The idea of Jörmungandr as a protector of nature and thereby also an indirect protector of mankind really resonates, especially in this day and age. Mankind left completely unchecked will just devour nature until there is nothing left, and without nature we can't survive to begin with.
I named my kitten after Jörmungandr. Before I even knew I was getting a cat, whenever I would meditate I would always end up with that section of Thor trying to lift the cat. The first time I saw my cat, he looked at me, put his tail in his mouth, and the name stuck as we found out he likes the bathtub. Once he’s done growing I’m going to make a cat bed out of a globe, much to only my amusement it seems. 😂
I agree with you. I believe that Loki and his children are not evil. I work with Hel; some may say she is evil, but I say she cares far more than people think she does and for both the dead and the living. What we humans see as evil today is influenced by the rise of Christianity in the first century AD.
I think it’s an intentionally ambiguous thing on the part of the Eddas. The children of Loki were not monsters until they were prophesied to be such, feared, and abused, untimately driving them to become monsters and fulfill the Ragnarok prophecy. I think Fenrir’s story is especially exemplary of this.
As a heathen who mainly worships Loki, I like to believe that his offspring represent both change and balance, just as he does in myths, so this take seems really close to my beliefs. Great video as always!
@@King-Fairhair The Odin Force is a vast cosmic power granted to Allfathers of the Asgardians in Marvel comics. The Odin Force doesn't exist in our mythology. It's a creation of Marvel comics writers.
As someone who works in shark conservation and is a pagan, Jormungandr has a very special place in my heart💙 he truly represents the dark side of nature that actually is what gives life and holds balance! Besides, the demonization of trickster deities (Loki isn’t the only one that gets this treatment…) is such an odd concept to begin with because they are the ones that always put things into motion. Good or bad, nothing happens without going through the trickster first!
I love these stories. Here, people ride lightning bolts and serpents curl around the world in protective embrace. All of it cast across our thoughts in light and shadow. A tale told by fireside from somewhere long ago. Food for my soul, if soul there be. Down to the marrow, thank you, Ocean.
Okay, I need "All Cats have a greater than 0% chance of being Jormungandr" on something STAT. I've worked with Jormungandr a LOT. I have a specific meditation with him about sinking into his coils for comfort and protection. I also invoke him as part of circle casting, literally asking him to encircle my ritual space as a protective barrier. Love the work you did in this vid! It's good to hear another Heathen who has a similar take on my favorite danger noodle!
The three children of Loki have always been some of my favorite stories. Your videos bring so much to them that I could see myself having a meal with them as people. Thank you.
Amazing video as always, its nice to see the children of Loki talked about in a positive light and not straight up Satanized. And my new favorite Ocean line is in this video
Is it "Jormy the Stormy Wormy did a squirmy and then Thor killed him. What now? What. Now??? I'm a skald so fuck you thats what"? cause that's my favorite now lmao
I really like this idea and it sounds like the right one to me too, now that i've listened to this video. It also makes it a symbolic warning that Thor dealt the deathblow. Thor, the defender of mankind, represents humans, kills Jormungandr, who represents nature, for then to die shortly after. If humans kills nature, it wouldn't take long for humans to die out shortly after.
As the token Jörm worshipper in my heathen circle, I can't even express how much I love this video. Hit the nail right on the head and even gave me some more to think about wrt the norse having more cause to favor Thor due to their context. My own UPG has also associated Jörmundangr with labradorite stones because they shimmer like how his scales are described, and can often be found in a tear drop/scale like shape. Thanks for your work as always! 🌊🐍
So I have a question for you, I've always been a heathen in a way but only just started highly embracing it in the last year or so and I worship mostly nature, I am a worshipper of freyja but I would like to know, how would I worship jormungandr?
Where is it described that his scales shine like labradorite? I have always affiliated it with him, even seen him with such scales in my dreams but never actually read anything thaat indicated that.
Awesome video, Ocean, in the full depth of that word. Once again, you've expanded my ideas of what my practice can contain. I've never seen any reason to exclude jötnar or other 'taboo' entities in my worship, but I never had much reasoning to include Jormungandr until right freaking now. It makes so much sense the way you've put this. I thank you so much for your deep dives on the more villainized dieties of the heathen world. You're the best, Ocean, keep up the good work.
That look when Ocean knows just how bad what he's about to say is...followed up by another fantastic video! And have I mentioned how much I love the editor's rapid comments? Ale Yeah!
Thanks for all the work you've put into this and all the figures seen as 'evil'. I love the nuance that you provide and why they're all worthy of worship even if they historically weren't.
