Based on what I've read about actual Greek communities of Hellenic polytheist reconstructionists, the attitude is actually the opposite - using sacrifices to trick or force the gods to do what you want is considered cringe, and asking for favors after giving gifts (offerings and sacrifices) is considered appropriate. And you can see that mentality in the Iliad: they offer that massive sacrifice to Apollo but they're also begging him to relent on the plague he's punishing them with. (Characters also invoke Zeus or Athena multiple times during the battle for help; sometimes they get it, sometimes they don't; Troy tries to leave a valuable offering to Athena at her temple (the big fancy dress) in return for favor in battle (though she's obliged to ignore their plea.) In Hellenic paganism, the idea behind ritual offerings is to develop a reciprocal relationship with the gods to keep their favor.. I guess that could be considered monotheist-influenced, although there would still be key differences. Sacrifice in the monotheist religions was to atone for the "original sin" of Adam, and to prove fidelity to a single god that was beyond this world not part of it, to whom you're supposed to willingly submit in a master-servant relationship and do as you're told. Any idea of asking for further favors such as general help in life I think would have actually been a pagan-influenced idea. Yes, forcing the gods to do what you want via blood sacrifice was a thing in Greece if you go back far enough, but I believe it was more in the much earlier matriarchal societies where this idea was considered the norm.
About pouring out alcohol, we do this in Norway when we brew beer in the traditional way. There must always be a knife (steel) over the door of the brew house, or the room nowadays, menstruating women can NOT enter there and contaminate the yeast, and when the beer is finished a ladle of beer must be thrown in each of the four directions of the sky so that the creatures underground get their share and don't sneak in and drink your beer while you sleep. It also mellows them so that you get a better crop next year, and can brew better beer.
Greek over here. I don't believe I'm educated enough but I think I might help a bit. You could look on the book by Sallustius: On the Gods and the World, there he talks a little bit about prayer and suggests that prayers do not affect as much the Gods as they affect the ones who pray. I know he lived in a later period in the 4th century AD, where Christianity started prevailing and the greek religion had been mixed with Roman and other elements. Still though, he was a friend of Julian and was told to compose this text, since he was an educated man. This way he could sum up the greek religion (if I am not mistaken Julian considered that the Roman religion was basically hellenized to such an extent to be considered almost identical). But yeah I think those who thought praying would make the Gods help them were probably just common folk and maybe were not that educated. Still this is my personal opinion as I said I am not that educated, but I thought this could help.
Where I’m from, “Monotheism” means you only believe in a single deity, whereas rituals to ask for favors is called “petitionary prayer.” It’s interesting that you see petitionary prayer as a sign of degeneracy. Sri Sarvapriyananda describes the process in reverse. He describes petitionary prayer as primitive, while the quest for self-discovery slowly evolves. I love his rendition of the Katha Upanishad. I recommend it to all.
Apart from religion, it's interesting that both people shared such a list for sailing, exploration and settling far away lands. Both kinda dominate a smaller, inner sea as well.
A troll is not spiritual entities that have affect on supernatural things in our world. A troll is not a spirit that helps people with magic. A seiðr or a volva is a witch, not a troll. seiðr is a spirit that helps people with magic. Volva is a spirit that helps people with magic. Let’s be specific here, and let’s doing things in a clear defining way. It need to have a clear definition. It need to be clearly defined. A troll is not a magical spirit. A troll is a ogre. Give me a physical description.
To @firetreehawkpath: A troll is not spiritual entities that have affect on supernatural things in our world. A troll is not a spirit that helps people with magic. A seiðr or a volva is a witch, not a troll. seiðr is a spirit that helps people with magic. Volva is a spirit that helps people with magic. Let’s be specific here, and let’s doing things in a clear defining way. It need to have a clear definition. It need to be clearly defined. A troll is not a magical spirit. A troll is a ogre. A troll is not a jotunn. Give me a physical description.
A troll is not spiritual entities that have affect on supernatural things in our world. A troll is not a spirit that helps people with magic. A seiðr or a volva is a witch, not a troll. seiðr is a spirit that helps people with magic. Volva is a spirit that helps people with magic. Let’s be specific here, and let’s doing things in a clear defining way. It need to have a clear definition. It need to be clearly defined. A troll is not a magical spirit. A troll is a ogre. Give me a physical description.
