Podcasts about Germanic

In this episode, we explore the ancient roots of the Winter Solstice, Yule, and Christmas, tracing how humans across time have honored the longest night of the year and the return of the light.We look at Yule traditions in Norse and Germanic cultures, including the symbolism of the Yule log, evergreens, fire, and winter mythologies like the Wild Hunt. We also explore how early Christianity layered the celebration of Christ's birth onto existing Solstice festivals, weaving older solar traditions into new spiritual stories.This episode reflects on darkness as a sacred teacher, winter as a threshold, and the universal human instinct to mark time with ritual, story, and hope. Whether you celebrate Yule, Christmas, the Solstice, or simply the turning of the season, this is an invitation to slow down and honor the quiet miracle of return.

In this seasonal episode, hosts Allison and Mandy explore the deeper meaning of the Winter Solstice, Yule, and the ancient roots beneath modern Christmas. Together, they reflect on this sacred turning point in the Wheel of the Year—a time long honoured as the return of the light after the darkest night.They begin with the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, symbolizing stillness, death and rebirth, and the quiet trust that light always returns—even when growth isn't yet visible.The conversation then moves into Yule, an ancient Pagan celebration rooted in Norse, Germanic, and Celtic traditions. Through symbols like evergreens, fire, the hearth, sacred animals, and communal feasting, Yule represents humanity's ritual response to the turning of the sun.Allison and Mandy also explore how Christmas came to sit at this time of year, explaining how early Christianity layered itself over existing Solstice festivals—preserving many pre-Christian symbols that still live on today.The episode gently reframes our relationship with darkness, reminding listeners that it was once seen as fertile, womb-like, and sacred—not something to fear.Listeners are offered simple, modern ways to honour the season, including candle rituals, ancestral remembrance, time in nature, storytelling, and allowing rest and stillness.The episode closes with a powerful reminder: you don't have to choose between traditions. Solstice, Yule, and Christmas can coexist—and the season belongs to everyone.“The light was never lost. It was only waiting to be remembered.”⸻Contact & OfferingsFor intuitive readings, mentorship, and spiritual support with Allison at The Luminant Soul, reach out at:

Hilary Giovale is a mother, writer, facilitator, and community organizer who holds a Master’s Degree in Good and Sustainable Communities. She has taught improvisational dance and has served on the boards of philanthropic, human rights, and environmental organizations. Descended from the Celtic, Germanic, Nordic, and Indigenous peoples of Ancient Europe, she is a ninth-generation American settler. For most of her life these origins were obscured by whiteness. After learning more about her ancestors’ history, Hilary began emerging from a fog of amnesia, denial, and fragmentation. For the first time, she could see a painful reality: her family’s occupation of this land has harmed Indigenous and African peoples, cultures, lands, and lifeways. With this realization, her life changed. How can I become a good relative? This inquiry guides Hilary’s work, including her writing, teaching, and reparative philanthropy. Divesting from settler colonialism and whiteness, she seeks to follow Indigenous and Black leadership in support of healing, mutual liberation, and equitable futures. She is the author of the award-winning book Becoming a Good Relative: Calling White Settlers toward Truth, Healing, and Repair. Go deeper with Hilary’s Guide to Making a Personal Reparations Plan, and find a copy of her book here. 100% of book proceeds go to the Decolonizing Wealth Project and Jubilee Justice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Runecasting is one of the best known forms of Heathen, Nordic, and Germanic divination. Join your host for a short walk through the whys and hows of runic divination.Explainer - DivinationWant to support this podcast and my other work?  Sign up for my Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/c/wayw... or contribute to my KoFi here: https://ko-fi.com/ryansmithwfiI am teaching classes on Inclusive Nordic Spirituality!  You can find out more and sign up at this link: http://www.onblackwings.com/classes

There's a lot in a given name.When Zelda's mum chose that name for her little baby girl, who could have known just how completely she would go on to embody it. Zelda is often said to derive from an old Germanic name meaning battle or warrior, sometimes described as a battle maiden, so calling her a warrior princess feels anything but accidental.Zelda has been battling various forms of breast cancer for eighteen years. After inheriting the BRCA2 gene from her dad, she has been fighting and thriving for over a third of her life.As Gobsmacked! approaches its fourth year, Catherine sets out in the Gobsmacked podcast van to revisit previous guests and discover what has unfolded since they last pressed record.And for Zelda, there has been a lot. A staggering amount of life for a true warrior.This is Gobsmacked… After the Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---At the dawn of the Middle Ages, small numbers of Jewish families ventured across the frozen Alps, seeking a new life in a foreign land they called Ashkenaz. In their workshops, at the market, and around the shabbat table, these people created a new language in secret: one that joined together the Hebrew writing system of ancient Palestine with the Germanic vocabulary of their Christian neighbors. Despite its obscure and polygenic medieval origins, this neighborhood speech would grow to become a fundamental element of Jewish history and identity and a true world language: Yiddish.This episode of Gladio Free Europe explores the origins and development of Yiddish with the help of Wilf, esteemed circumpolar Yiddish scholar and longtime friend of the pod. Wilf guides Liam and Russian Sam through the complexities of the language's development and grammar. The many influences on Yiddish, from its Semitic alphabet to its Slavic grammatical structures and its unexpected Romance loans, tell the story of the Ashkenazi Jewish people. So too does the resilience and growth of Yiddish in spite of centuries of hostility and, in the 20th century, near-total annihilation. Putting Yiddish in the context of the rise of rabbinical Judaism and the expansion of the diaspora, we see how this Germanic vernacular developed alongside the liturgical language of Hebrew. While widespread bilingualism meant Yiddish and Hebrew would influence each other throughout their history, the two languages were often perceived in conflict. Yiddish would be demeaned and degraded throughout its history, both by vicious bigots who hated its Jewishness and pious scholars who thought it not Jewish enough. Yet despite centuries of hardship, the language would blossom across the medieval period into a literary language along the lines of French and Italian. Medieval Jewish writers eagerly took part in the broader European tradition of chivalric romance. Yiddish adventure stories about Jewish knights, Jewish princesses, even a Jewish King Arthur were widely read and have some lingering influence on Jewish folklore to this day. As Yiddish spread eastward, out of the German lands and into the kingdoms of the Slavs and Hungarians, the language of the Ashkenazi Jews ceased to be a medium of communication with Christians, but instead an ethnolect that could only be understood by Jews. The unique situation of Eastern European Jews, more numerous and more culturally distinctive than their Western European neighbors, would be fundamental to the later development of Yiddish.Listen to the newest episode of Gladio Free Europe to understand what makes Yiddish, the heymish mother tongue of the Jewish hearth, unique among the languages and such a treasured aspect of the Jewish experience. Borek-habo!

This episode is a recording of our recent women's circle gathering on Sacred Wintering and the Twelve Holy Nights, and it was truly beautiful—deep, grounded, accessible, and full of wisdom for the season we're entering.For centuries across European, Germanic, and Christian-mystic lineages, the Twelve Holy Nights have marked a threshold in time: the Year Between Years. These nights begin on December 25 and carry us through January 6, honoring the liminal space when the sun's return becomes visible and intuition feels naturally heightened.I invited Lisa Jara to teach with me, because she guides this practice every year with a devotion and clarity I deeply respect. Lisa and I first connected through a membership of intuitive and anti-capitalist entrepreneurs, and our friendship grew quickly through long WhatsApp voice notes about the people we serve, the work we love, and the ways cyclicality shapes our lives. I've practiced the Twelve Holy Nights on my own for the last two years—well, actually, with my husband and daughter and I love that it can be done with others!—and it has become one of my favorite ways to enter Winter with intention rather than resistance.Inside this session, we explored:What it means to like our lives, including how we can learn to like WinterHow to proactively surrender to Winter instead of waiting for a “forced winter” through burnout, grief, or crisisWhy so many of us stopped naturally wintering—and how capitalism shaped thatHow Winter restores self-trust and reconnects us with our inner wisdomA generous teaching from Lisa on the cosmology, history, and practice of the Twelve Holy NightsHow each Holy Night mirrors a month of the coming yearHow to work with dreams, symbols, signs, and synchronicitiesAn imaginative visioning practice to help you enter the season more intentionallyThis conversation is for anyone longing for slowness, clarity, ritual, or a more embodied relationship with Winter. It's also for anyone who wants to practice the Twelve Holy Nights this year in a simple, grounded, and meaningful way.Links Mentioned in the Episode

In this chilling episode of Cloaked and Cosmic, host Natty dives into the dark folklore of Frau Perchta, the icy Alpine legend known for punishment, winter rituals, and unsettling judgment of the living. From her origins in Germanic and pagan mythology to her terrifying role in Yuletide traditions, Natty breaks down the history, symbolism, and horror behind this frozen folkloric figure.Expect deep lore, eerie cultural traditions, and macabre details delivered with dark humor and cosmic curiosity. This episode explores ancient winter spirits, Alpine legends, pagan belief systems, and why Frau Perchta remains one of the most unsettling mythological figures tied to the coldest time of year.Perfect for listeners who love folklore, mythology, paranormal history, witchcraft themes, and eerie legends with a comedic edge.Joe's BookBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cloaked-and-cosmic--6041412/support.Dare to believe!

Support Midgard Musings By Clicking Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/MidgardMusings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to visit Fjallvaettir Workshop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fjallvaettir.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate to my mother's-in-law GoFundMe for medical equipment upgrades: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gofund.me/43c134d0Here are some of the book recommendations that were mentioned in this episode:Braiding Sweetgrass by Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer The Seven Generations and the Seven Grandfather Teachings by James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David WengrowThe Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel RuizIn this episode of Random Heathen Ramblings, Chris Miller and I are diving into the rich, interconnected web of ideas, mindsets, and traditions that shape the modern Heathen path. Using The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz as our starting point, we explore how wisdom from outside the Germanic world can illuminate, reinforce, or even challenge our own worldview.From there, we widen the lens.We discuss syncretism; both the kind our ancestors practiced and the kind we engage in today along with finfara, cultural exchange, and the flow of ideas across tribes, nations, and spiritual traditions. How do we integrate outside concepts responsibly? Where do we draw healthy boundaries? And what frameworks, philosophies, and practices can help us deepen our connection to our gods, ancestors, and land spirits?This episode is all about embracing the complexity of being a modern Heathen in a global world, without losing the roots that make our tradition unique.Join us for a conversation full of insight, challenge, humor, and honest exploration as we walk the wider web that connects past and present, culture and culture, and each of us to our own lived practice.