Ocean you are such a fucking gift to us! Ive been trying to reconcile the kennings that suggest both Thor and Jorm are protectors of Midgard for a bit. As someone who also has all the "stormy boys" on his altar your interpretation of protective powers in tension is my making my morning.
This is an amazing video, Ocean. Similar to Fenrir, Jormungandr is a deity I've been drawn to in the past, and even empathised with. At the same time, I've never considered including him in my hearth cult. Your interpretation might have just changed my mind, however, and given me reason to explore that idea for myself. Thanks for putting this video out!
Thank you for the amazing, informative video. Examining Jormungandr as nature's wrath gave me reason to pause. I recently had a minor revelation that there is potential for many folklore 'monsters' or 'demons' or whathaveyou to have been miscast in human tales as they were quite possibly just defending themselves, their homes, the things they care for. This goes for more than Norse beliefs.
I honestly love your approach to video making. Not many other pagan content creators dive so throughly into the nuance of Heathenry and its mythology. And that nuance is just another reason I love this faith and community so much. I always come away from your videos with a new perspective that I never even thought of. The Christian concept of the Nephilim and their apparent similarity to the Norse concept of the Jotnar isn’t lost on me. I honestly love reading the Bible(including, and maybe even especially, its “lost” books) like I read pagan mythology now, it’s so much more enjoyable and appreciate-able if you don’t look at it like how Christians often tell you to read it and just look at it like any other collection of religious or spiritual mythology. I’ve even seen people propose that the Nephilim themselves could be a bastardization/demonization of Canaanite nobility or the children of an Israelite parent and a Canaanite parent, a forbidden union under the Mosaic law. So naturally, the Bible/Torah would demonize them. Also… if some Heathens got together and formed an Earth, Wind, and Fire tribute/cover band… don’t you think it’d be named Jorðr, Kari, and Logi? :P 🍁🕺🪩🍂
Great video! For Jormungandr the thing that had always resonated for me was that he wrapped around Midgard, which I viewed in a sense as holding the world together. This take is fitting to how I felt about Jormungander but didn't have words for. It is fitting that Thor represents humanity with how destructive he can be at times. And I totally see jormungander similar to nature in the sense that it is massive and would feel immovable as a whole. Also when humanity has done enough damage and it did finally raise its head against you... bad news bears.
I remember being first introduced to Jormungandr through "The Book of Sea Monsters" by Eggleton and Suckling. For some reason though, the writer describes the Midgard Serpent as a She. In any case, the myths surrounding the Great World Serpent has fascinated me enough to incorporate Him / Her in my stories.
He's always described with masculine language in Old Norse, so I dunno where the "she" came from.🤔 Then again, these sort of errors happen a lot in less scholarly circles. 😅
@@coregoon Well it was a book about sea monsters, not the Norse myths in general, at any rate. Soon as I had access to the actual myths I noticed the discrepancy. In any case when Jormungandr features in my stories, the gender depends on who is talking about the serpent.
The description of Jormungandr as a "shining serpent" is quite interesting, because the same description is used for Leviathan, as well as his older identity, Lotan iirc. Honestly, if the Chaos Serpents represent the opposite of the archetypal sky father's "virtues", then they can't be that bad. Especially my namesake, given who he stood against.
Love the video! I like this concept of Jormungandr as the Jotun version of Thor, a protector of his realm. It also works well with the concept of Loki as a god of balance, trying to ensure neither the Aesir nor the Jotuns gain too much power. All of Loki's children fill this kind of role, it seems to me. Thank you for continuing to broaden our minds when it comes to the gods!
I worship Fenrir and Loki, but haven't thought of worshipping or honoring Jormundgrandr in my practice due to my dislike for water. However, after this video, I'm considering. Even if it's ever so often, leaving him an offering as well as his sister, Hel.
I spotted jormungandr in the sky on the night of the lunar eclipse November 2022 just before a storm rolled in. Well, at the very least a cloud that resembled the belly of a snake at least a mile in diameter and took almost 3minutes to slither over my location.
My thoughts: Godzilla is a modern Jormungandr. 1) giant reptile 2) lives in the ocean 3) direct response to human impact on environment 4) poison breath : radioactive breath. As BOC said, "History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of man..." Also, "Oh no, Thor says he's got to go, go go Jormungandr!"
I liked the distinction between active and passive myths in relation to what is relevant to what people are dealing with in the here-and-now. It is an important point to bring up, especially with the idea of living traditions.
