Why did milk loving Celts build 4000 forts in the Iron Age?

New documentary film explains the origin of these structures

Lads in’t fort are all soft, lov. Too moch bloddy bread for tea i tell thee. They want to get some propah vittles like oss. Fetch oss a lomp a cheese would ya pet?

Thanks for the review Chad. The Eliade idea he is referring to is that ritual recreates an original ritual of the gods. In the case of Germanic myth we know the first sacrifice of Ymir was necessary for the creation of the world so it is not, in my opinion, a great philosophical leap to say that Heathens would be aware that following sacrifices mimic the first.

Special thank you to Survive the Jive for sending me free access to his course, Starting Heathenry, for review.

To preface, I was limited in what I managed to get through in the course due to religious commitments to my hearth, so what follows will solely be in reference to modules 1-3 only.

The course primarily focuses on what we know about rituals in Germanic Paganism using the historical sources as a reference, which is a foundation I agree with. It is also commendable that STJ makes it clear whether a statement made is his own personal opinion or interpretation, allowing you to make up your own mind on whether you agree or disagree.

If you are already adept in Germanic Paganism, the course may not be for you. However, complete newcomers to Germanic Paganism may find it helpful for the following reasons:

-Easy-to-follow format: The structure of the course is set out similarly to how you'd organise study notes. In addition, there is a transcript under each video, which is a nice option for those who prefer to read, rather than watch videos.

-Micro-learning structure: The course is designed using the micro-learning strategy, allowing those with limited time to get through it at a steady pace.

-Resource compendium: At the end of each module there is a list of historical sources relevant to the information shared in the module itself. I like this because I believe that the sources must be the framework Germanic Pagans build upon today, so it is nice to see that this method is also being used here.

Overall, I would say that this course is definitely designed for newcomers to Germanic Paganism as it is very "back-to-basics" by design. Learned Pagans may also find it helpful in compiling a compendium of sources as well.

A note I'd make light of is that in module 3, statements in regards to ritual seem to draw heavily from Mircea Eliade's work from the 20th century. Namely, The Sacred and Profane. Whilst Eliade has produced some interesting and thought-provoking work that modern Pagans may wish to draw upon today, I believe that an edit to the position put forth in module 3 specifically, should be clarified to be an that of an opinion influenced by Eliade. (This is independent of whether I myself agree or disagree with Eliade, but rather a clarification I believe should be made given that it draws upon modern philosophical interpretations that our ancestors may or may not have believed).

While it is true that you can find all of the information readily available online and in YouTube videos for free, it can become very time-consuming for those with a busy schedule. Additionally, some sources may also be hard to find in English. Starting Heathenry is an option for those who may want a streamlined course that you can pick up and get through in bite-sized modules.

I filmed the scenes for the new video at Castle Hill in 2021, Barbury castle in 2022 and Castle an Dinas in 2023. The shots of Berry castle and Grimspound were reused from 2019 videos

I stopped at Barbury catsle on my way home yesterday - an Iron Age hill fort built by the Celts of Wiltshire c. 6th century BC. Appropriate to rock my Legio Celtica boar shirt from Legio Gloria

18th century Icelandic spell which invokes Thor and several lesser known gods

This look VERY interesting indeed! Free download of a compendium of essays about Indo-European linguistics, archaeology and mythology. New from Stockholm University

https://stockholmuniversitypress.se/site/books/e/10.16993/bcn/

Nordic gods; Thor, Vidar, Heimdall and Loki carved on the Gosforth high cross in Cumbria, UK. Robert Molyneaux animated the mythic scenes with CGI for my documentary about medieval art in Britain

YAMNAYA CHADS STAY WINNING (video by Yamnaya moment, art by Christian Sloan Hall and Robert Molyneaux for Survive the Jive)

Milk loving Celts and Iron Age Hill Forts. Clips from the new Survive the Jive documentary.

Music: Graal Knyght - Alpenfuchs

Norse Galdra, Middle English galders were a kind of song or verse metre used in chants that had magical properties. They were used for healing and other magic and were often used in conjunction with runes as is seen in Egil's saga for example.

Ġealdor in Anglo-Saxon Culture

Ġealdru are incantations that played a significant aspect within Anglo-Saxon religious life & was used for protection, healing, & influencing events.

For example, in Béowulf, the phrase "galdre bewunden" (encircled by ġealdor) appears in line 3052, showing how ġealdru were used to protect warriors.

In Book 4, Chapter 27 of Bede's Ecclesiastical History, the term "Þurh heora galdor" (through their galdor) illustrates the use of magical songs to impact events.

In Leechdoms, Wortcunning, & Starcraft, multiple instances describe singing charms for healing, such as Book III, Chapter 38, verse 3: "Sing ðæt galdor" (sing the ġealdor), and in Book ii, Chapter 352, verse 5: "Ðás galdor mon mæg singan on wunde" (a man may sing these ġealdru over a wound).

These examples highlight that ġealdor was central to rituals, medicine, & daily life in Anglo-Saxon culture.

thefrithstead.com

Frith does not mean peace. The modern pursuit of peace is often an assault on frith