Hel: The Norse Goddess of Death | Demonic Queen or Caretaker of the Dead? 

This may well be my favourite video of yours thus far, or at the very least among my favourites. Hel stands quite firmly at the fore of my hearth cult for a number of reasons, but its been through resources and the community you've helped foster that I've been able to build the praxis I have with her, including last year's online blot to Hel. Beautifully done, Ocean. Thank you for the work you do.

My decision to stop calling myself Christian this past year has in large part been due to learning more about Hel and her siblings' stories. The perspective that resonates with me the most is the story of a little girl who wanted to belong. Have a seat at the table with a family that would want her. Instead she is tricked and banished to a place seen as dark, cold, and unwanted. A place that the unworthy go. (At least those Odin and Fam consider unworthy). Yet, despite all this, she builds herself a home. And cares for those who were otherwise abandoned by the other Gods. She comforts the poor, sick, unfavored by fate, and builds a realm in which their efforts from life are rewarded and reciprocated regardless of what Fate had written for them. This adherence to justice in the face of such great betrayal is what draws me the most to Hel.

The fact that early Christians painted Hel and her afterlife realm in such a negative, evil, and demonic light is pretty much proof to me that Hel and Helheim are not evil, demonic, or even negative at all. I’m also not convinced the myth of Baldr’s death isn’t HEAVILY corrupted by Christian influence. I think now is a great time of year to honor Hel, when the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead is at its thinnest. Like her father, I don’t think Hel is evil, just misunderstood.

As a suicide survivor, I have Hel on my altar as a solemn patron.

"The demon basically says 'Yaass Qween!' and leaves" My teenage son came out of his room to check on me because I was laughing so hard. This is now my favorite RU-vid channel.

I find Hel to be the most comforting of the deities for me. She feels like a source of peace in an afterlife rest.

Since my matron goddess is Hel, one of my household's traditions is to take black and white flower petals to the top of a local mountain and recite a special prayer to her before throwing them off the side to fly away in the wind.

so i'm a witch as well as a heathen and i work very closely with hel. she's kind and understanding, but can also be strict. she's not the kind of goddess you want to get on your bad side, but when hel is in your corner there is little that can stop you. thank you, ocean, for covering her.

Long before I recognized and embraced my connection to the gods I developed a view of death having nearly died twice myself. Once almost bleeding to death after I fell from my bed and cutting head badly, and once nearly drowning in a lake. Despite such a grim circumstance I didn't feel fear but almost a sense of something trying to comfort me. Whether Hel awaits me tomorrow or decades in the future I know that I will not be seized from this life by a ravenous soul devouring monster, but I will be escorted away from my life's turmoil to be with those who miss me and in time those I have left behind.

I was not prepared for that YAS QUEEN. 💀 Hel is not evil. She just is. 🖤🖤🖤

It may be UPG, but I believe that Hela is not only a goddess of death but also of disability. She shows us that disability, illness, frailty, and ultimately death are as much a part of the human experience as being young, strong, and healthy.

I've recently lost my mom and not long after I had a dream where she told me she was in Helheim. Was it a simple dream? Maybe, but I'd like to think she was letting me know she was okay. I think Hel is complex; there are many sides to her. She can be terrifying when angered, but does truly care for those who have passed.

i would never see Hel as evil, death itself is not either good nor bad is just a part of life, everything that starts may end, nothing is everlasting, nor must be, otherwise the value on anything would become superfluous. Also beautiful vid Ocean

I love the idea of viewing Hel as a caretaker of our ancestors. I think this kind of perspective is often lost when discussing deities related to death and the afterlife. Bringing in a healthy view of death into one's practice is especially important for former Christians who are probably still holding on to a lot of baggage about sin and the afterlife (like me). Thank you for another amazing video!

It is good to see the Mother of Peace get talked about here, the dead are honored, and have a home with her. As one who has died and has come back, a connection is strong, the dead smile fondly upon you friend. They are always watching

I've always held to the belief that to not at least accept her position is to deny a large portion of the life cycle. All that is living must die. And as someone that grew out of the "Valhalla or nothing" mindset I've come to know a sort of peace with Hel. She waits for most and if she is willing to be the gracious hostess then I am happy to give frith before I knock at the doors

While inaccurate, I do love the idea of Hel as a lord of Hell that even Satan doesn't want to mess with.