The old word for indo European is Arian. Written in stone a thousand years before we started calling ourselves indo European. Can you guess when we stopped using the ancient word?
Yes precisely. Only after WWI and 2 when the agendas kicked in did these facts become slandered. We were considered -aryans- not only by non -aryans- but by our own peoples. We have many ethnicities and cultures. (Celtic, Hellenic, Latin, Germanic, Nordic, Slavic, Baltic, Balkan, Berber, Phoenician, Gaelic, Brythonic) etc. We are all still family/brothers. The only places in Europe who are non -Aryan- are the Basque, the Uralic, the Finnish’s Sámi, Estonians, and smaller pockets in the caucuses mountain range. I find it magnificent how all these peoples thrived in some of the hardest most brutal places of the world and still toughened through these places. Shows our strength, courage, adventurous spirit, leadership, and determination to achieving ambitions.
@@BARBARYAN. bro, Phoenicians and Berbers are not Aryans, they are too far from us, they are all Afro-Asians. Basques, Caucasians and Finno-Ugric peoples are partly of Indo-European origin
Have you read DeCoulanges book "the Ancient City"? Imperium Press republished it, it's definitely worth a read. He talks a lot about how these customs started and evolved.
It’s interesting when talking about before doing the sacrifice and walking around the altar counter clockwise. In traditional Greek weddings they walk around the altar 3xs counter clockwise as well. As far as prayer, I’m guessing outside monotheism influenced how they did things later since that faith crept in much earlier than Northern Europe.
Yes precisely. Only after WWI and 2 when the agendas kicked in did these facts become slandered. We were considered -aryans- not only by non -aryans- but by our own peoples. We have many ethnicities and cultures. (Celtic, Hellenic, Latin, Germanic, Nordic, Slavic, Baltic, Balkan, Berber, Phoenician, Gaelic, Brythonic) etc. We are all still family/brothers. The only places in Europe who are non -Aryan- are the Basque, the Uralic, the Finnish’s Sámi, Estonians, and smaller pockets in the caucuses mountain range. I find it magnificent how all these peoples thrived in some of the hardest most brutal places of the world and still toughened through these places. Shows our strength, courage, adventurous spirit, leadership, and determination to achieving ambitions.
Stephen Colbert actually has a great insight into an ancient Greek, possible proto-indo-european, sort of spiritual belief. Just watch the video of when an audience member asks him about how he met his wife.
Isn’t there burning of herbs in Nordic traditions? I think of it as being sort of sacrificial, but it’s part of many cultures traditions in the region.
The thigh meat may a have something to do with Tyne sciatic nerve ( sciatica is a bitch) I know that’s a part of kosher… specifically cuz someone had sciatica in the Bible … and celts/hellenic Greeks probably had more in common with those cannanites then we think
A troll is not spiritual entities that have affect on supernatural things in our world. A troll is not a spirit that helps people with magic. A seiðr or a volva is a witch, not a troll. seiðr is a spirit that helps people with magic. Volva is a spirit that helps people with magic. Let’s be specific here, and let’s doing things in a clear defining way. It need to have a clear definition. It need to be clearly defined. A troll is not a magical spirit. A troll is a ogre. A troll is not a jotunn. Give me a physical description.
I know you are very busy but I find your channel a fascinating story of our own race.If you have time could you respond to two questions I have. One.As our Nordic Race Particular Norse began to accept Christianity was it at first mingled with the traditional Pagan before accepting Christianity ( I am Christian, but my ancestors Norwegian,so this important to me) second, disregarding human sacrifice, which I assume we both believe to be evil, do you see a Major problem with a person being both Christian and being observant of our original pagan heritage. And if you have time for a third, please tell me as I greatly admire your program your opinion on Christ ❤ thank you
I think there are a few things, albeit, over time, a lot of the pagan practices that carried over, regionally, got sanitized or replaced by something more inherently unrelated to Paganism. With English & Germans, there were maypoles, Christmas wreaths, Christmas King/ Father Christmas (who was generally replaced with a Saint over time), Catholic contemplation trails are probably pagan & lots of local mythology that carried over & was sanitized into fairy tales. King bread, which Americans generally associate with being a Mardi Gras delicacy, was brought up as being part of how someone was chosen to stand in at the Christmas feast as the Christmas King. Wassailing, which evolved into caroling over time, is thought to have a Germanic pagan origin. I think Scandanavians still do some kind of horse race at a certain time of the year which sources bring up as a pagan practice amongst Germanic tribes. We can probably find a lot more, if we look closely.