I've been Heathen for almost a decade, and I've never once viewed Jörmundgandr in this way, but after watching this video and considering it thorougly over the course of a few days, I can't help but agree completely. Very rarely does someone present their argument in such a way that radically changes my view of a deity in such a complete way. And while I never believed that Jörmundgandr was evil, I never worshipped him, but now you can bet that I'll be breaking out my woodcarving set and adding Jörmundgandr to my altar.
Ragnarok is a self fulfilling prophecy. The Aesir treated damn near everyone as a potential threat, decided to deal with the problem by launching pre-emptive strikes, then act surprised and outraged when the Nine Realms finally retaliate.
The idea of Jormungandr being a protector of the earth itself is fascinating. It also pretty much means Odin wasn't exiling Loki's evil children, he was entrusting Loki's children to protect vital aspects of reality. Fenrir in that context may have been brought to Asgard to serve as its protector.
I never thought of Jormungandr like this. I didn't think of him as anything other than a constant obstacle for Thor. Honestly, this makes a lot more sense to me. Great video. 🙂
This is an amazing video and has shed a new light on a deity that I had never considered in any way benevolent. Of course, because "baggage Jesus." This has prompted me to give Jormungandr some props. Thank you!
THIS! YES! Jormungandr and Thor both protecting Midgard in their own way perfectly fits within my own beliefs, bith scientific and personal religious beliefs. Plus, being a paleontologist, I have quite the soft spot for Jormungandr. He is best snake boi.
Snake on the astral plane. Okay but for real though, good shit boss. Not gonna lie, been loving the amount of revivalist shit and myth looking at in these last few vids.
I am very much drawn to the dieties in functionally eternal opposition in complimentary ways. Your use of the phrase of living myth reminds me of the saying that myth is not ancient history, but repeating stories.
I love it. Thank you for this, Ocean. This is beyond refreshing, and I hope it helps more people see Jormungandr, along with Loki and his other children, in a new light.
It’s interesting to think of Jormungandr is a protector of Midgard. It sure make you think about what our belief system would be had it been recorded unbiased.
I think the best thing to do with all the gods is to hold respect for them regardless. Every one of them has a negative light if that is all you look for. Winter is harsh and kills, but also helps to bring new life. Fire destroys for one, and gives room for another to grow. Some acts are only evil if we think everything must cater to us.
Great Video, thanks! I love the re-addressing the Order vs Chaos discussions that is often reductionist of these two forces in conflict, rather than as a cycle, or in relational balance. In chaos, we find order, and order changes through chaos. To have one fixed and not the other would either be total destruction or an in-ability to grow and change. In this way, Jormungandr and Thor (and many other things) contain both Order and Chaos, and their relationship balances out those aspects in the other. The reductionist approach to order and chaos more generally only works to remove the nuanced worldview Heathens/Pagans would, and do, have. One that respects, accepts, and learns from the possibility of phenomenon outside our control. These phenomena are not inherently or dogmatically evil, just new and different. Something to be learned or investigated. This, of course, doesn't fly for a worldview that is dogmatically set in a grand struggle between the ultimate evil (Demonic Chaos) and the ultimate good (Heavenly Order), and therefore the myths would have to be re-written.
The fact that this has played on my mind for so long. That I have had people ridicule me for such a belief. It is quite refreshing to hear it from another person and a slightly different but ultimately the same perspective. Thank you so much for your insight. Keep up the good work.
I've watched almost all of your videos, and this is one of my favorites. I enjoy your intellectual take, and healthy questioning of what remains of the myths.
Considering their awareness of Iceland and its highly active volcanic nature, Jormungandr sounds like it has incorporated some aspects of subterranean volcanic eruptions into its characteristics.
Good arguments on Jormungandr as Midgard Protector. Lots of good information and things to think ponder. Always appreciate the scholarly depths of these videos.
I just love this analysis. It confirms a growing suspicion that I’ve had for years, and sheds light on what would otherwise be a baffling affinity that I’ve had for Jormandganr while simultaneously having an appreciation for Thor. The same holds true for me with respect to the other children of Loki, Hel and Fenrir, as well as Loki himself
And this is the reason I subscribe to your channel! Brilliant take on the World Snake. I never thought of it that way but that makes perfect sense. Thor, protector of man, Jormangander, protect of nature!
After you described the man versus nature perspective, I viewed the picking up of the cat in a different light. Suddenly, the horror was akin to the kind of horror we experience when we see the massive effects of deforestation or pollution.
