Heathen/Norse Pagan/Asatru: Whats the difference?

Instagram: @thewisdomofodin

In am much awaited for video, I share with you my thoughts on the different names for the faith. I will explore the meaning behind each label, as well as dive into the usage and experience I have had with each.

I open this video with an offering of wisdom from the Allfather.

My name is Jacob and I am a Norse Pagan. I started my journey with the Old Gods in 2016, in 2019 I was giving an offering to Odin outside of my home and I felt his presence before me. In a few short words I knew my task ahead of me, I needed to gather the folk. With backgrounds in running my own photography business, and my time managing restaurants, I had the skills to make a difference.

I started with an Instagram account in June 2019 to start reaching out to others for the first time, and in August 2019 I began my journey into youtube. While it was a slow journey at first, I continued to make videos in hopes that they could help others who started out lost like me. By February of 2020 I made the first huge step into what the Wisdom of Odin was created to do, I put out a call to gather the folk. Within a week I had 9 people ready to meet in Kentucky for an Ostara festival, and it was one of the most beautiful days of our lives.

We started something on that hill, we set in motion something I think will change the world. We started to plan the next gathering a day after returning home. Midsummer would become a life changing experience all over again. We gathered 27 people to worship the old gods in Kentucky.

In between those two gatherings the Wisdom of Odin sky rocketed in viewership and community support. While I am so honored to be watched by so many, my ability to respond to meesages is coming to an end. All I can do is to continue to promote these gatherings, and make videos to help others.

There is a dream that exist, a dream that grows closer by the day. A dream to build a hall in North America! Keep watching for updates on its development. This hall will not be easy and it will have cost, I am working with some amazing people to make this happen and I hope when the time comes youll be willing to take up hammers to assist us in its construction.

Patreon has become an amazing community, and through the patronage of over 100 people it has become one of the fastest growing Patreon's in the world. The greatest benifit I can give is a Discord community that may be one of the best out there. With over 20 admins it is a well oiled machine of constant conversations on the Gods and the old ways. If you wish to join this Discord community please consider donating at the first level of my Patreon ($5). With your support I can soon become a full time youtuber while also keeping this channel ad free!

This is the most amazing journey I could of ever hoped to be on, we are doing amazing things my friends, my folk. We have much work to do.

[hquist]

Just recently discovered this channel after feeling more of a connection to the old gods and the way of our ancestors. Thanks for the amazing content. Hail the God's!

[justaghostinthewalls]

I came from being a Mormon my whole life... now I’m here and I’ve never been more at home spiritually

[kiltedlover]

I also identify myself as a Norse pagan for pretty much the same reason you do, but something I've found that most Norse pagans/heathens/Asatru neglect are the the Jotnar. I find them to be just as important as the Aesir and Vanir. My practice includes deities from all three groups. Some of the Gods are, in fact, Jotun. If you read the creation myth carefully, from the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, you will find that many of the Gods are identified as being half Jotun. Odin and his brothers are half Jotun, Thor is half Jotun. Hel is full Jotun, Loki is full Jotun, Aegir is full Jotun. Odin and his brothers gave breath, appearance and mind to two trees, Ask and Embla, the first two humans. The world was made from Ymir's body, which means that all living things are of Ymir, even us humans. All humans and Gods and Jotnar are of Ymir. We are all connected.

[jamiemetzger]

Finally had the chance to catch this one. Fantastic video! So refreshing to see a no BS, down to earth approach to the old ways.

[RebelWvlf]

Suggestion for another video: red flags to look for before joining Pagan groups.

Now let me explain:
Some people who seek Paganism as their belief path also seek a group of individuals who are on the same page. However there are people out there who basically take advantage of people's curiosity. And what happens is that new folk stumble upon a cult and not a group of free-thinking individuals who are sharing The Path. Cults are very damaging not only for those people, but also and reputation of Paganism as a whole, painting Pagans in negative light by media and authority alike. And I believe that such video can be great educational thing for everybody, whether you are Pagan or just curious about the practice.

(Also suggesting such video because at one point before pandemic kicked in, our local TV literally blamed Pagans for organising drug abuse gatherings and that made me so mad.)

[hinder_epoch]

I've discovered all this just yesterday. And all I have to say is...

Hello. My name is Kenny. And I'm a Norse Pagan.

SKOL!!

[VikingActual]

Thank you for this video. I came across it while doing research for a discussion we're having in our community of Norse Pagans. This was very helpful

[sophria]

Thank you so much for this. I have only just recently began exploring the pagan faith and was drawn to the Norse. I have been really enjoying your videos are absolutely love how personable they are and I really want to say thank you for inviting all of us into such an intimate part of your life.

[heatherdawson]

As someone who came to this through Wicca I appreciate you addressing this. At least when I started out on this path it was the most accessible thanks to the 90s printing boom. I really enjoy all your videos and making these discussions so candid.

[omly]

I also call it the Old Way..I also call it coming home.

[penhullwolf]

Excellent work brother. I live in England so use the Anglo Saxon names for our Gods and refer to myself as Heathen.
Hope Woden smiles on your work.

[songdog]

Thank you very much for this wonderful video!
So helpful !

[nilsolofleif]

In swedish pagan translates to heathen (hedning) so they are the same (negativeish) word so most people say asatro. I like the word "folktro" and that is "commonfolks beliefe"

[montyhix]

Thank you so much I'm a very new norse pagan that's 18 from Alabama I'm so glad to see theres a whole community

[hinder_epoch]

Coming from Christianity to Norse Paganism has been a great experience. I am more connected to the gods than to just one being.

[Test-UCKC]

I was raised in a Christian family line and I recently covered to the Norse gods but I'm having difficulty knowing what I am specifically. This makes more sense religiously and seems to be more purposeful in my life. I feel like I'm going through and feeling around blind, so thank you for the explanation and everything else.

[adamtwigger]

This really helped me as I'm just starting out as a norse pagan. 2 months and counting 🤟

[christinah]

I’ve come a long way - and nothing orthodox. Please keep doing what you are doing, your path and approach speaks to me. So very true! Everything you have said. Please keep up your series on YouTube thank you and may Eir walk with you in these times

[almightyjxyy]

Thanks for this I really needed the clarification

[garymulvaney]

I'm so glad I've found this channel. I'm currently at a crossroad and Norse pagan is definitely what I've been looking for.