@@1992crazyeyes absolutely! Long live the raccoons! 🦝

Thank you so much for the support and kind words! Hope you have a lovely day

Hello, and thank you for your kind words! I don't sell merch, but I got the black necklace from goodmedicinegemstone on Etsy, who makes lovely pieces. Hope you have a wonderful day.

@@theyellowbird Thank you so much!!

Hello, thanks for your comment. There's a few things I'd like to say. First, this video is an academic/anthropological exploration of the history of witchcraft in Iceland, not an expression of my personal religious beliefs. I did not claim these were my personal beliefs either. Secondly, there is no need to trample on other people's religious beliefs -- freedom of religion is a wonderful thing. You're free to believe what you wish, but the comment section of this video is not the place for proselytizing. If you could provide your source about, "ninety percent of christianization is voluntary," I'd be interested in reading more -- otherwise I can't comment on unsupported statistics. I can think of several instances where Christianity was accepted willingly, and several instances where it was forcibly imposed. Per your comments on Christianization, in Iceland, formal Christianization was voluntary. This happened famously at the Althing around the year 1000CE when Iceland officially became a Christian Nation (My full video, "Exploring Iceland" goes into this with sources). Furthermore, it was the Pagan speaker of the Althing who made this decision -- with the caveat that pagans could still practice their religion in secret. This is not debated, nor did I dispute this. Additionally, the evidence suggests that many of those practicing witchcraft in Iceland were influenced by Christianity. This is blatant in spells from centuries past with invocations to the Trinity, for example. Christianity and paganism did coexist for a period in Iceland, but there was also a period where pagans were persecuted, and in several instances killed, for practicing sorcery. Thanks for starting a dialogue, I hope this clarifies some things. Have a wonderful day.

@@theyellowbird i appreciate the tone of your response. But sometimes some pagans tend to feel sorry forthemselves like someone stole ssomething from them. And it shows they have no actual grasp or knowledge of history. You do a good job

@@theyellowbird for what its worth. I believe in all the little g gods and their existence. Deutreronomy 32 explains their existence and power. I also believe that the big G God took away their power. Which is also what most converted pagans believed

@@theyellowbird still reading your well crafted response. The ninety percent might be a shade high but i remember it from a graduate course in slavik and northern european history. I do know that there was never an organized forced conversion in iceland. No “crusade”. Christianity came to iceland relatively peacefully. Relatively. Not entirely. Sorry about my correction of your pagan. Hope his or her feelings werent hurt

Hey thanks for clarifying and explaining more! You bringup some interesting points and good places for me to research further. No hurt feelings here, hope you have a good day!

Hello and welcome! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed my videos. Iceland is truly spectacular!

If the pagan gods had any actual power they wouldn’t have fled before beardless monks proselytizing for The Nailed God.

Such ignorance. The Norsemen were Christianised due to their raiding and enslaving the people of civilised Europe. To suggest that a great ‘Pagan’ culture was supplanted by Christianity is simply not the full story. The Pagan Icelandic raiders were not benevolent and kind to their Gaelic speaking booty whose lives were that of imprisoned slaves!

Hello there, thanks for reaching out and providing this opportunity for dialogue. Firstly I’d like to apologize for any offense caused, this was not my intent but that doesn’t change the outcome. I also really appreciate you taking the time to explain your specific concerns, errors I made, and the correct practice. I’m hearting your comment so others can learn from it too. My goal was to visually represent Catholic influence in Icelandic witchcraft, since many Icelandic staves and spells invoke the Holy Spirit or Saints. Upon reflection and some further learning I’m realizing this was not an appropriate way to do so. Going forward I will be keeping this in mind and try to do better. I never want people to feel alienated watching my content. I want people from all walks of life and faiths to feel welcome on my channel, and I regret that my error goes against that. There’s always room for growth, thank you for providing me this opportunity to learn and do better. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Wow! That sounds like a fascinating story. Now it’s time for me to head down the rabbit hole of boat burials.

