#need-fire

[dduits87]

"This aspect of Loki can be likened to the 'need-fire' of Nauthiz, as he creates the difficulties that the gods must overcome in order to grow in strength and perform great deeds." This is the article that gave me some aha moments and brought me to the path I'm on today. I won't wax poetic about how this came about, but I may write it out if anyone is interested. Suffice it to say, for now, that Loki is "the Helpingist Helper" (or HALPer) and helped me grow through some trying times! It may not feel like "help" at the time, but when you get to the other side and see how much you've grown, its pretty obvious. He is definitely Need-Fire in that aspect...

[auzofravensknoll]

In Scotland, a person kindling a "need-fire" must not have any iron on them. Dried mistletoe or burdock would be an unusually effective magical tinder in this sort of ritual, as would also the use of wood from an oak tree which had been struck by lightning. One could also use char-cloth or fluff pulled from the underside of a bracket fungus. A fire drill (a pointed dowel made of oak, rowan, or other wood) is then seated onto the tinder and twirled rapidly, either between the hands or by means of a small bow. The friction of the point causes the tinder to ignite, thus producing "sacred"/"thunderbolt" fire. The initial triangular hole permits air to get at the tinder easily, and also provides superior friction for the drill, which eventually rounds out the hole.

Sibley, J.T. (2009) The Divine Thunderbolt: Missle of the Gods. USA: Xlibris Corporation.