You keep hearing something that sounds like his name in crowds. You can’t get his That Voice That Is Not Yours out of your head. You’ve done a Google search for gods and decided on him.
Whatever it is, Loki has found his way into your life, and you’d like to work with him.
What does it mean to ‘work’ with or ‘worship’ a god?
It means to make offerings to a particular god, ask them for assistance, meditate about/with them, pray to them, and generally involve them in your spiritual life. It may also include calling to them when you do spells, rituals, or holiday celebrations.
I use the terms ‘work with’ and ‘worshipping’ interchangeably, but your mileage may vary. Other people will differentiate it usually in that worshipping is mainly a spiritual relationship, whilst working with is a practical one.
How do I start worshipping Loki?
Loki is a god that mostly wants to know he has your attention. You can leave him an offering (more on that below) or pray to him, and that’s pretty much the best way to begin.
There is no one ‘best way’ or ‘tru way’ of becoming a Lokean. If you worship Loki and want to identify as a Lokean, you are one.
Do I need to build an altar to Loki?
There is no requirement to build an altar to Loki or any other god (this is especially true if you’re in a living situation that is not Pagan-friendly). It is more important for you to be safe than to build an altar.
If I want to and can build an altar to Loki, how do I do it?
There’s no one single formula, but you can include things which are associated with Loki in your altar. These can include images of him, but they don’t have to. You can equally include something which is devoted to anyone in his family, which includes:
What kinds of offerings can I make to Loki on my altar?
Here are a few objects that I have had success with when offered on my altar:
Foods with complex flavours
Whiskey (be sure to be of age if you’re offering alcohol)
Jewellery you’ve bought/made for him
He likes the bowl that I’ve purchased for him where all of my offerings go. It’s small and Turkish in origin, but he loves the colour.
Red (as he is sometimes called ‘flame-haired’)
Horses (and yes, it’s okay to giggle about this one)
Fish (specifically salmon)
Snakes (because of his child, Jorgumandr)
Wolves (because of his child, Fenrir)
Fleas - along with this, flies or other ‘disgusting’ or neglected creatures
I do calligraphy for devotionals, but find what medium you feel most comfortable with
You can sing it for him at the altar
Pictures you’ve found on the Internet that speak to you
What can I offer to Loki that doesn’t go on the altar?
Loki is a god that cares deeply about you, and sees you for who you are. He sees all the things you love about yourself, and he loves them with you. At the same time, he sees the things you’re ashamed of, and he loves those parts of you just as much.
He is also a god who has seen much pain and suffering in his time. With these things in mind, here is a short list of some things you can do in his honour to worship him:
Sing karaoke if you’re afraid of singing in public
Ask someone out if you’re afraid of rejection
Dedicate time to exploring the things about yourself you’re ashamed of. Do you think you’re a selfish person? Explore your selfishness. Do you sometimes feel like you’re too loud or are a pushover? Think long, think deeply, about those things you don’t like about yourself.
And then, do something so that it is no longer a thing you dislike about yourself. You can either work to improve that part of yourself to your satisfaction, or you can learn to accept yourself for everything you are.
Invest in yourself. Find out what you are good at, and make yourself better at these things.
Speak the truth. Even though he is called the Father of Lies, Loki expects you to at least be honest with him, and with yourself. Deception to others is acceptable, but not between you two.
Speak the truth for those who do not have a voice. Loki’s lips were sewn shut, and for a time, he did not have a way to communicate. Many people live like that daily, whether they be LGBTQ+, differently abled, of a lower class, a different race/ethnic background, or female-identified. Give them the space to speak their truth, or speak it for them if they are unable.
Spend a day fasting. Beneath the snake in the cave, Loki received no food or water. Allow yourself to feel that lack of nourishment to understand his pain.
Obviously, only do this if your health allows for it. Not everyone is capable of it, and there’s no shame in dedicating your time and energies in other ways.
Explore your pain. This does not mean go out and harm yourself. It means when you feel pain, let yourself feel it fully. Instead of trying to ignore it, let it overwhelm you.
Again, if your health allows for it. Those with chronic pain who require medication to handle the pain already know this burden too well.
Understand the other side. What’s a subject you’re very passionate about? Educate yourself about and really listen to the other side. Understanding the other side of a subject, even those you feel very strongly about, is important. No one is the Ultimate Good or the Ultimate Evil. Loki’s story of Baldur’s death tells us this.
Learn to sit quietly in the chaos. When things are bad, when you’re panicking and the world is overwhelming, give yourself some time to sit in that dark and chaotic place. Find some peace there, even if there is very little to be had. Your center is important, no matter where you find it.
I’ve been working with Loki for a while, and I’m starting to think of things that are told of in the Eddas differently. Am I wrong if he tells me things that aren’t there or contradict it?
No. This is called UPG, or unverified personal gnosis. What it means is that you have found a story about Loki that is true for your relationship with him. It may not be true for other worshippers, but it is true for you. Write these down, and treasure them. UPG can be very useful to your practice, especially if it is corroborated later by someone else’s.
Won’t Loki hurt me or my family?
Loki is often called a trickster. When people hear that, they think he is untrustworthy and will always want to get the better of you.
What it means is that he is a god of change, of chaos. When things have to change–and sometimes, they’re foundational to our daily lives–then he will make them change. If you resist that, he will force it. Friendships will end, relationships will collapse, you might have to change your mind or your house. But all of these things are for your benefit. Nothing he does is without purpose. Nothing he does is out of malice.
I still have questions! What do I do?
You can drop me a line here at AskALokean, on anon if you like. If you request it, I can answer in private (oftentimes though, your question is on the tip of someone else’s tongue!).
Read about Loki in whatever stories you can find.
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