Odin the Raven God - The Dark Path of Wisdom 

This video was recorded at 6 o'clock, on a very cold December morning. I was already out before dawn, so I caught a lot of cold. You can hear it in my voice the effects of a very humid and cold morning. You might want to turn on the subtitles on this one hehe.

I am a pagan, my father (casually) practiced Asatru in the late 90s early 00s, when I was a child (for the record, I do not practice Asatru). I remember having shrines to Odin and Thor in the house, hearing their myths before bedtime, etc. He eventually left that path to become agnostic/athiest (side note: the day he openly expressed that he no longer believed in the gods, there was a massive thunderstorm that caused damage to our neighborhood, I fully believe it was Thor haha). Odin has been a pretty central symbolic figure in my life for as long as I can remember. Fast forward into my adulthood, I developed breast cancer at 25 years old (I have a rare genetic mutation). The night before my mastectomy, I was so afraid. I've never felt fear like that before. I had a dream that Odin visited me and shared with me the story of how he hung from the world tree. I saw myself hanging from the world tree. It was a dark and terrifying experience, but through that dream, I found an unexpected strength to face the surgery and the healing process. It was painful and probably the worst experience of my life, but through the darkness of that experience I found illumination. In that moment, I felt that the lessons of Odin were clearer to me than ever before. My point in sharing this story is that your interpretation of Odin in this video resonates with my own experiences so deeply. Same with the other videos I've seen from you. I see that you /know/ these gods and their lore with a special kind of intimacy. It's really amazing and I love your content :)

"Ascendeding from darkness into enlightenment is more difficult, more painful but the final reward is far greater" a quote to live by

Of all the gods, Odin intrigued me the most. I see his ravens when I’m out wandering around and I feel as though he is watching me. Maybe I’m a fool but it’s interesting nonetheless

This is what I've been trying to tell other Asatru people. I honestly dont think you can possibly follow down a path hailing Odin without knowing the evil things he's done. I have and I accept it. I looked at the horrid things Odin has done and look at the evil deeds I've done. But when I look back at myself I wouldn't say I am evil. It's a sense of understanding that nobody is good or evil. With everything Odin has done whether you call it good or evil it had a purpose that led to a positive outcome for him and his tribe. It's a scary lesson to learn if you have to be the leader of anything. Sometimes you have to do fucked up shit for the benefit of the tribe. Even if the action only benefits you. The things you might gain could be useful in the future.

I'm an African American Christian male, but I find paganism and Norse history very interesting. Odin's story is very inspiring to me and as a Christian I don't worship any pagan gods, but I use Odin's story as a philosophy to get through and get the most out of life.

Odin is as capricious and changing as human nature itself is. He is Wise Counsel, and Trickster. Ready always to take an advantage. A Turner of deeds to his purpose. He is Honor and Treachery. One who searches, and finds never quite enough. Ever learning, ever changing. He is what we all are at our core.

It’s not all back & white, but gray. This feels more human, for no human is 100% good or 100% evil.

I view Odin as a shaman. I think of him as god of the dead. Leading the Wild Hunt with Holda. Magic, runes, galdr. I think of Odin in these rolls more than the All Father and a king or lord. He will let you fall into madness if you ask him for what you want. He is not a god of let's make this sunshine and roses.

As my interpretation, odin is our mind, and the myths in the poetic edda are riddles that if interpreted correctly, you achieve wisdom and spiritual enrichment. Thinking that the gods are physical is spiritual darkness, the gods are not physical or living in another world, they are here, they represent nature, they represent truth, strength, wisdom, gravity, etc. Odin (our mind) it's known as many names. The saver, the doomer, the corrupt, the just. We must act like the gods in order to be the best version of ourselves.

This brought up a lot of “dark”, unpleasant emotions in me. I feel angry. Beneath it I feel sadness. The trickster energy of this deity, of life, irritates me. It is coyotes for my people. El borrado. The eraser. Chaos is something I resent. And also something I must integrate, accept, surrender to? Going to write. Journal fury! Thanks for this.

Harger: This is an example of your almost unique ability to correctly and insigthfully express the ancient religion in the context of the people of the time. Well done.

So well said in this video. Many years ago I set up a hearg/horgr to the Aesir and Vanir under a very old oak tree, deep into the woods/wald . When I dedicated it to Woden/Othin, two crows (cousins of ravens) landed in the old oak tree and watched every move I made that day.

I have been looking more and more into this. I can't follow one specific path as I am eclectic, but feel such a call to freya and odin.

This is a lyric i wrote 5 few years ago: " focused in on myself i traded wisdom for my health". Its kinda freaky

Man I love your videos. And I'm loving this about Odinn and Thursatru as a philosophical aspect. Once again thank you Arith.

You can kind of link these ideas of Odin with the Left Hand Path in many of its aspects, and it kind of shows how easily Odin is taken up as one of the gods of the Left Hand Path. And why not? Odin one of the few deities around who, in some fairly neat but not exact ways, corresponds to the Lucifer archetype that we're familiar with in many ways. Sure he's typecast as the leader of the forces of order, but he's also the god of a chaotic, almost Bacchic mode of divine inspiration, Odr (it's in his namesake, even), he's a patron of outlaws and non-conformists, practices a form of magic that is considered taboo for men to practice, and sacrifices himself for the pursuit of knowledge. Even his whole deal regarding Ragnarok, and the fact that he's gaining knowledge for the sake of avoiding his inevitable demise at Ragnarok, can be seen in terms of cultivating knowledge in order to fight, change or even defy fate.

