#and this is the ‘good’ time chance for the northern hemisphere imo

[thresholdbb]

You know now that the time changed, I see Janeway’s point

I also don’t know when we are and it’s giving me a headache

[scotiaeire]

The Viking Religion in the Modern World

I haven’t watched the tv show The Vikings. Largely because from the clips I’ve seen, the reenactor in me (Viking Age) would be nitpicking the show and not enjoying it for what it is...entertainment.

He is, however, underestimating the fact that heathenism didn’t die out completely. In places in Scandinavia and Finland, even in northern Scotland, heathen families continued to, and still do, exist. I know. I was raised in one.

Tbh, I’ve no problem with folks coming towards heathenism from the media, so long as they’re willing to be open minded and accept that no, much of the time genuine heathenry is NOT all viking berskering, raping, plundering, everyone who dies going to Odin, etc.

But imo, the best way to approach historic heathenry is through history, archaeology, linguistics and anthropology. Learning about the domestic lives of the Viking Age peoples gives more insight into the heathen mindset than a show like Vikings can, I believe. Because decent archaeologists pass along the knowledge of how the found items were used and that in turn exposes how the daily rituals of domestic life were, in fact, spiritually entwined with the mundane acts of suriving and living.

The reenactment organisaton I belonged to (I’m old now, and retired) is one of the most respected for historic authenticity..Regia Anglorum. The group I belonged to contained a qualified archaeologist. Not one piece of equipment we used hadn’t been proven to be used for what we used it for. It was all validated. Backed up by research and historical study.

If you’re entering heathenry with the notion of dedicating yourself to Othinn and, when you die, entering Valhol, unless you’re an actual warrior and do die in battle, you’re deluding yourself. Besides, Freyja herself has first pick of the battle slain....

Heathenry is *much* more than fighting, sailing to pillage, and if you do your historical research into the form of paganism we now call “heathenry” you’ll discover the sheer width of it, from Europe to Scandinavia to the British Isles and more. And you’ll discover the places it’s survived, the tribes and families who’ve kept it going. How it’s evolved, but how little has changed.

One thing I’d take him up on though is the game Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Although it *is* a lure to heathenry via the Norse gods, the opposite of what he says is the case. In Assassin’s Creed lore, all gods, goddesses and deities are actually an ancient race of humans called the Isu, so all the myths and legends were inspired by these tech advanced humans. In the Assassin’s Creed franchise, there are no deities..only the Isu. It says all religions are fake and it’s all the work of an ancient civilisation with advanced tech.

Unless they’ve changed it for the Valhalla game, which means they’d have to change the entire creed of the franchise. I don’t know if they have, because I haven’t played it yet.

My advice, take it or leave it, is yes, let viking inspired media catch your interest, *but* put in some serious research. If you’re lazy about that, and just relying on some pretty music, games and shows etc, then you’re following merely the ideas and mindsets of producers and to be frank, money-makers. That’s not heathenry. It’s just not.

Dr Jackson Crawford is a much respected scholar and a man who’s vids I share a lot here and elsewhere. He knows his Viking Age “stuff”.

But please bear in mind the game’s franchise concept..that all gods are fake and it’s down to an advanced civilisation’s tech. And that it’s just a *game*, not real life. (and..apparently they’ve put Excalibur in the game. Aye. Well. Not much more to say. Enjoy it for entertainment. But it’s not real....)

For real life, you HAVE to put in the research time. You HAVE to study the history and background of the people who actually existed (as opposed to vid game characters and actors in a tv show)

And one thing I agree with Norse scholars on? Start reading. Poetic and Prose Eddas. Norse Sagas, Nordic folklore. Archaeological articles on the movements and practices of the Viking Age peoples. There are also many respected books out there on Norse heathenry and the Viking Age. This might sound boring compared to the thrill of playing a vid game in which you wield Mjollnir or Gungnir and slaughter your enemies, loot and settle their lands. Or imagine yourself as Ragnar Lothbrok (he has a saga all to himself btw, go find it, it’s out there online to read for free I believe).

