, absorbed all the knowledge ive been able. It took until now for me to plan out a ritual. It will be my first offering. I think everyone should take Odin's advice, his wisdom. Explore, discover all you can. Your spirituality will prosper from it. Your wisdom you've gained shows in this video, thank you.
I am a graduate from the living school of witchcraft with Sanhre as my mentor and main educator. I so much appreciate the evolution and growth of your practice. I wholeheartedly agree with you that if you are doing or practicing the exact same thing that you have been doing & practicing since the very beginning.You're probably not doing something you should be doing We are supposed to grow and prosper, and as practitioners, We do so on a different scale than normal people. If you are listening to your guides to the universe to your pantheon then you will hear the call to move forward into your next chapter when the time is right for you. And seeing practitioners like yourself who have A platform to express themselves to many people, Showing people that it is not a bad thing to evolve Or possibly to even change the practice that you are currently in is extremely awesome.
Jacob you are on the path that matters to you and let those who seek to turn you from break on the shield of your spirit. You are where you need to be and you are seeing and teaching as we are all suppose to. Walk tall, your ancestors and those you stand with you, walk with you.
What you said about heritage, and how it affects the faith, makes perfect sense to me. I would have said that you were Celti, it makes sense that scottish and rish i cultures attracts you so much
I started Wiccan when I was 14 and got spooked around 17 because strange psychic things were happening. So I kind of stopped practicing but still held on to belief in multiple gods and that gods and energies are in nature. Then I’m my mid 20s I discovered Norse Paganism. I didn’t study the mythology super heavy or anything but felt a pull towards Norse Paganism pretty heavy. I started making Norse Pagan jewelry and I will start back up soon. But I found a Pagan Church near me (I’m in North America) which follows all types of Pagan religions and I am slowly getting back into Wicca. It’s hard to choose because I feel connected with both. My ancestry is Scottish, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Germanic, England & Wales. So I can see why I feel a pull toward both and why I also fell in love with Celtic music long ago. Anyway, the world is so full of different practices and people and I think it’s okay not to be 100% anything. How else will we grow and evolve ourselves?
Please cover Anglo-Saxon heathenry at some point! You have covered Scottish, and will cover Irish, yet the old English gods and ways are also just as interesting, and whilst having a lot of commonalities to Norse as a sister tradition, is also different. Hail Wōden!
I am looking forward to your videos in Ireland. I’ve always had strongest connection to my Irish ancestry. My father was very verbal about me having Irish ancestry. And I played Hellblade, which is about a CELTIC warrior in Norse lands, and people mistake her for a Viking. The speaking of the Tuatha Dé Danann in the game (Druth says “I prayed to our gods, even theirs”) helped lead me back to my roots. I didn’t know anything. In 2009 at age 39, a vision from Cernunnos of Ogham began me on this path.
I haven't been around for a while, but OMG, Jacob, you look fantastic! I love the trimmed beard! lol. But your voice is also different, so, are you a doppelganger? lol. But seriously, thank you for the "we are all wrong," part. It is so hard to even attempt to be "purely" Norse Pagan, especially in the US, and with intuition guiding personal practice, it sometimes feels as though the gods will be upset with me for seeking additional paths. So thanks!
You have been on a journey, might still be - I can definitely see it and feel it in your videos. I am a norse pagan in Denmark, but lack Danish content, so I watch a lot from different people in different countries. Lately I have been more curious about wicca (and witches outside wicca) as well as the old celtic gods and myths, the druids and shamanism. It is not something that remove my spirituality or religion, but enhance it. By knowing more about related religions and spirituality around me, I also learn more about my own - what I want or not want as part of my practice. Especially because there isn't a book with rules and "how to". At first I felt it was wrong. I shouldn't be interested in e.g. druidism, when I am a norse pagan. It wasn't my culture, my country or place. But in time I learned that it is okay - you are not cheating on your gods. You are learning. And most likely (from what I know, anyway), many of the old religions was open for even more gods and goddesses - it was already polytheistic, why not include a few more? Many of the different gods and myths can seem much the same, if you look at similarities. Personally, it is not because I mix the different pantheons, but I know a lot of people do. For me, it is just interesting and helps me being even more in love with being a pagan, and being with my own gods and goddesses. But I also love learning and understanding other pagans and their practices. I think it is healthy :) We should learn from and help eachother. Pagan to pagan. :)
hey its ok! I have taken a year and a half off being a Norse Pagan. This is because i had some christians force their beliefs on me and it took a lot to start healing from that traumatic experience. I am still taking a break to this day because having beliefs forced on me so violently lead to spiritual crisis. I love my people and ancestors, and have always know that i will return to the Aesir in this life or the next. Sometimes you must experience healing before advancing in practice (or even resuming it) this is because in order to connect with the gods and handle the knowledge they teach us, we must be in the right headspace. When it comes to mental health, this can take a very long time. I am still healing and have been very successful in recovering from my abusive experience with christianity and forced conversion. And our lives are like a firework going off to the gods. For me, its been a year and a half, for them, it probably feels like a month. I will take as much time as I need to continue healing before i continue any serious practice or return to paganism. Because this is what I need. The gods love us and want the best for us, my experience with them was always one of family. So they understand. It's ok to take a break from practice if you need to. Hope this helps some people. Also, I just felt inclined to share my experience. If your feeling disconnected, go for a walk in nature and consult the runes. If that doesn't work, then be patient. It's all just part of the journey.
