I have been outside to the local forest recently and its amazing how well you can see there with a full moon, even though my vision is really bad. All the animals come out when people have gone to sleep.
i believe the scene depicting this ritual was the best scene in The Northman. i rewind it once or twice every time i rewatch. truly incredible piece of filmmaking
I am glad that you mentioned the relaxed calm necessary for fighting with mma as an example. I fought years ago and found the feeling when winning to be euphoric, and addictive. I think that training can bring about that state, after an hour or so of martial arts workouts, it just seems to happen and feels great. Energized, calm, with a great sense of well-being. I feel most capable when as Miyamoto Musashi advises "to remain calm yet determined". I have survived dangerous violence outside the sports realm as well, where I just felt releived to still be alive. This video reveals some truly interesting ideas about how our ancestors realized the effects psychology had on fighting effectiveness.
Exactly. The picts and celts stood in those circular stone pits and used those throat trumpets. This warned citizens to stay away from the battle/fighting (could be 1v1's) and also instilled fear in enemy armies. That's how the romans defeated the gauls; they had a disciplined army that could withstand and hold ground against psychological attacks.
@Rational Viking you make some valid points as to how confidence acquired through training or conflict/competition can affect one's personality. Martial arts are something of a mirror, as you progress you must confront your limitations. Genetic, emotional, psychological, physical, and of course technical or strategic attributes are all forcefully confronted by the individual as they move towards mastery. Most people have egos that do not want to confront their weaknesses or even acknowledge their existence. Ultimately, the moral, philosophical, and spiritual questions arise surrounding the notion of enlightenment and peace as a byproduct of having intimate knowledge of violence. The question of "how can I be a good and moral human being while learning how to cripple, maim, or kill?" , must be addressed. Thanks for the great comment, it ignites some good reflection.
You're releasing the subconscious. I've used it extensively on the team which won the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize, as it links to the Innate Alarm System, the essence of the empty-hand technique being in a state of satori (in Finnish, sisu), where it simply is. There's no point in fighting when you know you've already lost - this is directive, projective vision. Putin's convinced he's unbeatable, that his will is unassailable, but the reality is he's failed to create the dominant precursor necessary, and when reality hits, his shattered belief system might be dangerous.
Yeah it's 45 seconds max. It's definitely a state of mind but not rage. I think I've reached that state. I've done it sober and I've done it a little buzzed on alcohol. Not drunk. Definitely not drunk. That flow state is some of the best moments in my life. It's better than drugs.
Good explanation about going into a fight in a calm and focus state, definetly a huge difference from fighting nervous and angry. Blood pumping and a focused mind is the best way to do it, if you ask me.
Elder scrolls Skyrim anniversary edition for ps4 sucks. Elder Scrolls Skyrim for ps4 sucks. Because videos game today sucks, because someone buys a disk for the game, he or she has to pay for it again online on online purchase on online Plus, which is stupid, because why would you want to purchase it again, if you already have the disk, you should not have to pay for it online. Also people want to play in all of Tamerial offline on ps4, it should be truly free to play all of Tamerial in Elder Scrolls: Skyrim anniversary edition on ps4. Also they should have at least allow people to play in Skyrim, in Alrik’s desert in Hammerfell, and in Cyrodil on Elder scrolls: Skyrim anniversary edition offline on ps4. Also people want to fight against Minotaurs, satyrs, fauns, Cyclopes, and other monsters throughout Tamerial in Elder Scrolls offline for ps4.
Agreed. These rituals really help with that. To get into that mode of being. I call it the hunter mode. It is really different then how we normally are. Like for real. Very focused, calm, but also very primal.
I think you hit the nail on the head. I've long thought thought that the Bersekr state must be a synergistic effect. "Yogic" exercises, dancing, drums and song, intoxicants, all in the right measure. As far as intoxicants, I'm willing to bet they had the knowledge of the synergistic effects of plant combinations, rather than a single substance.
Not my heritage but when I played rugby my Polynesian teammates would haka (the Maori word but Samoans and Tongans did something very similar) to prep for a game. Haka is generally regarded as a battle prayer
Krampus was once the Bears' son or the Horned Bear. Christian retelling turned him into a literal burning effigy. Still worshipped in Sardiana. The Norse weren't the only animistic shamans. Bear worship was once everywhere the bear roamed.
I remember a long time ago reading something about Thracian warriors running into battle making a sound that seemed to be floating above their head and imagined them throat singing a frequency that petrified their opponents with fear, though I've also speculated they recognized that certain frequencies had more ability to immobilize.
Hey, I think I have the actual answer. I have stumbled upon this through years as an extreme sports athlete - and researching the extreme flow states achieved in extreme sports. Recently I made the connection between this extreme flow - and the ancient histories of certain kinds of warrior. While I have no doubt there were rituals and substances called upon to obtain it - I don’t think they are strictly necessary. As you say in this video it is also not about “seeing red”. Instead - as the moment appears certain kinds of people lose their sense of self - and become something bordering on superhuman. There is a great book that explores this connection if you are interested - including to discussions on ancient shamanistic practices. It is called “bone games”.
Ulfhednar! (good song made by the Swedish Metal musician Pär Hulkoff) If you wanna check him out he makes songs about Norse mythology and History, he also likes to combine Viking Culture with modern Military. He usually mix metal and old Swedish Folkmusic together. He's very poetic in his songs. He makes the songs in both Swedish and English that he calls "Svitjod Edition" and "Vinland Edition". I Recommend him if you're interested in viking culture, Norse mythology, Scandinavian History.
You said what I was thinking perfectly. It's surprising how you can engage a calm automatic pilot when rolling, made especially easy by tense angry opponents.
The cult of the ancestors video by Dan Davis History brought up a neat aspect about the berserkers, that they didnt fear death and were virtually invincible becausw they were already dead. Made me wonder if part of the ritual was funerary by nature.
thank you for the light you bring to shadowy elements of the norse. ethnically from hemneshalvoya region, nordland with some "british" isles mixed in. i have experienced a "condition" 3 times in this life so far. a blow to the head sets it off. no memory, only able to reconstruct from views of others present. play boxing w/older brother, my rules no hitting in the face...he hit me in the face...i lifted him over my head turned 3 times and threw him out of a 2nd story window. still hanging on the edge, i was conscious enough to drag him back in before he fell. Another time a team member in high school hit me in the face for "disturbing" him. It took 6 of the largest team members to restrain my reaction. latest, a blow to the back of my head leaving a cut and a large lump led to the destruction of my bedroom. my neighbor called an ambulance and i spent 3 days in the hospital. It appears to be an altered state, and berserker comes to mind. Your thoughts on this subject if you may be so kind as to share them? it is concerning to those who may be around me during this "condition". thank you for being there...Rjj
The re-integration of strong brave Warriors back into society has always been a problem. Shell shock, battle fatigue, PTSD, have always been a problem, but the disparity between the society and the returning warriors is what makes the difference. The toughness of the contemporaneous society and the level of of horrors of combat that the men dealt with will determine the amount of difficulty of the return to normal.
Disagree. First you need to redefine what a Warrior is. I use what I know in regards to American Indians. Selected and cultured in that regard of the culture as a whole. Starting at a young age. No prior mind set. Mentally disaplined. Does not mean morals and the spiritual is voided. When they would be skinned alive or burnt at the stake they would not utter. Means creem out. Show pain. Ect. Because they felt non. There pain was sweeter than the others sugar. When they had to take a life, other. The culture had serimonies, rituals to cleanse there soul or spirit. Remove. They had full support!! We take boys and break them down and build them up in six weeks. This starts as a youth selected. There fortitude and spiritual control of there mind and body second to non. They could remove them selves from there body so to say. Do you now see your wrong interpretation. Where PTSD comes from. You don't have to be in a war to get it. Just conflict. It can come out of society and up bringing. We are all products of society and direct upbringing. Trama conflict in "your minds" interpretation from? They didn't have those issues. They where not of a divide where individualism is pushed. Yes they where individuals . But of a whole. A warrior is in blind relentless persute. Like if you came across a mother bear with cubs all alone. Unless prepared and also having gods grace. Your as good as dead. A mountain lion will not stop. Once in that mind set of attack.110 lb. Animal will render you useless one on one. He's she's already on your neck claws dug in. Before reality hits you. That's a warrior. Locked and loaded relentless , fearless in its calculated persute. Death a side bar.