Back after a long Thanksgiving week with our friends from Burning Beard! This weekend they are kicking off a three day benifit at the brewery; Friday and Saturday Punk Rock Saves Christmas and Sunday Hip Hop Saves Christmas! We get into the nitty-gritty over a often overlooked Germanic style of beer called Sticke with Something Sticke In My Eye.

What does it mean to be a warrior when the odds are not in your favor and even the world seems to have turned its back on you? Welcome to the world of the heroes in Northern European myth. The divine heroes Beowulf, Sigurd, and Starkadr and the Germanic warriors who venerated them, lived in a world of stark extremes, where courage, honor, and strength were tested at every turn. Their stories weren't just entertainment; they were guides for living boldly in a harsh and uncertain world.While we no longer live in these warrior cultures of the past, those of us attempting to walk this path in the modern world still face the same eternal questions:How do you live knowing that everything you love will one day die?How do you act with honor in a world no longer believes in it?How do you continue to fight when you feel as though the battle cannot be won?This is the world these warriors inhabited, and through their deeds, their trials, and their defiance, we find answers to the timeless questions of how to live, act, and fight with honor today.So, strap in and get ready for a wild ride through the world of the Germanic Hero.  It's all in this episode of the Pearl Snap Tactical Podcast!Resources:Laughing Shall I Die: The Lives and Deaths of the Vikings, Tom ShippeySaga of the Volsungs, translated by Jackson CrawfordThe History of the Danes, Saxo GrammaticusBeowulf, translated by Seamus HeaneySupport the showGet Members Only Content when you upgrade to a premium membership on our Substack page. Click here.Link up with us:Website: Pearl Snap TacticalInstagram: Pearl Snap Tactical X: Pearl Snap TaciticalThe views and opinions expressed by the guests do not necessarily reflect those of the host, this podcast or affiliates. The information provided in these shows are for educational purposes do not constitute legal advice. Those interest in training in the use of firearms or other self-defense applications are advised to seek out a professional, qualified instructor.(Some of the links in the episode show notes are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services we have personally used and believe will add value to our listeners.)

Michael Jaco and Sheila Holm return with one of their most explosive conversations yet — an unveiling of concealed histories, buried identities, and the hidden Germanic bloodlines that shaped the American power structure. Sheila exposes the long-suppressed truth about the Bush family's real heritage and their original surname “Scherff,” tracing this lineage through intelligence networks, wartime alliances, and the rise of the modern Deep State. She shares how these covert identities were positioned inside American leadership, influencing everything from foreign policy to banking, military operations, and presidential administrations — all under a carefully crafted façade. The revelations go even deeper as Michael and Sheila explore J. Edgar Hoover's undocumented German origins and how his placement at the top of the FBI set the stage for unprecedented control over national narratives, political figures, and classified information. Together, they follow the threads connecting secret societies, globalist agendas, generational bloodlines, and the shaping of America's modern power grid. This conversation is a riveting blend of historical truth, spiritual insight, and geopolitical clarity — pulling back the curtain on who really built the American empire, who controlled its rise, and why the awakening happening today is so monumental. If you're ready for a deeper understanding of the forces that engineered the last century of American history, this episode will open your eyes.

In this episode, we dive into the charm of Strasbourg — a city where French and German influences blend beautifully and every stroll feels like stepping into a storybook. It's the perfect intro if you're dreaming about visiting Strasbourg or just want a taste of what makes this Alsatian gem so irresistible.We start in UNESCO-listed Petite France, the postcard-perfect corner of Strasbourg famous for its half-timbered houses, flower-filled balconies and winding canals. It's one of those spots where you swear you'll stop taking photos… and then immediately take five more.Then it's on to the showstopper: the Strasbourg Cathedral. This Gothic marvel is impossible to miss — soaring spires, an astronomical clock that's downright mesmerizing and stained glass that turns sunlight into magic. If you're visiting Strasbourg, this is the landmark you'll remember long after you've left.Of course, tasting Flammekueche (tarte flambée) is practically a rite of passage here. Thin, crispy, creamy, and totally addictive — think Alsace's take on pizza, and yes, it's every bit as delicious as it sounds.Whether you hop on a river boat tour, join a walking tour, or let your feet guide you, Strasbourg is a city that rewards wandering. And don't forget the local shops — perfect for picking up wine, treats, or that just-right souvenir.Tune in to get a feel for Strasbourg, spark some travel inspiration, and maybe set the wheels in motion for your own Alsatian adventure.In this episode:1:03: Intro2:40: Placing Strasbourg on the map6:59: Fun small day trip stops11:16: Wandering the Petite France14:39: Strasbourg Cathedral 21:55: Flammekueche & Food23:47: River Cruise & Walking Tour25:14 Le Comptoir des Vignerons Alsaciens27:31: Other Tips31:21: Final Thoughts32:53: Wrapping it upImportant links:Strasbourg CathedralLe GruberLe Comptoir des Vignerons AlsaciensSolo Traveler Tracey's ListWander Your Way ResourcesWander Your WayWander Your Way Adventures ★ Support this podcast ★

Andi Locke Mears has been using the knowledge of Germanic New Medicine in her naturopathic practice since 2008. Until then, she was chasing the next certification to best serve her patients. But GNM dramatically changed the way she interacted with her patients back then and continues to until this day.In this, the 5th episode on GNM, Andi teaches us about Constellations. This in NOT family constellations as most may think, but a state the vast majority of us are in due to multiple conflict shocks impacting specific parts of our brains.Our brains are a map of what we have perceived and it does not lie. Each of our perceptions, preferences, behaviours and more have been shaped by what we have experienced and perceived in the moment.This is not bad or good, it just 'is'. This knowledge gives clarity and can also provide for empathy when judging ourselves and others.And what I really love about GNM is the empowerment it brings while dropping the fear. Once you realize that most of what the experts are claiming with regards to symptoms and disease is in fact not true, a whole new level of confidence and trust in your body overtakes you.This interview may require more than one listen! This is a confusing and elaborate topic and this interview is a mere introduction to the topic of constellations, but I hope it gives you some insights into your own life and that of the people around you.Here are some of the major talking points:01:40 - See episodes 64, 66, 74 and 92 for previous GNM interviews with Tanya Verquin and Danny Carroll02:20 - Who is Andi Lock Mears?04:20 - Germanic New Medicine is NOT a modality - it is a new understanding of biology, pathology, physiology, psychiatry, psychology and behavioural issues05:25 - How Andi got started in GNM08:00 - The name and origins explained of Germanic New Medicine12:00 - How gGNM came to be13:05 - Testicular cancer - loss of loved one before diagnosis14:40 - How Dr. Hamer couldn't present his post-doctoral thesis because his findings were 100% accurate16:30 - The power of raising your children with this knowledge17:30 - Constellations explained18:15 - Dr. Hamer's first job in an insane asylum25:00 - Territorial conflicts explained (these affected hormonal status)27:00 - Differences between male and female territories28:00 - How handedness affects how conflcts affect us28:50 - How left-handers have more balanced brains29:40 - How territory conflicts affect our behaviours and hormone status32:25 - Alpha males and females35:00 - Brain stem is related to survival conflicts, cerebellum is related protection conflicts44:15 - How mood shifts once conflicts downgrade45:45 - Dangers of resolving territorial conflicts46:30 - Post-mortal constellation and arteries and veins, how it starts and the dangers of resolutions48:50 - Epicrisis - height of healing, squeezing out fluid49:25 - Every epicrisis is initiated by the brain51:00 - Labels in our kids are all conflict shocks52:00 - Short-term memory loss can look like inability to focus53:00 - Kids are conflicted because we don't live biologically54:00 - How we move through an event depends on perception of our subconscious1:00:00 - How we are biologically meant to have our kids when we are young, as young as teenagers1:05:00 - If women give birth before the age of 25, we gain 3 years of maturity for every birth1:16:00 - A few words on menopauseand more!!Support me and check out my store page for discounts on various products at: https://www.sovereigncollective.org/shop/Find Andi:www.andilocke.comFind me:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saschakalivoda/IG: https://www.instagram.com/saschaksays/Website: www.sovereigncollective.orgYou Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@saschasays/videosBitchute: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/Tfl1Zo021FcX

Andi Locke, ND, teacher of Germanische Heilkunde/Germanic New Medicine, joins us to explain how the biological laws of nature can dissolve fear of disease and guide truly informed, body-wise healing.References:https://informedchoicewa.substack.com/https://www.andilockemears.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andi Locke, ND, teacher of Germanische Heilkunde/Germanic New Medicine, joins us to explain how the biological laws of nature can dissolve fear of disease and guide truly informed, body-wise healing. References: https://informedchoicewa.substack.com/ https://www.andilockemears.com/