I just wanted to say that I love all your videos! I have learned so much! I don’t think you have to be committed to Norse Paganism when there is the Celtic and the Germanic and others that all still connected. I do think the Shamanism is very fascinating because it’s so closely related. I’ve just started my Norse Pagan journey recently but I too am interested in Norse Shamanism. Just keep doing what you’re doing! It’s all interesting to learn!
Thank the gods, I was starting to get interested in divination, magics, and didn’t know exactly where to start. Thank you for reminding me that I should look into my roots
i fluctuate so much in my faith and i hate it, for months at a time i am athiestic and for only weeks at best i am religious. when i am pagan i am very devoted and respectful and even look in to making a dedicated temple in my town since we have so many pagans here, sadly such things disappear when i lose faith. if anyone reads this and has any advice on how to stay religious i would love to hear them as i feel so much better and feel like i actually have a purpose while i am religious.
Considering I'm looking more into Gaelic side of things at the moment, really looking forward to your Irish videos. Just as I enjoyed your Scottish ones. Although I traced my ancestry back to a few different Scottish clans, the one that resonates most with me is the Ruthven clan. They were founded by Norse settlers who migrated to Scotland. So I feel a blend of the two paths ... Gaelic and Norse as I work with those ancestors. Didn't many of the Irish gods also find their way to Scotland ... like the Dagda, etc. ? Which considering all my Irish ancestors were actually Scots who moved there and who also moved back and forth between Ireland and Scotland .... Belief in those gods finding their way feels natural.
I ended up getting into magick through wanting my call of Cthulhu spells to sound more real, that lead to me discovering runes and runic magick and took me to becoming a norse pagan I'm currently listening to this after venerating my sister and walking through the woods in the pouring rain
The Allfather will take you on many different paths in terms of knowledge and wisdom, those different paths may even be different traditions, beliefs, and religions. Be flexible and open to the knowledge that comes your way.
The Gods are the same all around the globe, only the names and perceptions of them differ. As indo europeans our ancestors were most probably following some proto Hinduism anyways. Greetings from Germany
Since I converted to Norse pagan a couple years back I found out that my ancestors were Norse back in when the Vikings invaded Scotland and Ireland there was one Norsemen that settled in Scotland that is my ancestor them for some reason my bloodline disappeared for a few generations and popped back up in Ireland then later in like 1890s or so to America
Glastonbury Abbey is the perfect setting for a video like this. Close to King Arthur’s grave, everyone is free to be who they want to be and believe what they feel is right.
The saying "spiritual journey" implies a progression not stagnation. Remember, guys, our notions of being either Norse pagan, Celtic, or otherwise, having to choose one or the other, is rooted in centuries of monotheism. This ultimatum is not pagan in origin. Pagans historically are open to other deities, they didn't have to choose one or the other. They incorporated the deities at will.
Would you say that one of your original ‘quests’ with this path/channel to help gather the folk has changed? Do you still feel like Odin charged/called you or is still calling you to that goal? Just curious about your perspective on this, love your content regardless, both old and new
I feel the same, I view the world with the Norse cosmology but I am half German, and the rest of me is mostly Welsh and Scottish. I want to travel to all the Scandinavian countries but the there's something about Wales and Scotland that I feel more of a call to.
