"Did a bread appear in the realm of the gods? Probably not." *So there is a chance then...*

I am absolutely going to call any worship I do from now on as "purring for the gods"

I am a German, living in America. I was used to bringing a gift to a visit, and expected a gift in return when they visit me. No such luck here in the US. I was raised that way - you give something, you get something in return... here, they look at you and say "oh you shouldn't have" and that's it... yeah. I never complained because it would be misunderstood.

I honestly love the cat analogy. It sums up the "why" part of the question really well. I still struggle with feeling like offerings are for things I want (because frankly there are things I would love to see happen in my life) but I chalk it up to hopefulness of gifts returned is not an expectation.

Another thing to note is that since the gods have no need for material offerings, you can offer your time. Time is valuable because time is something you can not get back. Spend some time researching and learning about the gods, or even just talking to the gods either verbally or mentally. You can talk to a god like you would talk to a close friend, this can help foster a closer relationship. You can also spend your time working to improve the reputation of Paganism and educating those who are willing to listen. Many of the gods have been slandered and doing your part to help repair their reputation would be a great service that they can actually benefit from.

Okay I know that most people won’t believe me, my own family doesn’t but here it goes. I did a ritual reaching out to Odin one night last month, Gave a gift of my favourite Whiskey and called out. Asking for a sign that He was there, as I had doubt this would work since my Prayers and calls out to the Christian God had always been met with utter silence. As I was walking away I swear on my life that I heard a mans voice, telling me to not be anxious, that I had reached out and he had heard. I did laps around that Entire park probably looking like an absolute lunatic, looking for some dick hiding behind a tree who overheard me and thought he’d pull my leg. I didn’t find anyone, I’ve been more and more fascinated with the Old faiths ever since. It’s one of the most incredible things I’ve ever experienced.

The cat analogy is perfect and truly describes the friendliness that occurs with reciprocity. Additionally that final pun made my terrible day a lot better, thank you. Calcifer demands Tuna with a side of Frith xD

The gods wish to see us become the best possible versions of ourselves. So another thing you can do to show your appreciation is to work on self-improvement and bettering your self. To work off of the cat analogy, if you cat is healthy and happy, then that makes you happy.

Are... the gods listening to me? I've been struggling with this question for about a week and this has appeared. Hm.

The simplicity can’t be understated. Keep it simple and let it be. Don’t overthink it

This is an extremely informative and thoughtful video. My offerings are usually, for example, ale poured in my garden when making offering to Freyr and Freyja. Or leaving bread or other food in my back yard. When and if animals eat the food, I recognize that as the gods accepting my offering.

During ritual there are times when I feel tempted to explicitly ask the Gods for particular gifts, especially when my need is high enough or if there is something stressing me out in life. I catch myself before doing this because I know this isn't how the gifting cycle works, and because it feels a little disrespectful to the Gods I'm reaching out to. Using the cat analogy, sometimes I feel like I'm the cat meowing angrily for an extra plate of food rather than the cat purring with contentment. The words you described when closing out a ritual resonate with me, because when I simply thank the Gods for what has already been given, and gift them in return, I feel more at peace and happier for it. And if the Gods decide to gift again, thats a bonus. Great video!

On the note of cats, I had been thinking about that comparison when my cat Festus did something even more analogous. Because we have several cats, we have cat balls and toys all over the house. Well, my Festus at one point started bringing them to me from time to time, giving me a cat ball. Do I have literally any use for this? Nope, not in the slightest. But anytime I hear him come down the stairs, yelling up a storm with a ball in his mouth, like Ocean said, it doesn't matter what mood I was in, I love it. Either way, awesome video as always :)

Despite three years of worship, I'm still in the process of breaking my habit of simply asking the gods for something as if I was praying to the Abrahamic Gods. I'm getting better, but my lack of ability to give offerings and gifts of my own due to my situation in life right now is straining that. Great video as always though, your stuff is always so well thought out and put together.