@@Redbaron_sitesYeah, I'm used to having to piece together stuff like this from mixed sources on Native Americans to work out that side of my ancestry, so sniffing out links in random places to things elsewhere in the same culture sphere is right up my alley.
Yes, but Germans & Scandanavians tend to offer alcohol instead of cookies. I think America is pretty much unique in the offering of milk & cookies, if I'm not mistaken.
Someone did tell me the one Muslim source, the guy observed them bringing a bull, dividing it up in an unspecified way & hanging the head near the idol before prostration themselves & praying.
EDIT: where you bring up that the Norse didn't pray directly & tried to trick the gods- I think that Muslim source may add more context, if we filter it through that. He said that they made a sacrifice to the main deity exclusively & directly asked for help in selling their wares when they went to market, but when he asked what would happen if it didn't work, he said they would try a few more times to appease that God, then, as a last resort, ignore the first idol they went to & start making the same prayers to all other idols at that Weig except the first one they approached. So, maybe tricking the gods was more of a last resort sort of thing.
To Norse magic and belief: A troll is not spiritual entities that have affect on supernatural things in our world. A troll is not a spirit that helps people with magic. A seiðr or a volva is a witch, not a troll. seiðr is a spirit that helps people with magic. Volva is a spirit that helps people with magic. Let’s be specific here, and let’s doing things in a clear defining way. It need to have a clear definition. It need to be clearly defined. A troll is not a magical spirit. A troll is a ogre. A troll is not a jotunn. Give me a physical description.
Huh, I kind of prefer the new age of how we pray to the Gods and Goddesses. Aye, it is influanced by Christianity and stuff, but tricking them or threatning them for assistance seems rude? I may be soft hearted but I would rather ask and risk a 'no' then force them. Then again I am not in the same life or death daily survival mode that our ancestors were, and I have had a drastically different life then them, I do awknowledge that, but I would rather die, then do something like that.
@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115 Is there somewhere that I can read it? I am ashamed to admit it but I never quite understood the subject and am looking forward to reading NM&B's book about prayers and such.
Its really all bull schidt dude. Ancient people were big on: trees, birds, and water. Do what feels right. Read the golden bough....its not an easy read btw. Everything is symbolic. You are entertainment for the Gods, in all truth they could probably give 2 schidts what you do. Be true to yourself or live a miserable life followed by a weaklings death. @cjlane5677
With all due respect trying to trick the Gods seem far more cringe then asking them for a favor that's not to be confused with expecting them to fix every minor problem in your life.
Based on what I've read about actual Greek communities of Hellenic polytheist reconstructionists, the attitude is actually the opposite - using sacrifices to trick or force the gods to do what you want is considered cringe, and asking for favors after giving gifts (offerings and sacrifices) is considered appropriate. And you can see that mentality in the Iliad: they offer that massive sacrifice to Apollo but they're also begging him to relent on the plague he's punishing them with. (Characters also invoke Zeus or Athena multiple times during the battle for help; sometimes they get it, sometimes they don't; Troy tries to leave a valuable offering to Athena at her temple (the big fancy dress) in return for favor in battle (though she's obliged to ignore their plea.) In Hellenic paganism, the idea behind ritual offerings is to develop a reciprocal relationship with the gods to keep their favor..
I guess that could be considered monotheist-influenced, although there would still be key differences. Sacrifice in the monotheist religions was to atone for the "original sin" of Adam, and to prove fidelity to a single god that was beyond this world not part of it, to whom you're supposed to willingly submit in a master-servant relationship and do as you're told. Any idea of asking for further favors such as general help in life I think would have actually been a pagan-influenced idea.