I’m very eclectic and only worship one goddess at this time, but I feel like a yearly honouring of Hel is something I’d like to do, especially in the present circumstances. Thanks Ocean I loved this video!!

Hel was who I actually started worshipping first when i decided to convert. It great to see someone put into words how i feel, because i cant

Ive always imagined Helheim as kinda of a "Land of Always Autumn" (Not in the spooky Halloween way... more in the long walks in the forrest way), a place where good people can continue to be good to each other and be happy - and Ive always thought it contradictory that the legions of Hel would be on the side of evil during Ragnarok when its understood that the people who went to Hel where *not* warriors, they were elders, children and people who died of illness. Not much competition against the einherjar

I plan to honor Hel once I am out of the hospital that is. For not taking me but also taking care of a cat of my partner’s who has to be put down. I will be the first time worshiping her, but like a lot of people I don’t think I would reach out to her in any other situation. Which might be why she doesn’t have places named after her. Most of my worship is related to Loki and Sigyn so I might have a different viewpoint than most on the subject.

Usually I start these comments with a pun, whoops lol. Thank you Ocean for covering Hel. Sadly, this video is very impactful at the current time, due to a loss of a friend. Hearing your perspective and your praxis with Hel has definitely helped put my mind a bit more at ease. Thank you, friend.

I think the reason she looks both alive and decayed is because death isnt really this thing that's different from life. Death feeds life in numerous ways, and it's not a separate thing its just another step of life. Hel seems scary because death scares us. Hel also seems kind and patient because death can also be a sweet release after a long weary life. Life is about taking the next step, trying not to dwell on the past and keep taking the next step. I think Hel to me at least feels more like a distant mother figure of sorts, claiming lives to feed more life.

Even before I started being experimental with my spirituality very recently, as an atheist, I had a pretty complex view of death. I would normally describe life and death as being equally valuable, as all things that live will eventually die, and it is only through death that life continues. As such I would view the two almost like an arborous. As of right now, I am somewhere between an atheopagan and a Norse polytheist, and because of my previous view, I was pretty much guaranteed to incorporate Hel into my practice. With death being both inevitable and necessary for life, it only make sense for the goddess responsible for the care of the dead to be viewed in high regard for me. Weather death is the end or not for an individual, it is only through death that new life can continue to thrive in our fucked up little blue marble. In short, wonderful video! Gives me alot to ponder as I move into making my alter piece for Hel this month.

Your way of talking plus that calming background music and the theme of afterlife is a ... strangely calming combination.

She's my matron and I absolutely love her. She is hauntingly beautiful ❤️

Love this Hel like other gods and goddesses of death aren't evil they care for the dead nice to see them represented in unbiased light

It is good to show respect towards the mistress of the dead, i tend to give offerings to her during Dísablót (Halloween if you will) and Walpurgisnacht, I live in the south hemisphere so we are currently celebrating the latter. "She who conceals" is what i call her, she has always been present in one way or another, she has taken my relatives and will eventually take me too. Death is a process of decay that must take place in order to give birth to new life hence Hel's divided face. You might consider me a soft polytheist since I think she might be the same as Hulda.

I have been wanting this video for SO LONG. This is -chefs kiss-, I love the variety of art, the ambient music, the information, the reading list, your practice notes, spooky ending, everything is immaculate.