* We're back!* Post-hiatus update on Josh's latest theatrical production* Legends of Barsaive chapter 13 should be released soon!* FreedoniaCon: February 28-March 1* Overview of Theran Provinces from Vivane boxed set* Great Thera: Island in the Selestrean Sea (aka the Mediterranean)* Present-day Santorini/Thira* Creana: South of Great Thera; city states along river and up along eastern coast of the Selestran Sea* Inspired by ancient Egypt; desert, ancient tombs* The groundwork for the Theran Empire sourcebook was laid in this supplement.* Indrisa: Far to the east/southeast of Great Thera* Indian sub-continent* Brief descriptions of orks and trolls feels like Barsaive rehash* Marac: West/southwest of Great Thera* Inspired by Arabian Nights and similar materials* Talea: Due west of Great Thera* Italian peninsula; fell to Thera due to internal squabbles* Multiple city-states* Vasgothia: Northwest of Great Thera* Dense, haunted forests and forbidding mountains* Inspired by Roman interactions with Germanic tribes, Black Forest, etc.* Other areas* Araucania: Amazon Basin* Aznan: Sub-Saharan AfricaFind and Follow:Email: edsgpodcast@gmail.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EDSGPodcastFind and follow Josh: https://linktr.ee/LoreMerchantGet product information, developer blogs, and more at www.fasagames.comFASA Games on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fasagamesincOfficial Earthdawn Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/officialearthdawnFASA Games Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/uuVwS9uEarthdawn West Marches: https://discord.gg/hhHDtXW

Hello Beloved. In a world where our attention spans are shrinking, true hope for our livelihoods—and our lives—emerges when we step beyond binary thinking. Embracing shades of gray opens the door to richer, more nuanced perspectives on every situation.By accepting that multiple truths can coexist, we lift the crushing weight of forcing every decision into a rigid right-or-wrong box.Nurturing trust in our intuition and inner wisdom erodes the compulsion for constant external approval or lengthy defenses.This quiet inner confidence fortifies the seamless harmony of body, mind, heart, and soul, while awakening our natural capacity to weather doubt and exhaustion.What Holds Us Back from Revelations of Self-CompassionThe Moment Everything Changes — exists at a threshold in a moment when the familiar path and the unknown future collide. Here, we stand at the Choice Point.It's not a single decision. It's a recurring crossroads where we face the most primal question: Asking: Do I stay with what I know, or do I step toward what calls me?The First SOVEREIGN SOUNDS SERIES Podcast showcases the etymological breakdown (more fun than you think - super empowering) through the story of Florence Nightingale back in 1854, choosing to leave her comfortable English life to revolutionize medicine in a war-torn hospital that told through the ETYMOLOGY of “COMPASSION".”If you want to hear and transform your relation to this word, you can upgrade at any point to unlock The Light Between Oracle App + Private Episodes where I channel these downloads. Dismantling the Four Walls of Self-DoubtYou face it every time you consider leaving a job, ending a relationship, speaking a truth, or claiming your authentic self.The Choice Point is where transformation begins. But it's also where most of us freeze.Understanding the forces that keep us paralyzed at the threshold—and more importantly, how to move through them—is the work of reclaiming our power.The Four Walls of the PrisonFear of the Unknown: The Primary ObstacleFear is the gatekeeper of the Choice Point.Not the fear of failure or consequences—though those exist. The deepest, most paralyzing fear is the fear of not knowing what comes next. Our nervous systems are wired for certainty. Uncertainty triggers our threat-detection systems.When we contemplate the unknown, our amygdala fires. Our breath shortens. We retreat to what we know, even if it's painful, because painful and known feels safer than uncertain and new.This is why people stay in unfulfilling jobs, relationships that drain them, and lives that don't fit. The devil you know is more manageable than the devil you don't.The truth: The unknown is not dangerous—it's just unfamiliar. And familiarity is not safety; it's often just habit wearing the mask of security.Attachment to Past Patterns and “Known Suffering”There's a paradox at the heart of human psychology: We become attached to our pain.Our wounds become our identity. Our limiting beliefs become our armor. The story we've told ourselves for years—“I'm not worthy,” “I'm too broken,” “People like me don't get to have that”—becomes so familiar that it feels like truth.When offered the possibility of transformation, we unconsciously cling to the pattern. Because at least we know how to survive it. At least there's a narrative. At least there's a reason.This is what psychologists call the “comfort in suffering”—the twisted familiarity that makes even pain feel like home.The Choice Point asks us to grieve what we're leaving behind, even if it was killing us. And that grief is real. That loss is real. Even when the old pattern was destructive, letting it go means losing an identity we've spent years constructing.The truth: Healing requires grieving. But the cost of staying is always higher than the cost of going.Narrow Paths vs. Opening to Infinite PossibilitiesHere's something CRITICAL and why active concious thinking is foundational. Our minds are pattern-recognition machines designed for efficiency, not expansion.The mind works by creating neural pathways. The more we travel a particular thought or behavior, the deeper the groove becomes. Over time, these grooves feel like the only paths available. The mind literally cannot perceive possibilities outside these worn tracks.This is called “cognitive narrowing,” and it's hardwired into our neurology.When faced with a Choice Point, the mind does what it's trained to do: it generates only the solutions it's already mapped. It says, Here are your three options” when actually there are 300. It insists, “This is realistic” while dismissing what's possible as fantasy.We are collectively re-aligning the “all is mind.”The Choice Point isn't just about willpower or courage. It's about expanding the mental field itself—opening to possibilities the conditioned mind cannot yet perceive.This requires what we might call a “frequency shift”—a change in consciousness that literally opens new neural pathways and allows previously invisible solutions to appear.Trust: The Key That Unlocks the TransitionAll three obstacles—fear, attachment, and mental narrowing—lock together into one immovable wall: lack of trust.Trust in ourselves. Trust in the process. Trust that the ground will hold us when we take a step into the unknown.Without trust, we're trying to move through the Choice Point while our nervous system screams “danger.” We're negotiating with fear rather than transcending it.But trust isn't blind faith. It's not ignoring real risks or pretending danger doesn't exist.True trust is remembering that you've already survived every difficult moment in your life. You've moved through uncertainty before. Your body knows how to adapt. Your spirit has weathered storms you thought would destroy you.Trust is recognizing that there's an intelligence working through you—not just your rational mind, but your intuition, your embodied wisdom, your spiritual knowing. Align with that larger intelligence and each Choice Point becomes navigable.This is where language transforms the nervous system itself. When we reclaim the word Trust from its distorted meanings—blind obedience, naïveté, passivity—and return it to its root (a Germanic word meaning “to comfort” or “to strengthen”), we literally change our nervous system's response to the unknown.The truth: You have everything you need to move through the Choice Point. You just need to remember it.The Evolution of Language: How We Lost Our WayFrom Collective Intuition to Fragmented Mind - our ancestors didn't face the Choice Point as we do.Early human societies operated from a place of collective intuition—a kind of group consciousness where decisions emerged from shared sensing rather than individual analysis. Bodies, hearts, and minds moved as one intelligence.There was no paralyzing individual choice. There was knowing. A seamless trust in the collective direction.Then came language.Language was revolutionary and traumatic simultaneously.Words gave us the ability to communicate across time and space. They allowed civilization to build. But they also fragmented us. Words separated the knower from the known. They created subject and object, self and other, safety and danger.As language developed, it slowly replaced embodied knowing with mental analysis. We stopped trusting our gut. We started overthinking. We moved from intuition to ideology.By the time we reached the Enlightenment, trust in the mind had become supreme—and trust in the body, intuition, and collective wisdom had atrophied almost completely.This is why the Choice Point feels so isolating and terrifying now. We're making the decision alone, with only the overthinking mind as our guide. We've lost access to the embodied wisdom and collective knowing that would make the transition feel natural.The Body, the Heart, and Language All Different Channels of KnowingHere's a crucial distinction: The body and mind speak different languages.The body knows through sensation and intuition. It receives information instantaneously—what some call “gut feeling” or “heart knowing.” This wisdom doesn't require analysis. It just is.The mind knows through logic, language, and analysis. It requires evidence, reasoning, and time to process.Neither is superior. They're complementary intelligence systems.But as language became the dominant channel of communication, the body's wisdom became marginalized. We learned to doubt our gut. We were told to “think logically” and ignore our feelings. We were trained to second-guess intuition and defer to external expertise.This created a crisis at the Choice Point: We're using only half our intelligence to make full-life decisions.The path through the Choice Point requires both channels:The mind to discern the practical details and logistics The body to feel the rightness or wrongness of the direction The heart to connect with why this choice matters The spirit to sense the alignment with our larger soul purposeWhen all four are integrated, the Choice Point becomes a place of clarity rather than paralysis.Language as a Living Entity: How Words Shape Our ChoicesHere's where things get deeply revolutionary: Language is not fixed. It breathes.Words are living frequencies that carry the imprint of human consciousness across time. When a culture shifts, words shift with it. And when we understand how a word has been distorted, we can reclaim its original power.Consider how certain words—like Trust, Faith, Surrender, Intuition—have been shaped and twisted by different historical periods.Medieval Europe: Trust was tied to God and divine order. There was a collective framework holding the trust.Industrial Revolution: Trust narrowed. It became about institutions and external authority. Trust in the system. Trust in the expert. Trust in the hierarchy.Modern Era: Trust fragmented further. We distrust institutions. We distrust expertise. We distrust each other. And most dangerously, we distrust ourselves.The result: We're trying to move through the Choice Point with no trust at all.And, my beloved…. here's the liberation: By understanding how the word has been distorted, we can restore its original frequency.When we trace Trust back to its roots—to mean “to comfort,” “to strengthen,” “to hold steady”—we access a different nervous system response. We're not just intellectually deciding to trust. We're activating a frequency in our body that remembers trust as a felt experience, not a concept. Words are spells and shape consciousness.The Architecture of the Choice Point: Three PhasesTransformation at the Choice Point unfolds in distinct phases:Phase 1: Awareness (The Recognition)You begin to see that the current path no longer fits. Something is calling. The discomfort that once seemed normal now feels intolerable.This is where most people get stuck—they see the problem but convince themselves to adjust to it rather than change it. They re-narrate the suffering as meaningful. They spiritualize their dysfunction.True awareness requires honest grief: admitting that something in your life is not working.Phase 2: The Threshold (The Fear)You stand at the actual Choice Point. The old path is visible behind you. The new path is invisible ahead of you.This is where all four obstacles crystallize: Fear screams Attachment pulls backward The mind insists the new path doesn't exist Trust evaporatesThis phase is not meant to be comfortable. Discomfort at the Choice Point is a sign of integrity, not a sign to turn back.Phase 3: The Leap and Landing (The Integration)You move through. The ground holds. You begin to integrate the new frequency. The new path becomes visible as you walk it—not before.Most people want to see the entire new path before they step forward. But that's not how transformation works. We get vision as we move, not before.Four Practices for Moving Through the Choice Point* Embody Your BodyPractice feeling sensation without narrative. Place your hand on your heart. Notice: What does your body know that your mind hasn't admitted yet?Your body doesn't lie. It carries wisdom your mind has trained itself to ignore.Reclaim Trust as a FrequencyRepeat: “I remember the word. I reclaim the root. I restore the power.”Place your hand on your heart and feel what trust actually feels like—not as a concept, but as a sensation of being held, strengthened, comforted.* Expand Your Mental FieldAsk: “What possibilities exist beyond what I can currently imagine?”This simple question opens neural pathways. It signals your brain that there are more options than the three the conditioned mind has offered.Connect to Collective KnowingYou don't have to figure this out alone. There's an intelligence working through human history, through your bloodline, through the zeitgeist of this moment.Ask: “What wants to emerge through me? What is my soul's larger purpose in this transition?”Express Your Choice Point ExerciseIn Closing: While the new paradigm hasn't fully materialized yet. We're all standing in the threshold together.The opportunity is that we're not paralyzed alone anymore. We're standing at the threshold with millions of others who are also choosing to evolve. The Mantra for the Choice PointAs you contemplate your own threshold, return to this again and again:I remember: My body knows. My intuition knows. My spirit knows. I've survived every difficult moment. I have access to more wisdom than my overthinking mind.Surrender as power, not weakness.Intuition as light intelligence, not fantasy.I restore: The power to choose. The power to transform. The power to walk into the unknown and have it become known as I move. CHOOSE to Deepen Your ExplorationThis deep exploration is a small reflection of The Sovereign Sounds Series Podcast that creates one word as a conceptual map of a Choice Point. The vertical energetic origin and the horizontal effects through time as it became a frequency of power over and power under. The Choice Point is calling. Trust is the key. And you have everything you need to move through.Incantations and Reflections for IntegrationAs you sit with this exploration, journal on:* Where am I standing at a Choice Point right now—even if I haven't fully admitted it?* What pattern am I most attached to, even though it no longer serves me?PS: Be on the lookout for the first privast podcast drop and over $258+ intuitive enriching resources to help you on your evolutionary journey. Join and upgrade HERE!Kassandra Get full access to The Light Between at thelightbetween.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to season six!What if the legends of the old world were not legends at all? In this episode, we trace the dark lineage of two ancient Germanic legends, the Lindwurm and the Drude, and follow their shadow across the sea to the New World where a new creature appears: The SnallygasterLove Haunted Cosmos? Get access to our exclusive show, The Dusty Tome, early ad-free access to main episodes and monthly AMA's with our co-host, Ben Garrett, by becoming a patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/HauntedCosmos Buy the Haunted Cosmos book: https://www.newchristendompress.com/all-products/p/cosmosbook PS: It's also available as an audiobook!This episode is sponsored by: Gray Toad Tallow. Visit their website here and use COSMOS15 at checkout for 15% off your order. https://graytoadtallow.com/Indigo Sundries Soap Company - Go to http://indigosundriessoap.com and use code HAUNTEDCOSMOS for 10% off your whole order!Armored Republic: Making Tools of Liberty for the defense of every free man's God-given rights - Text JOIN to 88027 or visit: https://www.ar500armor.com/ New Dominion Design Co. Visit their website here and learn more! http://newdominiondesignco.com/Get all your elderberry products from our friends at The King's Ridge Elderberries! Head to https://tkrfarm.com and use code BRIGHTHEARTH for 10% off!Jake Muller Adventures is an immersive, mysterious, and engaging audio drama. Use code "HAUNTED" to claim 10% off all digital downloads. https://www.jakemulleradventures.com/haunted Stonecrop Wealth Advisors! Go to this link to check out their special offers to Haunted Cosmos listeners today. https://stonecropadvisors.com/hauntedcosmosSmall batch, hand-poured candles. Welcome to the resistance. https://resistancecandles.com/Support the show