Yes, forcing the gods to do what you want via blood sacrifice was a thing in Greece if you go back far enough, but I believe it was more in the much earlier matriarchal societies where this idea was considered the norm.
About pouring out alcohol, we do this in Norway when we brew beer in the traditional way. There must always be a knife (steel) over the door of the brew house, or the room nowadays, menstruating women can NOT enter there and contaminate the yeast, and when the beer is finished a ladle of beer must be thrown in each of the four directions of the sky so that the creatures underground get their share and don't sneak in and drink your beer while you sleep. It also mellows them so that you get a better crop next year, and can brew better beer.
Greek over here. I don't believe I'm educated enough but I think I might help a bit. You could look on the book by Sallustius: On the Gods and the World, there he talks a little bit about prayer and suggests that prayers do not affect as much the Gods as they affect the ones who pray. I know he lived in a later period in the 4th century AD, where Christianity started prevailing and the greek religion had been mixed with Roman and other elements. Still though, he was a friend of Julian and was told to compose this text, since he was an educated man. This way he could sum up the greek religion (if I am not mistaken Julian considered that the Roman religion was basically hellenized to such an extent to be considered almost identical). But yeah I think those who thought praying would make the Gods help them were probably just common folk and maybe were not that educated. Still this is my personal opinion as I said I am not that educated, but I thought this could help.
Where I’m from, “Monotheism” means you only believe in a single deity, whereas rituals to ask for favors is called “petitionary prayer.” It’s interesting that you see petitionary prayer as a sign of degeneracy. Sri Sarvapriyananda describes the process in reverse. He describes petitionary prayer as primitive, while the quest for self-discovery slowly evolves. I love his rendition of the Katha Upanishad. I recommend it to all.
Ty for continuing these amazing videos my friend…. You hope life is treating you very well my friend 😎 ✌️ ❤
Look forward to buying your book. Thanks for the videos
Apart from religion, it's interesting that both people shared such a list for sailing, exploration and settling far away lands. Both kinda dominate a smaller, inner sea as well.
A troll is not spiritual entities that have affect on supernatural things in our world. A troll is not a spirit that helps people with magic. A seiðr or a volva is a witch, not a troll. seiðr is a spirit that helps people with magic. Volva is a spirit that helps people with magic. Let’s be specific here, and let’s doing things in a clear defining way. It need to have a clear definition. It need to be clearly defined. A troll is not a magical spirit. A troll is a ogre. Give me a physical description.
When your grateful for the world and have little to fear you cant help but do a little wondering.
To @firetreehawkpath:
A troll is not spiritual entities that have affect on supernatural things in our world. A troll is not a spirit that helps people with magic. A seiðr or a volva is a witch, not a troll. seiðr is a spirit that helps people with magic. Volva is a spirit that helps people with magic. Let’s be specific here, and let’s doing things in a clear defining way. It need to have a clear definition. It need to be clearly defined. A troll is not a magical spirit. A troll is a ogre. A troll is not a jotunn. Give me a physical description.
@taylorflusher2997 bruh wat r u talkinbout
Another excellent video, well done
Thanks for the video, really useful to me as I have a Hellenistic pagan friend that I’ve been wanting to invite to my rituals, thökk bróthir 👍🏻
A troll is not spiritual entities that have affect on supernatural things in our world. A troll is not a spirit that helps people with magic. A seiðr or a volva is a witch, not a troll. seiðr is a spirit that helps people with magic. Volva is a spirit that helps people with magic. Let’s be specific here, and let’s doing things in a clear defining way. It need to have a clear definition. It need to be clearly defined. A troll is not a magical spirit. A troll is a ogre. Give me a physical description.
@@taylorfusher2997 u dumb?
Awesome and educational videos 💛💪🏼
The old word for indo European is Arian. Written in stone a thousand years before we started calling ourselves indo European. Can you guess when we stopped using the ancient word?
Yes precisely. Only after WWI and 2 when the agendas kicked in did these facts become slandered.
We were considered -aryans- not only by non -aryans- but by our own peoples.
We have many ethnicities and cultures.
