Loki’s mythology is not as chaotic as you may think…
It’s even more chaotic than that!
Often referred to as the Trickster God of the Aesir, Loki is actually the son of Fárbauti a giant, or a Jötunn, and Laufey, who was said to be a goddess. Though Loki is often referred to using he/him pronouns, can change his shape and gender at will.
While many of the old stories involving Loki paint him in a negative light, the same cannot be said for Loki’s modern followers.
Fárbauti (Father)
Laufey (Mother), sometimes referred to as Nál.
Býleistr (Brother)
Helblindi (Brother)
Sigyn (Wife)
Angrboda (Lover)
Nari or Narfi (from Sigyn)
Hel (From Angrboda)
Jörmungandr (From Angrboda)
Fenrir (From Angrboda)
Sleipnir (From Svadilfari)
Loptr (Old Norse meaning “Air”)
Hveðrungr (Roarer)
Contriver of all fraud
Shape-Changer
Sly-One
Wizard of Lies
Thief of Giants
Evil Companion
Kinsman of Sleipnir
Foe of the Gods
Forger of Evil
Contriver of Baldr’s death
Wrangling Foe of Heimdallr
Loki was known to be mischievous and at times malicious, but he was also rather helpful in many stories.
At some point Loki’s name became conflated with Logi, meaning “fire”, however, Logi is a separate being and is the Nordic personification or god of fire. Many blame Richard Wagner for this mix-up.
It is also possible that Loki’s name means “knot” or “tangle”.
It has been debated whether or not the Finnish "Lukki" (the name for a spider with thing, long legs) came from the same root as "Loki" ("luka" the proto-germanic word for "lock") but this is not a very popular belief and there is very little evidence to back it up.
Though Loki is part Jötunn, he is seen as part of the Aesir.
My personal favorite story of Loki is Þrymskviða, in which Loki and Thor disguise themselves as women in order to get Thor’s hammer back.
Sleipnir, Loki’s son, is an eight-legged horse that came to be when Loki had to transform into a mare in order to drive away the great stallion, Svadilfari. While Loki was in the form of a mare, the two came together to create Sleipnir who was said to be the fastest and best horse in all of the nine realms. Odin eventually chose Sleipnir as his steed.
One of the most popular tales involving Loki gets its namesake from the god, the Lokkasenna.
Loki ends up punished by the Aesir for either killing Baldr or for the events that take place in Lokkasenna. He is bound in a cave by the intestines of one of his offspring, his son Nari is turned into a wolf, and a venomous snake is placed above his head and drips venom into his eyes. Sigyn holds a shell above his head to protect him from the venom but every so often needs to empty the shell and the venom drips into his eyes once more.
In myth, it is said that Ragnarök will begin when Loki breaks free from his bondage.
Loki has been conflated with Lugh, the Irish deity due to their similar prankster and chaotic nature as well as the slight similarity of their names.
There is no evidence that Loki had a cult or large following until modern times, so many of these correspondences, offerings, etc are going to be based on Loki’s mythology and current Lokeans’ posts.
Rocks/Stone/Crystals
Bloodstone
Opal
Opalite
Pyrite
Herbs/Plants
Cinnamon
Birch (Loki is mentioned in the Norwegian Rune poem for Berkano/a, or Birch)
Dragon’s Blood
Mistletoe
Bentgrass “Loke’s Grass”
Dandelion “Loke’s Bloom”
Haircap Moss “Loke’s Oats”
Animals
Snake
Horse
Wolf
Spider
Salmon
Fly
Symbols
Snake
Air
Feathers
Kuanaz (Rune)
Berkano (Rune)
Sweet foods
Sour foods
Cinnamon
Chocolate
Alcohol
Meat charred to ash
Mead
Offering your time to Loki
Trying to understand the misunderstood
Don’t be afraid to go against the grain
Keep in mind that these are only some ideas for offerings and correspondences! Items and activities that connect you to her in a more personal way are just as good, and often better, than those you find on the internet. As with any relationship, feel it out, ask questions, and be attentive and receptive!
Loki - Britannica
Loki - Wikipedia
Loki - Norsemythology.com
Loki - Mythopedia
The Poetic Edda - translated by Henry Adams Bellows (Via Sacred Texts)
Loki in Norse Mythology - World History Edu
Symbols for Loki - Lokeanwelcomingcomittee
@lokeanwelcomingcommittee
@skaldish
@the-fox-jawed-witch
@jasper-pagan-witch
@broomsick
@grumpylokeanelder
@elizatungusnakur
as suggested by the community <;3
It's an older one, but it's HIS day, so Happy Birthday Goro!! 🎊🎉
Happy Birthday to the boy!!