I’m at the point where I just consider myself a heathen or pagan witch. The majority of my ancestors came from Denmark & Scandinavia but there are also some from northern England (which is where I feel I inherited my ‘witchiness’ from). I’m interested in the beliefs & traditions of all my ancestors so I don’t like to limit myself. However I agree with you that humans are constantly evolving & so are our beliefs & practices (our ancestors certainly were). There are some absolutely beautiful spiritual beliefs & practices from all over the world & I in some ways I incorporate an adapted form of the same into my own, obviously I pick, choose, reconstruct & adapt the beliefs & traditions of my ancestors also. Spirituality is so individual & personal I don’t believe there is a right or wrong way (taking ethics into account of course), I don’t think we’re supposed to find or know all of the answers. It’s a journey, that’s why we call it our path.
The last part is so true, and I can relate with it so much. I'm a mythic literalist (to a degree, I do interpret some myths differently than how they are presented, but I do believe they are historical events) and I can't tell you how many times I've seen people sneer at us or just write us off as fake or low IQ Pagans. I've never believed every other Pagan (of whatever tradition or path) needed to see things through a mythic literalist lens or if they don't take the myths as actually happening in some way they aren't true Pagans, but I've met people who told me straight out I wasn't a real Pagan because my views are in the minority among the broader Pagan community. Personally, mythic literalism, whether right or wrong, is meaningful to me, I find meaning and happiness believing as I do, I don't believe all Pagans need to believe as I do, they can think its silly if they want to, but I do wish they'd accept us as authentic Pagans more often, and we just agree to disagree when it comes to this area as its not worth being assholes to each other about. I've recently gotten back into studying Celtic spirituality and religion so it will be nice to see more of your content centered around that. Like you I have French (Gallic), Scottish and Irish roots, so combining those traditions with my Germanic and Scandinavian heritage is interesting and fun.
I have been looking to learn about Roman Paganism as that's where my ancestry lies, but Roman paganism over time became highly tied to imperial cults, and similarly the revivalist movements I see today while no worshipping Emperors it still seems like they are highly tied to reconstructing practices of the Roman state and Roman fashions. Is this a must-do for Roman pagans? Is there anything about Roman Paganism that doesn't require taking ourselves back in time 2000 years ago? I would love any answers. I have been to the sites of some of the reconstructionist organizations but that is what left me feeling this perplexed.
i would love if you can post some stuff about the Welsh/ Brythonic side of Celtic Paganism ... sadly because of Rome not much of the Druids survive. I think its sad that Wales always gets side lined from Ireland and Scotland about Celtic heritage even tho the Welsh are the last real Brythonic Celts in Britain
I like to think I am still a Norse Pagan, who is fascinated by most of the northern paganisms, Germanic, Celtic, Norse, Finnish and sometimes Slavic. These are the ones that interest me the most, though I feel the Norse path, like my ancestors is the one for me. In my personal opinion, I feel many of the gods of these various pantheons are the same gods by different names. There's a lot of overlap yes, but there are also gods who are unique to their pantheon, so we think. I would like to say to that we must keep in mind there have been gods who's names have been lost to time from failure to pass it one through word of mouth like much of the religion was. With that being said, I do like the Norse way of evoking the gods and our ancestors.
I consider myself an eclectic pagan because I work with deities from different pantheons, which would have been normal for my Celtic and Nordic ancestors. They lived alongside people of different faiths peacefully and often borrowed deities from each other, so to me pulling from different pantheons always felt like the right things to do. Also because ultimately we know so little due to Roman conquest and their eradication of pagan practices at the fall of their empire when they were Christian, what we do know is so conjecture-based, so for me my rule is as long as you're respectful of the practices/norms of those people, your offerings don't include any no-no's (I work with Hekate and the Greeks left us a lot of info re: that so anyone working with Greek gods rly has no excuse). As for being a European pagan practitioner on stolen land, I always make sure to research ingredients and there are some I just don't use (I'm looking at you Palo Santo and white-sage users--those are from closed practices, like all the things pulled from hoodoo and voodoo), I dispose of my ingredients in an eco-friendly way (ie: all my offerings are 100% biodegradable). When I didn't know about white sage and had some, researched who's land I lived on and looked into what they thought about disposal of those things and how to do it and I followed those rules. We have no excuse to culturally appropriate. And if you work with someone like the Morrigan like me, who is a deity of (among many things) sovereignty, not doing those things will piss her off. She cares about land back, a lot, so one of the ways I give her offerings is thru donations via Operation Olive Branch. There's lots of ways to honour the old European pagan gods on Turtle Island, you just have to unpack all that yt supremacy culture that's ingrained in us.
