July For Loki Using 30 Days Of Deity Devotion Prompts, Day 13 What Modern Cultural Issues Are Closest

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

July for Loki using 30 Days of Deity Devotion prompts, Day 23 • Your own composition – a piece of writing about or for Loki

Loki, my beloved Faðir.

You called me your Dóttir, and I hope to live by the name.

Loki, always the outcast.

Loki, always the wrong one.

Loki, always the beaten one.

And yet, you shine bright still.

You experienced pain, fetters and venom.

And yet, you shine to show us the way.

Show me your way, Faðir.

Teach it to me.

Imprisoned yet unfettered one, 

show all of us how to be free, 

and help us.

Help us see the light, Harbinger of Fire.

Help us make the cave we’re trapped in collapse.

Help us destroy what needs to be destroyed.

Guide us through Ragnarok and beyond.

Written November 30, 2021. I still feel this very much in my heart.

Art: Chaos Incarnate by OFools on DeviantArt

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 9 • Common mistakes about Loki

Countless. So here are just a few I've heard myself.

•He's evil, "the Norse Satan" (as if Satan was originally evil himself, but that's another story). False. No deity is good or evil, but I guess it's easier to separate rather than consider the whole of reality.

•He's the bad boy of Ásgarðr, rebel without a cause, always messing around. False. He definitely knows how to create Chaos, and enjoys it from time to time, but he mostly loves to travel the Nine Worlds and take good care of his family and his people.

•He's dangerous to "work with". May be true, it wholly depends on your attitude - but isn't that so for any spirit/entity/deity?

•He will destroy your life. False. He will destroy what needs to be burnt, only to let what really matters grow free. That may include a huge part of the false truths you built around and for yourself. but would you rather live in constant denial of who you are?

•He will lie to you. Absolutely false. He will tear you apart with the hardest truths you never had the courage to face, he'll guide you and show you how to deal with them, and you'll be finally free.

•His devotees are dangerous people. Well. If I may say so myself. Just joking! Us lokeans generally tend to be respectful and inclusive people. You can always find the occasional arsehole, as everywher; but maybe because most of us experienced hard times in our lives, we tend to be compassionate towards others. Of course, Loki also teaches us not to take bullshit from anyone, so if you consider growing tired of your unfairness being a bad person, then yes, a lokean would probably very bad for you.

Art: Loki is scheming the murder of Baldr by joan789 on DeviantArt

July for Loki using 30 Days of Deity Devotion prompts, Day 22 • A quote, a poem, or piece of writing that you think Loki resonates strongly with

“There’s an old Earth saying… a phrase of great power and wisdom, and consolation to the soul in times of need… ALLONS-Y!”

Ok, where are my Whovians? Reveal yourselves!

Well, I’ve managed to write down serious stuff for most previous posts of this July for Loki, but today I wanted to lighten up a bit. Anyone familiar with Doctor Who and Loki will see how the Tenth Doctor channels major lokean energy - I mean, of course, it’s David Tennant playing him... Those not familiar with the character may wonder what the Helheimr I’m talking about, but read the above quote again and you’ll see it doesn’t really need context to be understood and put in relation to Loki. It’s perfect for him and it kinda sums up his approach to many matters, and something he seems to repeat to many of us time and time again: allons-y! Let’s go! Move your Áss!

Pic by BBC

July for Loki using 30 Days of Deity Devotion prompts, Day 12 • Places associated with Loki and his worship

To my knowledge, there are no places associated with Loki’s worship, but some places carry (or once carried) his name. Loki-Fögrufjöll, a volcano in Iceland, aka Hamarinn or Lokahryggur, is a modern example of a place named after him. The volcano was named in modern times, but it’s still interesting! Lockbol, Luckabol, Lockesta, and Locastum were Swedish places probably named after him (“Loke In Younger Tradition”, Axel Olrik). In the Faroe Islands we still find Lokkafelli (Loki’s Fell). Transcending Miðgarð, the largest volcanic depression on Io, one of Jupiter’s moons, is named Loki Patera, and it contains an active lava lake. As you can see, volcanoes are very dear to Loki, and if we think of his Hveðrung (Roarer) aspect it's no surprise.

Apart from volcanoes, which I still have to try, I personally find it easy to connect with him in a variety of locations. In the open air, among the wild mountains, the nearer to the top, the better. He seems to enjoy high open spaces, much like a Hawk or a Vulture, in fact. Mountains, woods, rivers, all rich with life, allow me to meet the animals that are dear to him, so they're great places to commune both with their spirits and with Loki himself. Same goes for the Sea: salt water, strong winds and possibly hot Sun create a marvelous environment to get in touch with him. But let's not forget Loki is also a keeper of the hearth, therefore home is a great place to honor him! No need for majestic altars if you can't have one, a simple burner with a bit of coffee or some nice food prepared with love and intent will suffice.

Pic of Fagradalsfjall volcano eruption by Brian Emfinger