For tonight's episode, we invite you to delve into European myths from Antiquity and the Middle Ages, as well as the history of the peoples that carried them. We will begin with Celtic stories, taken in particular from Irish mythology. We will then relive the story of the Ring of the Nibelung, as told in the Germanic myths that inspired Wagner to create his famous operas from the Ring cycle. Finally, we will finish this overview with Norse stories. #sleep #bedtimestory #asmr #sleepstory #history #mytholofy Welcome to Lights Out Library Join me for a sleepy adventure tonight. Sit back, relax, and fall asleep to documentary-style bedtime stories read in a calming ASMR voice. Learn something new while you enjoy a restful night of sleep. Listen ad free and get access to bonus content on our Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/LightsOutLibrary621⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen on Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LightsOutLibraryov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   ¿Quieres escuchar en Español? Echa un vistazo a La Biblioteca de los Sueños! En Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1t522alsv5RxFsAf9AmYfg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ En Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/la-biblioteca-de-los-sue%C3%B1os-documentarios-para-dormir/id1715193755⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ En Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LaBibliotecadelosSuenosov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We welcome back on Joseph J. Alexander, a veteran of many hats in pro wrestling, He's also clergy of a religious organization and a student of many areas of the esoteric, arcane, historic and religious. He's on a prior episode under a Gospel of Thomas title if interested.Today we talk about the numerous waves of Celtic mythology, as well as Celtic history and folklore. The overlaps to Norse and Germanic are addressed and acts as a natural bridge into the less known Slavic mythos. From there, we delve into the mysterious Romani or Strega mythos. Since I dabble (perhaps dangerously) in comparative mythology, we draw comparisons to better known figures from Greek, Egyptian and other pantheons.We enjoyed a far ranging conversation in an efficient amount of time. An enormous value at any price.  

In this episode of the Greyhorn Pagans podcast, host StijnFawkes welcomes Mike from Keepers of the Word to discuss the intersection of Germanic Paganism and Freemasonry. They explore the esoteric traditions within Freemasonry, the importance of brotherhood, and the revival of ancient teachings. Mike shares his personal journey into Freemasonry, inspired by his family's history and a desire to delve into mysticism and ancient rituals. The conversation touches on the significance of community, the role of rituals in personal growth, and the parallels between Norse mythology and Masonic teachings. They also discuss the Feast of King Ragnar, an event celebrating brotherhood and tradition, and the importance of self-reliance and personal integrity.TakeawaysFreemasonry explores esoteric traditions and fosters brotherhood.Mike's journey into Freemasonry was inspired by family history and mysticism.The Feast of King Ragnar celebrates brotherhood and tradition.Norse mythology and Masonic teachings share common themes.Community and rituals play a crucial role in personal growth.Self-reliance and personal integrity are key values in Freemasonry.The podcast highlights the revival of ancient teachings.Brotherhood is formed through shared rituals and experiences.Freemasonry is not a religion but a fraternity focused on personal development.The conversation emphasizes the importance of keeping one's word.Join our Supporters Club:https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/greyhorn-pagans-podcast--6047518/supportKeepers of the Word:Instagram Facebook LinktreeGreyhorn Pagans:Support us on PatreonVisit our website for moreShow FireFae some love

Under the oppressive systems of white supremacy and colonialism, and the internalisation of "whiteness" in the dominant culture, how can the practice of reparative philanthropy re-story colonial narratives of power to shift to flattened hierarchies of giving and receiving? In today's episode, we are in conversation with Hilary Giovale, a mother, writer, and community organizer. Being a ninth-generation American settler, she is descended from Celtic, Germanic, Nordic, and Indigenous peoples of Ancient Europe. As an active reparationist, her work is guided by intuition, love, and relationships to transmute harmful philanthropic practices to ones rooted in reciprocity and equitable giving. Hilary's recent book Becoming a Good Relative shares remedies for the debilitating shame that can overtake white Americans when facing their peoples' colonial past and our current complicity with systemic white supremacy. It offers a unique methodology, supported by African American and Indigenous Elders, which we dive into the depths in today's conversation. Visit mindfullofeverything.com to access full episode shownotes, resources and archives. Connect with us on Instagram (@mindfullofeverything_pod) and Facebook (@mindfullofeverything).

On this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, I sit down with composer, songwriter, and sound designer Stephen Geering — whose music you've likely heard even if you haven't heard his name. Growing up in a deeply musical family (his mother, Jenny, was a concert pianist and teacher), Stephen began his musical education at age seven, learning piano and classical music in Chicago and Ravinia.In Geer MusicFrom there, he forged a path that spans studio albums, video game scoring, commercial work, and soundtrack composition. After postgraduate studies in scoring at UCLA under Don Ray, his original songs began to draw attention, which opened doors to composing for television, commercials, and ultimately the booming world of interactive gaming.In Geer Music+2IMDb+2We dive into his time creating music for major studios and game publishers, his creative process when shifting between musical genres and media formats, and how he maintains artistic identity in commercial work. Stephen also shares how he and his wife Dawn — an attorney — chose Ojai as home, and how they became involved in nurturing music education and youth programs such as the Ojai Music Festival's Bravo! Program with their daughter.We talk of ambition and adaptation, of composing as storytelling, and of the joys and challenges of being both a commercial and personal artist. We did not talk about new discoveries at Pompeii, Germanic diphthongs or Czech nymph fishing.He also also offers sound (sorry, couldn't resist) for young people seeking a career in music. If you've ever wondered how a musician builds a life out of sound, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. To learn more about Stephen and his fascinating career, point your browser to ...https://www.ingeermusic.com/about.html