(Celtic, Hellenic, Latin, Germanic, Nordic, Slavic, Baltic, Balkan, Berber, Phoenician, Gaelic, Brythonic) etc. We are all still family/brothers.
The only places in Europe who are non -Aryan- are the Basque, the Uralic, the Finnish’s Sámi, Estonians, and smaller pockets in the caucuses mountain range. I find it magnificent how all these peoples thrived in some of the hardest most brutal places of the world and still toughened through these places. Shows our strength, courage, adventurous spirit, leadership, and determination to achieving ambitions.
Hey anyone who sees this does my first comment above show up for anyone or is it shadow banned?
@@BARBARYAN. bro, Phoenicians and Berbers are not Aryans, they are too far from us, they are all Afro-Asians. Basques, Caucasians and Finno-Ugric peoples are partly of Indo-European origin
@@BARBARYAN.I see it
Have you read DeCoulanges book "the Ancient City"? Imperium Press republished it, it's definitely worth a read. He talks a lot about how these customs started and evolved.
Thanks for the video
It’s interesting when talking about before doing the sacrifice and walking around the altar counter clockwise. In traditional Greek weddings they walk around the altar 3xs counter clockwise as well. As far as prayer, I’m guessing outside monotheism influenced how they did things later since that faith crept in much earlier than Northern Europe.
Thanks great video
22:27 stop it, I’m laughing my ass off in the gym right now!
Yes precisely. Only after WWI and 2 when the agendas kicked in did these facts become slandered.
We were considered -aryans- not only by non -aryans- but by our own peoples.
We have many ethnicities and cultures.
(Celtic, Hellenic, Latin, Germanic, Nordic, Slavic, Baltic, Balkan, Berber, Phoenician, Gaelic, Brythonic) etc. We are all still family/brothers.
The only places in Europe who are non -Aryan- are the Basque, the Uralic, the Finnish’s Sámi, Estonians, and smaller pockets in the caucuses mountain range. I find it magnificent how all these peoples thrived in some of the hardest most brutal places of the world and still toughened through these places. Shows our strength, courage, adventurous spirit, leadership, and determination to achieving ambitions.
Is this comment shadowbanned or can anyone reading this see it? Plz let me know
@@BARBARYAN. I can read it
Stephen Colbert actually has a great insight into an ancient Greek, possible proto-indo-european, sort of spiritual belief. Just watch the video of when an audience member asks him about how he met his wife.
Isn’t there burning of herbs in Nordic traditions? I think of it as being sort of sacrificial, but it’s part of many cultures traditions in the region.
Check out Ovid metamorphosis its essentially the greco roman bible... dence read to say the least but beautiful to read.
The thigh meat may a have something to do with Tyne sciatic nerve ( sciatica is a bitch) I know that’s a part of kosher… specifically cuz someone had sciatica in the Bible … and celts/hellenic Greeks probably had more in common with those cannanites then we think
My natural impulse is to jog counterclockwise. I feel it is a rejuvenating ritual.
You should make a video about the scythians
A troll is not spiritual entities that have affect on supernatural things in our world. A troll is not a spirit that helps people with magic. A seiðr or a volva is a witch, not a troll. seiðr is a spirit that helps people with magic. Volva is a spirit that helps people with magic. Let’s be specific here, and let’s doing things in a clear defining way. It need to have a clear definition. It need to be clearly defined. A troll is not a magical spirit. A troll is a ogre. A troll is not a jotunn. Give me a physical description.
I know you are very busy but I find your channel a fascinating story of our own race.If you have time could you respond to two questions I have. One.As our Nordic Race Particular Norse began to accept Christianity was it at first mingled with the traditional Pagan before accepting Christianity ( I am Christian, but my ancestors Norwegian,so this important to me) second, disregarding human sacrifice, which I assume we both believe to be evil, do you see a Major problem with a person being both Christian and being observant of our original pagan heritage. And if you have time for a third, please tell me as I greatly admire your program your opinion on Christ ❤ thank you
I think there are a few things, albeit, over time, a lot of the pagan practices that carried over, regionally, got sanitized or replaced by something more inherently unrelated to Paganism. With English & Germans, there were maypoles, Christmas wreaths, Christmas King/ Father Christmas (who was generally replaced with a Saint over time), Catholic contemplation trails are probably pagan & lots of local mythology that carried over & was sanitized into fairy tales. King bread, which Americans generally associate with being a Mardi Gras delicacy, was brought up as being part of how someone was chosen to stand in at the Christmas feast as the Christmas King. Wassailing, which evolved into caroling over time, is thought to have a Germanic pagan origin. I think Scandanavians still do some kind of horse race at a certain time of the year which sources bring up as a pagan practice amongst Germanic tribes. We can probably find a lot more, if we look closely.
