Norse pagan or Heathen here (I don't care too much about labels). I was raised in a fundamentalist-evangelical Christian family and they have not changed. I, on the other hand, became an angry atheist for many years until the Gods worked their way into my life and I haven't been the same since. I have a lot of religious trauma that still needs to be worked through but after being a practicing heathen for five years, I finally came out and told my family. And it felt amazing.
I'm a Druid from the UK and I walk my path my way,I have helped others find Druidry, I lead them to the edge of the forrest but they have to choose their own path to take through it.
I converted from christianity to being a Norse Heathen and proud of it. I stepped away from christianity for many reasons both personal and widespread. I'm proud now of who I am and what I believe in and always thank the ancestors for helping and the gods guidance is always present now. Hail to u and your following. Keep up the great work I've been watching the channel for as lil while how hot it's very helpful very informative. Hate I missed the podcast will try to catch y'all next time.
I was raised christian too, but it was stoicism that pulled me out of the abyss. I find your deep introspection very endearing. Something you said is that in this day and age, it feels like you have to rationalize all you do, I used to feel this way but don't anymore. I had a dark night too, and in that night I realized how important it was to be my own man. I don't rationalize but I like to explain why I do things, because it's my belief we inspire one another, giving us more sophistication than we could ever independently dream of, and this notion that you have to rationalize feels bad, because it is detrimental to that process.
I'm a Norwegian 🇸🇯 Ásatrúar. I suppose I would be on the "Icelandic/Scandinavian" Ásatrú path. It would be cool to see if there are others listening 🇸🇪🇩🇰🇮🇸🇫🇴🇸🇯🇫🇮
I was raised Lutheran, but baptized Catholic. We hardly ever went to church. Played basketball for the local Mormon church and was required to go once a month. Nothing ever felt true to me! Even as a kid I would joke about following the Norse way. I have always thought of the raven as my spirit animal. I am still not positive where this all leads, but believe that I lean Norse Pagan
Follow the path that feels true and meaningful to you. It doesn't matter which one it is. But if you do that, you'll have a richer and more meaningful life.
Raised in an esoteric Christian home, I went to church when someone older in my family made me go. As I got older I became a history/genealogy buff. When I came across the Seven Fires Prophecy from the Anishinaabe after delving into my great grandfather's native roots. I wanted to understand what they believed. And what stuck with me is the 7th fire prophecy which the messengers of the prophecy say we are living today. I think understanding the Indigneous lore and myths is important for those of us who live in the Americas. So here I am almost 2 years later fully delved into being an Eclectic Nordic Heathen (Ásatrú & Suomenusko). I'm definitely more an animist and see the gods as forces in our world. You guys have been a huge help too along with those in discord. SO much information!
I have a great friend that is Anishinaabe and we have had some wonderful ceremonies together some Norse, some Native, and some a combination of both. We are not that different.
That's so awesome! And you're not wrong. Funny thing about my family tree, my indigenous great-grandfather married a Norwegian woman (my great grandmother).
I really love the interaction between you two! I look forward to more! I am Witch/Heathen, and deeply into my ancestral roots. I have a hammer you made and I love it! Thank you for all you do!
Grew up non-practicing mormon, went to army basic @ 17 with one year of tenuous sobriety and started actually living it. Spent 30 years doing that. Realized I wasn't walking my path, kids raised all that, my family was fine with it. I get so sick of the endless "I'm rebelling" vibe some people throw out.
Holy smokes, the explanation of the operating system interfacing the other side, blew my mind. I have been so concerned with finding the right path that I was losing my mind. Thank you for this, I legitimately feel calm about it now.
I left Christianity fairly recently (last couple of years), and am still on a journey of sorts. Im not 100% sure what I believe about the gods and spirits, but have always found Norse Paganism to be extremely interesting. Even as a kid, before I knew this was a legitimate path, I used to wish I could follow the Norse gods. For now, I consider myself to be something like an atheo-pagan? I'll figure it out eventually lol.
Heathenry is extremely wide. You'll find people who are pretty strict about how they follow it, and then there are those who will include you for not ruling the Norse Pantheon out. It's a great blend that makes our community so vibrant and inclusive.
Welcome Back Finally ya two. Was beginning to think ya went to the Valhalla been so long lol. I'm a Spiritual mutt lol. Excellent video keep em coming ya'll.
I call myself a Heathen, but Asatru is probably the biggest part of my path. So I use either interchangeably. I totally agree with doing it your own way, as long as when someone asks why you do it the way you do, you are clear about your sources or lack of them! Without UGP my practice would be severely lacking! I like to blot every month and I don’t want to only do it on the three Heathen holidays that are historically attested to. 😊 Also, interestingly here in the UK we don’t seem to suffer with Christian ‘opinions’ to the same level that you do but I feel that’s probably because we are a more secular country on the whole - although a recent Pagan gathering (Witchfest) did inspire some Christian protestors to go for it! Which led to them being reported for hate crimes, because of their poor, and very-unchristian like behaviour. They are there every year tbf, but never so loud and obnoxious! But at least they had the guts to behave that way in person instead of behind a keyboard 😂😂 My first listen to your podcast and really enjoyable, thanks ☺️
It is surprising how differnt it is for Pagans and heathens in different parts of the developed world. I wish we could just stand togther as our differences are only minor in comparison. Currently we are our own worse enemey. Welcome here, and consider joining our discord channel, we have great heathens from around the world.
16:48 is a really great point! Glad you mentioned this! Some people call this shadow work and it would really benefit a lot of people if they just did a little work on themselves.
First, I love the discord, it's a great space for discussion and finding support on hard days. Personally hubby and I say Norse Pagan. We are not strict reconstructionist. We do feel it's important to know as much about the history as we can so we have a good base of knowledge. However we know that not everything translates to modern day and we don't feel we have to completely abandon previous experiences. I started out in paganism in wicca b/c that was the info that was the most accessible online and in second hand book stores. B/c of that I still do some things that I learned and connected with then that aren't necessarily specifically Norse but they still resonate with me, so I see no reason not to do them. I'm all for topics staying mostly Norse focused mostly b/c there are so few good, reliable, non-judgmental sources out there for our community that I appreciate finding a good one. Not saying some eclectic stuff can't be talked about now and again, b/c we definitely should learn about all sorts of topics related to paganism.
I call myself norse heathen or just heathen. I think pagan has been hijacked by multiple other paths and gets confusing to people who don't know the nuance
My company got bought out by a Christian basst company I had to tell them I am a North pagan that I don't pray to Jesus I pray to Odin and life at work has been living hell ever since 😔
@@northwoodskindred yes I'm in Texas and when they took over they told us all we had to conduct ourselves as Christins so I had to tell them no and you're right about the requirements that's why I didn't get fired from the start now just looked at as a peis of shit when I stuck through all the hard times for 20 years
@@samstapleton3739 That is extremely unfortunate. I can't believe how hostile and bigoted christians are to non christians. Or for that matter, to other varying christian beliefs. "Christ like" my ass. Even with what little I know of Christ, he would not accept those bigoted practices in his name.
@@samstapleton3739I sympathize with your situation. It don't seem legal to instruct your employees to "behave as Christians" or relate with any other religion in America. You guys have religious freedom. However, there doesn't seem to be much you can do about it. But I would try to document some of the things you describe, just in case it comes down to you being unjustly fired.