This is absolutely amazing. It is everything I have felt about Odin since starting down this path. Seeing him as all light just didn't feel right because of his stories. Thanks for sharing this video, it helped me see that my feelings may not be so wrong after all.

You have a captivating mind. 🖤 Thank you so much for making videos. You and you're knowledge is such a treasure.

had a big competition one day and i called out to god since i didnt know which one was real but i was always pulled towards odin. The morning when i went to take my bike from the firewood cabin i had a raven fly out at me. I won the competition and became the champion in my country.

Always an excellent speak. I love listening to your teachings in theory, historically.. and it does align with what I've pondered and learned about some myself. Amazing, friend!

Wow Arith! You jist blew my mind! What an interesting perspective. Once you started to talk about Odin it made absolute sense. Great job and video!

Very intriguing video. Lots of good points. Thank you for all your time and effort you put into your channel. You deserve more subscribers. I really enjoyed this and look forward to more. Hope you have a great day.

This is why I'm a patron right here. Great, unique, informed, daring content.

Brilliant analysis, so rare to find !! Thank you so much! I just subscribed

So much excellent psychological material here instructive to those who engage in work with the shadow. Thank you, sir!

Odin is more relatable. Then any other god. A pure experience of all things. The all father embraces every aspect. Mischief, honor, ferocity and sacrifice. Death and life. Destruction and ambition.

I love your content Arith ❤ Your channel always feels like a good place to go for a grounded and realistic view of Nordic mythology concepts. Thank you!

Excellent! Thank you so much for sharing your views, it is such an interesting world to explore

I enjoy your videos very much. Thank you for sharing your knowledge/views.

Great video. And it's a good point to make. The path to wisdom takes you beyond good and evil.

Excellent video, accuracy, franknesses and very respectful. Thank you. Much LiGhtLove namaste ❤️🕚💛🕚💚🕚💙🕚💜👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

It’s been a very long time since I’ve seeked knowledge on the Gods, I’m grateful to have found this. Thank you.

This literally changed all my view on Odínn, thank you so much Arith! ❤️

Outstanding exposition. Thank you.

Fantastic break down of a very complex figure. So glad I subscribed.

Your opening with the runic chant is powerful. I am new to your channel, but I appreciate your work.

Great explanation an job. Your channel an content are top notch, really as good as it gets. Thanks for sharing your learning an knowledge, your extremely what you do, keep up the good work.

Mr. Arith, I salute you, this is fantastic!

Just found your channel and wow you're amazing. Great job at presenting the video, you're a great talker. Very detailed ;) Thanks

You are a scholar of our time. Well done on the video!

Great video !! Thank you for your words

Your videos are awesome! Thank you!

Your videos are always refreshing as your perspective is thank you

Dude, I love your content and I love the way you deliver it. It is clear that you are very knowledgeable on the topics you lecture on, and you are also humble in your approach. 🔥👊🏼🤙🏼🤘🏼

Very happy to be a new subscriber. You're very very good! I've put so many of your videos into my watch later playlist Lol I have a lot to catch up on! Keep safe!

You’re still criminally unsubscribed to. Thursatru and Rokkatru are deeply interesting philosophical interpretations of the Northern European faiths.

This video has been most amazing. There are very few people even talking about let alone understanding non-dual ways of thinking out there. My background is mostly in Daoism/Zen/Hinduism, I've been getting more into Norse spirituality as of late, and this was extremely fascinating. Very realized stuff here. Very very good stuff.

This is extremely interesting and beautifully stated. I'm writing down notes for my book. Thank you!

Great video as always!

arith. the way out is the way in. the way in is the way out. to end begin. listen to the wind. odin was a friend of mine, but not all the time. harharhar. take care gare

I want to thank you, you dont know how much this helped me. Thanks for sharing!!

This is an excellent presentation! Thank you!

It was a wonderful vidéo, thank you very much for this share of knowledge. I subscribed to your channel. I will watch more video.

Odin's examples and tales teach us to deeply consider those things we desire, and whether we can bear the price it expects from us.

I truly appreciated your interpretation of this concept!!!

Most excellent summary Arith, most excellent.

Awesome love the videos; so much has been destroyed from my ancestors beliefs I fallow the old ways know and there’s a lot to learn ... thank you

New subscriber. Very interesting, really enjoyed this!

Really good work.

That was beautiful, ThankYou 🖤🔥

This was excellent! Thank you so much.

Thank you. I've been trying to sort my life out of late. Interestingly enough, when I finally ask for guidance - these are the videos, and literature I come across the most.

My sincere thanks! Good work!

this video is so good!

Great video! Wisdom comes hard.

A excellent summary and (finally) addressing the pitfalls of dualistic projection in interpreting the past of our ancestors (regardless of their origins!)

