July For Loki Using 30 Days Of Deity Devotion Prompts, Day 19 What Quality Or Qualities Of Loki Do You

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 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 6 • Other related deities and entities associated with this deity.

Besides his family (see previous post of this for reference), Loki interacts with pretty much the whole of the Nine Worlds. You can easily find more in any mythology book, I’d rather tell you my own personal experience. Remember, this is my perception and you’re not asked to agree with it, just be respectful, as usual.

Loki’s tied to Jötunheimr, a realm he visits often. There he meets various locals, like Skrýmir, or Þjazi, whom he kills. The killing of the latter leads to a bit of trouble with Þjazi’s lovely daughter Skaði, but that’s another couple of stories. He also appears to enjoy visiting Svartálfaheimr, and seems to love the beautiful creations of the Dwarves, though sometimes this leads to a bit of trouble. No surprise here. Lord Surtr, king of Múspellheimr, is an important figure in Loki’s story: his realm keeps the ship Naglfar, the ship Loki will steer at Ragnarök. Coming to Æsir and Vanir, Thor is definitely worth mentioning among Loki’s friends. Loki and Thor live marvelous adventures together and go along easily. Given Loki’s tie with lightning and Thor’s bond with thunder, their friendship is also kinda symbolic of the natural elements they’re related to. Freyja is someone whose company I feel Loki enjoys, reciprocated. They’re both masters of magic and seiðr, sometimes share her feathered cloak, and I think they’re good friends. Óðinn, well. Loki and Óðinn go way back to the beginning of time, when they used to roam the Nine Worlds with Hœnir. They're blood brothers, yet some feel Loki and Óðinn can’t possibly get along. I respect this opinion, but that’s not what Loki’s shown me. Total UPG here, but my senses (and Loki) tell me that though they have no doubt a complicated relationship, the bond is very much there, both ways. It’s just something a bit beyond our understanding.

Art: Brothers' Oaths by Hellanim on DeviantArt

July for Loki using 30 Days of Deity Devotion prompts, Day 20 • Art that reminds you of Loki

Very tough choice, as there is a lot of excellent art that reminds me of Loki, both dedicated to him or not. Among all the spectacular pieces out there, I chose this picture called Ginger Trickster by erebus-odora on DeviantArt for a particular reason. It’s the closest portrait of Loki as he appeared to me the first time he showed his face (at least that I can remember of), between 2011 and 2012. I was perfectly aware that it was him, though he chose Tom Hiddleston’s face. Yeah, yeah, silly fangirl projecting pagan fantasies on an actor, right? Wrong. Because when you’re in the presence of a deity, you can FEEL their energy, no matter what face they choose. Btw, later on I discovered, talking with other people too, that Loki does enjoy Tom’s portrayal of his MCU version, so I guess it’s no wonder that he chose a similar aspect to show up to me that night. And he had flowing red/cinnamon hair, bright yet dark green eyes, lips with scars from the accident with the Dwarves, just like this picture. So, of course my heart skips a beat everytime I see this wonderful piece of art. And I know there’s lots of prejudice, lots of people thinking that lokeans enjoying MCU Loki along with being devoted to the god Loki are just fakes, wannabes or whatever; this post is especially dedicated to them and to the people who were victims of such prejudice. If my experience is worth anything, and I hope it is (otherwise I don’t know why I’m writing this stuff out here), that’s just not true. Some people may daydream of having spiritual experiences when they’re just not, projecting their own fantasies into those unreal experiences, yes. But just because a deity shows up in a modern or even fancy aspect, it doesn’t mean the experience is faux. Each of us is the only one that knows which deity is talking to them, deep down inside we can feel it. And no one can tell others what is right or what is wrong, or how a deity should manifest or not. So, the moral of this post is, nevermind the bollocks. Which, incidentally, is a great lesson Loki loves to teach to his devotees.

Art: Ginger Trickster by erebus-odora on DeviantArt

Hello Faðir. 🔥

Behold…a Norse trickster god.

July for Loki using 30 Days of Deity Devotion prompts, Day 15 • Any mundane practices that are associated with this deity?

In my experience, Loki is a very multidimensional god, so there are a number of things we can do that please him. He’s not one to ask for huge, solemn rituals to celebrate him - though he doesn’t despise one, mind you: but that’s not the only nor main way to honor him. For example, he’s associated with a number of animals, both from the lore and from modern paganism sources. Fly, Spider, Vulture, Hawk, Fox, Salmon, Wolf (UPG?), Snake, and the list could go on, but it gives you the idea: in our everyday life, we can help “his” animals, or better yet animals in general since he seems to love them all. How? By not killing the critters in our house, for a start, but rather set them free outside. Then, according to our possibilities, we can either make a donation to, or volunteer in, an animal shelter. Loki is a god that stands up in defense of the victims of all kinds, so to honor him we can try and do the same by defending someone who’s being victimized, or again, we can donate to/volunteer in associations and such helping those in need. Along with Sigyn, they’re both very protective of children, so consider doing the same, the way you prefer. Then, of course, there are the Dead. Loki is very much a Death god in my practice, so taking care of the Dead can be a great way to homage him. Basically, since he’s usually ever so present in the lives of his devotees, whatever you do can be a way to honor him, as long as the intent is there. Experiment, do what you feel, listen to him and find your ways, that will always be my advice.

Art: Witch by Erlyenda