Fun fact: a female patron is called a patroness, not a matron. People seem to confuse patron with pater which means father, thinking matron derives from mater, which means mother, but a matron is a married woman who is in charge of a household. But a patron is a protector, and a female patron is called a patroness. Athena is the patron Goddess of Athens.
As an eclectic Wiccan, I don't have a matron or patron diety, and haven't for the 30+ years I've practiced. I work with and love many different goddesses/gods. Another awesome video 😊
Nailed it!!! “Poly” I have been an Eclectic Wiccan for many years focusing on Celtic practices and dedicated to Morrigan. The guilt I feel looking towards Norse Paganism almost felt like I was cheating. She showed me a sign....indicating “it’s okay...your journey will continue and it’s time to move on and grow”. I know she’s still around but letting go has excited my soul for the next steps of my journey.... Gods enter and leave to guide and teach us. Thank you Jacob for this reminder 😉
When you say, "I'm a filthy American." I feel that in my soul. 😅🤣 Our accents really destory these beautiful words. However, Your pronunciation sounds pretty good
I am SO GLAD that you talked about this. You came to the same conclusion as I did on this subject. That said...I feel like there is a difference between the intellectual aspect of Norse Paganism, and the "personal experience" aspect of Norse Paganism. So many of the Norse Pagans that I have talked to over the last few months have told me about their very powerful personal encounters with particular deities. They were so profound, and so life changing, that they decided to make that particular deity their primary focus. It was a "this is what I WANT to do, and feel is right" kind of thing, and the words patron and matron were just used as a way to describe their dedication. Part of the problem is the Norse Pagans of old did not have a written language, so we don't know much about their personal experiences, rituals, and practices. My guess is that there was plenty of cults dedicated to particular deities back in the day. I am sure fishermen and boat builders had a particular focus on Njord as an example. But...I do NOT think there was a "pick a god and stick with it" rule. In fact, I think that in the day to day practices of the early Norse Pagan, they spent a LOT more time talking to the spirits of their environments than they did the gods of Asgard. Great topic Jacob!
I have been a practicing pagan for two decades and in that whole time I never took on a Matron or Patron deity until just a few months ago. I worked with Freyja for 5 years before I took this step and to me it was huge. The concept was really applied in my path in the sense of her being the deity that I have the deepest connection to as long as she walks with me. Should she choose to step away at some point or another deity wish to step along side her at that level of interaction, I leave that up to the gods. But for all those years, I didn't feel the need to have that type of connection with a deity and my path was perfectly functional. I'm really glad you brought up the concept of the differences of monotheistic religion and polytheistic. This is something I have been thinking about a lot lately too. Even in my case, I wasn't raised until a monotheistic religion and I still find myself struggling with those preconceptions. Also, hi crow!
Loved this video. I am happy to say that I don't have a matron or patron deity, and I love working with as many of them I can. However if I end having a matron or patron, I will gladly take the opportunity.
You're correct, in traditional practice there is no such thing as a patron deity. One may be devoted to a particular deity over others, and that's normal and acceptable, particularly when you consider things like that Njord was worshipped more along the coast lines where people were sailors and fishermen, while Freyr was more worshipped inland where people were mostly farmers and cattle ranchers. That doesn't mean none of them prayed to Odin or Frigga or Tyr, it just means that that's the deity they need the favor of the most consistently.
Really enjoyed this and I completely agree. As well as there being pressure within paganism to pick a deity, I think it taps into a broader and more societal pressure to pick/lock yourself into an identity and exclude all others - for example Harry Potter houses, marvel superheroes, sports teams, music genres/bands, political parties etc. We're constantly being told we have to wear a badge and shun rival badges - and for me that idea runs counter to the ethos of my paganism.
I think the idea goes back farther than the 1900's. Jmo, but I think Christianity in Scandinavia played a huge role in 'having' to choose. I have the closest relationships with Frigg and Loki but I know I can learn from all of them. I love polytheism because,yes,there's a god/dess for that. Frigg appeared in an hour of extreme need of her particular energy(the wife and mother) and Loki I feel is a companion. 'Till the Hall brother.
I really liked hearing the 'close friend' relationship angle to certain Gods/Goddesses; when I first heard Thor's comforts and warning in my dreams back when I was 19 it cemented my relationship with him, however the stories themselves with Odin demanded balance. All parts of a whole, and a single sided coin is only worth the portion.
Good video. I agree. One does not need to choose a patron. I chose one because I like the idea of having someone I look to on a regular basis for guidance. My patron deity is Sunna (Sól) and I appreciate her presence in my life.
