Tag Archives: myths

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30-Day Devotional for Loki: Day Four

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Question: What is your favorite myth/s concerning Loki?

Honestly, this is an incredibly difficult question to answer because there are no myths where Loki features that I do not enjoy. I love reading the myths and trying to imagine myself in his shoes, trying to discern the why of the actions he takes – as far as I am able to do so, of course!

I’ve talked before about how one of my all-time favorite myths is the kidnapping of Idun because it really shows how Loki turns even the worst situations to his advantage. After a forced oath to kidnap Idun, he is also tasked to retrieve her. Once he does so, he manages to force Thiazi to fly near the walls of Asgard where he falls to the ground and is forced to deal with Thor, who kills the giant.

I particularly enjoy the ending of this myth because there are elements in it that suggest the plan was one that the gods had already worked out – Thor is lying in wait, ready for Loki to appear with Idun. Gronbech argues in Culture of the Teutons that this particular myth is really an elaborate demonstration of ritual sacrifice and how it re-empowers the gods.

Kidnapped, Idun loses the ability to provide the gods with the sustenance they need, and their prowess diminishes. Once Loki retrieves her and forces Thiazi to contend with Thor, who kills him – thus creating a ritual sacrifice – Idun is then safely back beyond the walls of Asgard and the vitality of the gods is restored.

This actually demonstrates how vital a part Loki plays in the world of the gods. Sure, he is the one that originally kidnaps Idun – because he is forced to by the oath Thiazi made him swear, and his honor will not allow him to break his word – but he is also the only god that can rescue Idun and restore the natural order.

There are also hints here of a seasonal myth – Idun’s kidnapping may represent a seasonal transition from summer to winter and then back to summer with her return – and that indicates that Loki himself may have something to do with the changing seasons. He ushers out the old and brings in the new. He drives away summer to bring winter to bear, and then he takes away the winter by catalyzing the return of the summer.

The depth of this myth is the reason it continues to remain one of my all-time favorites, although the myth of Baldr’s death is a close second. The complexity of the myths engages and fascinates me, and it is difficult to choose a favorite among the numerous ones that we have concerning Loki.

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Interpreting Sallustius Series

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On the new multi-trad community I mentioned, I wrote a 3-part series that discusses Sallustius’s treatise “On the Gods and the World.”

In Part I, I discuss Sallustius’s comments on the nature of the gods.

In Part 2, I discuss Sallustius’s views on the nature of the myths.

In Part 3, I discuss Sallustius’s five levels of myth.

These are the parts of Sallustius’s treatise that I find most valuable, and I highly recommend everyone read the treatise, as it is available for free online.

 

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Polytheistic Theology: Avenue of Avenues

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When we think of theology, we typically think of monotheistic theology, especially the structures found within Abrahamic faiths. But theology itself is not inherently monotheistic – in fact, theology is simply the study of deity. Because most polytheistic faiths are inherently pluralistic, it is safe to say that it is impossible to identify a single theology that unifies polytheistic belief. That’s part of what makes polytheistic faiths so beautiful.

It’s easy to prove how impossible it is to identify a single theology for polytheistic faiths. Take Hinduism, for example, and examine the way many sects of Hinduism base their faith around the idea of a unified plurality – there are multiple deities, but those deities are all aspects of the greater whole. Then take another polytheistic faith, like Asatru, that bases faith around the concept of multiple distinct deities, all separate and completely unique from one another. While there are certainly connections between polytheistic faiths like Hinduism and Asatru, the way that deity is approached is distinct between them.

Because of that distinction, a singular approach to theology – the study of deity – is impossible. However, I do think that it is possible, within each polytheistic faith, to approach deity through multiple strands of exploration. That is what I propose is the best way to approach the study of deity through polytheistic faiths, and I am proposing a framework for a polytheist to use in their own study of deity within their own religions, rather than proposing that deity can be understood the same way through all polytheistic faiths.

Note: When I say deity, I mean the essence of deity or what makes a god a god (what makes gods gods).

I believe the following components can be explored through all polytheistic faiths:

  • Cosmogony
  • Cosmology
  • Theogony
  • Sacred Calendars, Rites, and Practices
  • Eschatology
  • Axiology
  • Pneumatology
  • Psychology
  • Semiotics & Symbology
  • Sexology
  • Sophology
  • Occultology

Cosmogony is the study of the creation of the universe (or multiverse). Studying how the cosmos originated in accordance with a particular polytheistic tradition through myths and legends allows us to begin to develop a framework with which to approach deity through our respective faiths.

Cosmology is the study of the universe (or multiverse). Different faiths propose different models of the world. For example, in many shamanistic traditions, there are three worlds while in the Norse view, there are nine worlds. Understanding the cosmos is a necessary foundation before exploring what deity actually is can really get underway.

Theogony refers to the lineage of the gods. Every pantheon has a unique structure and hierarchy (though it can be argued that some pantheons aren’t hierarchal). It seems self-evident that the pursuit of theology requires the understanding of theogony.

Sacred Calendars, Rites, and Practices. This particular component is really three-in-one, but every polytheistic faith has a calendar of sacred rites and practices. Since most (if not all) polytheistic faiths are orthopraxic (focused on right practice), this is the most direct route of exploring theology – again, when I say theology here, I mean the pursuit of the understanding of deity.