Loved this video but I think my favourite is your video on Hel, the music in the backround and the way you explained everything so elegantly made it an S tier video for me
I loved this video! I absolutely agree with this interpretation - and as a Pagan scholar researching revivalism I super appreciate the discussion points on that too!
Stellar video, Ocean. You always do excellent work, but this one is especially excellent. Just wanted to let you know that all your hard work and suffering was worth it.
An interesting parallel, with the idea of protector of nature in mind, can be found in the Greek Myth surrounding Python son of Gaia who’s often depicted as her protector. I think your definitely on to something with that interpretation. Great video! 🔥
You’re killing it lately-I’m not seeing anyone else out there with this kind of subtle understanding of the deeper mythic symbolism. Keep up the great work! ⚡️
Fucking brilliant, Thankyou for a fresh perspective on a being that I have felt a draw towards and always get questioned about when I talk about him or his siblings. One of these days when I can afford it I promise I’ll get patreon, I would happily support my favorite content creator of any genre, especially my faith. Thank you
I really appreciate this take Ocean. The tension between the natural world and humanity's attempts to be of nature, as well as above or outside of nature has always fascinated and drawn me. I am not really in contact with Thor much, though of course I respect his power, but I do wear a replica of an Icelandic piece which is a Mjolnir/Cross attached to a Wolf's head. The draw for me was the blending of the Heathen with the Christian, and within the Heathen imagery is the tension between what I presume to be Fenrir, and Thor. I've come more and more to appreciate the fact that we as humans only exist within the greyest of greys, at the strongest points of tension between chaos and order. Try as we might, it's always balance, and any tipping point, no matter our fantasies about the rightness or goodness of any particular side, spells almost certain doom.
I don't believe that the children of Loki are evil, but rather they represent the nature of our world. We coexist with chaos, death, vengeance, and distrust. These things are ever present.
![[Live] : ONE 169 วันนี้!! "อนาโตลี vs อูมาร์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IK3YZVWuFJg/mqdefault.jpg)
The idea of Jörmungandr as a protector of nature and thereby also an indirect protector of mankind really resonates, especially in this day and age. Mankind left completely unchecked will just devour nature until there is nothing left, and without nature we can't survive to begin with.
yes! absolutely how i see it . i could be wrong of course.
Agree.
I named my kitten after Jörmungandr. Before I even knew I was getting a cat, whenever I would meditate I would always end up with that section of Thor trying to lift the cat. The first time I saw my cat, he looked at me, put his tail in his mouth, and the name stuck as we found out he likes the bathtub.
Once he’s done growing I’m going to make a cat bed out of a globe, much to only my amusement it seems. 😂
THIS
IS
AMAZING
thank you so much for sharing this
I love that. Tell your kitty I love him
Just don't throw him into the sea, a giant Jörmungandr encircling the world would make navigation difficult.
@@WheatDos especially with him pawing at the boats
The purring will cause earthquakes!
I agree with you. I believe that Loki and his children are not evil. I work with Hel; some may say she is evil, but I say she cares far more than people think she does and for both the dead and the living. What we humans see as evil today is influenced by the rise of Christianity in the first century AD.
👏🏻👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
👏 👏
I think it’s an intentionally ambiguous thing on the part of the Eddas. The children of Loki were not monsters until they were prophesied to be such, feared, and abused, untimately driving them to become monsters and fulfill the Ragnarok prophecy. I think Fenrir’s story is especially exemplary of this.
yeah fuck the Christian faith in the US they make ANYTHING evil but they themselves are evil hail to Norse Paganism skål
I found out that hypothetically unborn child go with her and are taken care of. Idk how true it is but it brought me a lot of comfort
I love that kenning you mentioned: "Necklace of the Earth".
It has a sublime ring to it.
As a heathen who mainly worships Loki, I like to believe that his offspring represent both change and balance, just as he does in myths, so this take seems really close to my beliefs. Great video as always!
❤
What is Odin force according Norse mythology ? I just want to know
Why do you worship him?
@@crushinnihilismhey man maybe u should let them worship how they want
@@King-Fairhair The Odin Force is a vast cosmic power granted to Allfathers of the Asgardians in Marvel comics. The Odin Force doesn't exist in our mythology. It's a creation of Marvel comics writers.
“Jörmy the stormy wormy did himself a squirmy and Thor killed him” I’m dyingg lmaoo
As someone who works in shark conservation and is a pagan, Jormungandr has a very special place in my heart💙 he truly represents the dark side of nature that actually is what gives life and holds balance!