What is the fascination that we have with seductive avatars of oblivion? Carolyn Jones as Morticia Addams indoctrinated the adolescent me to the possibilities of the Succubus, and became my tween age, gothic sex symbol; the painting by Pre-Raphaeite John Millet:  Ophelia (who floats beautifully in the river) hung on my dorm wall for years.  Today, Double Trouble features a couple of ice queens who inspire detached sexual delirium, one contemporary, and one long gone, but still as magnetic as when she walked the earth: the enigmatic Lana Del Rey and Andy Warhol's muse - Nico (nee Christa Paffgen). LANA DEL REYWhen Lana Del Rey sings “We were born to die,” you know she's not fooling around. Her voice might be studiously without affect, but you can sense some psychic turmoil underneath. And when she purrs, “you like your girls insane,” she is obviously speaking from experience. Her Greta Garbo air of mystery smolders like an ember that could reignite and singe you at any moment. Of course, LDR is vastly more multi-dimensional as an artist than simply existing as a blank canvas on which to project our emo fantasies. Her later work, such as her fifth album, the widely acclaimed “Norman Fucking Rockwell” has generous reserves of humor, complexity, and intelligence to ponder and appreciate.  And, her recent marriage hints at even further explorations of domestic bliss. So maybe our gothic goddess will be embracing life going forward.NICOSpeaking of blank canvasses on which we can project our fantasies - Nico, the fashion model, turned Chanteuse, was the ultimate receptive surface.  She wasn't even a singer at first, veering off key as she often did, but her voice with its hypnotic, Germanic drone had its undeniable charms. And, Andy Warhol knew the socko glamor that he was wielding when he saddled the Velvet Underground with her, making her their front person. Who knows if the group, as brilliant as they were, would have garnered any attention initially if it wasn't for Warhol's 1960s answer to Marlene Dietrich. Nico struggled with heroin addiction and died tragically young in a senseless bicycle accident, but before she left us she created, (with the help of Velvet's veteran John Cale as producer) some unforgettable mantras. Frozen Warnings is one of the most compelling - It's harmonium and droning viola conjure the sense of tip-toeing across a frozen lake and feeling the ice cracking under your feet as you try to reach the glaciated siren.

In this episode I am joined by Dr Francisco José Luis, scholar of Indo-Iranian Studies and Comparative Religion trained at the Sorbonne, Paris and SOAS, London. Francisco recalls his upbringing and education in Luxembourg; details his rigorous academic training in classical languages such as Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit; and laments what he sees as the rise of idealogical indoctrination in modern education Francisco discusses his PhD in pre-reformist Sikhism, his years of field work living in the Punjab, and expresses his love of the German intellectual tradition. Francisco reveals the influence of Neoplatonism in Islamic theology and mysticism, describes his own turn to Shiʿi Islam, and explains why he believes that even today there is a living lineage of Neoplatonism that stretches directly back to Plotinus. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep327-neoplatonic-mystic-dr-francisco-jos-luis Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:01 - Upbringing in Luxembourg 02:56 - Classical education 04:28 - Learning Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit 08:03 - Germanic intellectual tradition and WW2 12:37 - Advantages of an anti-American education 15:06 - Critical thinking and intellectual independence 17:04 - Boomer educators and idealogical indoctrination 20:59 - German literature 22:56 - Post WW2 culture shock and the boomer revolution 27:20 - Vatican II and loss of trust 30:35 - Filling education gaps 32:06 - A deeply pagan Catholic 35:21 - Meditation practice and interest in Neo-Vedanta 37:52 - Studying two masters degrees simultaneously at the Sorbonne 39:57 - Rigorous training in Sanskrit 43:56 - MA theses in French literature and pre-reform Sikhism 45:20 - PhD at SOAS in pre-reformist Sikh monastic orders 46:48 - Living among the Sikh community and learning Punjabi 49:54 - Young Sikh's interest in pre-reformist religion 50:54 - Death threats from Sikhs 53:00 - Changes in Sikhism 55:20 - Tradition religious music of Sikhism and other pre-reformist features 01:00:18 - Neo-traditionalist Sikh movements in the UK and India 01:03:59 - Falling in love with Shiʿi Islam 01:10:16 - Conversion to Islam? 01:11:45 - Shi'ism as a personal practice 01:13:23 - Cultural barriers against European converts 01:16:12 - Neo-Platonic Vajrayanism 01:17:43 - Mysticism perceived as a threat 01:21:48 - Neoplatonic influence on Islam 01:27:28 - Surprising Neo-Platonic features of Islamic mysticism 01:33:30 - Metempsychosis in Islam 01:37:16 - Francisco is a Neoplatonist 01:43:08 - Vajrayana and Shiʿi inner alchemy and dream yoga 01:50:43 - Islamic tummo … To find our more about Dr Francisco José Luis, visit: - https://www.instagram.com/hludvig_tradicionalista For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode we discover the Celtic roots of words for kingdom, rich and related things in Germanic, Romance and other languages. The Proto-Celtic word *rīgyom means kingdom, and comes from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king). Related words in Proto-Celtic include *rīxs (king) and *rīganī (queen) [source] Related in the modern Celtic languages include: rí [ɾˠiː] = […]

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 24, 2025 is: brandish • BRAN-dish • verb To brandish something, such as a weapon, is to wave or swing it in a threatening or excited manner. // Squeals of laughter erupted as three children brandishing squirt guns rounded the corner of the house. See the entry > Examples: “The dancers are young men from the neighborhoods dressed in dark robes accented by bright yellow, red and blue accessories and tall, maroon hats called Tkoumbout adorned with silver jewelry. The men's dances and women's chants have been passed down through generations. Children participate in the festivities by mimicking the older performers. Boys brandish miniature swords and scarves in their small hands and girls stand with the female drummers.” — Audrey Thibert, The Associated Press, 1 July 2025 Did you know? The word brandish is often paired with a word for a weapon, such as knife or handgun. The link between brandish and weaponry is present in the word's etymology: brandish comes ultimately from a Germanic word meaning “sword.” Since the word's 14th century introduction to the English language (by way of Anglo-French) weapons have commonly been the things brandished, but also extensive is the use of brandish with things that are wielded to defeat in other ways, such as banners and placards used in the war of ideas. One can even brandish something that isn't physical, such as a law or one's intellect. In that case, you are figuratively waving the thing in someone's face so that it cannot be ignored.

In this episode of the Disorganized Productions podcast, it has been my pleasure to connect once more with the Holistic Car Nomad after recent tech hiccups and network chaos. We dive into the realities of indie content creation—gear, editing, music sourcing, thumbnails, YouTube monetization hurdles, and the grind behind podcasts and video.From drones and DIY filmmaking to workflows, sound design, and the hidden labour around scheduling and distribution, we share actionable insights on creating more with less and keeping momentum without burning out.Our conversation then journeys into ancestral roots, Germanic and Frisian history in the Netherlands, Rome's limits at the Rhine, pagan lifeways, solstices and holy days, runes and symbolism, and how ancient cycles map to modern rhythms.We explore the “as above, so below” lens, the 3-6-9 rest-and-work cadence, living with nature's tempo, and the present “lifting of the veil.”We also touch on Dutch geography, water management, floods, and why fire and water are equal-opposite forces. It has been my pleasure to be a guest on Disorganized Prodcutions again! Thanks to Rob for having me and the amazing chat we had!Find Rob on:https://disorganizedproductions.com/https://holisticcarnomad.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/greyhorn-pagans-podcast--6047518/support.Make sure to share this podcast and subscribe to our Patreon for bonus content and more

How is an "overseer" (1Ti 3:1) different from an elder or pastor? In Scripture, the terms overseer (KJV "bishop"), elder, and arguably also pastor, are used interchangeably. Hierarchy: There was no hierarchy of authority within the local church leadership team. No bishop was over the pastors, no senior pastor, no lead pastor, no pastor over the elders, no difference between pastor and elder. Paid vs Volunteer: In modern times, a "pastor" is a vocational leader, whereas elders are volunteer. This is not a biblical distinction. The tile "elder" brings out the fact that church leaders should embody maturity and wisdom ("elder" and "older" are from the same Germanic root). It is a state of being. The word "pastor" translates the Greek word for shepherd and brings out the leader's role in leading, feeding and protecting God's flock. The word "overseer" (3:1) highlights out the leader's job of managing, administrating, being sure things in the church are doing according to God's will. Plurality: The New Testament generally presents an ideal of a plurality of leaders in every congregation.

In this episode we discover the Celtic roots of words for hostage in Germanic languages, and words related to engagement in Finnic languages. The Proto-Celtic word *geistlos means hostage or bail, and comes from Proto-Indo-European *gʰeydʰ- (to yearn for, to desire) [source] Descendents in the modern Celtic languages include: giall [ɟiəl̪ˠ] = hostage, pledge in […]