She is my favorite goddess. I adore Freyja as well and feel a connection to her too, as well as a couple deities outside of Norse myths. But Hel is special to me. I’ve never seen her as some wicked being, but literally what she is, a caretaker of the dead. When my grandmother passed I started to think about Hel and Helheim a lot and how according to those legends my grandmother would be under Hel’s care. I don’t imagine we would be suffering in a frozen wasteland for eternity just because we didn’t die as great warriors with many kills under our belts. Or children who have died, why would they be sent to suffer? Thinking of Ragnar and Lagertha’s daughter in Vikings made me think of that as well back when I was watching it. Death is life. To live is to die. But people fear death so they always paint death deities as these dark beings to fear. When you look at very old traditions from other cultures, they don’t see death like we do in westernized cultures and practices. I’m quite positive her story has just been washed to fit a narrative like many of the stories were. I am not sure what I believe, I feel like an atheist but I also feel energies from the earth I can’t explain, I have experienced things as a practicing witch that I can’t explain, though I tried to deny them. If we do get an afterlife, I think I would be just fine spending mine in her realm. But on a more shallow side I also just relate to her because the whole being cast away by those around her and trying to make a home out of her situation, and being the person who will take in the sort of people who wouldn’t go to Valhalla or Folkvangr. Like I see her father similarly as the patron of outcasts. I aspire to that as well. I feel more pull towards animals that often are rejected by “normal” people like black cats, “aggressive” dog breeds, crows, wolves, foxes, possums, etc. But the half and half body thing as well. I was born crooked, with only half the space of my mother’s uterus, with an underdeveloped right hand, crooked right hip, this weird anomaly in my ankle I had surgery to fix, I have scoliosis and I didn’t understand what was said because I was around 10 but I remember hearing “15% on the right” when the doctor talked about my spine to my parents. My left side is perfectly normal. Any time things go wrong it’s always that same side. I had grown up feeling half right and half defected. When I found her, I immediately was so drawn to her. Atheist or not, I still like to pay my respects to her and collect art of her and she still influences me. Besides…she just looks cool!

I Always thought of Hel as a caretaker, a gatekeeper to Home. Right now I am asking myself why I never did a Blot for her at Helloween before

Very nice look at Hel. Makes me so happy to see all these barely-anything-is-known-about-them gods. Gives me hope for my lil boi, Hodr.

I’m guessing making this video was a HELuva good time?

I always love death deities. Hel is amazing I would love to worship her along with others that I love so deeply. And it reminds me of an UPG that I have with that one famous line from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows where in the story of the Deathly Hollows at the end the youngest brother "then he greeted Death as an old friend, and went with him gladly, and, equals, they departed this life" I view death deities are always with us but from a distance but always waiting and always there in open arms. Amazing video as always Ocean!

death is a natural part of life, rejoice and celebrate their life " tell me how he died" "I'll tell u how he lived" those lines were always my favorite from the last samurai movie

This really spoke to me as my first experience with a deity and my intro to heathenry was through Hel. I definitely see her as more of a welcoming comforting goddess who welcomes those of us who have had shall we say less exciting deaths. Was also interesting this experience happened during the pandemic and I improvised my first Helblot last Halloween. It was a powerful experience. The story of Baldr sounds alot like a story about the stages of grief which I think is a tale all people can relate to. Oh and there is also the fun part when Christians tell me I am going to hell I just tell them they spelled her name wrong and watch the confusion with amusement.

Though I look up to Tyr (with a side of Thor) the most for guidance in everyday life, I often find most comfort when my thoughts reflect on Hel. Obviously, death isn't desirable, but it is inevitable. So If I must go somewhere, it'll be to Her care. Amusingly, I was at work the other day thinking to myself "Would be cool If Ocean's next vid was on Hel"... sure enough....

Hel has usually had a gentle energy when I've encountered Her. In my experience, She is a powerful healer, which makes sense, because most death deities had birth/regeneration aspects in their earlier stories. She is older than our current mythology- we haven't always known our pantheon by just their current names and stories. An excellent short book about her is Hel: The Sun Facing Goddess by Bryan Wilton.

I often think of the image of Hell as indicating at the spirit peeling away from the corpse. So as the body decomposes the spirit is released to inhabit its next incarnation (hamr) or to its afterlife. Perhaps cremation was often favoured because through cremation the 'spirit' (for want of a better word) is released much more quickly.

My assumption would be that rituals to Hel in the past if they existed would be held at funerals asking for Hel to guide their now dead relative or friend safely to Helheim

