How Did Our Ancestors View the Natural World? 

I can tell when I’ve been away from nature for too long. It’s the strangest feeling of discomfort and disconnect. It’s like my body CRAVES it. And until I find someplace with trees and quiet, I feel…poorly. The house we bought has a lot of trees and a pond. Wild geese visit and it’s just so calming and therapeutic to sit and be still. I still need to go out and hike about when I can, but it’s so much better living in the country and staring at our pond, lol

As a germanic pagan myself there really is very little material like you produce out there. It’s much appreciated. Really enjoy all your content. Please keep making it

I'm enjoying this slower, more reflective Jaob who is sharing these stories. You've evolution from your journey shows itself in a stronger, more quiet way when compared to your videos of old. Thank you for continuing to share. ~ Hauk the Wolfseye (Kaiwolf)

Nature was always my escape: since childhood. During my adult years, I lived near a city, to work & raise my sons. I exposed both of them to the beauty' & joys of Nature. They still appreciate & respect our natural, wilder lands. I've retired out to a very rural region, and enjoy my handful of acres that border wild lands. I share eggs from my Muscovy ducks with a Raven family every spring. Deer & bear enjoy some of the apples every fall. In the winter snows, I can see which animals joyrneyed through my place during the night. I exist within Nature.

I love getting off the grid and surrounding myself in nature especially at low times in my life

I love being out in nature so much, I really hope more people learn that we have to take care of it. Not only for us, but for the future people

Please, write a book on this if you can. This is such a good topic and something we all could spend far more time reflecting on and learning other viewpoints on. Thank you for this video! It really gets one thinking…

Last weekend I got invited to a cabin tucked away in the mountains, it was incredible to be out and enjoying nature. Balancing on rocks barely out of the water as I crossed a creek, taking pictures of mosses and the creek. It was absolutely gorgeous and peaceful

Nature is where we come from and where we belong 🌲🏔️🌲

Thank you for helping me understand the religions of the past, and you have also helped me grow my connection with nature and understand the beauty in simple things like trees, hills, birds tweeting in the morning. God's bless you

I remember the first time I had that revelation about what our ancestors went through just to survive in a world that must have seemed hell bent to kill them. All they could do was walk the earth as a part of nature...not reigning over it. When I walk through the woods, I like to disconnect and think about all the other people who walked in that beauty and felt in awe of the complexity of Nature. When you were talking about speeding to the overlook I was thinking about something my dearly departed Zen Master once challenged me with...he said "how often when you drive to work do you remember the entire drive?". It made me realize that I often remember NONE of the drive. The same can be said for hiking to a destination, or showering (how often do you stay in the moment when showering?) or preparing a meal? Our minds are always going someplace else, and we MISS the magic in the journey! Although the Norse deities are my jam, I include Celtic, Slavic, and other Gods and traditions into my practice because there are so many observations and customs in Paganism that bring a richness into my life that I can't embrace just one thing. I think you absolutely should write the book! Thanks Jacob! Beautiful video :)

That book idea would be phenomenal, I think you should write it. I will pre-order it when you do get it ready😊 And the yule story was amazing, thanks Jacob.

Celtic pagan here. While there aren't as many surviving records left to let us know how they viewed nature, compared to Norse paganism for example. The Celts seemed to have very regional beliefs tied to mountains, springs, rivers, or old trees. So I think it's safe to say their relationship with nature was close. For me I LOVE the feeling of being small in nature. The trees and mountains are my friends and it gives me comfort to know they will be around after I'm gone.

I’ve moved a lot in my lifetime but my favorite home was our 40 acre farmhouse. Had all 4 seasons, way back away from the road, during winter it was nothing but white that stretched on and on. My favorite spot to sit was in this tree I could practically walk up because the branches were almost like steps and at the top there was 3 branches that curved out like a chair. I could sit up there and read or just watch nature, even a few times I fell out haha. My favorite place now is the tucked away hollers of Appalachia where my bf’s family has a farm. So tucked away, no roads, no neighbors, just life.