Besides, the demonization of trickster deities (Loki isn’t the only one that gets this treatment…) is such an odd concept to begin with because they are the ones that always put things into motion. Good or bad, nothing happens without going through the trickster first!
Big agree. I actually think “Catalyst” might be a better title than “Trickster” for many
I read a whole thing once about the christain god could also be called a trickster
"Meow, meow, me-meow, meow, I'm not a snake; cat." Beautiful line. XD
Seriously though, this was a fabulous video, Ocean!
This is the best line!
I love these stories.
Here, people ride lightning bolts and serpents curl around the world in protective embrace. All of it cast across our thoughts in light and shadow. A tale told by fireside from somewhere long ago.
Food for my soul, if soul there be.
Down to the marrow, thank you, Ocean.
Okay but why is this my favorite pun you’ve ever done?
Okay, I need "All Cats have a greater than 0% chance of being Jormungandr" on something STAT.
I've worked with Jormungandr a LOT. I have a specific meditation with him about sinking into his coils for comfort and protection. I also invoke him as part of circle casting, literally asking him to encircle my ritual space as a protective barrier. Love the work you did in this vid! It's good to hear another Heathen who has a similar take on my favorite danger noodle!
"Nyan nya nya nya nyan, I'm not a snake meow" is now my favorite quote XD
Hymir: *cuts a fishing line*
Thor: *P E R I S H*
Okay i lol’d at this
@@OceanKeltoi all in a day's work
Lol
The three children of Loki have always been some of my favorite stories. Your videos bring so much to them that I could see myself having a meal with them as people. Thank you.
3? Jörmundgander, Fenrir, Hel, Sleipnir… I’ve got at least 4?
@Cat N’Hat I think there are 6 total, but the 3, Hel, Fenrir, and Jörmungandr, are the ones I knew of growing up
Amazing video as always, its nice to see the children of Loki talked about in a positive light and not straight up Satanized. And my new favorite Ocean line is in this video
Is it "Jormy the Stormy Wormy did a squirmy and then Thor killed him. What now? What. Now??? I'm a skald so fuck you thats what"? cause that's my favorite now lmao
@@barretthoven Im a skald, I laughed so hard at that line
😮
I really like this idea and it sounds like the right one to me too, now that i've listened to this video.
It also makes it a symbolic warning that Thor dealt the deathblow.
Thor, the defender of mankind, represents humans, kills Jormungandr, who represents nature, for then to die shortly after.
If humans kills nature, it wouldn't take long for humans to die out shortly after.
"I'm a skald and f*ck you, that's what."
*The witch in the corner smiles eerily in his direction*
As the token Jörm worshipper in my heathen circle, I can't even express how much I love this video. Hit the nail right on the head and even gave me some more to think about wrt the norse having more cause to favor Thor due to their context. My own UPG has also associated Jörmundangr with labradorite stones because they shimmer like how his scales are described, and can often be found in a tear drop/scale like shape. Thanks for your work as always! 🌊🐍
So I have a question for you, I've always been a heathen in a way but only just started highly embracing it in the last year or so and I worship mostly nature, I am a worshipper of freyja but I would like to know, how would I worship jormungandr?
Where is it described that his scales shine like labradorite? I have always affiliated it with him, even seen him with such scales in my dreams but never actually read anything thaat indicated that.
So basically Jormungandr was the Norse way of saying "Nature is metal"
Awesome video, Ocean, in the full depth of that word. Once again, you've expanded my ideas of what my practice can contain. I've never seen any reason to exclude jötnar or other 'taboo' entities in my worship, but I never had much reasoning to include Jormungandr until right freaking now. It makes so much sense the way you've put this. I thank you so much for your deep dives on the more villainized dieties of the heathen world. You're the best, Ocean, keep up the good work.
God of War game has insulted your gods so why don't you oppose it ? I just want to know
I'm not of the opinion that my gods have such fragile egos that they'd be offended by a videogame
That look when Ocean knows just how bad what he's about to say is...followed up by another fantastic video! And have I mentioned how much I love the editor's rapid comments? Ale Yeah!
He probably got the Yourmomgander a lot for his puns as a kid. 🤣
That folder on your computer of Gadsden Flags has led to this very video. Congratulations, you've officially Made It (tm)!
Thanks for all the work you've put into this and all the figures seen as 'evil'. I love the nuance that you provide and why they're all worthy of worship even if they historically weren't.
Ocean you are such a fucking gift to us! Ive been trying to reconcile the kennings that suggest both Thor and Jorm are protectors of Midgard for a bit. As someone who also has all the "stormy boys" on his altar your interpretation of protective powers in tension is my making my morning.