In time you’ll realize that you’re trying to recreate a wheel. Zarathustra already reformed Indo-European paganism into an ancient institutionalized faith 3,000 years ago.
Even less celtic practices survive than Norse /germanic. I studied countless Irish myths for a collection í have yet to finish, and because the Irish converted CENTURIES before the Norse or english did, you find more xtianity in those stories than pagan. The Destruction of Da Dergas' Hostel is the only one í found that survived influence from xtians or Norse. Its well worth a read.
For real! Lets start listening and not talk over each other! If someone has a point, listen! Then when they are done you can rebut. But no one these days wants to be wrong... They just want to feed their ego!!
i don't know if what i believe is heathenry...i'm atheist but i feel a connection with animals and plants...trees, etc...i have connected spiritually to some of my close friends via tarot...as an american...i feel connected to my birthplace here in upstate ny...i feel like it would be appropriation to follow the native cultural religions...in my case the haudenosaunee...i have a connection to germanic heathenry based on a really basic dive into my ancestry...i don't feel a connection to wicca or paganism because i simply don't believe in gods 🤷♀️ maybe i'm a naturalist ;) at the end of the day...i'm just me...
Such an important conversation! 'Norse shsmanism wouldn't be what it is without South American Shamanism/Siberian Shamanism" ~ we have to be okay with being guided by others, getting things wrong & simple build a new more harmonious world because thats whats important here. Blessings
As a person who is currently planning a trip to Scandinavia who is Norse Pagan and has ancestry to Sweden, what areas or places would u recommend I visit?
Tanum Rock Carvings (its south of Oslo in Sweden) is a large series of rock carvings spread over a large area. The whole area is covered in ancient sites from the Bronze Age and beyond
I think the thing that is fundamentally not emphasized in paganism is actually God - the God that religions of the world seem to point to, a universal originator that has definite form. There's a sort of logic to the oneness and wholeness of God as a singular entity in a sense, though God can be made manifest as a plurality. The moment any deity represents anything other than totality, they are no longer the highest. I don't see this as contradictory to paganism, however. I see paganism as a way for us to understand the beauty of our world as it truly is, to see the mystery in it, the magic of it, for lack of a better word. It's like when you see a beautiful ancient tree as a child, its nature isn't reduced to atoms or things like that. That said, it's still worth praying to the Highest.
Odin is the same god as Finn Mac Cumhaill Thor is the same god as Fergus Mac Roich-Leide and Tuireann Frey is the same god as Oingus Mac ind Og Tyr is the same god as Lugh
The soil has nothing to do with it. The Scandinavians brought their paganism to England (as the Anglo-Saxons also brought their sister "Asatru" path), Iceland, Russia, Greenland, etc. Those places were not where those paths came from and it survived there for generations.
@@rich5774 Ok, yes, but that's not really addressing the point. My point is that it makes no sense to gatekeep people who don't live in Scandinavia, etc, because pagan Scandinavians themselves took their practices to lands with no precedent for that practice, like those I mentioned. There were no pagan ancestors buried in Iceland when the Norse arrived and started their pagan practice there.
@@ScottJB I see. Well, in the case of Viking expansion into other European countries. All said countries we're originally Pagan. Native Europeans are a mix of Indo European step people, and Neolithic farmers, and all share very similar religious practices.
@@rich5774 Again, not sure how that addresses my point. In Iceland, there were no prior natives. And in the countries that had natives, it had no impact on whether the Norse were "allowed" to practice Norse paganism there when they arrived. I think you're not getting what I was reacting to, which is the idea that you need to be on Scandinavian soil to practice Norse paganism. The pagan Norse themselves proved this wrong.
Do you actually believe in those pagan idols as gods or is it like a life style?! Or cultural thing! It's hard for me to think of someone believing actually in those characters without strong evidence?! So what evidence did you find in that long journey of them actually existing?!
I see the Gods as parts of ourselves and world, more metaphorical. I believe in God, or the Spirit. Just as said in the video, we know only fragments of what our ancestors believed and practiced.
