To live like we are supposed to, we need to listen to our blood

In the ancient world, the connection between blood and identity was understood as a force far greater than mere biology. The great philosophers, poets, and warriors of antiquity recognized that to truly live in accordance with one’s nature, one must be attuned to the very essence of their being, that which runs through their veins and soul. Varg Vikernes’s words, “To live like we are supposed to, we need to listen to our blood, so to speak. Our paganism is in our blood, and to be able to create a positive and meaningful civilization in the future, on the ruins of the ‘Sodom and Gomorrah’ we live in today, we need to live in accordance with our blood,” resonate with this ancient truth. Paganism, in his view, is not merely a belief system but a deep-rooted connection to the past, to ancestral wisdom, and to the very nature of our existence. To live meaningfully in the future, we must return to those origins, drawing strength from the old ways that have guided humanity for millennia.

The ancient Greeks spoke of “physis”, the natural order and essence of life. The concept of physis is the understanding that everything in the world has an inherent nature that is tied to its origin. The ancient pagans believed that humanity, too, had its roots in this natural world, and to live in accordance with our true nature was to honor the gods, the spirits, and the ancestors who had shaped the world. Vikernes’s call to “listen to our blood” reflects this ancient wisdom, a recognition that the very essence of who we are is written into our ancestral lineage. The pagan ways, with their deep reverence for the land, the seasons, and the spirits of the past, are not just ideas; they are in our blood, a part of our collective identity.

Consider the Vikings, the fierce warriors and explorers whose blood was tied to the lands and seas they sailed. Their paganism, which celebrated the forces of nature and the gods of old, was not just a religion but a way of living—an alignment with the forces that shaped their world. The Vikings believed that honor, courage, and strength were virtues imbued within their blood, passed down from one generation to the next. In their pagan rituals and sacrifices, they sought to maintain harmony with the natural world, ensuring their survival and prosperity. Vikernes’s words echo this belief that to thrive and create something meaningful, we must reconnect with the roots of our identity and honor the wisdom of our ancestors.

Vikernes’s assertion that we must live in accordance with our blood also speaks to the need for spiritual awakening. Just as Plato taught that to know oneself is to align with divine truth, Vikernes suggests that true fulfillment and the creation of a positive civilization can only be achieved when we reconnect with the ancient traditions that once guided us. In modern times, we often find ourselves disconnected from our roots, lost in the complexities of modernity and the alienation of contemporary life. Yet, just as Socrates sought wisdom through the knowledge of self and virtue, Vikernes advocates for a return to the simplicity and honesty of our natural, pagan heritage, where life was lived in balance with the earth and its rhythms.

This concept also echoes the lessons of the Romans, who were deeply connected to their ancestral customs and gods. The Romans revered their gods and the customs of their forefathers, believing that the well-being of the empire depended on upholding these sacred traditions. As the empire expanded and became more cosmopolitan, there was a growing tension between the old ways and the new. The loss of these traditions was seen as a sign of moral and spiritual decay, and the empire’s eventual fall was often attributed to this disconnection from its roots. Vikernes’s call to return to paganism and live in accordance with our blood suggests that the modern world, like Rome, is in danger of losing its spiritual and moral foundation. To create a meaningful future, we must return to the ancient wisdom that kept previous civilizations strong and connected to the world.

The lesson from Vikernes’s reflection is profound: to build a positive and sustainable future, we must return to the foundations of our being, the very traditions and beliefs that have guided humanity for millennia. It is not enough to advance without understanding where we have come from. As the ancients knew, true growth comes from balance—honoring the past while embracing the future. By listening to our blood, by reconnecting with our pagan roots, we can reclaim our identity, our strength, and our purpose.

Thus, as we move forward, we must not forget the wisdom of the past. The story of humanity is written in our blood, and to live truly and authentically, we must reconnect with those ancient forces that have shaped us. Whether through ritual, tradition, or contemplation, we must seek to live in accordance with our nature, finding strength in our ancestral wisdom as we build a meaningful future.