Love This.

Love this.

Óðinn is the never-ending desire for new learning

Frigg is the Allmother, warmth and safety

þórr is the iron will to carry on in spite of any obstacle

Freyja is divine feminine rage and love and proof that you can be both

Loki is the fire of change, ever shifting, tearing down and rebuilding

July for Loki using 30 Days of Deity Devotion prompts, Day 14 • Has worship of Loki changed in modern times?

Most likely! To my knowledge, we have no info about ancient worship of Loki. But is it likely that a god ever so present in myths and lore didn't have a cult of his own? No. Is this lack of info an indication of Loki being considered evil in ancient times too, and therefore not worshiped? No. There are no traces of cults dedicated to good ol’ Heimdallr either, just to make an example: would anyone suppose he wasn’t held in great consideration and venerated? No. So it’s fair to assume, given also the numerous surviving examples of Loki’s name still being used in folk sayings, that he was respected and worshiped like all the other gods and goddesses. No surviving traces of his cult, no info about how his devotees used to worship him (offerings, prayers…), basically nothing at all besides a few stories in the myths. How do you even start to work with such a deity, you might wonder? Here comes the interesting part: by listening directly to him, and to your innermost feelings. It may sound difficult, and could be a bit disorienting at first, since we’re so used to finding all kinds of info on “how to” relate with a deity, but Loki won’t buy any of that shit. One of the first lessons he taught me, and I know I’m not the only one, was: “read the myths, look beyond the words, learn their true meaning, then come with me and I’ll show you”. So, if you’re wondering how to start relating to Loki, listen to him. Follow your senses. Ask questions to those who already know him if you want, but always think with your own brain, follow your heart, and do what YOU feel is right. That’s, in my experience and opinion, the best way to worship Loki.

Pic from freepik

July for Loki using 30 Days of Deity Devotion prompts, Day 19 • What quality or qualities of Loki do you most admire? What quality or qualities of him do you find the most troubling?

I deeply admire Loki - otherwise he wouldn’t be my patron god, I assume. His quick thinking, his creativeness, his being a smart Áss… but not only that, of course. He’s wise, not “only” cunning, and compassionate and loving, which are all qualities I wish were mine too. Though probably not many will agree on this, I think he’s also very courageous - and enduring: try passing some centuries underground tied to a rock with a venomous snake spitting on you, then you can come and tell me about endurance and patience. As I wrote in one of my previous posts, he’s also very well versed in magical arts, and a powerful shaman, very good at working with Animal Spirits and the Spirits of the Dead, which is something I look at with the deepest admiration. I have a hard time thinking of something troubling about him, because the first feeling that he makes me feel when I think about him is love, but if I have to choose one I’d say his being sometimes impulsive, acting mainly following the heart without thinking too much of the consequences. It’s not a bad thing in itself, especially if you’re acting in defense of someone you love, but it can lead to bigger troubles, and some of his myths imho show this rather well. It’s definitely something I can relate to, though, so… yeah, in fact I think nothing really troubles me about Loki.

Art: Loki finds Gullveig's Heart by John Bauer

July for Loki using 30 Days of Deity Devotion prompts, Day 11 • Festivals, days, and times sacred to Loki

To my knowledge, there are no historical traces of sacred days/times dedicated to Loki.

Some modern lokeans celebrate him especially during the month of July, as you can see. This is a recent tradition, dating back to the summer of 2012 and a blogging project by Galina Krasskova. July is not a casual month though, since it’s the month preceding/seeing the heliacal rising of Sirius (usually late July/early August). As we already saw, Sirius is known as Lokabrenna (“Loki’s burning”, “Loki’s Torch”), and it’s a star that has always been celebrated by ancient cultures, Nordic included. So, here’s a good reason to dedicate these hot days to our beloved firey Trickster. 

But that’s not all, as Loki loves to be celebrated throughout the years, and each devotee has their own special days/festivals dedicated to him. Many see Saturday as a good day to homage him. Saturday was known in Old Norse as Laugardagr, “bath day”. Some suggest that Laugardagr was named after Loki, an adaptation from Lóður, but there is no certain evidence of this. What we know for sure is that Laugardagr was replaced by the Latin “dies Saturni”, Satur(n’s)day. Many modern practitioners notice similarities between Saturn and Loki, so it kinda makes sense to dedicate the Saturday to him. I personally feel he enjoys this day as much as I do, so I try to celebrate him even more on Saturdays, but it’s not a rule - there are no rules when it comes to Loki.

Apart from this, in my practice (UPG) I noticed he loves the Winter and Summer Solstice, possibly because of their connection with the Sun, and therefore with the Fire, but what I felt both times was so personal, I won’t share it here. Last year I also felt him very active around Samhain, of course in his Vulture form. But then again, I always feel him near, so I might not be the best one to talk about this specific topic.

Art: LOKABRENNA II by ErgiGoat on DeviantArt

July for Loki using 30 Days of Deity Devotion prompts, Day 10 • Offerings – historical and UPG

Only historical offering that I know of is from Telemark, Norway, where people used to throw the skin from boiled milk into the hearth fire as a sacrifice to Lokje (source: Dagulf Loptson, Playing with Fire).

In my personal experience, Loki enjoys lots of different offerings on his altar, and not only that! 

Friendly reminder: of course this post is not meant to be all-comprehensive, nor valid for every devotee! The best way to find out what he likes from you, is giving him offers yourself and listen.

UPG appreciated offerings from my practice: lava rocks; sulphur; obsidian, carnelian, fire opal/agate and dark/firey crystals in general; dandelions; Fox/Snake/Hawk/Spider-related "things" (jewels, bones, fur, skin, feathers…); horns/antlers; cinnamon; coffee; whiskey; rhum; candles; tobacco; sweets; chili pepper; smoked salmon; raw meat; phallic shaped stuff (anything does); red, orange, black, green things; music.

There are many other ways to make offerings to him though, in everyday life!

Easy example, don't kill spiders/flies/critters around our home, free them. Consider making a donation (or some volunteering) to a local animal shelter housing animals related to him. Help those in need, especially children and women. Help people having a hard time, even by "just" acknowledging their feelings and listening to them. Always be true to yourself, the best and possibly most difficult offering you can give Loki.

Pic by fistina-marina

July for Loki using 30 Days of Deity Devotion prompts, Day 13 • What modern cultural issues are closest to Loki’s heart?

Many. 

Loki has a big heart. It burns with love for the oppressed, and with rage towards the oppressors. If you're a victim of injustice, whatever form of injustice, you can trust him for help. He's very protective of his devotees, and he understands the burden of being an outcast; an innocent blamed for something they didn't do; someone cruelly punished for following their own nature. He understands. And he stands with us. He fights by our side for our chains to be shattered, he does so from the beginning of time itself.

There are many things that just don't work in our society. Hate and discrimination still go strong. So if you're among the hated, know that you will always find comfort in him. Maybe you're part of the LGBTQ+ community and you struggle with people around you; maybe your skin, or your accent, or your life choices are different from your judging neighbours'; maybe you're a woman fighting for her body; maybe you're a man who doesn't wanna be like the society taught you to be; maybe you're a frightened child, hiding in a corner, calling for their Dad. Well. He's there. Call him by his name, and he will comfort you. And his love will heal the bruises of the hate. And his flame will burn the haters' hearts. Call him. We should all call him to teach us how to set ourselves free and help us destroy this sick nightmare that's dying around us, before it drags us down in its own grave.

Art: Loki by Run1and1hide