@@theyellowbird In 1947, in Silastadir, four graves were found. SSG-A2 was a 45+-year-old male who lived between 850-1000 CE. He was buried beside three men, and one woman of the same age range as himself. His genetic background was Norse, Gaelic, and Icelandic. I match with this individual.

lol… u do mean familiarity with Catholicism? And BVM? You are offended by the fact your construct is offended?? Jesus H. Personally, scientifically, there is zero difference between your construct and the other bits of mysticism presented in this delightful video. Voodoo, that’s it. Now sit down, take a breath.

Hi, thank you for reaching out and opening this dialogue. Firstly I’d like to apologize for any offense caused, this was not my intent but that doesn’t change the outcome. My goal was to visually represent Catholic influence in Icelandic witchcraft, since many Icelandic staves and spells invoke the Holy Spirit or Saints. Upon reflection and some further learning I’m realizing this was not an appropriate way to represent this. Going forward I will be keeping this in mind and try to do better. I never want people to feel alienated watching my content. There’s always room for growth, thank you for providing me this opportunity to learn and do better. Hope you have a good day.

Interesting! I read some similar things in Western Europe too about targeting disabled people, though I had never read anything about it being a means by rulers to get rid of people they saw as burdens. It’s definitely frightening to read about the history, and the many who were wrongly persecuted. Denmark is somewhere with a fascinating history and I’d love to visit, thanks for feeding that curiosity!

There's a witchcraft museum here in the UK at Boscastle in Cornwall, fascinating place and worth a visit if anyone's in the area

You are so kind!

@@theyellowbird Kiss ^^

Hi from Canada! I'm happy to hear you enjoyed the video! I hope you have a lovely day :D

@@theyellowbird Thank you, for you too I wish you happiness and inner peace and love, from Middle Earth ^^ 💕

Wow, thank you so much for your kind words! These videos take quite a bit of work, and it makes my day to know that others are enjoying them (and my outfits :). I hope you have a lovely day!

Thanks Jesse, I'm glad you liked it!

Thank you so much! I'm happy to hear you enjoyed my video and found it informative :)

Hi Wanda, thank you for your feedback. Could you please clarify your concerns, I'm not sure I understand what I demonized? I never intended to demonize anything in this video, simply meant to explore Iceland's history of witchcraft, but it's possible I made an error that should be corrected. Hope you have a good day!

Hi Jason, I’m curious about your specific concerns. If I made a factual error please let me know, I do my research but I’m not infallible. My sources are all in the description of the video, including several web pages from the Holmavik Museum of Sorcery and Witchcraft in Iceland - which are an authority on Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft. There’s always more to learn in history, feel free to share what you know. Hope you have a good day/evening/night wherever you are.

and what exactly are you contributing to improve that, pray tell, Jason?

Dude it’s not a phd thesis… go mow the lawn.

I’m so happy to hear you thought this was cool! It’s a really wonderful place and I totally recommend it, and I hope the museum cat is there to greet you if/when you go!

Thank you so much, your kind words are so appreciated 😊 It makes me happy to hear you enjoyed my video!

sooooo long, and a brief journey into Icelandic linguistics 🤣

Thank you so much!! 😊 it makes me happy to hear you learned something and enjoyed the video

Awww thank you for your kind words and encouragement! I’m happy you enjoyed the video!

Thank you so much Emily, I’m glad you liked it!

If only I was that cool haha! Thank you so much for the kind words, now I need to go buy an axe and practice 🙃

@@theyellowbird you look the part, you must start

You noticed :D Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoy my videos!

Thank you so much, I’m so happy to hear you liked the video! Your feedback is really appreciated, hope you have a nice day too!

Thank you so much! Your comment made my day 😁

I’m glad you enjoyed the video! I couldn’t find a translation for Pardva, wondered what it meant, and now I know (and the Russian too:)! Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you! I'm so happy you could learn about these unique birds from my video. Cheers!

“So this is love” is the song title. Have a lovely day!