You're so good mate. The well rounded and impartial yet we'll research you give us a god send. Will be resubscribing to your Patreon asap. Have a great weekend
I have personally had many experiences with Amanita Muscaria. At least 20 times, with about 5 times a Hero dose. I can definitely tell you I have literally never been sick of them. As long as you prepare them correctly there is no problem at all. Also, they do not work the same as other psychotropic mushrooms. They do not create extreme hallucinations. Not with me at least. With me they create a more heightened emotional sense and destroy the ego.
I remember watching a video about a shamanka who said the berserkers used them when I was researching before I tried the wapak. They'd go into a battle trance and then on the other side they'd become extremely calm. I'd say that's what my experience was. Incredible stamina and endurance, overall increase in energy, followed by a deep sleep with vivid dreams.
I practice this myself. A modified version of this. Instead of the drink, I use trance states in a different way. But the same effect. And other aspects are more symbolic. But still to the same effect. Working with the ancestral wolf spirit, and connecting deeper with my hamingja, whilst also changing my harmr. Been doing this the past two years or so. Whilst now working towards creating this in a better ritualistic manner that people can use besides some people I know. Working on that re-integration part. But also realizing that we need to build something parallel to make that happen, to keep this alive indeed. The spirit of the koryos has grasped me for years, and it really has become my purpose to bring this back. I am myself Germanic/Scandinavian. Though my Fylgja is not a wolf but a fox. Though the bond with the wolf is really more ancestral for me. I do feel a real difference regarding when I am not connected to this spirit and type of ancestral hamingja versus when I am. I really just need to do the rituals when I somehow get disconnected, because it feels awful to me when I lose that ancestral hamingja connection.
Caesar in De bello gallico wrote that among the Celts young men, in order to earn their place in society, had to kill an enemy and let their beards and hair grow without ever cutting them until they made their first killing and these warriors were especially feared because they were looking for killing. It's so similar to what you said about Baldrs myth
I heard from a good friend who told me that he knew something about the amanita caps he shouldve never done. He took the tiniest dose he could and went out with the intention to beat a place up because he was very angry. He said he regretted how berserk he went. Apparently he became quite unstoppable for an average bystander.
I read an article once, several years ago, and though i can't remember it exactly, i do remember, it describing how anger (Not fury, or rage, mind you.) can drastically reduce the effect of pain, and bodily harm. Same as swearing can reduce pain. It was, as far as i remember a study that was only done on men, so i'm not sure if it applies to women as well ? But i do think berserkers, used anger as part of getting into a "frenzied state". But i do also agree with your theory, that meditation and some self-centeredness would be part of it aswell.. Most likely the night before a battle... Then get their anger up, just before the battle itself. Kinda like how american football players of today does it, or rugby players...
Definitely the best videos on this subject matter. If you could do some videos on the ulfhednar that’d be sick since there seems to be such little information about them online!
I've also speculated that they conditioned their body to be vessels for the ferocious flow state through psychological discipline that might have been somewhat esoteric and passed from people who possessed it to the ones they felt were worthy as another layer of even more covert initiation. Challenges that opened a space for them to step up to the higher level or identify themselves as someone better to leave at home if things are going to get gnarly.
Thinking about something analogous to the creepy superficially sadistic 'ritual humiliation' practiced by the monks and nuns, making them do things like wash a flow with a tiny rag or lick crosses on the ground from the door to the altar. Those kinds of experiences (just looking at the type and not the content) have a strong shaping effect that mold people; like with the monks it sometimes created super compassion or the ability to work for days when circumstances required it.
Funnily enough, I actually underwent this ritual with my grand-dad when I was just 5, but I hunted down a rabbit with my bare hands instead. So I guess I'm the bunny berserker? 😅And later on, right on the day before my 16th birthday, I got into a fight with a kid that resulted in me getting a nasty bash to the back of the head and I was out for a few seconds before I went berserk on accident and I nearly killed the kid. I don't even remember most of it, but when I woke up the whole damn football team was ontop of me trying their best to get me off him, but failed. Which is kind of funny, considering I was a 130 ish lbs string bean LOL.
I have an interesting information about warrior initiation by Thracians. The young warriors have to pass the wolf initiation. Even today in our language the word for war and warrior originates from the word for wolf cry! First they war thought to the battle technics. Then they must enter a deep cave alone and stay there for a long time in complete darkness caring only a mirror. There they must search for the beast in them self and when they find it they must thyme it and then look them selfs in the mirror. Before entering in the battle they danced a special dance called Colobrismus. It was uset to enter in some sort of battle dance. Their enemies said that this dance was so fast that they could not hit them whit the arrows. Some times the priest danced whit the warriors and when they enter the battle the priest continued to dance aside so his spirit be whit them and protect them. There are no signs of using any psychodelic plants and mushrooms. The time before battle was time to make piece whit your own death. And the warriors prepared them self to meet death like they meet their bride. There are some other rituals that was performed before battle like the warlord entered a river so he give his energy to the water and then give from that water to the other wariors so they received the energy of the strongest of them. The priest however used some psychodelic plants to enter a death - like state so they can talk to the gods. This was done but only the first time. After that they trainet to enter that state consciousnaly. This sacred dance was later accepted by Cattars and was called simply Colo. The wast known time that it was used was in WW2 from the bulgarians in the battle for Doiran. They were attacked by the superior army of England. That day Bulgaria lost 400 soldiers, the Englishman lost 20 000...
I appreciate the background on the hatred for wolves. It always works me up how today they're basically non existent, but that makes a lot of sense for our ancestors to have acted in such a way. It makes me wonder (without knowing much about evolution / natural selection) that perhaps only the more skittish and elusive wolves have survived the mass cullings while the more aggressive wolves you hear about attacking villagers and taking people were the ones whos lineage was ended by the hunts throughout all of history.
That is partially the case. A lot of modern wolf studies also relates to North American healthcare wolves, which were noted as being far more shy and docile by the early colonialists before the cullings. In places where retaliatory killings are not widely practiced, such as India, wolf attacks continue to be a problem.
This is truth. Flowstates can be used for everything to paramilitary operations, to understanding complex sciences. It is a form of superpower, like going super saiyan. It is the most amazing thing i have allowed myself to feel in my life, and noone can explain how amazing it ism
The way I see it the elite level of such warriors saw a combo of a shamanically derived (wolf, bear and boar) alterted super-human degree of consciousness and that of pure-innate-potential i.e. 'flow' state where the higher source awareness (core primal lucid ever-present awareness) allows for greatly enhanced endurance, strength, dexterity, speed, timing and performance. Such as state is typically only experienced by very senior warrior practitioners who have evolved psychologically and spiritually in parralel to their technical knowledge base of fighting strategy. For the Japanese Samurai (and indeed via Zen circles and Zazen practice) such a state is known as 'Mushin' literally meaning “empty mind”, and it is commonly called the state of no-mindedness and paradoxically acheived via practice of 'mindfullness' in more modern context. Ultimately this refers to the innate 'enlightened' state where the mind is not egotistically fixed on or preoccupied by any thought or emotion and is thus connected to the Cosmos in what you can call a natural spontaneously arising 'flow' state and that given the expertise of impeccable martial applications and fitness of such a seasoned warrior would make for the sense of warrior lucid fury and inspired flow of fighting milieu.
I agree with a lot of what has been discussed but some I don't, but we all have our own opinions. Until we experience things in reality for ourselves, it is hard to form an opinion with merit. When you find yourself in real life or death danger, theory goes out the window. When you are 1 against many there has to be reaction without a lot of pausing for thought. There must be ignorance or no thought or reaction to pain. The Berserker state can't be maintained for hours let alone days. It consumes to much energy. It can be dropped into for a short time and then out of before your energy is spent. It takes intense focus of pain or anger to move through and switch on or off. Think fight or flight. You never want to enter battle in fear. You never want to enter battle high on drugs or alcohol. You need laser focus and intensity. Temper Tantrum is a poor choice of words and descriptor. Intense Focused Violence ( Rage ) is a better word. There comes that one point or moment, switch of calm mechanical focus. Just before you start to react and move. That point when you suddenly feel nothing but purpose and everything accelerates. THAT , is the Berserker state. The you goes away and something else steps in and takes over. No fear, No worry, No Pain it is beyond Rage and Pain and it does not last forever. It takes a lot of physical energy to maintain it.
kóryos - kopijoš - spearman in most slavic languages Berserker- the bear shirt explanation is good enough although i could speculate to encode the name in slavic.