Thursday, 11 September 2025   Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. Matthew 13:5   “And others, it fell upon the rock-like, where it had not much earth, and immediately it out-rose through not having soil depth” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus continued His parable concerning the sower and his seed, noting that some seed fell on the road, explaining that the birds came and devoured them. He next tells of what happens to some of the other seed, saying, “And others, it fell upon the rock-like, where it had not much earth.”   A new adjective, petródés, is introduced. It is derived from petra, a rock or mass of rocks, and eidos, a view as in a form, appearance, shape, etc. As such, it is a place appearing rocky. In this case, it would be a rocky area, but not everything rock-like is actually rocky, such as a wall painted like rocks.   In this case, it may be an area where stones that have been tilled up are tossed, heaping up in a pile. It also might be an outcropping of rocks that abuts the tillable land. Whatever the situation, the sower, while tossing out his seed, inadvertently has some land on this rocky area. When he does, Jesus next says, “and immediately it out-rose.”   A second new word, exanatelló, is used. It is derived from ek, out or from, and anatelló, to rise or spring up. The seed feels the warmth of the sun, and the rock may have had dew settle on it, spurring the seed to germinate and begin to rise. There is a problem with this, though. Jesus notes what it is, saying, “through not having soil depth.”   A third new word, bathos, deep or a depth, is introduced. Some etymologists place this word as the origin of our modern word bath. Others say that it is derived from a Germanic word. Either way, the seed has no soil to cover it. Jesus will explain the result of those seeds' germination in the coming verse.   Life application: The parable of the sower is given based on something almost every person there would fully understand. The society was mostly agrarian. There are those who had other professions, but even those people would be at least familiar with what happened when a seed landed on a rocky spot.   In other words, Jesus is dealing with the people in a manner they would be able to comprehend if they thought the matter through. They may not understand the spiritual application He intended, but at least they would know what was being conveyed concerning seeds.   His speech was plain and directed to them without a lot of nonessential extras. This is just how we should speak to people about the gospel. God has made it extremely simple to understand. So much so is this the case that little children can hear it and be saved. People who are mentally challenged can comprehend it and call on Christ.   And more, it is universal in its ability to convert. It is not limited to some cultures, a “western” mindset, skin color, age, education level, or any other dividing factor. God is perfect and holy, and man is fallen and separate from God because of sin. In this state, he is condemned.   However, God sent Jesus to live the perfect life that we cannot. He was crucified for our sins according to Scripture. He was buried. He rose again on the third day according to Scripture. This is the gospel, the good news, that saves a person when he believes. Nothing else is needed, and its effects are eternal.   Tell this message to a little child who just got caught stealing a cookie, and he will get it. Tell it to a prostitute who wants to be freed from the life she is living, and she will get it. Tell it to a doctor or a scientist, and he will understand the meaning.   The message will be understood. The issue isn't whether a person will hear and understand. It is whether a person will hear and believe. All God wants for His gospel to effect salvation is for the hearer to accept the premise, admit that they have sinned, and believe that God has accomplished what is necessary to bring about restoration.   How simple the message is, and yet how difficult it is for some to believe. And more, people may hear the message and reject it today, but hear it again tomorrow and believe. So keep on giving the simple message of salvation to those who need to hear it.   Glorious God Almighty, with all the wisdom You possess and with all the knowledge in the universe held by You, when it comes to saving humanity, You made the message so simple. There is no need to search high or low, or north or south. Rather, it is right with us when it is spoken in our ears. May we be responsible enough to share it with those who so desperately need You. Amen.  

Amy is joined by author and organizer Hilary Giovale to discuss her book, Becoming A Good Relative, and have a transparent conversation about whiteness, white guilt, and finding the difference between appreciation and appropriation on our journeys toward healing and decolonization.Donate to Breaking Down PatriarchyHilary Giovale is a mother, writer, and community organizer who holds a Master's Degree in Good and Sustainable Communities. She has taught improvisational dance and has served on the boards of philanthropic, human rights, and environmental organizations. Descended from the Celtic, Germanic, Nordic, and Indigenous peoples of Ancient Europe, she is a ninth-generation American settler. For most of her life these origins were obscured by whiteness.After learning more about her ancestors' history, Hilary began emerging from a fog of amnesia, denial, and fragmentation. For the first time, she could see a painful reality: her family's occupation of this land has harmed Indigenous and African peoples, cultures, lands, and lifeways. With this realization, her life changed. Divesting from settler colonialism and whiteness, she seeks to follow Indigenous and Black leadership in support of healing, mutual liberation, and equitable futures. She is the author of Becoming a Good Relative: Calling White Settlers toward Truth, Healing, and Repair (Green Writers Press, October 2024).

In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray tackles a question from Jörn: How different are an ancient Greek city-state's hoplite phalanx and a Germanic shield wall? While separated by centuries and culture, both formations relied on close-order infantry and cohesion. Murray explores their tactical similarities and differences, the contexts in which they developed, and what each reveals about the societies that used them.   Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

Episode 97 features a conversation with Stijn Fawkes, a Dutch-born Germanic pagan, leader of the Tribe of the Greyhorn Pagans, and host of the Greyhorn Pagans Podcast. Stijn brings his passion for European pagan traditions, alternative history, and the power of story in shaping our collective consciousness.At the heart of our conversation is the great question of Tartaria. Was there truly a lost civilization whose memory has been buried through mudfloods, timeline deceptions, and the rewriting of history? Together we examine how the World's Fairs, ancient myths, and suppressed knowledge may point toward a deeper mystery about humanity's past.From Arthurian legends and tribal traditions to crop circles, cymatics, and the wisdom of the old gods, this dialogue is a journey into both the seen and unseen forces that shape our world. Stijn shares insights on community resilience, pagan revival, and the role of story in reclaiming our connection to the sacred.Connect with Stijn and the Greyhorn Pagans: greyhornpagans.comhttps://t.me/greyhornpagans https://www.instagram.com/greyhornpaganshttps://x.com/GreyhornPodcastGreyhorn Pagans podcast:https://open.spreaker.com/KBNzA3KFnoiHMFaQ7 https://youtube.com/@stijnfawkes 

On this episode of The Wandering Road, we follow the trail of the mysterious Dogman — a creature caught between folklore and nightmare. From chilling sightings across the Americas to Native American stories of wolf spirits, we unravel how humanity's fascination with half-man, half-wolf beings stretches back through time. We'll travel through European legend, from the Germanic tales of wolf-warriors to the infamous Beast of Gévaudan in 18th-century France, exploring how cultures across the world have shaped the myth. Is Dogman a cryptid, a spirit, or a reflection of something deeper in the human psyche? Join us as we journey through history, legend, and fear to uncover the roots of this enduring creature of the shadows.Support the showSOCIAL MEDIATwitter: @TWRoadpodcastIG: twroadpodcastWant to be a guest or share your paranormal experiences? Email us!twroadpodcast@gmail.com

Our Trauma Culture has spread across the globe with terrifying speed and ghastly efficiency.  But the tide is turning and people of good heart in many nations are beginning to understand that what we need now is a move towards a 21st Century Initiation Culture. The language is often different, but at heart, this is where we need to go. Our guest this week, Hilary Giovale, is a mother, writer, facilitator and community organiser who lives in Flagstaff, Arizona.  As an active reparationist, she seeks to follow Indigenous and Black leadership in support of human rights, environmental justice, and equitable futures.  She is the author of the award-winning book Becoming a Good Relative: Calling White Settlers toward Truth, Healing, and Repair.Descended from the Celtic, Germanic, Nordic, and Indigenous peoples of Ancient Europe, she is a ninth-generation American settler.  For most of her life these origins were obscured by whiteness.  After learning more about her ancestors' history, Hilary began emerging from a fog of amnesia, denial, and fragmentation.  For the first time, she could see a painful reality: her family's occupation of this land has harmed Indigenous and African peoples, cultures, lands, and lifeways.  This realisation changed her life and part of this change was writing this moving, deeply important book.  Supported by local First Peoples, she undertook four years of fasting ceremonies, and began to engage differently, more deeply and with a new, raw authenticity with those whose ancestors had been most damaged by the Trauma Culture's colonisation of the land. Her book is essential reading for anyone in white culture, wherever we live in the world. It's a raw, unflinching step into discomfort, but it's also a deeply moving memoir of Hilary's journey inward, to dreams, to genuine visionary connection with the land, to the power of heartfelt apology to heal at least some of the generational horror of the Trauma Culture.  So, you'll definitely want to read this. If you're in North America, you can get hard copies easily. If you're elsewhere, you may only be able to get an e-book, but either way, Hilary returns all income she receives from book sales to Decolonizing Wealth Project and Jubilee Justice.  Hilary's website: https://www.goodrelative.comBecoming a Good Relative https://www.goodrelative.com/bookE-book here: on Barnes and Noble  and on KoboGuide to Making a Personal Reparations Plan https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G-ufl_8ixdquMGrDziiBUBAANYKXrN7eHtjiE5aKTfw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.1kvofvfw6wnsWhat we offer: Accidental Gods, Dreaming Awake and the Thrutopia Writing Masterclass If you'd like to join our next Open Gathering offered by our Accidental Gods Programme it's  'Dreaming Your Death Awake' (you don't have to be a member) it's on 2nd November - details are here.If you'd like to join us at Accidental Gods, this is the membership where we endeavour to help you to connect fully with the living web of life. If you'd like to train more deeply in the contemporary shamanic work at Dreaming Awake, you'll find us here. If you'd like to explore the recordings from our last Thrutopia Writing Masterclass, the details are here

