Loki
The Shape-Shifter
Loki (pronounced LOW-kee) is an odd part of the Norse pantheon. He is first and foremost a trickster, which is often upsetting to the civilized nature of the Aesir people. He is treated as one of the gods, but there is no evidence that he comes from that race. His father is believed to be a giant named Farbauti (Cruel Striker). His mother seems to be Laufey (Full of Leaves or Needles). Loki is referenced in poetry by his matronym Loki Laufeyjarson (Laufey’s son) but her race is not mentioned. Loki has two siblings, Helblindi (Hel-blinder) and Býleistr (Beekeeper). With his wife Sigyn (Friend of Victory), he has a son named Narfi (Corpse). With the giantess Angrboða (Anguish) Loki has three children: a daughter named Hel (goddess of the underworld), Fenrir (a monster wolf), and Jörmungandr (monster serpent). Oddly, Loki is also the mother of Odin’s 8-legged horse Sleipnir (Slippery) by the stallion Svadilfari. At times, Loki works to benefit the gods, especially if there is something in it for him. Other times, he is malicious or cruel. His tolerated relationship with the gods ends when he crafts the death of the much-loved god Baldr (god of light) at the hand of his blind twin brother Hodr (god of darkness) As punishment, Loki is bound with his son’s entrails as a serpent above him drips a poison upon his body. He escapes during the onset of Ragnarok only to die in a battle with Heimdallr (guardian of Asgard). It is worth noting that while Loki is not a beloved character, he is an important catalyst in many of the Norse stories. He is a problem solver as well as a problem starter. His crafty mind saves the day and causes irreparable harm. He cannot be written out, but I certainly wouldn’t want to live with him.
Magic of Loki
General
Chakra:
Element: Fire
Sabbat:
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Color: Black
Day: Saturday
Herb: Elder, Elm, Ivy, Juniper, Mullein
Totem: Snake
Stone: Jet, Obsidian, Onyx
Offering: Something stolen
Power
Cunning
Death
Deceit
Destruction
Lies
Trickery
Wit
Thievery
Aromatherapy
Dragon’s blood
Pepper
Yew
Runes of Loki
Kenaz: ᚲ
This is the K-rune and is associated with the word ‘kindle’. Pronounced as kane-awze, this rune represents creation through fire or rebirth following sacrifice. It is the phoenix that rises from the flames.
Naudiz: ᚾ
The N-rune, Naudiz represents the word “need” and is pronounced: now-theze. It is the rune of constraint, conflict, and the consequences of past action.
Thurisaz: ᚦ
This rune is the Th-rune. It is pronounced as Thoor-ee-sawz. The word to remember this rune is “thorn”. Derived from the Old Norse word Þurs (thurs) meaning: giant, this rune denotes power, protection, and resistance.
Glossary
Fenrir
The Aesir attempted to raise the wild wolf Fenrir in Asgard, with the hope that he would be more controllable. He grew at such a fast rate and with such amazing strength that the Aesir were forced to chain him up. This required several attempts and finally the use of dwarven chains tied to a boulder. Tyr lost his arm to Fenrir during the entrapment. A sword was placed between Fenrir’s jaws holding his mouth open and he foamed at the mouth creating the river called Expectation.
Jörmungandr
Jormungand (pronounced YOUR-mun-gand) is the child of Loki. His name translates to Great Beast, though he is also known as the Midgard Serpent. Usually thought to be a snake, some considered him a dragon. In either case his enormous body circles around all of Midgard. Thor and Jormungand are fated to slay each other at Ragnarok. Thor will kill the beast but only after Jormungandr emerges from the sea and poisons the ocean and sky. Thor will fall dead, poisoned by the serpent’s venom.
Sleipnir
The eight-legged horse named Sleipnir (pronounced: SLAYP-nir) is one of Odin’s helping spirits. Sleipnir was born when the god Loki shape-shifted into a mare in order to distract a stallion called Svadilfari (pronounced Shvod-ill-FAR-ee) in order to save his own life. The mighty stallion was aiding a giant in building the wall surrounding Asgard. To prevent the giant from completing the task, Loki seduced the stallion in the forest where he became pregnant and gave birth to the grey foal Sleipnir.
Hel
Hel (Hidden) is pronounced the same way we say Hell. It is the general name for the underworld. The guardian of Hel holds the same name and is the daughter of Loki. Helvegr is the name for the road to Hel and journeys there are often undertaken by gods or humans in order to recover a spirit or obtain knowledge from the deceased. Guarded by a dog, Hel is usually depicted as a neutral or even positive place, rather than a punishment.