Thank you. I have been trying to wrap my head around this. I went through a few processes and read when I first got into this faith and decided for me Thor was going to be the first relationship I tried to cultivate. I don't think Patron is the word I would use but I feel close to him and Freyja. Perhaps too close as I have been slow to expand though tonight I plan to stand vigil to honor Heimdall. I also have as yet to find a reason to swear oaths. I am not sure that is normal to not swear though.
Well you are right about this but we have to also realize that it has evolved. It wasn't always the same as it was in the 800's and maybe this was something we needed knowledge on to put it to practice...you help this texas family a lot. I actually want to speak to you if you ever have the chance thank you for the constant knowledge
I’m Brazilian and here we have an original religion (called Candomblé) based on a few religions that came from Africa and we have matron or/and patron Orishas (gods/goddesses). Normally, in Africa, your patron/matron Orisha would come from the place you were born, but with slavery, black people lost the connection to their ancestors and land of birth, so the matron/patron Orishas (they’re called either “mother” or “father”) became based on personality and your overall way of being (they are the Orishas “of your head”. I’m a daughter of Ewá), a practioner uses buzios (which I can’t quite explain but they’re similar to the reading of runes, I suppose) to determine who is the Orisha looking after you. It’s quite an interesting subject but I’m simplifying it a lot for the comment (and it’s also difficult to translate exact terms lol). I’m an eclectic pagan and have ancestors from all over the world (Africa, Southern and Northern Europe, indigenous peoples from here in Brazil, etc) and I like researching and making my practice personalised to me and my own background
Since humans are all very different, the idea of bias is of course very believable. My patron deity is Thor, but I respect all the gods and goddesses, and try to work with them.
Following skadi for how long i have, I have said she's my matron. The oath I've made to her isn't really stating I follow her. So the words you say about these things are very true to me. It's not needed, just a personal choice.
I'm an eclectic pagan..I mix Sufism with pagan. .but these days I'm working with Norse paganism which chose me! I feel like I'm " home " now.. So glad I found you .. Skâl brother! 💚
As you named it once in the January live stream, I am still having something like "crisis of faith". There's a chance I have felt Thor and to a lesser degree Odin but I just don't know. I feel like if I had to adhere to some gods more than others, it'd be them but I need to learn so much more to decide if I even pick one to be my patron, if and when I solve the "crisis of faith".
I’m learning Norwegian and I’ve learned it’s not mutually intelligible to Old Norse. Icelandic is the closest. One day I’ll find an Icelandic course :p Another great video! Thanks!
I have just started my journey, but I want to work with Hel and Loki the most mostly Hel, but I have not worked with any norse deities, so I will find out in the future, but I guess Hail the gods
Great topic. When I came into the religion, I didn't pledge my fealty to any one God. I was tho drawn to Týr, Freyja, Skaði, & Njörður. I do talk to whoever, I don't know all the names, my heart does go out to or whatever I want to discuss with
I guess I have a...different interpretation of what constitutes paganism? Or maybe it's just because I have such a limited bandwidth of attention that I sort of took a "Lord and Lady" premise of divinity, where in Tyr and Gaia are my interpretations of the Divine, but also recognize that there other forms of the divine out there and feel like they are all equally valid. Does that make me more of a pantheist? ~scratches head~
Wondering if Beserkers and Ulfhednar were dedicated exclusively to Odin or Tyr. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest this was certainty the case for Berserkers.
Yeah. Most Pagan deities do not have any problems with sharing the spotlight. Only some deities are actually jealous and feel the need for exclusivity.
Patron gods saints is a christian thing. There is no "working" with our gods. You can ask for help. But even the idea the gods have human form is not the case. They are spirits/energies. They can posess other people and animals with their hugr but all this is patron gods is just... Remove christian name and insert germanic/norse name.
I think this whole idea of matron and patron deities are just people who still haven’t been able to fully get away from Christianity. Stop worshiping the gods as if they are Jesus. They are just one part of the whole. There is so much more to paganism than just the gods. If you just focus on the gods then you’re missing out on a large amount of what paganism can offer you. We are all apart of the whole. Not just the gods, but many many other spirits.
I think Odin was happy about the video Jacob
Fun fact: a female patron is called a patroness, not a matron.
People seem to confuse patron with pater which means father, thinking matron derives from mater, which means mother, but a matron is a married woman who is in charge of a household. But a patron is a protector, and a female patron is called a patroness.
Athena is the patron Goddess of Athens.
I'm hearing what Jacob is saying, but I'm looking at that park like
I am a new norse pagan and Odin has guided me to you're channel and learn from you Odin has truly given you wisdom HAIL THE GODS
10:04 When you see another Wisdom of Odin video come out.