#considering diety work #ofc Hermes got my eye
Deity of the Week- Hermes
“I sing of Hermes Kyllenios (of Mt Kyllene), Argeiphontes (the Slayer of Argus), lord of Kyllene (Cyllene) and Arkadia rich in flocks, luck-bringing (eriones) messenger of the deathless gods (angelos athanaton). He was born of Maia, the daughter of Atlas, when she had made with Zeus,–a shy goddess she. Ever she avoided the throng of the blessed gods and lived in a shadowy cave, and there Kronion [Zeus] used to lie with the rich-tressed Nymphe at dead of night, while white-armed Hera lay bound in sweet sleep: and neither deathless god nor mortal man knew it. And so hail to you, Son of Zeus and Maia; with you I have begun: now I will turn to another song! Hail, Hermes, giver of grace (kharidotes), guide (diaktoros), and giver of good things (dotor eaon)!”- Homeric Hymn to Hermes
Hermes is the son of Zeus and his nymph mother, Maia, born from their love. He is the personal messenger to his father, and also to Hades. Classically, he is depicted as a young man both attractive and athletic, or as an older man with a beard. His most famous myth is the one where upon his birth, he creeps from his cradle and travels to where his brother Apollon holds his oxen and makes off with them. He typically shown wearing winged boots or sandles while holding a caduceus.
God of:
Hermes is a god of many attributes. His most common association is him as a trickster god, or a messenger god. While both are accurate and true, his associates are far more encompassing than that:
Animal husbandry
Roads and travel
Hospitality
Diplomacy
Trade
coins
Thievery
Language
Writing
luck
Athletic contests
Astronomy and astrology
Boundries
Guide of the dead
Magic
And so much more. No God has only one facet, and to limit them in such a way is to deign them what they truly are.
Correspondences:
Plants-
Crocus- a beautiful purple flowering plant
Strawberry trees
I would also argue any plant that can be associated with death or being laid to rest can also be associated with him, as he is a guide to the underworld and is one of the only beings able to freely pass between the land of the dead and the living.
Animals-
Cattle/oxen
Turtles/tortoise
Hawks
Any bird of omens
Rooster/cock
Rams
Hares
Snakes
Guard dogs
Occupations-
Some gods are the patrons of specific jobs, job fields and hobbies. A few for Hermes are
Bike messenger
Mail person/postal worker
Diviners
Mediums
Magicians/illusionists
Merchant
Hospitality workers
Hotel and inn keepers
Travel guides
Veterinarians and Vet Techs
Animal breeders
Herdsmen/cowboys/etc
Funeral directors
Diplomats
Bankers/bank tellers
Donation center workers
and so many more. And while I wouldn’t technically consider thievery an occupation, some might. In which cause he is also the god of professional thieves.
Colors-
Red
Purple
Silver
Gold
Copper
Most colors you would associated with trade, merchants, coin, plushness, etc.(SPG)
Black(UPG)
Grey(UPG)
White(UPG)
Most colors that can be associated with death or passing can be associated with him
Scents-
Lavender
Strawberries
Frankincense( A general all around good choice for all the Theoi)
The smell of ink and parchment/paper(SPG)
Stones-
Marble or Alabaster(UPG)
It’s not stones, but metals like copper, silver, gold- anything that is or was used to make currency
Offerings:
Incense
Honey
Olives or olive oil
Wine
Milk
Turtle shells or turtle shaped objects
Coins/currency/money
Written messages(SPG)
Strawberries
Feathers(legal to own-let’s not get in trouble now)
dice
Devotional Activities:
There’s so many choices of devotional activities when it comes to Hermes.
Writing letters
Donating to homeless shelters or food pantries
Study animal husbandry
Become a magician/illusionist
Travel to another town/state/country
Try something that requires luck- cards, dice games, etc.
Learn about astronomy
Honor the dead
Learn about your ancestors
Study astrology
Pick up a sport
Workout/become athletic
Give a few coins to a homeless person
Learn other languages
Practice speaking
Learn to be diplomatic
A more modern twist to a devotional act would be to pick up merchant skills in a game, like mmorpgs. Or, avoid being a real life thief and become one in a game! There’s so many options, just let your imagination go wild.
~That’s all for deity of the week! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!~
-Artistic
Lord Satan Ryo Asuka
Thanatos is a chthonic Hellenic deity – meaning he dwells beneath the earth, in the realm of the dead, or the Underworld. Thanatos was specifically viewed by the ancient Greeks as the god of peaceful death, or the personification of Death itself. He also acted as a psychopomp, touching the living who were to die to bring death to them, and then bring them back to the realm of the dead. His touch is gentle, likened to that of his twin brother Hypnos, the god of sleep. Violent death was the domain of Thanatos’ sisters, the Keres, spirits of slaughter and disease.
He does not have many worshipers in modern day, similarly to back then. He was feared more than he was honored, even today, most people are weary of or completely closed off to dealing with any entity that has such a direct connection to death. With this being said, it is common to hear that Thanatos does not care for offerings, I don’t find this to be true, and I don’t think that it is impossible or ill-advised to interact with Him, or that it is inappropriate to allot Him traditional offerings and bond with Him as you would any other deity. – However, Thanatos does not care to receive offerings with expectation of some sort of reciprocating action on His part. Thanatos does not respond well to those who try to bend his will, to silver tongues. Though giving Him offerings for the sake of thanks, honor, love, or respect are welcome. Building a shrine to share with Him as a gesture to show that you are open to His presence and willing to learn is welcome. Thanatos is not inaccessible at all. He has His own lessons to teach and stories to tell, if only you are willing to listen.
Below is a list of symbolism / offerings / devotional acts that I feel to be well-received, this is not an exhaustive list and is UPG. It is also worth noting that because Thanatos is a chthonic entity, there is a certain etiquette you should follow when you give Him your offerings. With chthonic deities, offerings are poured downwards rather than sent upwards, therefore incense is a less common offering, as you want to offer things that are poured down into the earth, where they reside. Pour the remains of your offering into the earth after you feel they’re done – just be sure that you are not harming any nature when you’re doing this. For edible offerings, it is unwise to take a sip / bite of your offering before you offer it, it is traditional to offer the entire food / drink to chthonic deities, and failing to do this may upset them. @death-witch-envy has a more inclusive post on tips for worshiping chthonic deities here.
SYMBOLISM
+ Snakes + Bones + Scythes + Poppies + Gravestones + Wreaths
OFFERINGS
+ Obsidian + Lapis lazuli + Bones / teeth / furs and other “leftovers” of once living things so long as they’re clean + Carved bone + Skulls + Lavender + Poppy seeds / flowers + Breads + Snake skins + Dead moths / butterflies, moth / butterfly wings + Dark wines + Oils + Tobacco + Dark chocolate + Myrrh, patchouli, frankincense, opium, and musk scents + Black, grey, and purple candles
DEVOTIONAL ACTS
+ Collect and honor dead moths / butterflies + Build a wreath + Ancestor veneration + Place flowers / offerings on unmarked graves + Spend time in graveyards, keep the spirits company + Eat foods or baked goods with poppy seeds – use more poppy seed dressing + Decorate using poppies + Plant poppies + Harvest and dry flowers or plants + Spend time enjoying a river or creek + Adopt an older animal, or be particularly kind and gentle to your older animal + Volunteer at a nursing home + Spent time outdoors at dawn or dusk + Burn a myrrh, patchouli, frankincense, opium, or musk scented candle before bed + Hunt for bones or fossils + Clean / dye / articulate bones. As a practicing member of the VC community I feel very connected to Him personally when I am working to give honor and beauty to the remains of a being forgotten, abandoned, or disgraced in death. + Wear dark, soothing colors + Go swimming in natural bodies of water + Have spaces where you can avoid time + Say thank you.
Compiled from my personal grimoire.
Objects of affection via a lil pancake keychain. Goro is not impressed.
Vaporwave Kitty | Acrylic painting
Fanart I made for @salexectria ‘s fanfic “Messages from Last Night” I LOVE that fic, its so funny! Idk if the author plans to continue with it, but I wish they would! Anyway, had to draw this outfit of Akira/Ren’s ever since it was described, although I did get a little bit creative with the pants~ [ won’t let me tag the author, even tho they got a blog here, rip;; ]
Shoyo Hinata, traditionally drawn by Hitman Jonesy! ☆
Aint nobody goan see this, but ayyy, its my art-sona