This is an amazing video, Ocean. Similar to Fenrir, Jormungandr is a deity I've been drawn to in the past, and even empathised with. At the same time, I've never considered including him in my hearth cult. Your interpretation might have just changed my mind, however, and given me reason to explore that idea for myself. Thanks for putting this video out!
So the snake is like old kiju movies where they are protecters of earth, not necessarily those who live on it
*Takes a shot every time Ocean says "Jörmungandr".
*Dies in the first minute and 30 seconds.
I will now always refer to Jörmungandr as "Jörmy Stormy Wormy" 😂
Thank you for the amazing, informative video.
Examining Jormungandr as nature's wrath gave me reason to pause. I recently had a minor revelation that there is potential for many folklore 'monsters' or 'demons' or whathaveyou to have been miscast in human tales as they were quite possibly just defending themselves, their homes, the things they care for. This goes for more than Norse beliefs.
I always appreciate you recognizing the animal deities as well, deities.
I honestly love your approach to video making. Not many other pagan content creators dive so throughly into the nuance of Heathenry and its mythology. And that nuance is just another reason I love this faith and community so much. I always come away from your videos with a new perspective that I never even thought of. The Christian concept of the Nephilim and their apparent similarity to the Norse concept of the Jotnar isn’t lost on me. I honestly love reading the Bible(including, and maybe even especially, its “lost” books) like I read pagan mythology now, it’s so much more enjoyable and appreciate-able if you don’t look at it like how Christians often tell you to read it and just look at it like any other collection of religious or spiritual mythology. I’ve even seen people propose that the Nephilim themselves could be a bastardization/demonization of Canaanite nobility or the children of an Israelite parent and a Canaanite parent, a forbidden union under the Mosaic law. So naturally, the Bible/Torah would demonize them.
Also… if some Heathens got together and formed an Earth, Wind, and Fire tribute/cover band… don’t you think it’d be named Jorðr, Kari, and Logi? :P
🍁🕺🪩🍂
Brilliant
Great video! For Jormungandr the thing that had always resonated for me was that he wrapped around Midgard, which I viewed in a sense as holding the world together. This take is fitting to how I felt about Jormungander but didn't have words for. It is fitting that Thor represents humanity with how destructive he can be at times. And I totally see jormungander similar to nature in the sense that it is massive and would feel immovable as a whole. Also when humanity has done enough damage and it did finally raise its head against you... bad news bears.
I’m glad to see other Norse pagans like myself
I remember being first introduced to Jormungandr through "The Book of Sea Monsters" by Eggleton and Suckling.
For some reason though, the writer describes the Midgard Serpent as a She.
In any case, the myths surrounding the Great World Serpent has fascinated me enough to incorporate Him / Her in my stories.
He's always described with masculine language in Old Norse, so I dunno where the "she" came from.🤔 Then again, these sort of errors happen a lot in less scholarly circles. 😅
@@coregoon Well it was a book about sea monsters, not the Norse myths in general, at any rate. Soon as I had access to the actual myths I noticed the discrepancy.
In any case when Jormungandr features in my stories, the gender depends on who is talking about the serpent.
The description of Jormungandr as a "shining serpent" is quite interesting, because the same description is used for Leviathan, as well as his older identity, Lotan iirc. Honestly, if the Chaos Serpents represent the opposite of the archetypal sky father's "virtues", then they can't be that bad. Especially my namesake, given who he stood against.
Love the video! I like this concept of Jormungandr as the Jotun version of Thor, a protector of his realm. It also works well with the concept of Loki as a god of balance, trying to ensure neither the Aesir nor the Jotuns gain too much power. All of Loki's children fill this kind of role, it seems to me. Thank you for continuing to broaden our minds when it comes to the gods!
"All cats have a non-zero chance of being Jormangandr." T-shirt please!
I worship Fenrir and Loki, but haven't thought of worshipping or honoring Jormundgrandr in my practice due to my dislike for water. However, after this video, I'm considering. Even if it's ever so often, leaving him an offering as well as his sister, Hel.
I spotted jormungandr in the sky on the night of the lunar eclipse November 2022 just before a storm rolled in. Well, at the very least a cloud that resembled the belly of a snake at least a mile in diameter and took almost 3minutes to slither over my location.
How cool is that?
Jormungandr is a kaiju confirmed 🤔
Great video as always. Thanks for making it!
Just want to say I’m new to Norse paganism and your vids are teaching me a lot I enjoy them keep them coming 👍🏻
My thoughts: Godzilla is a modern Jormungandr.