As an atheist (not not an antitheist) who has never felt drawn to the idea of an all-powerful, all-loving father of monotheism, the idea of gods being like cats - that they don't NEED us, and if ignored will simply find someone else, but choose to be with us and sometimes place a finger on the scales of fate, in exchange for which we feel the warmth of their companionship even if they aren't always actively helpful - is a far more appealing one, and feels more honest to the world we live in than the Abrahamic god who runs headlong into the Problem of Evil. Even if I don't believe, no matter how much I wish I did, I find that idea extremely endearing.

For me, offerings always come from a space of gratitude. They're always in thanks for gifts already received from the gods. Also, in practicing the gifting cycle, I saw that there isn't enough food in the world to thank the gods for everything they do (and it felt a bit wasteful), so I asked their direction. I saw a sign later that said "What you are is God's gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God". So actions offered to the gods are just as potent an offering as food or anything else. There's no greater thing you could offer than the contents of your life, right? Tonight I'm offering Frigg incense and herbal tea to make the home a calm place to rest in thanks for her hard work today.

Giving thank you cards as offerings is actually not a bad idea. They'd look super good on an altar too

Sometimes in my hectic day to day I try to make small offerings even if it's a shot of whiskey on the altar or last night's offering was a piece of flat bread I made. As someone who farms I not only give some of my harvest but I give me labor of the land and the work I do with my hands as an offering. Not sure if it's the right way but I feel it is appreciated

I hear the Rush song, "Resist," here: You can surrender without a prayer, but never really pray without surrender. A gift is something given up. A bargain is an exchange. I do have to say, though, that's it's hard for me to think of Frith as anything but the Sun.

The cat purr is a good point. But I also like the toasting a friend for an achievement. I’ve had questions on how this all works and why. Offerings are like a toast to the gods; a way to show the respect and admiration you have for them. You’ve opened my eyes today, Ocean, and I hope this is something that I get to explore a little more.

05:00 This reminds me of a definition of love I once heard; Love is that which is freely given for the soul purpose of the benefit of another.

I have been buying Snickers bars since you announced this on your Community page. It makes me smile every time.

I've started to think of it like this: suppose I had a friend who was much, much wealthier than I. If that friend hosted a dinner party and invited me, I would still want to bring some chocolates, or a bottle of wine, or a cake, flowers... They can definitely afford better versions of all of these things, and the gift doesn't have a noticeable impact on their situation, but it's still a nice gesture that shows that I care and value them and their friendship. If they are a good friend, they will appreciate the gesture

This might be my favorite video, love the concept of frith and reciprocity. Not sure if this counts as reciprocity but I’d like to think a mom looking out for another mom would please Frigg. The formula shortage is very real in my area and the sister of one of my good friends has had serious trouble getting a very specific formula for her baby boy. She recently posted on FB, asking local friends to keep an eye out for the formula she needs and that she’d reimburse anyone who could find any. I went to the store with my toddler today and saw 6 cans of the formula on the shelf. I took a picture to confirm it was the right one, she said it was and I bought a can, told her to let me know when she needs it. No babies going hungry on my watch.

Ocean, your way of expressing your thoughts on the relationship between humans and the gods, is so well done that I almost wish I could believe in the existence of the gods….

Neat analogy! ...Purrs for the gods and comments for the Algorithm!

I donate to charity as a form of offering. I tend to do beer though, sometimes herbs. Mostly I'll just feel like pouring some beer on the altar, in a cup of course. I do in thanks as well when something cool happens, if you will. As a witch though, I use one altar for all "my" gods, statues, and for magickal work. I suppose in that way I ask for specific things and sometimes in a traditional way make offerings for specific things. This has me thinking to, when I get the space for it, have a diety altar and a magickal altar. Thanks, and thanks for another great video 😃.

The prayer that you shared brought a real tear to my eye, thank you for sharing that, very beautiful, and worthwhile.