This Day in Legal History: Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation ActOn August 22, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act into law, reshaping the American welfare system in ways that continue to spark debate. Billed as a way to "end welfare as we know it," the law imposed strict work requirements on recipients and introduced a five-year lifetime limit on federal benefits, regardless of economic conditions. The legislation replaced Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), transforming a federal entitlement into a state-administered block grant system.Supporters of the reform hailed it as a bipartisan success, encouraging employment and reducing long-term dependency. But critics argue that the law eroded the social safety net and punished the poor, particularly single mothers and children, by prioritizing ideological goals over economic realities. States were given broad discretion in how to allocate funds, leading to uneven access and accountability. Many used their new flexibility not to expand support systems but to restrict eligibility and reduce caseloads, often with little evidence of improved outcomes.The law also failed to account for structural barriers to employment—such as childcare shortages, low wages, and racial discrimination—leaving many without support when they failed to meet work requirements. Moreover, the block grant's fixed funding has not kept pace with inflation or need, effectively shrinking welfare over time. While welfare rolls dropped sharply in the years following the reform, poverty did not—suggesting that many were simply pushed out of the system rather than lifted out of hardship. The 1996 law codified a narrative of moral failing over structural inequality, framing poverty as a matter of personal irresponsibility rather than systemic dysfunction.A federal judge ordered an immediate halt to new construction at the controversial "Alligator Alcatraz" migrant detention center in Florida's Everglades. The facility, championed by Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, was barred from accepting new detainees and required to dismantle supporting infrastructure—including generators, waste systems, fencing, and lighting—within 60 days. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, sided with environmental groups who argued the project violated federal, state, and local environmental laws.The detention center, estimated to cost $450 million annually and house up to 5,000 detainees, had drawn backlash for its location in a fragile wetland ecosystem populated by endangered species. Environmental advocates and some local leaders had long criticized the plan, noting it conflicted with decades of political pledges to protect and restore the Everglades. The Department of Homeland Security had tapped FEMA funds to support the project, raising additional controversy over funding priorities.In her ruling, Judge Williams emphasized that the project ran counter to longstanding legislative commitments to environmental protection. Florida has already filed an appeal, but environmental groups hailed the decision as a critical victory. Despite mounting opposition, Trump dismissed ecological concerns and reaffirmed his intent to replicate the model nationally as part of his broader immigration crackdown.Judge orders halt to new construction at 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center | ReutersAlligator Alcatraz Expansion Blocked for Harm to Environment (1)California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a pair of redistricting bills designed to redraw congressional districts in favor of Democrats—part of an aggressive political response to a newly passed gerrymandered map in Texas. Both states are now embroiled in legal and constitutional battles, as Republicans and Democrats seek to lock in partisan advantages ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Newsom also set a special statewide election for November 4, asking voters to approve the new map. If passed, it could flip up to five Republican-held House seats and secure four Democratic-leaning swing districts.California's strategy sidesteps its voter-created independent redistricting commission, which has been enshrined in the state constitution since 2010 to prevent political interference. Because of that, lawmakers are now required to get voter approval to implement their plan—creating a high-stakes ballot measure, Proposition 50. Republicans and good-government advocates, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Charles Munger Jr., have vowed to fight the plan in court and on the ballot. A pending GOP lawsuit argues the legislature violated the state's 30-day waiting period for new bills, pushing through the redistricting effort without proper transparency.In Texas, the Republican-controlled legislature approved a new congressional map at the urging of President Trump, hoping to maintain a narrow House majority. Voting rights groups immediately challenged the plan, claiming it violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by racially diluting Black and Latino voting power. The case will be heard by a federal three-judge panel in El Paso, with a likely fast track to the U.S. Supreme Court. Texas Republicans, including Governor Greg Abbott, deny any racial bias and argue the map reflects demographic shifts and Republican gains among minority voters.This escalating redistricting clash highlights the legal vulnerability of U.S. voting systems when partisan manipulation goes unchecked. Though the Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that federal courts cannot weigh in on partisan gerrymandering, racial gerrymandering remains justiciable under the Voting Rights Act. Meanwhile, California Democrats are relying on voter sentiment—and Trump's unpopularity in the state—to justify a temporary abandonment of anti-gerrymandering principles.Explainer: The legal battles over redistricting in Texas and California | ReutersNewsom Signs California Redistricting Plan to Counter Texas Republicans - The New York TimesA federal judge ruled that Alina Habba, President Trump's controversial appointee as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, had no legal authority to hold the office after her temporary term expired. U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann found that the Trump administration violated federal law by firing Habba's court-selected successor, Desiree Grace, and then using a series of procedural maneuvers to reinstall Habba. These included appointing her as “special attorney,” then naming her first assistant U.S. attorney to invoke the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.Brann concluded that Habba was unlawfully performing the duties of U.S. Attorney as of July 1 and that her actions from that point forward “may be declared void.” The ruling blocks her from overseeing or participating in criminal cases, and it extends to prosecutors operating under her supervision. The judge criticized the administration's strategy as an attempt to bypass Senate confirmation entirely by exploiting loopholes in temporary appointment rules, warning that this interpretation could let the executive branch install preferred prosecutors indefinitely.The Trump-appointed Attorney General, Pam Bondi, vowed to appeal, and Brann stayed his ruling pending the outcome. Still, the decision casts a shadow over prosecutions under Habba's leadership, and some courts in New Jersey have already paused proceedings. Brann also rejected the idea that firing interim appointees before their terms expire could justify continual reappointments without oversight.Defense attorneys in the case that triggered the ruling argued that the executive branch cannot sidestep a process designed to check prosecutorial power through judicial or Senate involvement. Though the judge refused to throw out defendant Cesar Pina's indictment—since the investigation began before Habba's unlawful tenure—the ruling reinforces that prosecutorial authority must be rooted in lawful appointment.Alina Habba Blocked From Handling Cases in Rebuke to Trump (3)This week's closing theme is by Claude Debussy.This week's closing theme comes from Debussy, born on August 22, 1862—an apt choice as we mark the anniversary of his birth. Debussy was a revolutionary figure in Western music, often associated with Impressionism, though he rejected the label. He sought to break from the rigid structures of the Germanic tradition, instead favoring color, atmosphere, and suggestion over clear-cut form and resolution. His music evokes shifting light, fluid motion, and emotional ambiguity—more akin to poetry or painting than to classical architecture.One of his early works, Rêverie, composed in the 1890s, offers a glimpse into the world he would come to define. The title means “daydream,” and the piece unfolds with a gentle, unhurried lyricism that floats outside of time. Though simple in construction, it is harmonically rich and emotionally resonant—hinting at the innovations to come in Clair de Lune, Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, and Pelléas et Mélisande.Rêverie was one of Debussy's first pieces to gain public attention, though he later dismissed it as “a piece for salon use.” Listeners have disagreed ever since. Its introspective tone and delicate touch make it a lasting favorite among pianists and audiences alike. It feels like a whisper—never urgent, never insistent, always inviting. In that sense, it's a fitting farewell for the week: contemplative, unresolved, and open to interpretation.Without further ado, Claude Debussy's Rêverie enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Just because Bock focuses on Germanic style beers, doesn't mean they don't carry a full suite of some of the finest new world beers out there. Proof in point, we open up a Russian River Pliny The Elder and talk about the beer release from SanDiegoBeer.News and McIlhenny Brewing Higher 5 IPA you can try this weekend for the SanDiegoBeer.News 5th Anniversay party at Bock!

Its nice to have a break from the San Diego Common (aka DIPA) and focus on some more traditional Germanic beers. Today AJ from Bock brings one of the more celebrated Pilsners from The Black Forest, Rothaus Pils.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! Long after the smoke from the battlefields died down, long after the ravens had eaten their fill, the Migration Era lived on in Germanic heroic legend, well into the Middle Ages. For centuries after the battles and events of that era, people throughout Europe were crafting legends and sagas that repurposed and mythologized those events, sometimes recasting major figures from that time into villains and heroes of a later saga. Goths and Huns figured prominently.  And that is our subject today: who got mythologized, and how. Sponsors and Advertising This episode is sponsored by Taskrabbit. Get 15% off your first task at Taskrabbit.com or the Taskrabbit app using promo code HISTORY. This podcast is a member of Airwave Media podcast network. Want to advertise on our show? Please direct advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It took little more than a single generation for the centuries-old Roman Empire to fall. In those critical decades, while Christians and pagans, legions and barbarians, generals and politicians squabbled over dwindling scraps of power, two men – former comrades on the battlefield – rose to prominence on opposite sides of the great game of empire. Roman general Flavius Stilicho, the man behind the Roman throne, dedicated himself to restoring imperial glory, only to find himself struggling for his life against political foes. Alaric, King of the Goths, desired to be a friend of Rome, was betrayed by it, and given no choice but to become its enemy. Battling each other to a standstill, these two warriors ultimately overcame their differences in order to save the empire from enemies on all sides. And when Stilicho fell, Alaric took vengeance on Rome, sacking it in 410, triggering the ultimate downfall of the Western Empire. To discuss this critical decade in Western history is Don Hollway, author of “At the Gates of Rome: The Fall of the Eternal City, AD 410.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey Gang! Welcome to Weird Web Radio! This episode features Bat Collazo! Bat is one of my favorite humans in life, and I'm honored to call Bat my friend! SUPER IMPORTANT - CONTENT WARNING - Discussion including the topics of child sexual abuse, and association with known predators happens around the one hour mark. There is also an audio content warning before it begins so you can be informed for your own safety. This is all part of the discussion concerning the Troth's removal of Diana Paxson. At no point in this conversation is Diana Paxson accused of any crimes. At the time of this episode release there is also no public response from Diana Paxson concerning Bat's allegations or The Troth's removal.  Bat and I first dig into ghosts and hauntings! Then we have to chat about Loki and family! We get into magic, ritual, and all kinds of fun rabbit holes. The discussion does include a section concerning Bat's role and experiences concering xer enormous integrity and courage as the whistleblower in The Troth's removal of Diana Paxson in 2024. See the content warning above.  BAT'S BIO: Bat Collazo is a queer, multiracial Heathen, Pagan, and witch, with lifelong enthusiasm and close to 15 years of active practice. As an animist, the core of Bat's practice is relationality with others and Others as complex, real people with agency. Bat strives to resist authoritarianism, abuse, and oppression, and to help build freer, healthier ways of being. Bat's magical focus includes but is not limited to Germanic spirituality, traditional fairies, the dead, and the land, with formal, oathed commitments to the Norse god Loki, Robin Goodfellow, and the folkloric Jack. Bat is a published author and poet, the editor of Blood Unbound: A Loki Devotional, and a work-in-progress classical singer, which is, in part, a devotional act for Odin, giver of breath. For more publications, info, and events, check out batcollazo.com. BAT on The Web: Personal / Professional Site - https://batcollazo.com  Relevant Links: Troth Response After Bat's Allegations: https://thetroth.org/official-announcements/public-statement-regarding-allegations-against-troth-elder/ Troth Announcement of Diana Paxson's Removal: https://thetroth.org/official-announcements/diana-paxson-removed-from-the-troth/ The Wild Hunt Coverage of Diana's Removal From The Troth: https://wildhunt.org/2024/05/the-troth-removes-diana-paxson-from-all-positions-in-unanimous-decision.html Enjoy the show! Stay Weird! Want to know what Bat and I Talk about in the bonus portion?! All that and more in the members only bonus audio extended interview! Join here! It's time to sport a new look? Hell yes! Check out the Official Weird Web Radio Store for Shirts, Hoodies, Hats, and more! Real quick! Do you want a Tarot Reading from an international award winning professional? Look no more! I'm here! Go to my site http://tarotheathen.com to reserve your reading today! You can also come join the Facebook discussion group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weirdwebradio/ New Instagram for Weird Web Radio! Follow for unique content and videos! https://www.instagram.com/weirdwebradio/ You can make a One-Time Donation to help support the show and show some love! Is this show worth a dollar to you? How about five dollars? Help support this podcast! That gets you into the Weird Web Radio membership where the extra goodies appear! Join the membership at patreon.com/weirdwebradio or at weirdwebradio.com and click Join the Membership! SHOW NOTES: SUBSCRIBE ON Apple Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts, and Spotify! Also streaming on mobile apps for podcasts! Intro voice over by Lothar Tuppan. Outro voice over by Lonnie Scott Intro & Outro Music by Nine Inch Nails on the album ‘7', song title ‘Ghost', under Creative Commons License.

