Loki Deity Guide
Loki’s mythology is not as chaotic as you may think…
It’s even more chaotic than that!
Who is Loki?
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.
Parents and Siblings
Lovers or Partners
Children
Epithets
- 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
Notes
- 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”.
- In Swedish his name is Luki or Luku, Norwegians called him Loke or Lokke, in Danish, Lokkemand, and in Finnish, Lukki.
- 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.
Modern Deity Work
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.
Correspondences
- Bloodstone
- Opal
- Opalite
- Pyrite
- 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”
- Snake
- Horse
- Wolf
- Spider
- Salmon
- Fly
- Snake
- Air
- Feathers
- Kuanaz (Rune)
- Berkano (Rune)
Offerings
- Sweet foods
- Sour foods
- Cinnamon
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Meat charred to ash
- Mead
Acts of Devotion
- 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!
References and Further Reading
Loki Devotees and Followers to check out:
as suggested by the community <3