This, as usual, was very succinct and well put together. As others have said, the cat analogy was purr-ticularly well said. It's like... Does Thor need this oak leaf I found on the ground, or the piece of picture jasper? Loki the caramel apple sucker, small pile of glitter, or roll of washi tape? Of course not. I freely gave them because I thought they would appreciate such things. Such is the nature of reciprocity

Absolutely fascinating. Thank you sir. Also: Calcifer, Howl's Moving Castle... Much props

Great video 10 /10 wery informative video. in ancient finland, hunters usually left a piece of their prey as a gift to Tapio the god of forests and hunting, including his wife Mielikki (the goddess of hunting luck)

I think it more "the thought that counts" in offerings to gods.Its the energy behind it,the intentions , rather than the bread appearing in another realm.The effects of thought cannot be underestimated on many levels.As we know energy is neither created or destroyed ,but only transformed ,and I believe the same for the energy of thoughts.

I try to be thoughtful with my gifts, just like I would be to fellow humans. Sure often times it is just alcohol or even water for my ship-fountain to Njordr on my altar, but sometimes I genuinely feel somehow that some special gifts are really appreciated.

I do my rituals outside, so I'll leave an offering of beer and sweets outside too. In a few days the food is gone, clearly the gods must have taken them, totally not wild animals.

Huh. I learned a version of that outro myself when I was coming up in Heathenry some 20 years ago. Good to know it is well known in the community!

This opened my eyes big time. Clears up exactly what I want out of my experience with the God's.

Poof and a loaf appeared.. Yeah I saw your eyes when you said that.

Interesting thing about the gifting. While it was a Christian thing, one thing that always stuck with me was from a book I read when I was in, I believe it was 4th Grade in the US (So I was 9). "Where the Red Fern Grows". And in it we see this bit where a kid prays to God there to get some hunting dogs. But his grandfather quite wisely points out that it doesn't work like that. The divine isn't some magical vending machine but will "meet him halfway". And as he takes the lesson to heart he finds that what it means is yeah, he has to work jobs, save money, etc. But that the divine would give him the ability to endure the hardship and keep going even when it seemed so far away. Later he promises his dogs that if they tree a raccoon, he will bring that tree down no matter what. And they do. Just happening to tree this raccoon up the biggest tree in the forest. Spending days out there cutting at it before he feels like he's gone too far. His body absolutely destroyed by this monumental task to bring down this ancient behemoth of a tree. So he prays to God for aid. A great wind comes through gusting, catching the upper tree branches and giving it the last push needed. I always ended up viewing the divine in that regard. I can't just pray to Bluejay (a Chinook god in my own worship) and somehow be instantly cunning and quick of tongue and wit. But... I make the offerings, I say the prayers, I show respect and also put in the effort on my part of going out there, doing the thing, taking the risks and testing myself... and he helps smooth things out. Where even as this socially anxious terrified person where I'm always sure that I flounder everything I try in that regard... sometimes it works. Connections are made even when they probably shouldn't have. Luck breaks in was that it shouldn't. And while I might take that beating emotionally and mentally from the effort... the sun was released and shared.

This answers many questions...many thanks! PUUUURRRRRRR FECT! 👍🐾🐺🧙‍♂️🐺🐾👍!!!

When I make coffee I always give the first pour to the God's. It's a thanks for having the ability to work, and living my life with my family

I am new to being a Heathen, I came from a Catholic family background and I fell out of it due to various issues with Christianity personally. I have always been drawn to Norse Polytheism and something called me to take the dive. I still have a hard time wrapping my head around offerings and worshipping the Old Gods. This and various other videos tou have made has helped me out a lot. Thank you for your help in guiding path.

In my perspective on food offerings the sustenance our gift provided is for the local wildlife the Gods or elf's/ ancestral spirit's manifest through.

Thank you for this informative vid hail and blessed be

Thanks, Ocean! I know I received a gift this week and as someone new to the faith, I didn't know how to express my gratitude. My "Latent Christianity" has been barging in with signs of glee and daily gratitude, but I'm watching your series on prayers and offerings to give proper thanks as soon as I have the full picture of what to do and how to do it.