Nature always soothed my mind and body and I always feel connected to the Earth and my ancestors. The last couple of months I really struggled with depression the worth of life and your videos just like this one really help. My last vacation to spain being at the ocean the woods and the mountains really feels like nature is healing my depression. Thank you for your videos and keep up the great work ❤

Thank you for this beautiful video Jacob. Even your voice is different. Deeper, more connected. Made tears come up😅. I want my life to slow down. I didn't chose this lifestyle "always on". I never wanted it this way. Thank you for reminding me❤

Oh my goodness i absolutely love your videos! I have so much respect for the decision you made to leave everything you knew in order to begin to explore our shared history. It's so reassuring to hear like minded people talking about our existence in relation to nature and a real joy to hear the pure appreciation you have for it. Keep creating 💕 Love from England 🌿

"We are Small" and the way that you are explaning it, is completely understandable and easy to relate to. If you choose to follow through with your book, (and I hope that you do), it will most deffinately be one that i will want to read!!~* Since childhood, oh my how I've longed to live surrounded by the woods and nature!!~* Decades later the best I have managed to do, is short visits. Though often I sense a deep profound connection, as being one very tiny part of it all 🐇

Good to hear from you again Jacob, what an important message I've been thinking about a lot myself recently. To get back to our roots and understand the old ways we need to slow down and get back outside.

Great video brother. I just did a long 10+ mile hike yesterday (took all day, watching the sunset was awesome too) in some of the "highland" area near where I live, such a gorgeous place, it's very old and all of the rock formations and such are just stunning, feels much more like home than my apartment being out there.

Man you're fulfilled (I hope that's the correct word), and you've found peace. I think that's clearly seen through your eyes. What you showned in the video is just truly moving, and it brings me peace and further contemplation as well. You're respectable.

Poignant thoughts, Jacob. Thank you for sharing them. I think those of us who follow the old ways will really feel this, especially at this slow time of year.

I AM LOVING YOUR RAMBLING in this Video and I WOULD TO GET A BOOK

I live in the mountains surrounded by forestry it's breathtaking 😍 beautiful video thank you

Jacob Toddson is right, most people have lost their connection to nature and as such this is why our true culture has suffered so much damage from subversive forces. I admire his great journey to explore and promote Indo-European paganism, our true faith. Waes Hael!

You have a nice relaxing voice. This came on during a stretch, and was really nice to listen to. Also, Love the images.

Hey Jacob, I've been watching some of your videos and have really gotten into Norse Paganism. I actually made an offering to Thor not too long ago and, of course I don't have an altar yet so I had to use what I could. But I find mediation is a difficult task for me since I have ADHD, my mind refuses to focus sometimes but hopefully I can learn to control that.

Great video Jacob, I definitely understand what you mean about feeling small. The first time I truly "felt small" is when I hiked to the top of the Seneca Rocks in my home state of West Virginia, I'll never forget how breathtaking it was.

Very nice episode!

"If you have the opportunity to slow down, don't waste that opportunity." That's a great quote, and one that many people should hear. The fast pace of living in a city for most people makes them start to rush and race in everything they do. It's good to slow down when you go out in to the forest or wilderness. It's a place that's totally calm and quiet and with enough self awareness you'll feel ridiculous rushing through it like you do in the city.

I think the book would be a beautiful idea. I imagine someone taking such a book on a hike, finding a nice resting/siting spot, and reading a couple chapters. Sounds nice!

I'm grateful to have a nice "forest" in the middle of my small city. I walk with my dog there often and sometimes go on the "back trails." My dog likes to sniff / pee a lot, so it's a very slow walk. I feel safe(r) as a female when my dog is with me. My phone is off and I try not to speak much. I use it as a "walking meditation" and connection to Nature, the anscestors, and the gods...the smell of pine, the deer, the squirrels, etc. I need to do this often.

Sounds to me like you have about 6 books going on in your thoughts just waiting to come out. I would, and will, read any and every book you write. Thank you. Your travels and videos are filling a need; a space in me. Just by watching I have been reconnected to a part of myself I have ignored for for a few years .

Jacob we enjoy everything and anything you share with us, you are such a treasure to have that you should be on the UNESCO list or something 🙏💙

I'm feeling the cycle of the year ending with Samhain this year too for some reason though I'd never given it much thought before now. Here in Cornheim it definitely felt like the change of seasons didn't really set in until now that we're into the weird liminal space until winter solstice 👀🍂

I would LOVE a book like that!! Thank you for this video and the reminder.

Beautiful & thoughtful video. Thank you for sharing. I have shared it with my son ☺️

Please write that book! It’s bizarre I feel just like you do about life’s journey. Keep on rambling!

Ramble away. I found you today. Thank you for the ramble.

I would LOVE that book if you wrote it. I crave this kind of reading material. Please write it!

I really hope there would / will be an audio version of your book 🙂

Blessingsonblessingsonblessings2ALL!!!!!!!! 🎊🎉

Wonderful video. I'm sick in bed with COVID, so desperately needing a walk in the woods. This was visually beautiful. Love the ramble...

I would love a book on this topic. I thoroughly enjoyed this video Jacob.