I've always been drawn to the "darker" deities, moreso the deities of the dead. I believe the distinction between Hel and the other death deities lies in that distinction. I've never once come across mention of her killing anyone, causing illness, being the instrument of age, etc. She is, however, a goddess of the dead (not death). The rooster being resurrected after being chucked over the gate of Helheim, to me, makes me think of a phoenix, though not in the sense of it becoming one, but more that it has passed into the influence of one. I'm not trying to compare Hel to a phoenix either, though. What I'm trying to explain is why, in my worldview, there are no place names, idols, temples, etc, for Hel, why her depictions seem all over the place, and why it makes perfect sense to me. This isn't historically or mythologically accurate by any means, and I can't really call it UPG either. Dead and rotting things break down into nutrients for other things to live, grow, and make more life before they, too, die and rot.. Leave a human body on the ground under the right conditions and other things will find life in it, usually by eating it, or eating what it eventually breaks down into; the human body in question has become the life-giver. I don't know enough of any sort of biology, medicine, or whatever to guess at whether or not an aged human body would break down at a different rate to a younger one, so I won't go there. I specified a human in this example but everything else goes through this same process if it is left alone long enough (or tended to correctly if it's a compost pile). I, personally, believe that Hel has dominion over these rotting and decaying processes, as well as the spirits/energies that once inhabited the rotting/decaying things. I feel this is why there are no worldly remains of Hel's worship apart from stories with mixed meanings, that no one felt the need to build or record them because wherever there was rot and decay (which are natural parts of an organic thing's existence), she or at least her domain, was there. Throw that whole thing at any cycle in nature and you might even be able to say that the universe is Hel's temple, and that she is the agent of massive change, even if it's so slow most of us don't give it the attention it deserves. When Hel acquiesces to allow Baldr to return so long as everything alive and dead mourn him, it always reminds me of about mid-February-ish (in the northern hemisphere, specifically midwestern US because that's where I live and I've never traveled) when everything's so disgustingly cold and icy that damn near everything seems to hunger fiercely for spring. The story turns out differently than the year, but I find myself drawing the comparison anyways. Winter being vital for new spring growth only amplifies this for me. Sorry for the text wall, stuff like this is so difficult to explain.

As I don't seek out deities, instead letting them approach me, if they so desire, my experience with Hel started in Fall of 2019 during an exceptionally deep trance state. This is the short version of that meeting. I was introduced to Hel by Odin. As I do with beings from the Otherworld, I asked what Hel wanted me to do for her. I was told there would be a great deal of human death occurring soon and "I need you to help bring the dead to me." As I had some experience with acting as a psychopomp, this wasn't completely surprising. Unfortunately, I balked at this request because I imagined this had something to do with war. As a 9 year army vet, I wasn't sure I was in the proper frame of mind to do that work. After respectfully declining, I assumed that would be the end of that. However, over the past 2.5 years, given the history of that period (i.e. COVID), I often regret(ted) my decision and always felt that request lingering over me. Recently, I had an almost identical experience with the same request. This time I will not fail to answer the call. I'm actually shocked to be given this second chance. So, worship Hel? I'm thinking more like profound respect, giving a place of honor in my practice, and opening myself up further to "mentoring" and further instruction. This work also is tied closely to "my relationship" with Odin. But, that's another long story. Loved this video!!! And, the rest of yourbwork as well.

Thank you so much for this. I am an atheist personally but something about Hel has really deeply resonated with me ever since I found out about her. Tbh she's one of the main things that inspired me to learn more about norse mythology.

I plan to do a yearly blot dedicated to the goddess on July 3rd every year. This is due to my grandmother having passed that day, and so that day is when the concept of death effects me most.

I was actually considering holding a kind of Helblot this year around Halloween but I’ve been on the fence about it. Not sure if there was any historical precedent for it at that time of year. Ocean you have given me the confidence to get over that fence and I love the idea about offering letters. Idk if you would have the time this year but I would greatly appreciate a video on some of rituals you do on various blóts that you hold. Or just an entire video dedicated to your Helblot would be cool.

I can see precisely what you're talking about Ocean, as I've similarly felt that same way about Hel, but also about Fenris Wolf and Jormungandr. All of Loki's children have some place in my own practice, as I feel they're a part, without necessarily being beings one would associate with things one would want to get close to. But at the same time, I've felt a sort of kinship with especially Fenrir so, giving his siblings their own attention seems right

Always love hearing your, Wolf's and Beofeld's takes on Hel. The concept of Hel as caretaker, balanced with keeping her at a distance, really gives me much to think about and reflect on. Also, love the music and art of Hel you used in the video! They really helped facilitate my understanding of the complex description of Hel you provided.