By the year AD 719, the Arab/Berber army had conquered Iberia and was invading Gaul or what is modern France. They seemed unstoppable. Would western Europe fall to Islam? And would the Qu'ran be taught in the schools of Oxford, as Edward Gibbon rather mischievously speculated. Of course, Gibbon knew the outcome. The Arab advance into France came to a shuddering halt at the battle of Poitiers, or Tours as it's sometimes called, in 732 when Charles Martel, or Charles the Hammer, would inflict the first major defeat on the Arabs in western Europe just as the emperor Leo III did in the east in 717/718 at the siege of Constantinople. Thereafter, the Arabs' hopes of adding Europe to their vast empire would be checked in the west by the Franks, and in the east by the Byzantines.In episodes 111 to 113, we looked at the Byzantines, and in the next few episodes I want to look at their western counterpart: the Franks. It comes as no surprise to say the Franks were important in history. Indeed, crucial. For they not just halted the Arab invasion of western Europe but under their greatest king, Charlemagne, they created a vast empire encompassing modern France, and much of Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the Low Countries – in other words most of western Europe. Some historians believe Charlemagne's empire – the Carolingian empire - was the starting point for modern Europe although it broke up fairly rapidly after his death. It would of course take the best part of a thousand years for that to happen but when Charlemagne was crowned as the new Roman emperor in AD 800 in Rome, in my opinion, the Franks rose above all the other Germanic invaders of the Roman Empire to become the true inheritors in western Europe of the once mighty Roman Empire. In this episode, we'll look at the beginning of their rise to power with the reign of the Frankish king Clovis (482-511), who forged the first strong Frankish kingdom in what is now France. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.comFind my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution, on Amazon.de. Finally check out my new YouTube videos on the fall of the Roman Empire.

Today Razib talks to David  Gress, a Danish historian. The son of an American literary scholar and a Danish writer, he grew up in Denmark, read Classics at Cambridge, and then earned a Ph.D. in medieval history from Bryn Mawr College in the US in 1981. During a fellowship form 1982-1992 at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, he published on Cold‑War strategy, German political culture, and Nordic security. He has been a visiting fellow and lecturer at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, fellow at the Danish Institute of International Affairs, an assistant professor of Classics at Aarhus University, and professor of the history of civilization at Boston University. He co‑directed the Center for the Study of America and the West at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia and remains a senior fellow of the Danish free‑market think tank CEPOS while writing a regular column for Jyllands‑Posten. His breakthrough book, From Plato to NATO: The Idea of the West and Its Opponents (1998), argues that Western success sprang from a hard‑edged fusion of Roman order, Germanic liberty, Christian morality, and Smithian economics, rather than being a single disgraceful arc from Greco‑Roman‐paganism to secular Enlightenment that bypassed the Middle Ages. Razib asks Gress how he would have written Plato to NATO today, more than 25 years later, and he says he would have emphasized Christianity's role in creating a unified Western culture out of Greco-Roman and Germanic diversity more. Gress also reiterates that he does not deny the Greek foundation of Western Civilization, but rather, his work was a corrective to a very thin and excessively motivated and partisan narrative that stripped out vast periods of European history. They also discuss Gress' own own peculiar identity, the son of an American, born to a Danish mother, raised in Denmark who converted to Catholicism as an adult, and how that all fits into a broader European identity. They also discuss the impact of mass immigration on the national identities of Europe in the last generation, and Gress' opinions as to the European future. Razib also asks Gress about the role that evolutionary ideas may have in shaping human history, and how his own views may have changed since From Plato to NATO. They also discuss when it is plausible to say that the West was a coherent idea, and whether the Protestant Reformation was the beginning of the end for the unitary civilization that was Latin Christendom.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! When Alaric of the Visigoths sacked Rome, it shocked the world—not least because Rome hadn't been sacked in a thousand years. But also, while Rome was a Christian city by now—it had been for decades—the Visigoths were Christian too.  And they weren't recent converts, either. They had all been Christian for over 160 years. Theirs was the earliest conversion of a Germanic people in recorded history. And their Christianity was different than the state religion of Rome. How did that happen, and why? Join us as we try to answer those questions. Sponsors and Advertising This episode is sponsored by Taskrabbit. Get 15% off your first task at Taskrabbit.com or the Taskrabbit app using promo code HISTORY. This podcast is a member of Airwave Media podcast network. Want to advertise on our show? Please direct advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Fates of Classical Antiquity not only survived in the form of related fairy-tale figures but also as the object of superstitions and rituals associated with newborns. In South Slavic and Balkan regions particularly, these customs represent a surprisingly long-lived and genuine case of pagan survival. We begin our episode examining the fairy godmothers of "Sleeping Beauty" as embodiments of the Fates.  Mrs. Karswell reads a few key passages from the definitive version of the story included in Charles Perrault's 1697 collection, Histoires ou contes du temps passé ("stories of times gone by.") We learn how the fairies fulfill the historical role of godparents at the newborn's christening. We also note the peculiar emphasis on the quality of what's set before the fairies at the christening banquet, observing how a failure there leads the wicked fairy to curse the Sleeping Beauty. 1874 illustration by František Doucha for a Czech edition of Sleeping Beauty We then explore antecedents to Perrault's tale, beginning with the 14th-century French chivalric romance, Perceforest.  A peripheral story in this 8-volume work is that of Troylus and Zeelandine, in which the role of Sleeping Beauty's fairy godmothers are played by Greek and Roman deities, with Venus as supporter of Princess Zeelandine (and her suitor Troylus) and Themis cursing Zeelandine to sleep in a manner similar to Perrault's princess.  A failure to correctly lay out Themis' required items at the christening banquet is again again responsible for the curse, though the awakening of Zeelandine by Troylus awakens is surprisingly different and a notorious example of medieval bawdiness. Preceding Perceforest, there was the late 13th-century French historical romance Huon of Bordeaux, in which we hear of the newborn fairy king Oberon being both cursed and blessed by fairies attending his birth.  From around the same time, French poet and composer Adam de la Halle's Play of the Bower describes a banquet at which fairy guests pronounce a curses and blessings on those in attendance prompted again by their pleasure or displeasure at what's set before them at a banquet. We also  hear of the Danish King King Fridlevus (Fridlef II) bringing his newborn son to a temple of "three maidens" to ascertain the  destiny pf the child in Gesta Danorum ("Deeds of the Danes").written around 1200 by Saxo Grammaticus. And lest listeners think such appeals to the Fates were strictly a literary motif, we hear Burchard of Worms, in his early-11th-century Decretum, condemning the not uncommon among the Germans of his region of setting up offering tables for the Fates.  By this point, the connection between how fairy godmother types are served at a banquet and offerings made to the Fates to ensure a cild's fortune should be clear. We then turn back to the Greek Fates, the Moirai (Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos) and the Roman Parcae (Nona, Decuma, and Morta). Particularly in the case of the Parcae, we hear examples of their connection to the newborn's destiny in the celebration nine or ten days after the birth of the dies lustricus, during which offerings were made to the Fates. The Three Fates by Bernardo Strozzi, late 17th c We make a brief side-trip to discuss the Norns (Urðr, Verðandi and Skuld), the Germanic equivalent of the Fates.  These are more distant cousins, not strongly associated with the newborn and his destiny, though we do hear a passage from the Poetic Edda, in which the Norns are  present birth of the hero Helgi. We also hear a gruesome passage from the 13th-century Njáls Saga, in which the Valkyries weave out the fate of those who will die in the Battle of Clontarf. The Anglo-Saxon equivalent of the Fates, the Wyrds, are also discussed, and we hear how the  witches in Macbeth partook in this identity as the "Weird Sisters," an association Shakespeare inherited from his source material, the 1587 history of Great Britain, known as Holinshed's Chronicles.

⁠⁠Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! In our last episode about Amalasuintha and the end of the Ostrogothic Kingdom, we said we were next going to turn to the Visigothic Kingdom. But the story of the Visigothic Kingdom can't be told without knowing a little more about the history of Gothic religion.  Both Visigoths and Ostrogoths were Christian by the time they appear in ancient sources. They were the earliest Germanic group to convert to Christianity. But what was their religion like before that? We know almost nothing about it. But not nothing entirely. Join us as we draw back the curtain on a mysterious world lost to time—the world of Gothic paganism. Sponsors and Advertising This podcast is a member of Airwave Media podcast network. Want to advertise on our show? Please direct advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first ever episode of Chronicles, Luca discusses the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf. He explores its pagan and Christian duality, its veneration of the Germanic heroic ideal, and J.R.R. Tolkien's scholarship, which transformed it from a historical document into beloved literature.

Saxon mercenaries, collapsing Roman order, and a new chapter for Britain. Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Peter Heather to explore the mysterious Saxon migrations, their Germanic roots, and how they shaped early medieval Britain. A gripping dive into post-Roman chaos and emerging kingdoms.MOREThe Fall of Roman Britainhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/6vMwL1dueziXVNOwloY9xnThe Origins of Londonhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/0vE8PGKJ858AY1bhwd4D0rPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Nick Thomson, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.Theme music from Motion Array, all other music from Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here:https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK