Loki and Fate

The Old-English name Saater-daeg, from which the word Saturday comes, seems to be a translation of the Latin name, and so suggests no god of the Angles and Saxons to us, as do the days Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. We find, however, that the day was sacred to Loki, the God of Fire, and there are some who think that "Saeter-daeg" means "the day of Saetere", another name for Loki.

The stories told of Loki show him to have been a mixture of good and evil. While willing to help the gods in their difficulties, he also played dangerous tricks on them, and more than once led them into harm. As time went on, he seems to have become the spirit of evil only, and the gods at last banished him from Asgard, and condemned him to a terrible punishment. He was chained to the side of a cave, and a snake was fastened over his head in such a way that the poison from its fangs dropped on his face. His wife, however, remained faithful to him; she made her way to the cave where Loki was imprisoned, and stayed by his side, holding up a cup to catch the poison which fell from the snake, and only leaving him in order to empty the cup when it was full. The poison which fell on Loki's face while she was absent caused him to twist and writhe with pain till he shook the earth, and thus produced earthquakes.

Loki's characteristic weapon, the net may be related to the spiders web and the sacred grid common to many ancient civilizations, most commonly seen in the three by three grid that represents the division of space into eight directions plus a center, and the Web of Wyrd woven by the Norns. A kenning of Loki is "He who lays out the life-nets of the Gods" all suggesting one aspect of Loki is Fate.

If Loki is Fate we can view the binding of Loki as an effort to control fate, and Loki's part in Baldur's murder as ensuring that events moved in their fated direction. The whole story of Baldur's death is an example of how fate cannot be defeated, and trying to avoid your destiny can bring it about. But is also shows that fate is not completely unavoidable: If the Mistletoe had been asked to swear not to harm Baldur his fate would have been averted. When Loki bursts his bounds at Ragnarok he shows how the effort to control destiny can result in disaster. Even Loki's talent and liking for trickery mirrors the twists and turns of fate.

So much for the original Loki. For scholars this is very important, but is it and should it be as important for Pagans? How important is the history of a god? Do we want to fossilize the gods and assume they never change or do we want to relate to them as they are today after millennia of interaction with humanity? More in http://hubpages.com/hub/Introducing-Loki-part-two.

One alternate way to interact with Loki is to see him as the enemy of stagnation and mindless repetition. Loki. As Galina Krasskova notes in her book, Exploring the Northern Tradition (2005), “Loki forces those work with Him to expand the boundaries of their understanding. He brings evolution and a dynamic synergy and creative power. He acts as a catalyst and facilitator of personal growth. And with that growth may come the inevitable growing pains” (p.98). If you want to grow and change, Loki may be the god to call upon. Just don’t expect change to happen in the way you expect!

Galina also points out that Loki is a “liminal figure” who exists between the worlds, not truly a god or a giant. Being neither, he is able to move between both worlds. “Loki ever existing in that liminal place where the numinous is made tangible, units the mundane world of temporal order with the endless, fearless potential of the chaotic realms of power. He is a necessary figure, and the Gods knew this” (Krasskova, 2005, p. 99).

And if you come to know Loki as He truly is, maybe you can say this prayer from your heart to His:

I will hail the Husband of Sigyn,

Father of Hella, Mother of Sleipnir.

I will greet Him with warmest welcome

To my Hall, this friend who has brought me success.

He has nourished me, succored me,

And brought me great comfort

In the deepest, darkness, where no other could reach.

Shapeshifter, Skytreader, flame-haired Charmer,

My greatest blessings have come from Your hands.

Son of Laufey, Byleist’s brother,

To me You have always shown Yourself true.

I praise You for all the many victories, great and small,

You have given me.

I offer praises to Loki, who has been my defender.

I offer praises to the One who is a friend to my House.

(Krasskova, 2005, p. 96).

For more information about Galina Krasskova and her other books visit her grove at http://krasskova.weebly.com/about-galina-krasskova.html. She also recommends the online magazine The Gods’ Mouths at http://godsmouths.blogspot.com/.

Sources:

Krasskova, G. (2005). Exploring the Northern Tradition. NJ: Career Press.

Saturday and Loki at http://sacred-texts.com/time/smd/smd22.htm

Introducing Loki at http://hubpages.com/hub/Introducing-Loki-part-one

Picture of Loki from Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Loki,_by_Mårten_Eskil_Winge_1890.jpg.

Have a Fabulous Freya's Day

Goddess Freya lifts her necklace Brisingamen http://www.goddessfreya.info/drawings5.htm. Check out this website for more great pics of Lady Freya and other beautiful women. Be forewarned, though, that most are nude. The Norse of yesterday and today have much less shame over nudity as can be evidenced by topless contests in women's magazines when I was stationed in Germany.

Let's learn more about this Norse goddess of love and war.

“Njord's daughter Freya was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the Asaland people the magic art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanaland people.”

From Heimskringla: The Ynglinga Saga at http://www.norroena.org/Heimskringla/page01.html

Freya is the goddess of love and war. Sounds like a contradiction, but from the myths, and possibly from our own experience we know they are both different sides of the same coin.

This eternal battle between love and war is related in the mythology surrounding Freya and the magical necklace Brisingamen which means necklace of flames, and may symbolize the sun. The necklace was created by the Brisings or Brislings, four dwarven brothers named Alfrigg, Berling, Dvalin and Grer. It is interesting to note that Dvalin’s name relates to the unconscious and that he was the one who introduced the runes to the dwarves as noted in the Havamal.

When Freya first saw the necklace, Brisingamen, she knew she must have it at whatever cost. The Bristling would not accept Freya’s gold or silver in payment but demanded she spend one night with each of them. Although she was Odin’s mistress at the time, she agreed to this, because her desire for the necklace was great.

Unbeknownst to Freya, Loki had followed her to the cave of the Brisings, and told the entire story to Odin. He was disgusted with Freya and had Loki steal the necklace from her. In order to gain back the necklace, Freya would be required to start a war in the world of men.

It is interesting to note that this war was fought over a woman, Hlid. whom Hedin Hjarrandason abducted during Hogni's absence from his kingdom. When Hogni (the king of Norway at the time) returned and found out that Hedin had raided his kingdom and abducted his daughter, he gathered his forces in his kingdom and set out against Hedin. Hogni found Hedin and his daughter in Orkney.

Hlid appealed to her father, to not fight her new husband, but he ignored her. When the two armies deployed for battle, Hedin offered his wealth as atonement, in order to avert war. Hogni answered it was too late for peace offering, because he had drawn his sword, Dainsleif, and couldn’t be sheathed until the blade had tasted blood.

So that day, they fought until nightfall until both sides retired to their camps, leaving the dead behind. Hlid walked among the dead, and with her magic, she brought the slain back to life, to fight the same battle the next morning.

The next morning, the dead on both sides, fought again with the living, until nightfall ended the battle. During the night, Hlid used her magic again on the dead so that they would rise again to fight the same battle. This happened again and again. The two armies fought during the day; at night the dead turned into stone, but when morning comes, the dead would pick up their weapon and fight another day.

The two armies were cursed to fight one another until the day of Ragnarok. This was the endless war that Freya would start, to regain her necklace. Forever, love and war became intertwined as the beads of Freya's necklace. Bound together by magic.

By some it is said, that even though Freya won back her necklace, she did not win back Odin’s heart. She had first coveted Brisingamen for its beauty and magic and would wear it to bewitch all who would look on it, but now she wore it like a collar, showing her loss in the battle of the heart to find true love.

If you would like to see some beautiful necklaces worthy of a goddess visit Wendy Edsall-Kerwin’s website at http://hammermarks.wordpress.com/2009/01/24/jewelry-in-mythology-brisingamen/.

For a board game called Freya’s Folly based on the myth of the Brisingamen at http://www.freddistribution.com/control/product/~product_id=101086.

For Norse necklace charms see http://www.enchantedjewelry.com/.

For a great Asatru reconstructionist website see http://www.norroena.org/Heimskringla/page01.html. They have a new book just published which is available at Amazon called The Asatru Edda: Sacred Lore North which is as close to a Norse Bible as you can get.

Other Sources:

Timeless Myths at http://www.timelessmyths.com/norse/beings.html#Brisings.

Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%C3%ADsingamen.

Haymoon 9 - A Day of Rememberance for Unn the Deep-Minded

Today we remember Unn, the deep-minded. Unn was a strong-willed matriarch who established dynasties in the Orkneys, Faroes, and Iceland. Unn is mentioned in the the Laxdaela Saga which was written in approximately 1245 A.D. You can read it online at http://omacl.org/Laxdaela/chapter5.html.

Unn originalloy went to Scotland to avoid the hostility of King Harald Finehair. She established dynasties in the Orkney and Faroe Islands by carefully marrying off her grand daughters. As a settler in Iceland she continued to exhibit all those traits which were her hallmark-strong will, a determination to control, dignity, and a noble character.

In the last days of her life, she established a mighty line choosing one of her grandsons as her heir. She died during his wedding celebration having accomplished her goals and worked out her orlog here in Midgard. She received a typical Nordic ship burial, surrounded by her treasure and her reputation for great deeds.

The picture above is of Unn's Cross and is in remembrance of her in Iceland. To learn more about Iceland visit New Living Magazine article on Iceland at http://www.newliving.com/issues/may_2004/articles/mystical%20iceland.html.

In remembrance of Unn, you can something to make your family line stronger and more permanent. Recall the deep-minded women of your clan today. Who are the strong women in your life? Can you do something for them today?

Happy Woden's Day

You God of Many Names

You God of many names,
how shall I call you?

Wanderer,
which path will you choose?

Hangatyr,
what sacrifice will you demand?

Grimnir,
how will you show yourself to me?

Host-Father,
I will follow you!

One-Eye,
teach me to see

Wafuðr,
let me feel you

Raven-God,
let me fly for you.

© Kolag Hraban - ARF - Asatru Ring Frankfurt from http://www.odins-gift.com/.

Odin's name comes from the word odr meaning fury or excitation. He is a very complex god who has many roles and names. According to Wayland Skallagrimsson, "These were called heiti. Each of them corresponded to a different part of his nature. Some of them seem extensions of him that are so well developed they have a near independent existence."

"There is something that all of these things have in common. Death is the destruction of the physical self. Battle is the transcendence of the self in the moment, as seen in the berserkergang. Poetry writing in particular, and inspiration in general involve the loss of the self as it is caught up in the information coming in from the outside. Wine brings about loss of the self through dulling of the hugr. Sex is loss of the self in another, and in the moment. And seidh involves spiritual death and rebirth in a different form. Transgendering of course is loss of gender-self. All of Odin's functions at heart relate to the same thing. He is a god of the loss of the self, the death of the ego, in all the many ways that can happen."

For more names and information go to http://www.uppsalaonline.com/uppsala/odin.htm. This is a great website for learning about heathenism.

Another website with an awesome list of names of the gods, goddesses, giants, dwarves and wights can be found at http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/gods.html#A.