🤣🤣🤣
As an eclectic Wiccan, I don't have a matron or patron diety, and haven't for the 30+ years I've practiced. I work with and love many different goddesses/gods. Another awesome video 😊
Nailed it!!! “Poly” I have been an Eclectic Wiccan for many years focusing on Celtic practices and dedicated to Morrigan. The guilt I feel looking towards Norse Paganism almost felt like I was cheating. She showed me a sign....indicating “it’s okay...your journey will continue and it’s time to move on and grow”. I know she’s still around but letting go has excited my soul for the next steps of my journey.... Gods enter and leave to guide and teach us. Thank you Jacob for this reminder 😉
That Raven tho!
When you say, "I'm a filthy American." I feel that in my soul. 😅🤣 Our accents really destory these beautiful words. However, Your pronunciation sounds pretty good
Tyr spoke to me and I just knew he would be a patron.
Odin heard you talking about him and one his ravens chimed in
I am SO GLAD that you talked about this. You came to the same conclusion as I did on this subject. That said...I feel like there is a difference between the intellectual aspect of Norse Paganism, and the "personal experience" aspect of Norse Paganism. So many of the Norse Pagans that I have talked to over the last few months have told me about their very powerful personal encounters with particular deities. They were so profound, and so life changing, that they decided to make that particular deity their primary focus. It was a "this is what I WANT to do, and feel is right" kind of thing, and the words patron and matron were just used as a way to describe their dedication. Part of the problem is the Norse Pagans of old did not have a written language, so we don't know much about their personal experiences, rituals, and practices. My guess is that there was plenty of cults dedicated to particular deities back in the day. I am sure fishermen and boat builders had a particular focus on Njord as an example. But...I do NOT think there was a "pick a god and stick with it" rule. In fact, I think that in the day to day practices of the early Norse Pagan, they spent a LOT more time talking to the spirits of their environments than they did the gods of Asgard. Great topic Jacob!
I have been a practicing pagan for two decades and in that whole time I never took on a Matron or Patron deity until just a few months ago. I worked with Freyja for 5 years before I took this step and to me it was huge. The concept was really applied in my path in the sense of her being the deity that I have the deepest connection to as long as she walks with me. Should she choose to step away at some point or another deity wish to step along side her at that level of interaction, I leave that up to the gods. But for all those years, I didn't feel the need to have that type of connection with a deity and my path was perfectly functional. I'm really glad you brought up the concept of the differences of monotheistic religion and polytheistic. This is something I have been thinking about a lot lately too. Even in my case, I wasn't raised until a monotheistic religion and I still find myself struggling with those preconceptions. Also, hi crow!
Loved this video. I am happy to say that I don't have a matron or patron deity, and I love working with as many of them I can. However if I end having a matron or patron, I will gladly take the opportunity.
You're correct, in traditional practice there is no such thing as a patron deity. One may be devoted to a particular deity over others, and that's normal and acceptable, particularly when you consider things like that Njord was worshipped more along the coast lines where people were sailors and fishermen, while Freyr was more worshipped inland where people were mostly farmers and cattle ranchers. That doesn't mean none of them prayed to Odin or Frigga or Tyr, it just means that that's the deity they need the favor of the most consistently.
Really enjoyed this and I completely agree.
As well as there being pressure within paganism to pick a deity, I think it taps into a broader and more societal pressure to pick/lock yourself into an identity and exclude all others - for example Harry Potter houses, marvel superheroes, sports teams, music genres/bands, political parties etc.
We're constantly being told we have to wear a badge and shun rival badges - and for me that idea runs counter to the ethos of my paganism.
I love the way Odin cam in at the end to agree with you--the look on you face-- Priceless!!!
I think the idea goes back farther than the 1900's. Jmo, but I think Christianity in Scandinavia played a huge role in 'having' to choose. I have the closest relationships with Frigg and Loki but I know I can learn from all of them. I love polytheism because,yes,there's a god/dess for that. Frigg appeared in an hour of extreme need of her particular energy(the wife and mother) and Loki I feel is a companion. 'Till the Hall brother.
I really liked hearing the 'close friend' relationship angle to certain Gods/Goddesses; when I first heard Thor's comforts and warning in my dreams back when I was 19 it cemented my relationship with him, however the stories themselves with Odin demanded balance. All parts of a whole, and a single sided coin is only worth the portion.
Good video. I agree. One does not need to choose a patron. I chose one because I like the idea of having someone I look to on a regular basis for guidance. My patron deity is Sunna (Sól) and I appreciate her presence in my life.
Njord is my paton! he's great, he is
Thanks Jacob. Great video as always.
Thank you. I have been trying to wrap my head around this. I went through a few processes and read when I first got into this faith and decided for me Thor was going to be the first relationship I tried to cultivate. I don't think Patron is the word I would use but I feel close to him and Freyja. Perhaps too close as I have been slow to expand though tonight I plan to stand vigil to honor Heimdall. I also have as yet to find a reason to swear oaths. I am not sure that is normal to not swear though.