1) giant reptile
2) lives in the ocean
3) direct response to human impact on environment
4) poison breath : radioactive breath.
As BOC said, "History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of man..."
Also,
"Oh no, Thor says he's got to go, go go Jormungandr!"
My cat also says "meow meow meow I'm not a snake meow" I think I should take him to the vet
Good luck lifting him in his carrier. 😋
I liked the distinction between active and passive myths in relation to what is relevant to what people are dealing with in the here-and-now. It is an important point to bring up, especially with the idea of living traditions.
I've been Heathen for almost a decade, and I've never once viewed Jörmundgandr in this way, but after watching this video and considering it thorougly over the course of a few days, I can't help but agree completely. Very rarely does someone present their argument in such a way that radically changes my view of a deity in such a complete way. And while I never believed that Jörmundgandr was evil, I never worshipped him, but now you can bet that I'll be breaking out my woodcarving set and adding Jörmundgandr to my altar.
Ragnarok is a self fulfilling prophecy. The Aesir treated damn near everyone as a potential threat, decided to deal with the problem by launching pre-emptive strikes, then act surprised and outraged when the Nine Realms finally retaliate.
So, in another word, Modern Day America?
The idea of Jormungandr being a protector of the earth itself is fascinating. It also pretty much means Odin wasn't exiling Loki's evil children, he was entrusting Loki's children to protect vital aspects of reality. Fenrir in that context may have been brought to Asgard to serve as its protector.
I never thought of Jormungandr like this. I didn't think of him as anything other than a constant obstacle for Thor. Honestly, this makes a lot more sense to me. Great video. 🙂
This is an amazing video and has shed a new light on a deity that I had never considered in any way benevolent. Of course, because "baggage Jesus." This has prompted me to give Jormungandr some props. Thank you!
i’m glad to see people doing deep explanations on these beliefs. thank you!
This was an awesome video, Ocean! Thanks for helping me understand Jörmungandr a bit better!
A modern version of this might be Superman versus Godzilla
THIS! YES! Jormungandr and Thor both protecting Midgard in their own way perfectly fits within my own beliefs, bith scientific and personal religious beliefs.
Plus, being a paleontologist, I have quite the soft spot for Jormungandr. He is best snake boi.
Snake on the astral plane.
Okay but for real though, good shit boss. Not gonna lie, been loving the amount of revivalist shit and myth looking at in these last few vids.
I've been waiting for this ever since you made the fenrisulven video. Great video. Thank you
I am very much drawn to the dieties in functionally eternal opposition in complimentary ways.
Your use of the phrase of living myth reminds me of the saying that myth is not ancient history, but repeating stories.
I couldn't find the source of the quote. Too tired. Thanks for the video!
I love it. Thank you for this, Ocean. This is beyond refreshing, and I hope it helps more people see Jormungandr, along with Loki and his other children, in a new light.
It’s interesting to think of Jormungandr is a protector of Midgard. It sure make you think about what our belief system would be had it been recorded unbiased.
I have a Thor statue and shed snakeskin on my altar. ⚡🐍 Always enjoy your vids.
I think the best thing to do with all the gods is to hold respect for them regardless. Every one of them has a negative light if that is all you look for. Winter is harsh and kills, but also helps to bring new life. Fire destroys for one, and gives room for another to grow. Some acts are only evil if we think everything must cater to us.
Haven’t included Jormungandr in my practice, but I’ve been waiting for a vid on him!! Awesome job, ocean!
Very interesting! I like the protector vs protector idea as well as the comparison between viking age heathens and modern days heathens.
Come back big man we need more
I love comparative mythology and cultures of the world, thank you for making this
Great Video, thanks! I love the re-addressing the Order vs Chaos discussions that is often reductionist of these two forces in conflict, rather than as a cycle, or in relational balance. In chaos, we find order, and order changes through chaos. To have one fixed and not the other would either be total destruction or an in-ability to grow and change. In this way, Jormungandr and Thor (and many other things) contain both Order and Chaos, and their relationship balances out those aspects in the other. The reductionist approach to order and chaos more generally only works to remove the nuanced worldview Heathens/Pagans would, and do, have. One that respects, accepts, and learns from the possibility of phenomenon outside our control. These phenomena are not inherently or dogmatically evil, just new and different. Something to be learned or investigated.
This, of course, doesn't fly for a worldview that is dogmatically set in a grand struggle between the ultimate evil (Demonic Chaos) and the ultimate good (Heavenly Order), and therefore the myths would have to be re-written.