Talking about the gifting cycle and frith to mind my work as a zookeeper, especially with the troop of Japanese macaques (monkeys). Relationship building is incredibly helpful and rewarding, and gifts don't always come in the form of physical objects like food or enrichment toys, but also with positive social interactions, like initiating and reciprocating lip smacking (a friendly behavior - usually - it can vary a little by context). By building up frith as a bond of trust with monkeys, we can accomplish things like veterinary and husbandry behaviors cooperatively - benefitting all involved. That's how I use these concepts frequently in my life. I also engage in the gifting cycle with friends and certain gods. And actually this reminded me I want to make an offering before my family and I go on vacation!

Amazing video!!

Great video as always!!

Thank you for this great Video

Thank you, I really needed to hear this!

Good one!

So many things learned. Thanks for this

Very good content and presentation Ocean.

So glad I found your channel.

Thank you, this has been very helpful.

Thank you for this video. It's a great insight into a question i have had for a while

Greetings from Alberta! Just as we are talking about gits to & from the Gods, the 1st large waves of migrating Sand Hill Cranes is flying. A sure sign of Spring in this neck of the woods. Blessings to you all.

The gift not analogy really vibes for me. As ever great video

Great channel you have here. Most informative.

Strangely, that was extremely insightful, thank you.

I am learning much, well done with your articulation! Skål! 🍻

Thank you so much for explaining this so well! I finally feel like I have a starting point to work from now in my deity work.

Wonderful segment....I love that final bit, I hope you don't mind me using that closing now. Thanks for the enlightenment once again. Your puns are silly and awesome!

Yet again, a great and knowledgeable video. Thank you, Ocean. Can’t wait to think on these things during ritual.

Great video. You're getting a lot better Calcifer, I didn't see the strings at all this time!

I always look forward to your videos as you give good, realistic knowledge. That and your opening jokes & puns! 😁😁😁

I really enjoyed this video the cat reference really made me understand. Keep up the good work

This was a wonderful, thoughtful video for those of us new to deity work. Thank you. Couple of points make me wanna journal around about my own thoughts on things.

I love this vide especially the ending. It describes perfectly what I believe, the gods are giving us the earth, the sun, sky, water.

I wanted to say thanks for these video. They really help with perspective. Iv been solo in my worship for a long time now. And it's a great help not having to navigate every single detail myself

I've never understood the tradition of gifts among humans, you've perfectly clarified some moments Thanks

Love it! "Find a way or make one."....!!! ❤❤❤

Great video as always Ocean!

Find a way or make one is a phrase I've made my own in a lot of ways, and hearing you say it at the end of this video was very comforting to me. Right place, right time. Hail!

I've been studying this stuff for several months now, feel as if I've stumbled upon yet another goldmine by finding your channel 👍

The german word Frieden means peace So Frith is probably related to that word Makes sense to me

This video cleared up a lot of questions for me as an outsider. It also raised some new ones. Do the gods acknowledge or aid people who are not engaged in reciprocity with them? If I can successfully buy a house and get food and return from a dangerous trip without ever acknowledging the gods, are they just indifferent to my indifference? Do they help out everyone regardless of frith, but have a preference for the ones that they do have frith with? If I believed in the gods but didn't feel compelled to offer them my thanks, would that change anything? I get the idea of showing gratitude. It just seems to me that if that gratitude makes no discerable difference for either yourself or the gods as far as you can tell, then it's pointless. I could be missing something here 🤷🏾

Smokers know these little rules :D when I used to smoke (luckily I quit 4 years ago) there was sometimes a times of need and you borrowed one from a colleague, a day later he is in the same need and you freely give one back. Now there was always that guy (or girl) who couldn't understand it and went "oh I'll give you 12cent for that on cigarette" like wtf no... That's not how it works :D today me, tomorrow you, it's giving and receiving without burdens

In one of her KZfaq videos about Hellenism, @FeltheBlithe talked how even steam from a cup of coffee could be an offering. I like that a lot. I'm not a Hellenist, but I'm very into the Greco-Roman history and culture. And I'm a software developer, so since I watched her video, from time to time I offer steam of my morning coffee to Athena in hope that she, as the goddess of wisdom, will help me implement new features and fix old bugs.