Well you are right about this but we have to also realize that it has evolved. It wasn't always the same as it was in the 800's and maybe this was something we needed knowledge on to put it to practice...you help this texas family a lot. I actually want to speak to you if you ever have the chance thank you for the constant knowledge
I’m Brazilian and here we have an original religion (called Candomblé) based on a few religions that came from Africa and we have matron or/and patron Orishas (gods/goddesses). Normally, in Africa, your patron/matron Orisha would come from the place you were born, but with slavery, black people lost the connection to their ancestors and land of birth, so the matron/patron Orishas (they’re called either “mother” or “father”) became based on personality and your overall way of being (they are the Orishas “of your head”. I’m a daughter of Ewá), a practioner uses buzios (which I can’t quite explain but they’re similar to the reading of runes, I suppose) to determine who is the Orisha looking after you. It’s quite an interesting subject but I’m simplifying it a lot for the comment (and it’s also difficult to translate exact terms lol). I’m an eclectic pagan and have ancestors from all over the world (Africa, Southern and Northern Europe, indigenous peoples from here in Brazil, etc) and I like researching and making my practice personalised to me and my own background
I am new to this faith, watching your videos has helping me along this new journey! Thank you
Since humans are all very different, the idea of bias is of course very believable. My patron deity is Thor, but I respect all the gods and goddesses, and try to work with them.
I've had Dionysus as a Patron and Hekate my Matron. Then I wanted to work closer with my Swedish ancestors and Hekate brought me to Freyja.
Following skadi for how long i have, I have said she's my matron. The oath I've made to her isn't really stating I follow her. So the words you say about these things are very true to me. It's not needed, just a personal choice.
For me, I have a matron and patron, but I don't exclusively work with them.
Thx for a video! Greetings to you! :D
Queria que tivesse legenda em português 🇧🇷😔
my patron is Woden, hail the gods!
I'm an eclectic pagan..I mix Sufism with pagan. .but these days I'm working with Norse paganism which chose me! I feel like I'm " home " now..
So glad I found you ..
Skâl brother! 💚
Only have a patron deity if you are really serious about dedicating your life to them it was rare in the Viking age to do this.
As you named it once in the January live stream, I am still having something like "crisis of faith". There's a chance I have felt Thor and to a lesser degree Odin but I just don't know. I feel like if I had to adhere to some gods more than others, it'd be them but I need to learn so much more to decide if I even pick one to be my patron, if and when I solve the "crisis of faith".
You have taught me many things, thank you
Heimdallr I follow a lot but tyr thor and Odin
I’m learning Norwegian and I’ve learned it’s not mutually intelligible to Old Norse. Icelandic is the closest. One day I’ll find an Icelandic course :p
Another great video! Thanks!
I need to know all that you know about Nott.
I have just started my journey, but I want to work with Hel and Loki the most mostly Hel, but I have not worked with any norse deities, so I will find out in the future, but I guess Hail the gods
Great topic. When I came into the religion, I didn't pledge my fealty to any one God. I was tho drawn to Týr, Freyja, Skaði, & Njörður. I do talk to whoever, I don't know all the names, my heart does go out to or whatever I want to discuss with
I guess I have a...different interpretation of what constitutes paganism? Or maybe it's just because I have such a limited bandwidth of attention that I sort of took a "Lord and Lady" premise of divinity, where in Tyr and Gaia are my interpretations of the Divine, but also recognize that there other forms of the divine out there and feel like they are all equally valid. Does that make me more of a pantheist? ~scratches head~
I like you. Good information, thank you.
Good stuff 🌱
Wondering if Beserkers and Ulfhednar were dedicated exclusively to Odin or Tyr. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest this was certainty the case for Berserkers.
Freyja is my matron shes the best 💜
Dude the music AHH
Hey brother I am looking to get some information on converting over. What do you suggest? Skol
Yeah. Most Pagan deities do not have any problems with sharing the spotlight. Only some deities are actually jealous and feel the need for exclusivity.
How does one choose a patron/matron
How does one spell asvanir correctly?
Any other Eir followers?
I have prayed to Eir for recovery from sickness for myself and my family and many occasions.
Eir is my middle name and healing is a big part of my practice.
🧙♂️
Patron gods saints is a christian thing. There is no "working" with our gods. You can ask for help. But even the idea the gods have human form is not the case. They are spirits/energies. They can posess other people and animals with their hugr but all this is patron gods is just... Remove christian name and insert germanic/norse name.
I think this whole idea of matron and patron deities are just people who still haven’t been able to fully get away from Christianity. Stop worshiping the gods as if they are Jesus. They are just one part of the whole. There is so much more to paganism than just the gods. If you just focus on the gods then you’re missing out on a large amount of what paganism can offer you. We are all apart of the whole. Not just the gods, but many many other spirits.