Eschatology is the study of death, judgment, and final destination. In essence, it is the study of the afterlife. Every faith has an idea of what happens to a person after they pass from this world. Not all polytheistic faiths believe in a final judgment, but some do. This is an area where the greatest discrepancies between faiths exist, and it may also be an area where the greatest insights into the nature of deity can be found.

Axiology is the study of values and ethics. In other words, the study of morality. At first glance, it may not be obvious what this has to do with theology. However, the myths and legends of each tradition shape the morality of the people who follow those traditions. Understanding the ethics held by a particular culture can enhance the pursuit of theology.

Pneumatology is the study of spiritual beings and phenomena. Beliefs about mythical creatures like dragons, sirens, mermaids, brownies, kelpies, the Fae, ghosts, landvaettir, etc. This is where understanding the cosmology of a polytheistic faith comes into play as well, as some traditions have worlds set aside specifically for certain types of entities.

Psychology is the study of the soul, and it is the closest term I could find to describe what I actually mean. When I say psychology here, I don’t mean the traditional Western version of the study of the human psyche. I wish there were a better term (so if someone has an idea for one, I’m all for suggestions). What I mean is the study of the constructs of the soul-the parts of the soul. Many polytheistic traditions propose that the soul is not a singularity but a plurality, constructed of a myriad of parts that are meant for particular purposes. Understanding the way in which the soul is viewed is vital in the pursuit of theology, as the soul is the expression of the most inherent divinity a living being has in its possession.

Semiotics & Symbology is the study of signs, symbols, and their interpretations and uses. This includes things like the study of divination and omens. While some symbols are fairly universal – like the serpent that represents wisdom – others are not as clear-cut. Understanding the way that a particular tradition utilizes semiotics & symbology helps create a clearer path towards the understanding of deity.

Sexology is the study of sex. Each religion approaches sex in different ways, and in many traditions, the act of sex is one the most powerful ways to experience divinity. There aren’t many polytheistic faiths that view sex in a negative light, and I say that simply because there may be a few that do – I do not proclaim to be an expert on all the polytheistic faiths that exist, and I do not wish to potentially exclude even one.

Sophology is the study of wisdom. Defining wisdom is a very difficult thing to do, as it is a very abstract concept. Generally speaking, it is the ability to take acquired knowledge and put it to good use. In many polytheistic traditions, the study of wisdom is equated with the study of the myths and the cultures with which the traditions started. But because wisdom relies on application, it assumes that a person will take the myths and cultural learning they have developed and will incorporate it into their own practices. Applying the knowledge gained of deity through the myths is, perhaps, one of the most direct ways to approach theology, although it is by no means the only way.

Occultology is the study of the occult, meaning mystery or secret. It is generally associated with magic, and there are several polytheistic traditions that incorporate magic into their practice. There are many different types of magic, but the one that deals most directly with deity is Theurgy, which is magic done with the aid of deity.

Many of these components, on their own, require extensive research, and many of them weave in and out of one another. These are the strands that I see throughout every polytheistic faith – though each faith has its own unique set of these strands.

I’ve read multiple books on polytheistic theology, and every time, I see the same problem arise – there is no unified set of principles that underlie every polytheistic tradition. Some polytheistic traditions venerate ancestors, others don’t. Some believe in pluralistic deities, others in unified plurality.

So this is my attempt to address that issue – rather than looking for underlying principles that exist in all polytheistic traditions, I decided to look for the categories of principles that weave through all polytheistic traditions. Sometimes, to simplify, you have to complicate, and looking at categories instead of principles isn’t an obvious thing to do. The stark truth is that we still live in a predominantly monotheistic culture, and we all often fall into the trap of trying to collapse things down into smaller parts.

As polytheists, we need to work on expanding outward, breaking things into larger pieces rather than collapsing things down into smaller ones. So what I have done here is propose a framework, an avenue of avenues of exploration for those who are interested in the pursuit of theology from a polytheistic perspective.

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A Book Project

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You know how sometimes one of the gods can become “louder” than the others? Loki has been doing that with me lately, which is why I have been posting about Him more often than I have the other gods. It seems He wants me to write a book about Him, as there is very little out there specifically about Him.

So, I figured I’d talk about what I’m planning to include in the book and see if anyone has suggestions for more material. I’d also love it if other people were willing to submit their own writing about their experiences with Loki, so that the book could be more of a collective work rather than a solitary pursuit, but of course, no one is obliged to do that.

While I might do a little bit of research, the book I intend to write is one based more on personal experience rather than academic reasoning. There’s not a lot out there, academically speaking, about Loki, and I think that while academic writing has its place, what is often lacking from heathenry, in general, is the more personal touch.

What I plan to include in the book thus far is a retelling of the myths that involve Loki from a more Lokean perspective and my interpretation of the role He plays in those myths. I’d love more material here from others who may have different interpretations of His actions in those myths, if anyone is willing to provide that type of material. In the second part of the book, I plan to include my own personal experiences with Him and what it has been like to follow His path. This is another area where I would love to include material from other people as well, so that the book could be more of a collaboration. And somewhere in the book – I’m not really sure where – I plan to do an in-depth study of Loki through His name as written in the Elder Futhark.

This project is going to take a good amount of time to complete, but I would like feedback from anyone who might be interested in adding their voice to the book. I’m considering calling it, “Understanding Loki,” and I think it’s a book that is desperately needed, considering how many misconceptions and misunderstandings exist.