The lack of idols and dedicated temples to Hel has a parallell in Hellenism, with Hades having no known temples (with one possible exception). Due to much the same reason as for Hel - you honour death, but don't invite it. The one possible exception to the rule of "no Hades temples allowed" is an archaeological site in Turkey called Hierapolis. It's a site famous in antiquity for its mineral baths, a result of geothermal activity underneath the town. It hit major news headlines with the discovery of an ancient church, where a tomb were found, thought by many, including some of the archaeologists, to be the mortal remains of the Apostle St. Philip. With all the (understandable) frenzy around this discovery, one major piece of the history of this place was almost forgotten: like many ancient churches, it was built on top of a pagan shrine or temple. There is obviously not much left of this temple, but its peculiar location (right over a foul-smelling geothermal vent, which was also noticeable in the church built atop it) had some archaeologists actually believe that if ever there was an actual Hades temple, this would be it. Sadly this got mostly forgotten when the biblical archaeologists basically commandeered the site, so you will probably have to do a lot of digging to find any papers on it. But at least it is a real possibility. I don't find it particularly hard to believe there haven't at least been shrines or just altars to Hel placed in locations thought to be gates to the Underworld. And there are quite a few such locations in Iceland. But probably nothing permanent, as said sites are usually volcanoes, and if there ever was any permanent structures there to begin with, they would have been destroyed as soon as the volcano erupted. Again, if they even existed in the first place.

While I was Catholic, I would always get death dreams (Just ones where I died over and over again). And those dreams always ended very similarly I was doing something I die or was killed and I wake up. But once I was starting to become a Heathen, I got a dream where I was dead and I was in front of my friend trying to ask him what was wrong with no success. And behind me was a bright light and woman's voice that came from that light and said "Emily, come on it's time to go" I turn to my friend one last time told him to not cry that I was okay now and followed the voice only to wake back up again Looking back at it, I don't think I had another death dream since then

When I was first working out which Goddess was reaching out to me I did look at Hel. She is not the one that I was connected to but I have a soft spot for her and still honour her amongst others .

I recently was introduced by a co-worker to the concept of Hel as a caretaker and one to be worshipped. After this video I think I will start making offerings to her in thanks of what she does and for her favor in the afterlife

As a fairly new Heathen, only for about a year, I’ve realized that there was a lot about Hel that I haven’t even studied or considered. Thanks for this video, Ocean. I really enjoyed it.

Demonic Queen? Caretaker of the Dead? Why not both! That's the way of left hand path paganism. Seriously though I am here for this and I intend to wait in line.

Hel is the first and primary deities I work with. I find her to be very calming and Maternal. Peaceful. In my work with her she's helped me come to terms with my mortality and given wisdom and kindness to me in my communion with her. At this point, I even have a prayer written in her honor that I plan to use in ritual soon.

My beloved is in a hospital to protect from suicide after a very long and difficult day yesterday of supporting her the best I could, relieved when she was willing to go and be admitted. Watching this after a restless night of non-sleep brought me a soothing inspiration and I’m making a respectfully cautious offering to Hel. Thank you 🌳💚

I see this deity as one doing a service, like you mentioned. Helping transition from living to afterlife. Nothing to fear.

This was beautiful, everything from your storytelling to the music was perfect.

For formal ritual to ancestors, I view Hel as the hearth goddess. I like your idea of a mask for engaging directly with her.

As a Lokean (Follower of Loki) Hel is a goddess that I end up working closely with. I felt that she kept herself distant for awhile as I was getting settled in my practice, but recently we have been very close in the ritual space, and I have felt it growing stronger as Halloween approaches. I plan to let her be my guide for this year's Samhain ritual, but I'd be very interested in adopting the practice of a Helblot around this time of year as well. This was a lovely video, I'm sure Sister Hel appreciates the good publicity.

Another reason for reciprocity with Hel is in thanks for access to the dead in her care during Seiðr and Setja Úti as well as facilitating a safe interaction separate from other dead persons that might not be so vested in your wellbeing.

This has been one of my favorite videos. I have for a while been wanting to work with Hel but was unsure of how to approach her.

So firstly, that pun had me cackling. Secondly, loved this video. Hel is a very comforting diety in my experience and I always find rituals I do in veneration and thanks to her have refreshed me and helped me process often complicated feelings around grief. I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on her.

Love your idea of a Helblot, it seems a very fulfilling way of reverence and respect for both Hel and your lost ones.

I would Love to see a video on your interpretations/general interpretations of Polytheist myths! There’s very little info from other pagans, and it would be really cool to see more helpful info!