@@MrChristianDT Thanks for your time and interest,this was helpful
@@Redbaron_sitesYeah, I'm used to having to piece together stuff like this from mixed sources on Native Americans to work out that side of my ancestry, so sniffing out links in random places to things elsewhere in the same culture sphere is right up my alley.
milk and cookies a remnant or form of winter solstice offering? Interesting...
Yes, but Germans & Scandanavians tend to offer alcohol instead of cookies. I think America is pretty much unique in the offering of milk & cookies, if I'm not mistaken.
@@MrChristianDT very interesting
The ancient Greeks used to call Ireland the ancient land, let that sink in.......
@@WilliamSanderson86 Before then old Dickie boy...
@@WilliamSanderson86 The Romans were late for the party ,they also called it Scotti Which was a slur meaning barbarian...
Thule?
@@WilliamSanderson86 Isn't "Éire" related to "Aryan"?
@@chairforce0928 The most Northerly region of the world...
Someone did tell me the one Muslim source, the guy observed them bringing a bull, dividing it up in an unspecified way & hanging the head near the idol before prostration themselves & praying.
EDIT: where you bring up that the Norse didn't pray directly & tried to trick the gods- I think that Muslim source may add more context, if we filter it through that. He said that they made a sacrifice to the main deity exclusively & directly asked for help in selling their wares when they went to market, but when he asked what would happen if it didn't work, he said they would try a few more times to appease that God, then, as a last resort, ignore the first idol they went to & start making the same prayers to all other idols at that Weig except the first one they approached. So, maybe tricking the gods was more of a last resort sort of thing.
In Greeks Paganism human blood is miasma, is something that you don't offer.
To Norse magic and belief:
A troll is not spiritual entities that have affect on supernatural things in our world. A troll is not a spirit that helps people with magic. A seiðr or a volva is a witch, not a troll. seiðr is a spirit that helps people with magic. Volva is a spirit that helps people with magic. Let’s be specific here, and let’s doing things in a clear defining way. It need to have a clear definition. It need to be clearly defined. A troll is not a magical spirit. A troll is a ogre. A troll is not a jotunn. Give me a physical description.
First, and gladly.
Tax season nears my heathen brothers...the greatest sacrifice of all. Hails Santa, hails njord, Hails these bills....WHO GONNA PAY DEZ BILLS 🤯🤯🤯
Huh, I kind of prefer the new age of how we pray to the Gods and Goddesses. Aye, it is influanced by Christianity and stuff, but tricking them or threatning them for assistance seems rude? I may be soft hearted but I would rather ask and risk a 'no' then force them. Then again I am not in the same life or death daily survival mode that our ancestors were, and I have had a drastically different life then them, I do awknowledge that, but I would rather die, then do something like that.
Maybe, just maybe, the ancient rites were part of a very sophisticated table manners handbook just to avoid misunderstandings.
@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115 Is there somewhere that I can read it? I am ashamed to admit it but I never quite understood the subject and am looking forward to reading NM&B's book about prayers and such.
Its really all bull schidt dude. Ancient people were big on: trees, birds, and water. Do what feels right. Read the golden bough....its not an easy read btw. Everything is symbolic. You are entertainment for the Gods, in all truth they could probably give 2 schidts what you do. Be true to yourself or live a miserable life followed by a weaklings death. @cjlane5677
Greeks were pretty advanced and superior warriors back in the ancient times.
With all due respect trying to trick the Gods seem far more cringe then asking them for a favor that's not to be confused with expecting them to fix every minor problem in your life.
I love that u love history but Jesus was the last sacrifice. And u don't need to do that any more.