Me and a group of friends was once studied this to a man who lived in a mountain. At that time I was 15-16 years old. Its in Indonesia. its is very similar to berserker but not wolf instead it was tiger spirit to enter our body. The ritual involve extreme fasting of 9 days just eating white food and water and other stuff. From 4-5 of us only me and one other friend actually succeded. It was long ago Inam 47 now. And yes when the tiger spirit enter I was immune to sharp object and fire.
I noticed alot of comments taliing about mentors and fighters being calm this would be the perfect example of the body harnessing this insane surge of pure unadulterated no side affect having adrenaline
kóryos - kopijoš- spearman in most slavic languages berserker - bear shirt explanation is good enough, although i can speculate to encode the name in slavic.
There's a huge similarity between the French werewolf epidemic of the 16th and 17th centuries and the stories of berserkers. In most court documented cases of the werewolves on trial, the accused told authorities that in order to transform into wolves, they rubbed an ointment made of henbane on their bodies, and then covered themselves in a wolfskin. Both were given to them by "men dressed in black". Sometimes they would do this with others, in a ritual, and go about their raids. My theory is this: These "men in black" were possibly pagan shamans, who were trying to pass on the old pagan berserker tradition and religion to medieval peasants, to keep it alive in a strict, Christian age. I think it's fair to assume then, the medieval werewolf and the Norse berserkers had the same transformation ritual. Another similarity, just like the berserkers, the accused werewolves were said to be bed ridden and sick with exhaustion for days after their hunts. Seems to me they were both suffering from henbane withdrawls or symptoms.
Pumping out videos these days, thanks man! =) Would actually say that a little shroomy, could actually get you focused, talking for a friend that says so, of course.
I'm not sure if it is a berserker rage but I smashed my finger at work with a hammer. During this I was listening to some electronic music. I went into some state where I was full of energy and felt to pain. I swung the hammer for over an hour straight without feeling tired. Plus it was 120 degrees where I was. But after words the come down was hard. I was exhausted the rest of the day. Odd part was it wasn't anger. I can't describe the feeling. It was like I was hyper aware of everything around me. Idk
I think I’ve gotten to a similar mindset to what you’ve described here in a few workouts I’ve done but it’s only happened a few times, it definitely is not just seeing red it’s a shitload of energy and determination, I hate sounding cringy so I tried my best to describe it rationally and shit. I believe it had a lot to do with the music and focus I had during the workouts.
The method the bazerkers used was a kind of hatred meditation combined with small amounts of fresh amanita muscara probably mixed in alcohol for better absorbing. This mushroom on it own wont do much but when combined with the inward exercises produces an incredibly powerfully state. From the book cultivating power by khan khattak. You can amplify spisific emotion. It breaks through mental blocks and expands awareness. It could be any emotion lets say you want to amplify anger. In the book it says you would cume up with 2-4 scenarios where you would naturally feel anger. E.g. someone disrespecting you in public, another man trying to seduce your wife etc.. now dont try to force the feeling aggressively just go through each of the 4 scenarios you chose and then keep switching between them at random and the emotion running throughout will become amplifyed on its own. You can keep pushing it further and further antil you reach a point where only with the mushroom will you go beyond. You can read the book for all other exercises its in amazon. Your welcome
I would like to add that there may be more to the amanita muscaria story than is currently accepted. More modern mycology studies have shown that there are hundreds maybe even thousands of strains of amanita that have a wide range of effects, and in the past there would have been strains that are now extinct or unrecorded by modern science. This isn’t unique to the amanita either, many mushroom species have a wide range of strains with different effects that are still being discovered today, with very impactful health benefits. Mushrooms were likely used by cultures all across Europe for health benefits as well as psychoactive effects in different regions.
What do you think about a video on the calendar and other measurement systems used in the Viking age? Did they have hours, a 7 day week, Roman monthly schedule, xtian annual calendar (758 A.D.), etc. or did they not have a concept of a week (or divide the lunar month into thirds), use years just based on some local king, split the day into 'morning midday evening', etc? What about weights and measures? The metric and imperial systems would not have been in use, did use feet, steps, or leagues for distance, stones or weight, or what?
Open discussion. In one's option. Do you believe it was still happening in the Viking Age? If you've watched this channel before. It's brought up that during the Viking Age a good deal of these types of rituals and ceremonies have become diluted and very much not as spiritual as say in the Migration period or Nordic Bronze Age when our Ancestors lived a bit more closely with the land. That maybe it was one of the most well remembered? Which is why there seems to be so much more information then most over rituals. Anyway. I know this was a long read but I appreciate the feedback. Stay strong and remember to find a way or make one.
In my opinion it all depends on the source of information. All these blood rituals could be made up. And overall I dont understand this modern obsession over bloodsheds, mystical powers etc.
My great grandfather & his brother emigrated to the USA from Sweden. So I'm a direct. I have found I can control my anger when in a fight and able to outlast my aponents and win.
The method the bazerkers used was a kind of hatred meditation combined with small amounts of fresh amanita muscara probably mixed in alcohol for better absorbing. This mushroom on it own wont do much but when combined with the inward exercises produces an incredibly powerfully state. From the book cultivating power by khan khattak. You can amplify spisific emotion. It breaks through mental blocks and expands awareness. It could be any emotion lets say you want to amplify anger. In the book it says you would cume up with 2-4 scenarios where you would naturally feel anger. E.g. someone disrespecting you in public, another man trying to seduce your wife etc.. now dont try to force the feeling aggressively just go through each of the 4 scenarios you chose and then keep switching between them at random and the emotion running throughout will become amplifyed on its own. You can keep pushing it further and further antil you reach a point where only with the mushroom will you go beyond. You can read the book for all other exercises its in amazon. Your welcome
Maybe Berserker state is just getting into the state of mind for war, in order to survive. Also maybe Berserker state is to remain calm in the midst of chaos.
I heard a berserker was made by young men going out alone naked in the woods and eat and sleep and live like bears until they forgot their humanity and became sort of feral, then they were said to get the power of a wild bear unlike the domesticated man. I hate that I cant remember who said this but could have been in swedish or english
I know you don’t like comparing things to the Bible, but I was raised Christian so I know the stories. The part you mentioned about long hair reminds me of Samson from the Old Testament and how he was a beast of a man and would go into fits of rage and kill dozens if not hundreds of people. This story is from the Bronze Age so I’d actually be interested in your take on that story. Love your work as I get booted from other groups for quoting the Havamal, but that hasn’t happened here yet and I don’t think it would. Anyway keep up the good work.
I believe I can give some context as to the integration of berserker back into civil culture - most often they would be outcast but still of us by the towns folk - defence/hunting and by such would be kept at arms length pretty much Having to live on the outskirts of the main folk but not far enough that they couldn't be brought to arms if needed When they were outlawed berserkers pretty much because the butt end of childhood rumours like when a child isn't going to sleep when they should or being unruly in the home while father is away their mother may pull the small child to one side and pleasantly inform them if they keep messing around or acting like a little shit then they will go to spend the night with the ulfhednar/berserkers were little boys & girls don't come back As you can imagine... lots of children hushed the fuck up and went to sleep pretty swiftly upon being told this news This tradition still stands even to this day with such stories of krampus and werewolfs that would come In the night to steal childen away from their mother's (apparently this could be overpopulation and just a story to cover why so many people were being killed with mysterious circumstances)
Someone tryed to punch me out at a rave ,high on mdma it was exciting almost comical but the greatest calm at the same time ,they got so frustrated the person picked up a two handed rock and threw it at my head at that point the fun stopped and I got raged out soon as I took it seriously the state was gone
Depended on where you were. In Europe in general, those would've been the primary choices given that those were the most dangerous animals at the time. Although, and I'm only speculating here, the European lion MAY have been part of that roster before it was driven to extinction. Then you also have to think of the apex predators in other countries and continents. The African lion, the spotted hyena, the Indian and Chinese tigers, etc.