I've come to worship Hel as my patron (matron?) deity. Every "interaction" I've had with her is either completely somber and more of a heartfelt wave of emotion, or so intense in that the sounds of the outside world go completely silent. My altar is set to her with two white candles and two black candles. She, to me, is very motherly and nurturing, seeming to favor the outsiders and people who have been pushed aside. All in all, shes very rewarding to work with

I will admit, I find myself intrigued by the idea of offering Hel messages for those who have gone on before us. At the least it might be a way to deal with some of my lingering issues surrounding the loss of my father quite a few year ago. He was adamantly Mormon, though, so I don't know that he'd be with Hel or if she could even get through to him. But if it would help me... it might be worth doing. For myself, I like the idea of a maternal caretaker of Death. One worthy of honor and respect, but who we really shouldn't be in any great hurry to meet. She'll be there when we get there, but in the meantime, life has so many things to offer us and she's in no hurry, so we shouldn't be either.

I just attended your talk “justifying the modern practice of Reciprocity with Hel” . It was amazing. I have a connection with Hel because of my calling to help others in transition. Your presentation both supported my assumptions and brought up quite a few other questions. Thank you for your work and sharing your knowledge with all of us.

Death is truly the only thing in life that's guaranteed therefore the death gods/goddesses are both neccessary and vital to the earth's equilibrium

I haven’t incorporated Hel into my practice yet, I intend to at some point, perhaps Halloween is a good time to do so. Though I am uncertain and cautious to do so. It feels sad to me that people worship Hel but do so at a distance so as not to invite death into their lives, perhaps meaning you cannot have as personal or reciprocal a connection with her as other Gods. However I decide to go about it, I personally believe I’ll end up in Helheim, and hold Hel in great respect

Absolutely amazing content, Keltoi. New subscriber and novice to learning about your religion. As an atheist (and unlikely to ever be anything else) I find your religion, and your views about it fascinating and enriching. From watching your content so far, there is no preaching, no fear-mongering, no proselytizing.. Even though I'm just watching recordings you've made, through your content and the community you seem to foster, I do not feel unwelcome despite being godless. Having been raised around Christianity my entire life, feeling unwelcome in the presence of the religious has been my only experience. I cannot even begin to describe how unfathomably heartwarming it is to watch and listen to you passionately speak about your religion, your gods, and not feel judged or feel like an outcast. It's.. it's emotionally moving and I don't even share your belief. It's world-shattering, honestly. But.. in a good way? It's hard to describe. What I mean to say - put simply - is thank you. This video was particularly moving for me, as I have always felt a strange connection to the dark, even to death. To me, all of this was beautiful.

I have always been fascinated by the similarities between Norse Goddess Hel and Celtic Goddess Morrigan.

I Ave always understood her as a duality god like loki, she has dominion over human frailties like famine but in life itself through “hell” (pun intended) there is beauty in life. Beautiful stories and lessons to grow

I would love to see a book written by you. every time i watch a video i feel like i am learning something new about the norse Gods. thank you .

Definitely one of the most beautiful and touching videos done by you, good Sir. Hel resonates deep within my heart…and I love to see her given the time and honour she deserves.

Dude I just love the fact that Hel told Satan to fuck off and he was like, "House is all yours, fam. I'm out."

I feel like if there were rites, ceremonies, etc. for hel, it would be a rather personal affair - given how everyone experiences death in different ways, and probably percieves it differently too. It similar to the grim reaper in the difference between someone who kills you and someone who just takes care of you after you die. I guess death is more often than not made out to be the bad guy; probably because no-one can know the tribulations of living forever.

Excellent video sir. Of all the things I respect about Norse spirituality, the acceptance of death as a natural part of life is one of my favorites. But it’s not a death cult, so the character of Hel is perfectly appropriate in my opinion, since most people do not die in battle. The role of those in her care during Ragnarok remains mysterious to me.

Hel ya! I can’t wait for this to drop!

Hel has struck me obviously as a deeply misunderstood deity. Odin trusted her enough and valued her enough to give her a huge responsibility. One that he knew would be desisive. I have had my fair share of experience with death, and knowing that I have a relationship with the goddess of Helheim eases my heart when I sit next to somone as they pass on, or as I try to face the mortality we all share. I see Hel as a woman who is respected for her duties, and takes them very seriously. Hel embodies an intensity that could be misconstrued as malice. But in my mind, and how she shows up in my practice, is a woman who is busy but compassionate for the people in her care.