My understanding of offerings is that at one time in ancient antiquity the “gods” were flesh and blood and required sustenance. Enlil was hungry and enticed by the smell of roasting meat from the survivors of the flood and thus forgave humanity in the Sumerian myth. The difference was that “they” had technology we did not. It’s all a global cargo cult in a sense.

Thank you for making this vidoe, I am still learning about my faith in the God's and how I can practice in my daily life. This was so helpful to understand offerings and why its valuable, purr for my gratitude

"...from Heaven to Earth, from the Earth to the [+] from the [+] to the grave, from the grave to the Sky..Lord, I lift your Name on high..."

The cat analogy was brilliant, it's better than any other explanation on the topic that I've ever heard or read

I’ve been trying (and failing) to get into various forms of pagan worship for a while now, this process was always difficult for me to understand. Thank you for explaining it so well.

I love the notion that our offerings are us purring for the Gods.

Well done ocean. 👏 you made the second worst day I have had a million time better. It's been a hard few days for me with my depression i have been missing my son that I haven't seen since October. (Mom won't talk to me). This made me take a step back. Thank u

"Let's talk about cats" got me 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

One thing needs to be said that isn’t here. Back in the day most of your daily worship would be to family ancestors/spirits/hearth. Offerings to the gods were usually large communal events where substantial offerings are made usually with a priest operating the procedure and lots of ritual/processions. A pagan sitting in their living room meditating with a snickers to Odin is a very modern practice. Not necessarily bad just not as sacred for my taste.

Your videos are always so very articulated, eloquent and insightful. Could you be so kind as to do a video on being a polytheist in a science-focused/modern world where skepticism runs rampant? I am having doubts :(

We use that closing prayer during our local blots and it works perfectly! 🖤

The beginning part about reciprocity reminds me very much of gift economies that existed among stateless people like the germanic tribes. The whole conversation at the beginning reminded me of "Debt: The First Five Thousand Years" by David Graeber

I'm fond of the idea of self-serving gifts. For example, if you sacrifice time and energy to clean and tidy your abode, perhaps in the name of the ancient Greek goddess Hygieia, then the relationship is direct: you get a cleaner and tidier abode.

From Ocean To KZfaq To Us. From Us To The Like To The Bell. A video has been given. So may it get views.

I was thinking of how cats seem to offer us dead mice as a good analogy. Although I have read recently that it's more like a warning to others, as we used to understand it, that it was a gift from the cat fits nicely here. We don't want or need a dead rat, but we appreciate the gesture.

such a good redux

Ah yes the gift freely given is of higher value than the gift given in hopes of a greater gift in return. "The bread of life cast on the water will return three fold" Yet I am reminded of another " Life or the Gods/Goddesses give you what you need not what you want. These are sometimes frustrating to the individual. Till we meet again, may your dreams become reality.

so its like when my cat brings gifts to me because it thinks i cant hunt. i dont need it but its nice to know that it cares for me and the purring is very similar. at least thats the way i understand. we give gifts that they dont need but it is nice to know that we care?

Having an existential crisis of the soul lately tbh. Death has suddenly become very very scary to me. Thank you for your videos. They can’t balance the chemicals in my brain, or prove that I will still be me after I die, but they are comforting.

HI dear O.K do happy to hear your voice had some stupid int.problems but now everything is ok and i can enjoy your stories 😘😁🖐❤🖤‼

This is a great video which explains reciprocity in a way that is not only applicable to the gods, but to human relationships, and even to workplace culture: what is the difference between “incentives” to illicit an action, and a genuine show of appreciation from your boss?

There's a Twix on my alter to Freya right now. lol