@@oceanberserker Look up the Moro Juramentado warriors. They were so fierce and unstoppable in their trance that the US military had to invent the Colt .45 round to stop them because the .38 didnt do enough damage before they could close the range and slaughter the soldiers.
The modern day diagnosis would be over active adrenal gland but your vascular, respritory, and endocrine systems would have to be super charged to use this genetic trait effectively as well as not shave years off your life if you had no built in facilities to ride the lighting as it were
Yes. Yes, it would. Although to be fair, it would be more along the lines of a certain class of warriors taking up certain, specific shamanistic practices for certain, specific purposes. It WOULD be a bit disingenuous to say that the berserkers took up ALL aspects of being a shaman.
Have you ever thought that jormungandr represents whatever it is that confines our life force inside our bodies or the stones placed on bodies in graves?
About that afterbirth, the shewolf eats it to retain nutrients. It certainly possible manboys went into wolf dens, but wouldn't they have to kill the shewolf to get the afterbirth? I think that would have gotten some mention.
There is an NFL football player that claims to have Viking ancestors. He claims that he used to eat magic mushrooms before his games. He said that it helped him to focus and to see red. I like your show but I think you've eliminated magic mushroom use too quickly. If you boil the mushrooms in milk, you will not get the stomach ache, or the slothfulness. I've read that this is how it was prepared by the vikings, and earlier by Siberians. There are even theories that claim human tolerance to lactose may have originated through this practice. If you're still feeling persistent about this then please provide the source of your hypothesis.
To be abel to go in a Berserker mode or not is something you born with. Dont think its more hokus pokus than that. You can go so wild of anger, powerd by adrenalin so it feels like nothing can stop you, superstrong and unbelevbal explosiv, feels like you can sit in your sofa and jump right throug the roof, every one feelt some kind of treat you will without hesitation will knock physical much bigger and stronger people down, you get past the seen red anger and have clear sight. Dont know how to explain it if you dont have experience it, i have several times when i was in my twenties and early 30's. Trained fighters or not, they couldent handel me, outnumberd 1 to 6 didnt help, i flattend them all. Im a just 177cm and in my twenties and 30's i was swinging between 90kg to a littla above 100kg, strong but not the strongest guy around. Dont know if my ptsd and adhd had something to do with it, but a little alcohol did. I used to train boksing when i was a kid, deffentlig helps if you know how to fight. 50 years old now, praise the lord i didnt end up killing someone those times i went "berserk"
closest thing I can think of that would approximate what I feel like what you described as the "berserker state" is something I remember from doing wrestling a long time ago... kind of similar to a runner's high, for me it would always come up usually halfway through the 2nd or 3rd round after you're exhausted and your muscles giving out, but there's an adrenaline spike and a VERY sharp and clear focus and a euphoric feeling, time feels kind of dilated, and there are no other thoughts distracting you, and all of a sudden your body just kind of knows what to do and how, you feel your opponent move like a mannequin, any resistance they give you you don't notice it, you yourself lose any sense of fear of your opponent's defenses, if they try to defend your moves you always got something more... oh yeah and as you said, your body does feel lighter so any muscle fatigue just kind of temporarily shakes itself off with the promise of coming back with interest later (and boyyy does it come back with 200% interest! lol); if the berserker state was anything like that, then yeah I will tell you personally a sword could cut through you and you wouldn't notice it until afterward, the fear they drive would not be from them acting all angry but from their razor sharp focus directed at you so like, imagine, there's a man, wearing a wolf pelt over his head and body, with his axe out and his shield up and he's staring straight at YOU with unblinking eyes and a subtle half cocked smile, he ceases to understand anything spoken to him, he doesn't even run at you he's just inching towards you giving you the added pain of anticipation, and when you finally engage with him rather than someone coming at you with brute force what you experience is a very skilled warrior who anticipates every single move you throw at him, never mind him not noticing a hit, you can't even land one on him! barely a minute into your 1v1 with him you are already exhausted and psyched out and this guy never takes his unwavering eyes off you and still has a stone face... maybe in desperation you charge into him and even knock him back... and next thing you know he just judo'd you onto your back and he's standing over you again with that same stone face and you are prone unable to defend yourself, those cold unblinking eyes and drooling half smile being the last thing you ever see before he coup de grace's you to Valhalla
Here in Alaska we can still hunt wolves and Bears. Native Americans can hunt many other animals for their hides and body parts for their religious rituals. Pagans in North Western Europe should solicit their governments to do the same. - Great grandson of a Norman knights!
You should make friends with someone who works in a fondue restaurant, then you would have no problem getting good offerings for your blots.... venison, elk....
The found the cracks where the oracle at Delphi knew where the fumes were able to absorb the vapor's that they were able to go into a trance, they were closed after an earthquake there in the region and after another one a few thousand years later they were opened.
There is a lot of this that's genetic, you can either really do it or you can't. In my family we have bear, wolf, and Raven. Our bloodline goes back centuries and the f you're not majik you're gifted this way. All of us under up in the military, we all have at least one instance of berzerkgang, and we all have followed omens since to avoid it happening unless necessary
I've fought in battles and had personal fights, I meet the qualifications as a berserker. My personal traits, upbringing, and attitude make it so.. and I can get in a trance,l with or without rituals or substance. There's a small percentage of people who just happen to possess these qualities. People need to investigate this, and not take the words of scholars who never been in combat. You are right though, it's somewhere in between. I'd be happy to explain further.
That explains why the berserkers/werewolves come out during a full moon.
That’s the best time to go hunting, due to all the natural light.
I have been outside to the local forest recently and its amazing how well you can see there with a full moon, even though my vision is really bad. All the animals come out when people have gone to sleep.
That and the moon as an affect on people. It subtly makes us more hostile. Whenever there’s a full moon, crime always increases
i believe the scene depicting this ritual was the best scene in The Northman. i rewind it once or twice every time i rewatch. truly incredible piece of filmmaking
True. I think they left too much of the ritual out, but none the less....
@stravacker I agree completely.
I can’t lie. My hair stood up on my arms and back when I first saw it in theaters and I whispered “beautiful” to myself. It is awesome.
@@thorgeist yeah, my body still tensed up during this scene both times i rewatched at home. cant wait to see what Eggers does next
Saw it twice in the cinema it was awesome :)
I am glad that you mentioned the relaxed calm necessary for fighting with mma as an example. I fought years ago and found the feeling when winning to be euphoric, and addictive. I think that training can bring about that state, after an hour or so of martial arts workouts, it just seems to happen and feels great. Energized, calm, with a great sense of well-being. I feel most capable when as Miyamoto Musashi advises "to remain calm yet determined". I have survived dangerous violence outside the sports realm as well, where I just felt releived to still be alive. This video reveals some truly interesting ideas about how our ancestors realized the effects psychology had on fighting effectiveness.
Exactly. The picts and celts stood in those circular stone pits and used those throat trumpets. This warned citizens to stay away from the battle/fighting (could be 1v1's) and also instilled fear in enemy armies. That's how the romans defeated the gauls; they had a disciplined army that could withstand and hold ground against psychological attacks.
@Rational Viking you make some valid points as to how confidence acquired through training or conflict/competition can affect one's personality. Martial arts are something of a mirror, as you progress you must confront your limitations. Genetic, emotional, psychological, physical, and of course technical or strategic attributes are all forcefully confronted by the individual as they move towards mastery. Most people have egos that do not want to confront their weaknesses or even acknowledge their existence. Ultimately, the moral, philosophical, and spiritual questions arise surrounding the notion of enlightenment and peace as a byproduct of having intimate knowledge of violence. The question of "how can I be a good and moral human being while learning how to cripple, maim, or kill?" , must be addressed. Thanks for the great comment, it ignites some good reflection.
You're releasing the subconscious. I've used it extensively on the team which won the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize, as it links to the Innate Alarm System, the essence of the empty-hand technique being in a state of satori (in Finnish, sisu), where it simply is. There's no point in fighting when you know you've already lost - this is directive, projective vision. Putin's convinced he's unbeatable, that his will is unassailable, but the reality is he's failed to create the dominant precursor necessary, and when reality hits, his shattered belief system might be dangerous.
Yeah it's 45 seconds max. It's definitely a state of mind but not rage. I think I've reached that state. I've done it sober and I've done it a little buzzed on alcohol. Not drunk. Definitely not drunk. That flow state is some of the best moments in my life. It's better than drugs.
Same. When you're drunk it doesn't work but there is a certain plain when you hit it you know.
I ate the dried stem and bulb of amanita var guessowlii and got that warm feeling and surge of energy lasting about that long. just a small amount.
Good explanation about going into a fight in a calm and focus state, definetly a huge difference from fighting nervous and angry.
Blood pumping and a focused mind is the best way to do it, if you ask me.
Same. Like him, I'm a trained fighter, and agree completely. Zen is a real thing.
@@franzwohlgemuth2002 Absolutely 👊🏼
Elder scrolls Skyrim anniversary edition for ps4 sucks. Elder Scrolls Skyrim for ps4 sucks. Because videos game today sucks, because someone buys a disk for the game, he or she has to pay for it again online on online purchase on online Plus, which is stupid, because why would you want to purchase it again, if you already have the disk, you should not have to pay for it online. Also people want to play in all of Tamerial offline on ps4, it should be truly free to play all of Tamerial in Elder Scrolls: Skyrim anniversary edition on ps4. Also they should have at least allow people to play in Skyrim, in Alrik’s desert in Hammerfell, and in Cyrodil on Elder scrolls: Skyrim anniversary edition offline on ps4. Also people want to fight against Minotaurs, satyrs, fauns, Cyclopes, and other monsters throughout Tamerial in Elder Scrolls offline for ps4.
Agreed. These rituals really help with that. To get into that mode of being. I call it the hunter mode. It is really different then how we normally are. Like for real. Very focused, calm, but also very primal.
I think you hit the nail on the head. I've long thought thought that the Bersekr state must be a synergistic effect. "Yogic" exercises, dancing, drums and song, intoxicants, all in the right measure.
As far as intoxicants, I'm willing to bet they had the knowledge of the synergistic effects of plant combinations, rather than a single substance.
Not my heritage but when I played rugby my Polynesian teammates would haka (the Maori word but Samoans and Tongans did something very similar) to prep for a game. Haka is generally regarded as a battle prayer
Krampus was once the Bears' son or the Horned Bear. Christian retelling turned him into a literal burning effigy. Still worshipped in Sardiana.
The Norse weren't the only animistic shamans. Bear worship was once everywhere the bear roamed.
I remember a long time ago reading something about Thracian warriors running into battle making a sound that seemed to be floating above their head and imagined them throat singing a frequency that petrified their opponents with fear, though I've also speculated they recognized that certain frequencies had more ability to immobilize.
@@tatumergo3931 exactly
@@tatumergo3931 I believe I remember reading that but also I'm pretty sure it's just an instinctive action that's universal across cultures.
Hey, I think I have the actual answer. I have stumbled upon this through years as an extreme sports athlete - and researching the extreme flow states achieved in extreme sports. Recently I made the connection between this extreme flow - and the ancient histories of certain kinds of warrior. While I have no doubt there were rituals and substances called upon to obtain it - I don’t think they are strictly necessary. As you say in this video it is also not about “seeing red”. Instead - as the moment appears certain kinds of people lose their sense of self - and become something bordering on superhuman.
There is a great book that explores this connection if you are interested - including to discussions on ancient shamanistic practices. It is called “bone games”.
Ulfhednar! (good song made by the Swedish Metal musician Pär Hulkoff) If you wanna check him out he makes songs about Norse mythology and History, he also likes to combine Viking Culture with modern Military. He usually mix metal and old Swedish Folkmusic together. He's very poetic in his songs. He makes the songs in both Swedish and English that he calls "Svitjod Edition" and "Vinland Edition". I Recommend him if you're interested in viking culture, Norse mythology, Scandinavian History.
cant thank you enough for this recommendation bro. loved the music. massive metalhead here
His solo project doesn't sound nearly as good as the stuff he made with Raubtier.
The absolute state of zen you feel when you're in an intense roll at the gym but you flow like water
You said what I was thinking perfectly. It's surprising how you can engage a calm automatic pilot when rolling, made especially easy by tense angry opponents.
The cult of the ancestors video by Dan Davis History brought up a neat aspect about the berserkers, that they didnt fear death and were virtually invincible becausw they were already dead. Made me wonder if part of the ritual was funerary by nature.
Nice, can't wait to use this step-by-step tutorial.
thank you for the light you bring to shadowy elements of the norse. ethnically from hemneshalvoya region, nordland with some "british" isles mixed in. i have experienced a "condition" 3 times in this life so far. a blow to the head sets it off. no memory, only able to reconstruct from views of others present. play boxing w/older brother, my rules no hitting in the face...he hit me in the face...i lifted him over my head turned 3 times and threw him out of a 2nd story window. still hanging on the edge, i was conscious enough to drag him back in before he fell. Another time a team member in high school hit me in the face for "disturbing" him. It took 6 of the largest team members to restrain my reaction. latest, a blow to the back of my head leaving a cut and a large lump led to the destruction of my bedroom. my neighbor called an ambulance and i spent 3 days in the hospital. It appears to be an altered state, and berserker comes to mind. Your thoughts on this subject if you may be so kind as to share them? it is concerning to those who may be around me during this "condition". thank you for being there...Rjj
I just rediscovered your channel, i used to LOVE these videos, also hello from your neighbours in Sweden
When you mentioned the roasting the herbs made me remember that in which I read about,it was a long time ago, thanks for pulling up my memory of that.
The re-integration of strong brave Warriors back into society has always been a problem. Shell shock, battle fatigue, PTSD, have always been a problem, but the disparity between the society and the returning warriors is what makes the difference. The toughness of the contemporaneous society and the level of of horrors of combat that the men dealt with will determine the amount of difficulty of the return to normal.
Disagree. First you need to redefine what a Warrior is. I use what I know in regards to American Indians. Selected and cultured in that regard of the culture as a whole. Starting at a young age. No prior mind set. Mentally disaplined. Does not mean morals and the spiritual is voided. When they would be skinned alive or burnt at the stake they would not utter. Means creem out. Show pain. Ect. Because they felt non. There pain was sweeter than the others sugar. When they had to take a life, other. The culture had serimonies, rituals to cleanse there soul or spirit. Remove. They had full support!! We take boys and break them down and build them up in six weeks. This starts as a youth selected. There fortitude and spiritual control of there mind and body second to non. They could remove them selves from there body so to say. Do you now see your wrong interpretation. Where PTSD comes from. You don't have to be in a war to get it. Just conflict. It can come out of society and up bringing. We are all products of society and direct upbringing. Trama conflict in "your minds" interpretation from? They didn't have those issues. They where not of a divide where individualism is pushed. Yes they where individuals . But of a whole.
A warrior is in blind relentless persute. Like if you came across a mother bear with cubs all alone. Unless prepared and also having gods grace. Your as good as dead. A mountain lion will not stop. Once in that mind set of attack.110 lb. Animal will render you useless one on one. He's she's already on your neck claws dug in. Before reality hits you. That's a warrior. Locked and loaded relentless , fearless in its calculated persute. Death a side bar.
@@frankjhall1Thank you for acknowledging non-combat PTSD.
You're so good mate. The well rounded and impartial yet we'll research you give us a god send. Will be resubscribing to your Patreon asap. Have a great weekend
I just ordered a glima hoodie and calendar 💪🏼so excited
This is very informative on e again. I like how you piece everything of our ancestors together. Keep up the good work
I have personally had many experiences with Amanita Muscaria. At least 20 times, with about 5 times a Hero dose. I can definitely tell you I have literally never been sick of them. As long as you prepare them correctly there is no problem at all. Also, they do not work the same as other psychotropic mushrooms. They do not create extreme hallucinations. Not with me at least. With me they create a more heightened emotional sense and destroy the ego.