I like the idea of wearing a mask while drinking a toast to Hel. You are not invited but you are respected. Maybe some day I'll greet you as a friend but til then i'll be over here.

Even before I found myself more in this faith, I've never managed to see hel in a bad light, as a demon or a an evil diety, I want to live yet I dont fear the day of my death, I know that whatever place or temple I go after my death, being valhalla, helheim, with freyja or any other, I'll gladly enjoy my stay. I might most likely go to helheim, but I'm not fearful of that idea, I just hope she will be happy to recieve me as much as I will be of meeting her and my loved ones, if thats the place I'll be going to.

Waiting for this is gonna be the Death of me.

Ever since practicing the Old Ways Hel has held a special place in my heart. I've always seen Her as welcoming the dead and offering comfort to both them and the ones that they left behind. I also like to send a little prayer to Her when I'm trying to find someone that I have lost because I also see Her as a Goddess of the Hidden and Lost.

"I will not make a pun about Hel, goddess of Death." Proceed to joke about getting Bolder (Baldr) each time he makes a joke about death gods :D

Very excited for this one! I’ve been going through daily and watching some of the debates that Ocean’s had and I have to say I would love to see another one soon.

Thank you for this video. I am a follower of Hel, she is my goddess. You did her justice. Beautifully done.

This is one of my favorite videos. I find myself rewatching it quite frequently

A great video, very informative and concise. Though I can't help but need out about the image from the cover of my -FAVORITE- album! Skalmold's Born Loka, it's worth listening to in full as it's pretty much an opera, and if you can find clips of the live show with the full orchestra and choirs (especially Narfi) I'd recommend those too.

Man i wish you had a podcast I could listen to you all day. You explain everything so well and in just an interesting way. Please keep it coming. Great job

Super stoked to watch For Alfablot my wife is dressing ad Hel and I am dressing as Loki and we are putting on a play for our daughters about her.

I see Hel as a place but also as a condition; all the dead go to Hel but on another plane they remain in their grave and in the land of their descendants. And on a third plane they can be in Ägir's, Odin's, Freya's or Thor's halls as well. And Hel the Goddess rules over the dead no matter where they are "located". The sources imply that because warriors that died in battle can be describes as still being in their graves, and as you mentioned people who died at sea are still going to Hel as well.

I'm not pagan or a heathen (at least not in the religious sense, lol), but I appreciate the idea of Hel being a being just a goddess who's doing a job. Not evil, not necessarily good, just someone who is doing a job.

I’m still collecting information on the gods and waiting until I get my own place to actively worship them but I’m definitely going to incorporate Hel into my practice. I have a rather strange outlook on death it seems as I tend to be happy (depending on the circumstance) for those who have passed since they are no longer suffering and get to move on into the afterlife so I think I should definitely form a relationship with Hel. I didn’t articulate that quite how I wanted to but I think I got my point across? I hope so.

Christians: "You're going to Hell." Me: "I know. Thank you. That's the nicest thing a Christian has ever said to me. I can't wait to meet her."

Last year I gave a blot to Hel, I offered candy for the souls of children, roasted pumpkin seeds and milk for the dead. In Halloween. I plan on doing it every Halloween

I rly love the myth about Hel. Her two sides, the flesh and the dead or in my opinion the light and the dark are representivly for our own behaviors in the real world. We can see so much dark around us but sometimes there is a lighted place where we can settle. I know so many people who believe that Hel is the hell, but that is in fact not true and even if that is controverse i believe that Hel is a caretaker to who it deserve it an a punisher to who who deserve it. Please excuse my english it´s not my native language. Many greetings from Germany - Hannover

After watching this video It changed my view on the goddess maybe I will add her to my personal practice P.S. that jumpscare at the end almost got me pissing myself 😂

Ever thought about talking about the Dwarves or the Elves?

This was a great video. While I don't worship Hel, She is given a place of honor on an ancestor altar. I ask Her to delay very sick family members and thank Her for taking care of those who have already passed.

I have thought about what Hel means to me a lot. I view her as a caretaker, not some demonic creature. Thanks for the ideas for worship. I like your ideas. Thanks for the great videos, it has been helping me in embracing the old ways