But once you begin reading about the exploits of the likes of Egil Skallagrimsson, or the real Ragnar, then you’ll put your feet on the path to genuine heathenry. Get out there in nature and get to know your landvaettir, communicate with them, respect them. Begin to live as a heathen in your everyday life. For men that doesn’t mean hiring the nearest canoe and paddling along the coast to raid the nearest settlement. Only a comparitively few Scandinavian men were actual vikings. Most stayed at home and farmed,  or smithed, or traded, etc. Most lived lives you will no doubt look at and groan because they’re not as exciting as the films and Vikings show.

But you know what? Put a modern person back in the Viking Age, and tell them to survive..to build a shelter, hunt their own food, make their own weapons, raise and feed a family, keep their holdings from raiders, do ALL the things needed to survive and thrive in those times of no modern medicine, no electricity, no smartphones (I can hear the fainting thuds from here...) etc...do that and you’ll see just how truly strong and tough these people were. And are. Because many still live this way across the northern hemisphere. And the tragedy is, corporate businesses and governments are trying to put an end to it (see the Gas Companies in Russia and the Reindeer herders for example).

And for the women...could YOU hold down a homestead and protect it if your husband was off on business...no cars so no, he’s not going to be home in an hour or so? Could you run a longhouse and it’s surrounding areas, livestock, see to the creating of clothing (a constant task), bedding, sailcloth and more? Cook for many people over open fires? Keep slaves under control? Because yes, that’s what life was like for many heathen families.

So could you?

Ok, times change, and even heathenry changes to adapt to modern times. But trust me, it’s *not* what you’re seeing in modern media. Unless you’re watching documentaries, listening to historical podcasts, etc.

Just leaving with one wee reminder about all those who worship Odin/Othinn...he sought those warriors not only for battle worthiness, but for nobility. And few are the men today who will be going into actual battle, dying on battlefields for Freyja to choose first and foremost. (My respect to those who are in the Forces. Warriors always were at the mercy of their leaders....)

Thor/Thunor/Donar, is the god of the common people. Latch onto Odin and join the Forces. There’s your best chance of ever seeing Valhol. But if you’re living an “ordinary” life (and there’s nothing wrong with working and raising a family etc) then Thor’s your “man”.

Anyway, enjoy the vid, this guy has a good channel with many interesting videos on it. But be wary of relying too heavily on modern entertainment for your entryway into heathenry. It’s unreliable at best.

[badlydrawndrawnings]

Cats: Highlights From the Motion Picture Soundtrack

It dropped at 11:45 where I’m at so chances are this post is gonna get weird at times. Anyway, Short Version is that Robbie Fairchild (Munkustrap) is the only person I fully enjoy in this Highlight Soundtrack like serious IMO he is a saving grace. I hope the full soundtrack will be up soon  I want to hear everything and judge it all (I can’t see it in theaters). Long Version with the Highlights:

Overture: DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN It’s a bit short. Like it 1 minute and 39 second short but I like it. 8/10 that guitar riff in beginning is sweet will listen again.

Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats: Also on the short side, and the beginning was really janky like someone forced them all the speed up to get to the good parts (RIP Victoria who I suspect sang at the end). 6/10 entertaining on the ears, would probably listen again but I won’t like first half.

The Old Gumbie Cat: I grew up on the 1998 version so it being short is okay for me. The only saving grace is Robbie Fairchild and the Jazz Instrumental where Rebel doesn’t sing. 5/10 would not listen again but I will because Munkustrap.

The Rum Tum Tugger: MILK! I am so glad that it’s the original rock and roll number. I did not expect it to be fully rock and roll but hey, I’ll take it! Jason Derulo is pretty damn good! He’s not like Jagger or Elvis style, but whoever Tugger is copying, I like. The draw back is the chorus should be more enthusiastic! 7/10 would listen again.

Bustopher Jones The Cat About Town: I don’t hate Bustopher Jones’ actor per say, but I am not his biggest fan. He was okay in Into the Woods, so I expect he would be decent. I find it very pleasant, but I can’t handle the fact he’s a fat joke character (more than the usual given this song is about how respectable Bustopher Jones is in society despite being a catl), Tugger is singing this number, and uh, because Macavity is in this number? 6/10 will listen again to solve that mystery.

Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer: IT’S USING THE ORIGINAL LONDON STYLE!!! I was not expecting that. Short and simple; I like it. I just wish I could tell who was Victoria and who was Rumpleteazer they sound too alike at times. 9/10 would listen again. 

Old Deuteronomy: Pretty sure they change the lyrics to hide Old D’s original gender in the poem/stage musical. Munkustrap really carried the number beautifully (guess this is what happens when Tugger sings in Bustopher Jones). 7/10 would listen again.

Beautiful Ghost: Not a bad original song 8D. Victoria what the hell happen to your human family did they threw you out? 7/10 would listen again it’s sad.

Magical Gus + Gus The Theatre Cat: WHY IT IS THE PLAYBACK SPEED AT 1.25X? It’s so fast...whY. And why did they get rid of Jellylorum the duet show how long Gus has been away from the stage (that’s how I interpret it). Ian McKellen does has a lovely voice though I wish he was given the chance to sing the song as it be: SLOW. 5/10 would not listen again but when playing it at 0.75x it’s a 7/10 I recommend it to listen to song twice to hear the difference.

Skimbleshanks The Railway Cat: Damn tap dancing number appearing so suddenly in the opening after Skimble sings. So Skimble’s actor (Steven McRae) is more of a dancer from what I can find online, but you know what I enjoy his voice whenever he sang (also hi Munkustrap in number 8D). The one thing I can’t understand is that the music itself is...something of a dance party music? 8.5/10 I would have gave it a 9 but **** the fact Skimble is shirtless he needs to wear a damn shirt you’re going to get a cold in the northern hemisphere.

Macavity (The Mystery Cat): I’M SO SORRY DEMETER THE FILM DID YOU DAMN DIRTY FIRST THEY CHANGE YOUR FUR COLOR AND THEN MADE YOU MEAN TO VICTORIA. I have no ****ing clue if she’s even singing in this number like remember my complaint in Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, I can’t tell the female sings apart. The only real thing I enjoy is the music orchestra BGM like shit it’s sweet as hell. And I know when Taylor sings so uh, she’s good. I can’t believe Macavity just shows the **** up in the last thirty seconds he’s not bad of a singer. 5/10 would not listen but I will because is this a duet or a solo?

(Magical) Mr. Mistofelees: Laurie Davidson you have a voice of nervous angel and it’s perfect. I know Tugger singing this song makes it rock, but from I saw from the trailers, if Tugger did this Misto would just never show up. Changing it to mostly Victoria (let the wars commence!) and Munkustrap (!?) works because from what I can tell, the former is because they’re friends from the start of the night (damn 24 hours can do things) and the latter...uh...shit I feel I need context for this to make sense 8V. The ending is really bopping with the spirit of what makes the songs so great in the first place. 7.5/10 wold listen again I hope a longer version exist.

Memory: I’M SO SORRY JEMIMA, VICTORIA SANG YOUR SOLO BIT. Yes, Victoria did good (I look it up it is Victoria), but that’s not the point. Jemina is two half of the reasons that gave Grizabella a chance to get sacrifice be reborn, and unless Jemima isn’t in the film but combine with Victoria, I need the full soundtrack to see if Jemina got screw over in the Moments of Happiness okay I don’t want another character assassination I can’t handle another one. Grizabella, you did good. You did good. 7/10 would listen again but I won’t be happy given what was change.

The Addressing of Cats: Old D is so soft spoken it’s like she’s trying to kindly tell the humans what do to despite the dissonance from the eventual dramatic religious music that pops up for the final bits to scare the living shit out of us. 7/10 IDK if I would listen again.

Beautiful Ghost (Credit Version): ...yeah I like the movie version better o_o. It’s not bad and it’s nice on the ears, but something about Victoria singing makes me feel more invested? Idk why I just do. 7/10 could listen again but I won’t unless I want to.