I remember watching a video about a shamanka who said the berserkers used them when I was researching before I tried the wapak. They'd go into a battle trance and then on the other side they'd become extremely calm. I'd say that's what my experience was. Incredible stamina and endurance, overall increase in energy, followed by a deep sleep with vivid dreams.
Do u use the skin right?, I read this is the right way
I practice this myself. A modified version of this. Instead of the drink, I use trance states in a different way. But the same effect. And other aspects are more symbolic. But still to the same effect. Working with the ancestral wolf spirit, and connecting deeper with my hamingja, whilst also changing my harmr. Been doing this the past two years or so. Whilst now working towards creating this in a better ritualistic manner that people can use besides some people I know. Working on that re-integration part. But also realizing that we need to build something parallel to make that happen, to keep this alive indeed.
The spirit of the koryos has grasped me for years, and it really has become my purpose to bring this back. I am myself Germanic/Scandinavian. Though my Fylgja is not a wolf but a fox. Though the bond with the wolf is really more ancestral for me. I do feel a real difference regarding when I am not connected to this spirit and type of ancestral hamingja versus when I am. I really just need to do the rituals when I somehow get disconnected, because it feels awful to me when I lose that ancestral hamingja connection.
May you forever protect Us THOR 🌩
Nicely done Sir.
Caesar in De bello gallico wrote that among the Celts young men, in order to earn their place in society, had to kill an enemy and let their beards and hair grow without ever cutting them until they made their first killing and these warriors were especially feared because they were looking for killing. It's so similar to what you said about Baldrs myth
I heard from a good friend who told me that he knew something about the amanita caps he shouldve never done. He took the tiniest dose he could and went out with the intention to beat a place up because he was very angry. He said he regretted how berserk he went. Apparently he became quite unstoppable for an average bystander.
Thanks for the great content. My ancestors according to my DNA are from England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Norway, and Germany
I read an article once, several years ago, and though i can't remember it exactly, i do remember, it describing how anger (Not fury, or rage, mind you.) can drastically reduce the effect of pain, and bodily harm. Same as swearing can reduce pain. It was, as far as i remember a study that was only done on men, so i'm not sure if it applies to women as well ?
But i do think berserkers, used anger as part of getting into a "frenzied state". But i do also agree with your theory, that meditation and some self-centeredness would be part of it aswell.. Most likely the night before a battle... Then get their anger up, just before the battle itself. Kinda like how american football players of today does it, or rugby players...
That beat in the intro just brought the techno viking back from the dead.
Definitely the best videos on this subject matter. If you could do some videos on the ulfhednar that’d be sick since there seems to be such little information about them online!
Great video! Thank's Thor🤩💜
I've also speculated that they conditioned their body to be vessels for the ferocious flow state through psychological discipline that might have been somewhat esoteric and passed from people who possessed it to the ones they felt were worthy as another layer of even more covert initiation. Challenges that opened a space for them to step up to the higher level or identify themselves as someone better to leave at home if things are going to get gnarly.
Thinking about something analogous to the creepy superficially sadistic 'ritual humiliation' practiced by the monks and nuns, making them do things like wash a flow with a tiny rag or lick crosses on the ground from the door to the altar. Those kinds of experiences (just looking at the type and not the content) have a strong shaping effect that mold people; like with the monks it sometimes created super compassion or the ability to work for days when circumstances required it.
Funnily enough, I actually underwent this ritual with my grand-dad when I was just 5, but I hunted down a rabbit with my bare hands instead. So I guess I'm the bunny berserker? 😅And later on, right on the day before my 16th birthday, I got into a fight with a kid that resulted in me getting a nasty bash to the back of the head and I was out for a few seconds before I went berserk on accident and I nearly killed the kid. I don't even remember most of it, but when I woke up the whole damn football team was ontop of me trying their best to get me off him, but failed. Which is kind of funny, considering I was a 130 ish lbs string bean LOL.
I have an interesting information about warrior initiation by Thracians. The young warriors have to pass the wolf initiation. Even today in our language the word for war and warrior originates from the word for wolf cry! First they war thought to the battle technics. Then they must enter a deep cave alone and stay there for a long time in complete darkness caring only a mirror. There they must search for the beast in them self and when they find it they must thyme it and then look them selfs in the mirror. Before entering in the battle they danced a special dance called Colobrismus. It was uset to enter in some sort of battle dance. Their enemies said that this dance was so fast that they could not hit them whit the arrows. Some times the priest danced whit the warriors and when they enter the battle the priest continued to dance aside so his spirit be whit them and protect them. There are no signs of using any psychodelic plants and mushrooms. The time before battle was time to make piece whit your own death. And the warriors prepared them self to meet death like they meet their bride. There are some other rituals that was performed before battle like the warlord entered a river so he give his energy to the water and then give from that water to the other wariors so they received the energy of the strongest of them. The priest however used some psychodelic plants to enter a death - like state so they can talk to the gods. This was done but only the first time. After that they trainet to enter that state consciousnaly. This sacred dance was later accepted by Cattars and was called simply Colo. The wast known time that it was used was in WW2 from the bulgarians in the battle for Doiran. They were attacked by the superior army of England. That day Bulgaria lost 400 soldiers, the Englishman lost 20 000...
I appreciate the background on the hatred for wolves. It always works me up how today they're basically non existent, but that makes a lot of sense for our ancestors to have acted in such a way. It makes me wonder (without knowing much about evolution / natural selection) that perhaps only the more skittish and elusive wolves have survived the mass cullings while the more aggressive wolves you hear about attacking villagers and taking people were the ones whos lineage was ended by the hunts throughout all of history.
If you want to know more about wolves look for the work of dr. Valerius Geist
That is partially the case. A lot of modern wolf studies also relates to North American healthcare wolves, which were noted as being far more shy and docile by the early colonialists before the cullings. In places where retaliatory killings are not widely practiced, such as India, wolf attacks continue to be a problem.
This is truth. Flowstates can be used for everything to paramilitary operations, to understanding complex sciences. It is a form of superpower, like going super saiyan. It is the most amazing thing i have allowed myself to feel in my life, and noone can explain how amazing it ism
Sons of the wolf Fenrir, break free from your flesh!
you are on a right track, brother!
The way I see it the elite level of such warriors saw a combo of a shamanically derived (wolf, bear and boar) alterted super-human degree of consciousness and that of pure-innate-potential i.e. 'flow' state where the higher source awareness (core primal lucid ever-present awareness) allows for greatly enhanced endurance, strength, dexterity, speed, timing and performance. Such as state is typically only experienced by very senior warrior practitioners who have evolved psychologically and spiritually in parralel to their technical knowledge base of fighting strategy. For the Japanese Samurai (and indeed via Zen circles and Zazen practice) such a state is known as 'Mushin' literally meaning “empty mind”, and it is commonly called the state of no-mindedness and paradoxically acheived via practice of 'mindfullness' in more modern context. Ultimately this refers to the innate 'enlightened' state where the mind is not egotistically fixed on or preoccupied by any thought or emotion and is thus connected to the Cosmos in what you can call a natural spontaneously arising 'flow' state and that given the expertise of impeccable martial applications and fitness of such a seasoned warrior would make for the sense of warrior lucid fury and inspired flow of fighting milieu.
I agree with a lot of what has been discussed but some I don't, but we all have our own opinions. Until we experience things in reality for ourselves, it is hard to form an opinion with merit.
When you find yourself in real life or death danger, theory goes out the window.
When you are 1 against many there has to be reaction without a lot of pausing for thought. There must be ignorance or no thought or reaction to pain.
The Berserker state can't be maintained for hours let alone days. It consumes to much energy. It can be dropped into for a short time and then out of before your energy is spent.
It takes intense focus of pain or anger to move through and switch on or off. Think fight or flight. You never want to enter battle in fear. You never want to enter battle high on drugs or alcohol.
You need laser focus and intensity. Temper Tantrum is a poor choice of words and descriptor.
Intense Focused Violence ( Rage ) is a better word.