Gods the puns in this one is a *chefs kiss* AND THE EDITING?? so many snaps 🫰
Very interesting video with some very interesting theories. Thank you 🙏
You worded it so beautifully, I couldnt agree with you more 😊
The fact that this has played on my mind for so long. That I have had people ridicule me for such a belief. It is quite refreshing to hear it from another person and a slightly different but ultimately the same perspective.
Thank you so much for your insight. Keep up the good work.
I've watched almost all of your videos, and this is one of my favorites. I enjoy your intellectual take, and healthy questioning of what remains of the myths.
Considering their awareness of Iceland and its highly active volcanic nature, Jormungandr sounds like it has incorporated some aspects of subterranean volcanic eruptions into its characteristics.
Good arguments on Jormungandr as Midgard Protector. Lots of good information and things to think ponder. Always appreciate the scholarly depths of these videos.
I just love this analysis. It confirms a growing suspicion that I’ve had for years, and sheds light on what would otherwise be a baffling affinity that I’ve had for Jormandganr while simultaneously having an appreciation for Thor. The same holds true for me with respect to the other children of Loki, Hel and Fenrir, as well as Loki himself
And this is the reason I subscribe to your channel! Brilliant take on the World Snake. I never thought of it that way but that makes perfect sense. Thor, protector of man, Jormangander, protect of nature!
came for the pun, was not disappointed, oh man, thank you
After you described the man versus nature perspective, I viewed the picking up of the cat in a different light. Suddenly, the horror was akin to the kind of horror we experience when we see the massive effects of deforestation or pollution.
Jormungandr originated from the dragon slayer motif. Originally therefore this snake is villainous.
This was a very well thought out and wholesome takeaway from the fractured and contradicting myths.
I recently found The Norse Faith and this channel has helped me understand things better than I ever could have on my own. Thank you Brother
>Jormy the Stormy Wormy Boi
>Stormybois
Ocean is basically the pagan community’s resident shitposter and I love it.
Brilliantly done as always
Loved this video but I think my favourite is your video on Hel, the music in the backround and the way you explained everything so elegantly made it an S tier video for me
This was an awesome video! Thank you also for the fantastic puns at the beginning of your videos 😂 they rock!
This is a wonderful interpretation, Ocean! Thank you! Love this one so much!
Thank you so much for your hard work.
I loved this video! I absolutely agree with this interpretation - and as a Pagan scholar researching revivalism I super appreciate the discussion points on that too!
I am on the side of the protector of nature. Great video. Love all your content!
Great video as always Ocean. I've learned more from these videos than the sagas lol
Stellar video, Ocean. You always do excellent work, but this one is especially excellent. Just wanted to let you know that all your hard work and suffering was worth it.
An interesting parallel, with the idea of protector of nature in mind, can be found in the Greek Myth surrounding Python son of Gaia who’s often depicted as her protector. I think your definitely on to something with that interpretation. Great video! 🔥
I like this interpretation a lot! Thanks for everything you do.
That completely changed my perception of Jormungandr.
You’re killing it lately-I’m not seeing anyone else out there with this kind of subtle understanding of the deeper mythic symbolism. Keep up the great work! ⚡️
Fucking brilliant, Thankyou for a fresh perspective on a being that I have felt a draw towards and always get questioned about when I talk about him or his siblings. One of these days when I can afford it I promise I’ll get patreon, I would happily support my favorite content creator of any genre, especially my faith. Thank you
Love your videos. Look forward to all of them. Love rewatching them as well
18:14 - damn...that's actually an awsome interpretation.
Amazing, enlightening, thankyou ocean .
I really appreciate this take Ocean. The tension between the natural world and humanity's attempts to be of nature, as well as above or outside of nature has always fascinated and drawn me. I am not really in contact with Thor much, though of course I respect his power, but I do wear a replica of an Icelandic piece which is a Mjolnir/Cross attached to a Wolf's head. The draw for me was the blending of the Heathen with the Christian, and within the Heathen imagery is the tension between what I presume to be Fenrir, and Thor. I've come more and more to appreciate the fact that we as humans only exist within the greyest of greys, at the strongest points of tension between chaos and order. Try as we might, it's always balance, and any tipping point, no matter our fantasies about the rightness or goodness of any particular side, spells almost certain doom.
I don't believe that the children of Loki are evil, but rather they represent the nature of our world. We coexist with chaos, death, vengeance, and distrust. These things are ever present.
I like this take a lot. As a pagan it’s always interesting to dig into the myths around figures usually depicted as “evil”