Hi, new subscriber. I found you from Natural Witchery. Thanks for being a sane, soothing voice in the world. ✨🙏✨I vote to write the book! 🙂 If nothing else, it will be a great way for you to organize and deepen your own thoughts, but I bet a lot of people would like to read it, too. Personally, I've been working on a novel in which I hope to showcase the benefits of slowing down and taking time in nature. It's an interesting exercise because we are so accustomed to fiction's main interest being 'Action!' But recently my own work with ancestral energies provided the key to this story's plot. I think we resist slowing down for the same reasons we resist anything having to do with death, but just like death, slowing down has important lessons for us. Thanks again, and best wishes on your endeavors!

Nature is where we truly belong. We are it and it is us. All you need to do is sit quietly in the woods and watch how quickly nature just goes back to doing what it was doing. We blend right back in. As for the book man, If it excites you, you should go for it. I think it will flow right out of you. Good luck and I thank you!

I would definitely be interested in reading about the subjects you touched apon if you were to write a new book. I spend as much time outside as I can every day and I can never get enough of being out in the woods. It speaks to me deeply and replenishes my soul. Please write the book, I'm already interested in reading it!

Embracing the spirit of my ancestors, immersing myself in the spirit of the wilderness...this is why I wear 'Viking' garb as often as possible. Not because I'm 'pretending' at a LARP, but to get as deep into the mindset of 'olden times' as I can. It really helps with the immersion. I often see people jogging, 'power walking', or walking a dog, with a smartphone shoved up their nose, and I usually say, "Hey, you'd enjoy the woods alot more if you put the cellphone away and looked at the real world sometimes."

Beautiful video Thank you 🌲🙏🌲

Interesting observation about Samhain/equinox! And great show, thanks from me in Denmark!

What you're talking about is something/ a thought process that stopped me from killing myself. I'm a spec of sand in an endless space of space dust. I'm nothing. My time alive is nothing. It's tiny. So fuck it. I may as well pursue what makes me happy. As long I'm not making anyone elses life miserable. Fuck everyone else and their petty dramas. Their petty judgmental bullshit. That's why nature heals me. Like you said; it's SHOWS me my place. I look at an old tree with moss growing all over it and, after getting over how beautiful it is, I think about how long it's been around and HOPE that it will be around much longer than me. Anyway. There's my two cents for anyone that cares. Thanks Jacob. I wish I could financially support you more.

I have been studying and saving up to move out to the woods with myself and children. To be self sufficient and show them that nature is all we need. I am grateful to modern technology for the access to knowledge it has provided me. ( would feel hypocritical to knock it, in a RU-vid comment) but it feels like this world is overstimulated by technology likened to a deafening static. Nature clears the signal for me. I’m very grateful for your channel and your drive to share your knowledge.

Beautiful video, and I love this idea for a book!

I’ve heard a lot of Americans saying how they really notice the rapid change in the season around 31st October to 1st November in the UK and Ireland. It’s like someone throwing a switch.

Rather than thinking like this and seperating ourselves from nature, i beleive we should just realize that we ARE nature. We are not seperate entities from nature, we are a part of it. Just as much as a pinecone, or a blade of grass, or a huge blue whale. We are equally a part of nature as all those things

I’d buy your book! Really enjoyed this video, thank you!

Lovely video, the yellow gorse is stunnimng, I too always adore the blossom in Spring, a perrenial sign of hope. We are all part of nature, an infinite, eternal Universe, whose energy is never changing, it just changes if you like, its arrangement of particles, and we are part of this eternal cosmic dance.

I appreciate you dude. Thanks for what you do.

Awesome Video thanks Jacob 👍

Namaste Blessings

This is my first time on your channel. I have to thank you so much because every word you said rung true to my same line of thinking for many years now. I grew up as the only person in my Christian family who didn't but the bull*t. I always thought of myself as Agnostic but my habits are far more Paganistic. I don't view the "gods" like people. More like forces of nature that don't care if you love them or not but they are a greater part of our universe that we barely understand even in our age of science. We've learned a lot but there's still so far to go to get back to what we should be. In that sense I feel like Nature is my god of choice. Whatever that entails. The good, bad, and ...humans..

You have time Jacob I look forward to the book.

I checked out the fellowship of Northern Traditions website but I highly doubt I will ever be able to attend a gathering unless you have it in my town. I would still like to join you in building up our faith.

I love your videos brother, keep this going!