There comes that one point or moment, switch of calm mechanical focus. Just before you start to react and move.
That point when you suddenly feel nothing but purpose and everything accelerates.
THAT , is the Berserker state.
The you goes away and something else steps in and takes over. No fear, No worry, No Pain it is beyond Rage and Pain and it does not last forever. It takes a lot of physical energy to maintain it.
We have always used gifts of the Kingdom Plantae & Fungi!
The placenta probably represents their rebirth into the pack.
Thanks for this video👍👍👍, very useful information ;)
Mycket intressant & informativ video! Jag 'subscribade' innan videon nått sitt slut.
kóryos - kopijoš - spearman in most slavic languages
Berserker- the bear shirt explanation is good enough although i could speculate to encode the name in slavic.
Me and a group of friends was once studied this to a man who lived in a mountain. At that time I was 15-16 years old. Its in Indonesia. its is very similar to berserker but not wolf instead it was tiger spirit to enter our body. The ritual involve extreme fasting of 9 days just eating white food and water and other stuff. From 4-5 of us only me and one other friend actually succeded. It was long ago Inam 47 now. And yes when the tiger spirit enter I was immune to sharp object and fire.
I noticed alot of comments taliing about mentors and fighters being calm this would be the perfect example of the body harnessing this insane surge of pure unadulterated no side affect having adrenaline
Thanks for the video ⚔️
kóryos - kopijoš- spearman in most slavic languages
berserker - bear shirt explanation is good enough, although i can speculate to encode the name in slavic.
They still do this now. 😂 Only it's rap music beer, and blunts. 😂 J/K
Actually my experience with amanita muscaria was quite energizing. But there are particular ways to prepare it.
There's a huge similarity between the French werewolf epidemic of the 16th and 17th centuries and the stories of berserkers. In most court documented cases of the werewolves on trial, the accused told authorities that in order to transform into wolves, they rubbed an ointment made of henbane on their bodies, and then covered themselves in a wolfskin. Both were given to them by "men dressed in black". Sometimes they would do this with others, in a ritual, and go about their raids. My theory is this: These "men in black" were possibly pagan shamans, who were trying to pass on the old pagan berserker tradition and religion to medieval peasants, to keep it alive in a strict, Christian age. I think it's fair to assume then, the medieval werewolf and the Norse berserkers had the same transformation ritual. Another similarity, just like the berserkers, the accused werewolves were said to be bed ridden and sick with exhaustion for days after their hunts. Seems to me they were both suffering from henbane withdrawls or symptoms.
Pumping out videos these days, thanks man! =) Would actually say that a little shroomy, could actually get you focused, talking for a friend that says so, of course.
the spartan 'Krypteia' was a secret band that killed the helots. I think you in fact refer to the Agoghè
Better to fight Afraid than Angry 🥊🥊
What is the song starting at 19:00 please?
13:24 I’m not sure what you mean, what kind of integration? Could you elaborate on that more, I feel like I could apply life things to that
where can i find the sources for your refrences on the vedic roots of the manhood ritual please? - many thanks.
I'm not sure if it is a berserker rage but I smashed my finger at work with a hammer. During this I was listening to some electronic music. I went into some state where I was full of energy and felt to pain. I swung the hammer for over an hour straight without feeling tired. Plus it was 120 degrees where I was. But after words the come down was hard. I was exhausted the rest of the day. Odd part was it wasn't anger. I can't describe the feeling. It was like I was hyper aware of everything around me. Idk
I think I’ve gotten to a similar mindset to what you’ve described here in a few workouts I’ve done but it’s only happened a few times, it definitely is not just seeing red it’s a shitload of energy and determination, I hate sounding cringy so I tried my best to describe it rationally and shit. I believe it had a lot to do with the music and focus I had during the workouts.
The method the bazerkers used was a kind of hatred meditation combined with small amounts of fresh amanita muscara probably mixed in alcohol for better absorbing. This mushroom on it own wont do much but when combined with the inward exercises produces an incredibly powerfully state.
From the book cultivating power by khan khattak. You can amplify spisific emotion. It breaks through mental blocks and expands awareness. It could be any emotion lets say you want to amplify anger. In the book it says you would cume up with 2-4 scenarios where you would naturally feel anger. E.g. someone disrespecting you in public, another man trying to seduce your wife etc.. now dont try to force the feeling aggressively just go through each of the 4 scenarios you chose and then keep switching between them at random and the emotion running throughout will become amplifyed on its own. You can keep pushing it further and further antil you reach a point where only with the mushroom will you go beyond. You can read the book for all other exercises its in amazon. Your welcome
I would like to add that there may be more to the amanita muscaria story than is currently accepted. More modern mycology studies have shown that there are hundreds maybe even thousands of strains of amanita that have a wide range of effects, and in the past there would have been strains that are now extinct or unrecorded by modern science. This isn’t unique to the amanita either, many mushroom species have a wide range of strains with different effects that are still being discovered today, with very impactful health benefits. Mushrooms were likely used by cultures all across Europe for health benefits as well as psychoactive effects in different regions.
What do you think about a video on the calendar and other measurement systems used in the Viking age? Did they have hours, a 7 day week, Roman monthly schedule, xtian annual calendar (758 A.D.), etc. or did they not have a concept of a week (or divide the lunar month into thirds), use years just based on some local king, split the day into 'morning midday evening', etc?
What about weights and measures? The metric and imperial systems would not have been in use, did use feet, steps, or leagues for distance, stones or weight, or what?
Thumbs, hands and els (distance between elbow and fingettips) is what they would have used i guess
love this
Open discussion. In one's option. Do you believe it was still happening in the Viking Age? If you've watched this channel before. It's brought up that during the Viking Age a good deal of these types of rituals and ceremonies have become diluted and very much not as spiritual as say in the Migration period or Nordic Bronze Age when our Ancestors lived a bit more closely with the land. That maybe it was one of the most well remembered? Which is why there seems to be so much more information then most over rituals. Anyway. I know this was a long read but I appreciate the feedback. Stay strong and remember to find a way or make one.
In my opinion it all depends on the source of information. All these blood rituals could be made up.
And overall I dont understand this modern obsession over bloodsheds, mystical powers etc.
Cant help but notice the similarity between the name of the vedic ritual Ekāṣtāka and the english words esctstatic, ecstasy, etc.
Love your video's man
How did you obtain than wolf pelt? Did you kill it? Did you buy it from somebody who did?
Moving energy frequencies from other beings into one!
My great grandfather & his brother emigrated to the USA from Sweden. So I'm a direct. I have found I can control my anger when in a fight and able to outlast my aponents and win.
The method the bazerkers used was a kind of hatred meditation combined with small amounts of fresh amanita muscara probably mixed in alcohol for better absorbing. This mushroom on it own wont do much but when combined with the inward exercises produces an incredibly powerfully state.
From the book cultivating power by khan khattak. You can amplify spisific emotion. It breaks through mental blocks and expands awareness. It could be any emotion lets say you want to amplify anger. In the book it says you would cume up with 2-4 scenarios where you would naturally feel anger. E.g. someone disrespecting you in public, another man trying to seduce your wife etc.. now dont try to force the feeling aggressively just go through each of the 4 scenarios you chose and then keep switching between them at random and the emotion running throughout will become amplifyed on its own. You can keep pushing it further and further antil you reach a point where only with the mushroom will you go beyond. You can read the book for all other exercises its in amazon. Your welcome
Maybe Berserker state is just getting into the state of mind for war, in order to survive.
Also maybe Berserker state is to remain calm in the midst of chaos.
They created Chaos.
The Heroes Development of our Still alive but ancient Cultures! It’s time to become Bezerkers
Anger is an energy .you have to focus the energy .
Which book of Varg's? I don't remember reading that but I could be messed up.
I heard a berserker was made by young men going out alone naked in the woods and eat and sleep and live like bears until they forgot their humanity and became sort of feral, then they were said to get the power of a wild bear unlike the domesticated man. I hate that I cant remember who said this but could have been in swedish or english
I know you don’t like comparing things to the Bible, but I was raised Christian so I know the stories. The part you mentioned about long hair reminds me of Samson from the Old Testament and how he was a beast of a man and would go into fits of rage and kill dozens if not hundreds of people. This story is from the Bronze Age so I’d actually be interested in your take on that story. Love your work as I get booted from other groups for quoting the Havamal, but that hasn’t happened here yet and I don’t think it would. Anyway keep up the good work.