Love your stuff kick on love it.

I really respect the impartial knowledge you have to share, this video as well as your video on thursatru and the sinister path have had a large influence on how i follow the Odinic path. I initially thought that in nondualism; embracing my addiction & self destructive behavior would lead me to great enlightenment, which it sort of did; but it also lead me too realize that with the absence of order, chaos & darkness dominated my life; it almost broke me. Until i realised that it wasn't about embracing the chaos, but coming to realize that chaos around and within me has the limitless potential to create, just as it has the same limitless potential for destruction without order. Its a matter of learning to work with it by establishing and structure to further grow and create. I try to stay faithful too tribalism; but my path to following Odin is heavily influenced by thursatru as well; i know this path will continue to be an uneasy one, but i am finally reshaping the chaos within me because i have finally found order and purpose, I've revived my love to relentlessly pursue wisdom, ive learned to accept the nature of events and take accountability of my consequences make the best out of it. "Strength in the body Growth in the earth" Thank you Arith

Awesome video dude🤙

Finally someone admitted it and says it! Brave man!!! I love your videos!!! 👏👏👏 💪💪 ❤️❤️❤️

Great video Arith! Greetings from Poland! :)

Good video, very informative. Nice background to film at

Thank you. This exploration of this topic is quite close to my personal path and experience with Woden. Your articulation is greatly appreciated.

This is an absolute fantastic video

Great video, I have been searching for stories about my god that do not paint him in a negative light and I think you did that while still removing the ideology that his actions make him evil. Thank you

It's only hard for us to comprehend the nature of the norse Gods if we look at them through the prism of the abrahamic faiths. If, however, we understand Odin and other Gods as we understand ourselves and the behaviour of the human species then it makes alot more sense. I am drawn to the pagan Gods because of their faults, weakness and vulnerabilities. Good video, very informative.

I truly enjoy your videos Arith; your teachings confirms what I've understood while walking the Left Hand Path. I have various archetypes from other pantheon including the Norse Pantheon. I see Odinn as my principal archetype for searching wisdom whether be dark or light(without using the concept of good and evil), and understanding wisdom no matter if I have to cheat, lie others. My goal is to have bettwr understanding of tje mysteries and to be completely different in many ways from others.

Good Work There My friend. We are very compleX.

Love this video. Listening to it now for the fourth time.

I met Odin in the woods once, He appeared to me as an old man, I was 28 years young and strong and I feared nothing unto death. But when this old man was walking toward me, I became very fearful and I could not control it. He told me many things about myself that no one else could know, and things about myself that I did not know. His words toward me was very harsh with no mercy, scolding me and I was on my knees crippled with fear unable to even speak. He told me, "Get up and stop pitying yourself." Then he walked into the woods and disappeared. To this day I still don't understand that experience. No! I was not high on drugs or Alcohol.

Excellent video.. many thanks 👍

Transformative video. Thank you

Many won’t believe me but I went through a schizophrenic episode and I was obsessed with Wisdom and Knowledge, I met this dog, with one White eye and one brown eye, on the way toward a mountain I wanted to climb and then blindly stare at the sun. the dog followed me toward a mountain and on the way, it showed me a deep hole in a ground, filled to the brim with water. I was thirsty and I looked to the dog and then the dog drank from the water and then I drank from the hole too. Many other things happened to me during my episode and I utterly destroyed myself. My teachers didn’t see me the same, I lost friends, I hurt my parents, everyone thought I was crazy. Also, I hadn’t known about the story of Odin until I was telling a friend about my episode and he said, “damn man that’s sounded like the story of Odin”. Oh and after I climbed the mountain, I went home with the dog and my dad saw the dog and pet it. After my episode I asked if my dad saw the dog, and he did see it. So it was no delusion or hallucination.

takk for geniale videoer

I quite love your voice and accent, as well as your energy Thank you for your insights

It would be so cool to go see that place you did your video!

Thankyou! I had never heard this interpretation concerning Odin and Life before.

Made me think of the Buddha who had his own trials and tribulations before achieving enlightenment.

Good stuff, I think behind Odins stories are hidden messages it would be a mistake to take them at face value as “bad” “evil” and devious. They are there for us to untangle and use to unlock the mysteries. Great info as always.

Thank you for this . A deeper look.

Great explanation, coming from someone who isn’t on a pagan path myself. Kindve on a crossroads of sorts on a personal level, paganism has always been an extreme curiosity for me and something I’ve researched heavily many years of my life. I’m new to the ways of the Norse people and Norse paganism, but I’ve found it immensely interesting to research and read about. Your videos are very informative and I enjoy watching and learning

Well said, GREAT JOB ;)!

I appreciate you answer me! Thanks again, Mr Arith

Excellent, thank you very much

Loved this one Arith , many thanks , it touches on my own belief system !!! and very much enjoyed the introduction , which leads me to ask if you have thought of doing a video on Galdr ? (the ancient site behind you is just amazing !!!!)

Awesome video.

Thanks Arith!

Interesting !! food for thought 👍🏻 The Hanged Man in the Tarot yes of course both the negative and the positive 🙂

Well Spoken,Thxs.