Great Stuff Jacob. I felt absolutely connected while listening. Kind of Magic in Nature . Maybe a proper title for your book. Take care

You have some very on point thoughts Jacob and I love your idea of a book. I need to be in nature more and really miss it when I'm not. i wanted to let you know that I didn't skip on the video. I accidentally hit the jump button and it went to another video; so I had to come back and find where I was on this one. I always turn off the sound during ads, and sometimes when I put it back on, it does strange things. Anyhooo I hope you had a great Samhain and take care :)

It wasn't that nature was "superior" in the minds of our ancestors but that there was *no separation* -- no inferior/superior binaries. We knew that *were* nature. It is a bizarre colonial delusion that we aren't nature and it is patently false. This delusion is why we are so devastated and heartbroken. The earth needs our hands and care and attention.

I agree with everyone we all feel like that we are disconnected from nature and we all need to get out and enjoy nature as it is

Beautiful mountain view, I would go check it out despite my fear of heights

I always like to go out into the woods and sit or just wander and stare at stuff.

I feel so good being a part of the fellowship and following its progress and you give me so much to think about. I got two Norse pagan tattoos in a week of each other and I have to make sure I’m taking time to enjoy where I’m going in the path and not take on so much as well. I must take more time to enjoy nature

Loved it.

Really really enjoy your videos man

I would love to read a book by you dude! i love your videos they have reignited a spiritual fire in me (and are very informative) hope your doing well

Totally agree. Just get outside and enjoy what you can, where you can. Even in a city you can still appreciate nature. I always touch trees and shrubs when walking, as well as leave gifts to nature. You mentioned your book idea. I think it sounds good.

"In the past" it's a very large sentence, maybe bronze age, but if we think about romans, middle age, and so on, humanity was set on the same mindset, grow, destroing nature, conquer, capitalism. Maybe in the past humanity didn't was so large and so powerfull like now, but don't forget that notre Dame curch roof was made with 1500 oaks treesd that was centuries-old, and they are searching for another 1500 for the rebuilt.

Love this video ❤

im so happy you doin all of this makes a new norse pagan life way easire

I have always found when you in woodland you always feel safer I'm looking I have wood's and hills all around me the north of England is wonderful ❤🇬🇧

Interesting observation about nature based religions and how the environment may have impacted how the local religions developed. A book would take time, I can imagine, but may be well worth the effort. Certainly couldn't hurt 😉 One still thriving nature based religion is Shinto in Japan. Might want to trek over there to check it out too 😉 Soak in the onsen, forest bathe & check out the jinja (shrines), big and small. Like you pointed out Japan is a mountainous country & have mountain dieties as well. Zoroastrianism is from the middle east and is the longest existing monotheistic religion if I am not mistaken. So both these examples would support your point.

Yes write the we are small would love to read it ❤❤❤

have you ever beed to the Harz-mountain-area in the center of Germany? Its an area with still some kind of strong connection to history, even pagan history, for instance the mountain named "Brocken" wich is THE location, where "witches" celebrate their "Walpurgisnacht" every year; also they found old caves with remains of an extinct cave bear, in another they found human skelettons from stone age and after genetic tests they found out that their descendants still live in the exactely same location today; also nice to see are springs like frome the river "Rhume", where archaeologists excavated artefacts such as offerings that show, that this spring used to be a sacret place; I did not watch every single vid of you yet, so maybe you have been around this area before, if not, for someone like you an area to explore

Yes! So true! Religion and fear of worshipping nature and divorcing our culture from nature has been a huge mistake and devastating consequences!

When I walk my dogs I make sure to thank the gods. I walk them by a river so very appreciative of what the gods give us.

I would like to read it when you're done writing that book.

For your book; if you're going to do an overview of how world religions interact with nature, please don't forget to include a section on Shugendo. That is all.

Started going barefoot and kilted. Surprisingly enough, it helped remind me of the natural world and my place in it. Seriously, little things make big changes.

That mountain will change nothing stays the same the change is just slower.

We have not, nor will we ever, “conquer nature.”

The book sounds like a good idea. I think you should look att the sami religion too.

It would be a good book

We only assumed we conquer nature, actually we're just disconnecting ourselves and not realizing the effects.

beautyful

1043 is asian instrumental music? 😂 i like it, just found it funny

Write the book

Im surrounded by nature

5:16....yes, allow your childlike WONDER to flow back to you. Even Jesus Christ teaches this truth.

You still can’t conquer nature. There are those who try and fail each day but we often forget that the mountains have been here for thousands and thousands of years before the first human breath. This rock we live on will most likely be here after us as well. It will rebuild the next civilization through our ashes.

It's really messed up how nowadays people have to learn how to enjoy things

Hello, excuse me, can I please ask a question? I am Russian and was born in Russia, but philosophy, belief in the Scandinavian Gods and paganism attracted me so much that I decided to become a Scandinavian pagan. However, as far as I know, paganism is based on the principle of blood and soil, on the concept of heritage, does this mean that I cannot worship Odin or Thor? Thank you in advance