I believe you can naturally work yourself up that much but like he said seeing red isn’t what they did or you would die you gotta use your head
I believe I can give some context as to the integration of berserker back into civil culture
- most often they would be outcast but still of us by the towns folk - defence/hunting and by such would be kept at arms length pretty much
Having to live on the outskirts of the main folk but not far enough that they couldn't be brought to arms if needed
When they were outlawed berserkers pretty much because the butt end of childhood rumours like when a child isn't going to sleep when they should or being unruly in the home while father is away their mother may pull the small child to one side and pleasantly inform them if they keep messing around or acting like a little shit then they will go to spend the night with the ulfhednar/berserkers were little boys & girls don't come back
As you can imagine... lots of children hushed the fuck up and went to sleep pretty swiftly upon being told this news
This tradition still stands even to this day with such stories of krampus and werewolfs that would come In the night to steal childen away from their mother's (apparently this could be overpopulation and just a story to cover why so many people were being killed with mysterious circumstances)
Someone tryed to punch me out at a rave ,high on mdma it was exciting almost comical but the greatest calm at the same time ,they got so frustrated the person picked up a two handed rock and threw it at my head at that point the fun stopped and I got raged out soon as I took it seriously the state was gone
Was there only the 3 types of berserkers(Bear,Wolf & Boar) or was there another type that was ever mentioned?
Depended on where you were. In Europe in general, those would've been the primary choices given that those were the most dangerous animals at the time. Although, and I'm only speculating here, the European lion MAY have been part of that roster before it was driven to extinction. Then you also have to think of the apex predators in other countries and continents. The African lion, the spotted hyena, the Indian and Chinese tigers, etc.
@@oceanberserker Look up the Moro Juramentado warriors. They were so fierce and unstoppable in their trance that the US military had to invent the Colt .45 round to stop them because the .38 didnt do enough damage before they could close the range and slaughter the soldiers.
Blodjegers were A tribe . Raven
Toul meaning. A badass metal band formed in the 90s and you know there asses were loaded up on some kind of henbane
The modern day diagnosis would be over active adrenal gland but your vascular, respritory, and endocrine systems would have to be super charged to use this genetic trait effectively as well as not shave years off your life if you had no built in facilities to ride the lighting as it were
Would it be fair to say that Berserkers were warrior shamans?
Yes. Yes, it would. Although to be fair, it would be more along the lines of a certain class of warriors taking up certain, specific shamanistic practices for certain, specific purposes. It WOULD be a bit disingenuous to say that the berserkers took up ALL aspects of being a shaman.
I love rugby and there is a reason I love The Allblacks. Lol
Tools/Instruments resonates. Their bodies became the tools for the spirit of bear or wolf.
Excellent! 🖤🔥🤘
Have you ever thought that jormungandr represents whatever it is that confines our life force inside our bodies or the stones placed on bodies in graves?
What is a Besorker? My Hadsel line spoke of this word. North of Trondhiem.
About that afterbirth, the shewolf eats it to retain nutrients. It certainly possible manboys went into wolf dens, but wouldn't they have to kill the shewolf to get the afterbirth? I think that would have gotten some mention.
There is an NFL football player that claims to have Viking ancestors. He claims that he used to eat magic mushrooms before his games. He said that it helped him to focus and to see red. I like your show but I think you've eliminated magic mushroom use too quickly. If you boil the mushrooms in milk, you will not get the stomach ache, or the slothfulness. I've read that this is how it was prepared by the vikings, and earlier by Siberians. There are even theories that claim human tolerance to lactose may have originated through this practice.
If you're still feeling persistent about this then please provide the source of your hypothesis.
That's very interesting. Who was the Football player?
@@krysbelasco Derek Wolfe
"I'm a natural berserker! Shut up mom! Gamer word gamer word" haha
To be abel to go in a Berserker mode or not is something you born with. Dont think its more hokus pokus than that. You can go so wild of anger, powerd by adrenalin so it feels like nothing can stop you, superstrong and unbelevbal explosiv, feels like you can sit in your sofa and jump right throug the roof, every one feelt some kind of treat you will without hesitation will knock physical much bigger and stronger people down, you get past the seen red anger and have clear sight. Dont know how to explain it if you dont have experience it, i have several times when i was in my twenties and early 30's. Trained fighters or not, they couldent handel me, outnumberd 1 to 6 didnt help, i flattend them all. Im a just 177cm and in my twenties and 30's i was swinging between 90kg to a littla above 100kg, strong but not the strongest guy around. Dont know if my ptsd and adhd had something to do with it, but a little alcohol did. I used to train boksing when i was a kid, deffentlig helps if you know how to fight. 50 years old now, praise the lord i didnt end up killing someone those times i went "berserk"
closest thing I can think of that would approximate what I feel like what you described as the "berserker state" is something I remember from doing wrestling a long time ago... kind of similar to a runner's high, for me it would always come up usually halfway through the 2nd or 3rd round after you're exhausted and your muscles giving out, but there's an adrenaline spike and a VERY sharp and clear focus and a euphoric feeling, time feels kind of dilated, and there are no other thoughts distracting you, and all of a sudden your body just kind of knows what to do and how, you feel your opponent move like a mannequin, any resistance they give you you don't notice it, you yourself lose any sense of fear of your opponent's defenses, if they try to defend your moves you always got something more... oh yeah and as you said, your body does feel lighter so any muscle fatigue just kind of temporarily shakes itself off with the promise of coming back with interest later (and boyyy does it come back with 200% interest! lol); if the berserker state was anything like that, then yeah I will tell you personally a sword could cut through you and you wouldn't notice it until afterward, the fear they drive would not be from them acting all angry but from their razor sharp focus directed at you
so like, imagine, there's a man, wearing a wolf pelt over his head and body, with his axe out and his shield up and he's staring straight at YOU with unblinking eyes and a subtle half cocked smile, he ceases to understand anything spoken to him, he doesn't even run at you he's just inching towards you giving you the added pain of anticipation, and when you finally engage with him rather than someone coming at you with brute force what you experience is a very skilled warrior who anticipates every single move you throw at him, never mind him not noticing a hit, you can't even land one on him! barely a minute into your 1v1 with him you are already exhausted and psyched out and this guy never takes his unwavering eyes off you and still has a stone face... maybe in desperation you charge into him and even knock him back... and next thing you know he just judo'd you onto your back and he's standing over you again with that same stone face and you are prone unable to defend yourself, those cold unblinking eyes and drooling half smile being the last thing you ever see before he coup de grace's you to Valhalla
Here in Alaska we can still hunt wolves and Bears. Native Americans can hunt many other animals for their hides and body parts for their religious rituals. Pagans in North Western Europe should solicit their governments to do the same.
- Great grandson of a Norman knights!
You should make friends with someone who works in a fondue restaurant, then you would have no problem getting good offerings for your blots.... venison, elk....
The Old Norse word is probably tól, from Proto-Germanic *tōlą, which means tool or instrument. Toul is French.
The found the cracks where the oracle at Delphi knew where the fumes were able to absorb the vapor's that they were able to go into a trance, they were closed after an earthquake there in the region and after another one a few thousand years later they were opened.
There is a lot of this that's genetic, you can either really do it or you can't. In my family we have bear, wolf, and Raven. Our bloodline goes back centuries and the f you're not majik you're gifted this way. All of us under up in the military, we all have at least one instance of berzerkgang, and we all have followed omens since to avoid it happening unless necessary
I've fought in battles and had personal fights, I meet the qualifications as a berserker. My personal traits, upbringing, and attitude make it so.. and I can get in a trance,l with or without rituals or substance. There's a small percentage of people who just happen to possess these qualities.
People need to investigate this, and not take the words of scholars who never been in combat.
You are right though, it's somewhere in between. I'd be happy to explain further.
Did us Bangladeshi’s have a berserker warrior class?