July For Loki Using 30 Days Of Deity Devotion Prompts, Day 4 A Favorite Myth Or Myths Of This Deity

July for Loki using 30 Days of Deity Devotion prompts, Day 4 • A favorite myth or myths of this deity

I'll choose a (relatively) recent one, Loka Táttur or Lokka Táttur ("tale of Loki"), a ballad from the Faroe Islands, probably dating to the late Middle Ages.

A farmer loses a bet with a giant, Skrymir, who demands his son. The farmer asks first Odin, then Hœnir, and finally Loki for assistance. Both Odin and Hoenir come to help, but ultimately it's Loki that saves the day (and the child). I find this story charming, as it shows Loki being asked for help by humans, answering and solving their problem - with a bit of magic and mischief, of course, otherwise why would one call upon him, after all? The ballad also features Odin and Hœnir, who form a kind of sacred trinity with Loki/Lóðurr, often appearing together in older myths too - you might know the story of Þjazi in the Prose Edda, for example. Furthermore, this story reinforces his bond with Water and fish, just like the myth where he turns into Salmon. Intriguing, for a Fire god! I love this ballad for too many reasons to describe in such few words, but the main reasons is because it shows an aspect of Loki that many tend to forget: his loving, caring heart. He's mischievous, yes, he's a Trickster, yes, but he's more than willing to help those who need him, and this ballad sings about this oh so beautifully.

Illustration: Lokka Táttur by chiauve on DeviantArt