The Gate & Key Society.

Inspiration, devotion, and witchcraft of all kinds.

[foreignfirefly]

Loki in Freyja's feathers🪶

[honorthegods]

August 13 marks the recurrence of three separate ancient Roman celebrations honoring the goddess Diana: the dies natalis (anniversary) of the dedication of her Aventine temple in Rome, the Neomoralia festival at Aricia, and the dies natalis of the Collegium of Diana and Antinous in Lanuvium.

The Aventine temple of Diana was built in the 6th century BCE. It was the oldest and most important of the Roman sanctuaries dedicated to Diana. The location was originally a wooded area located outside the pomerium (the politically neutral ground outside the sacred boundary of Rome) and reflected Rome’s formal assumption of the leadership of the Latin League.

The three-day Nemoralia was held in honor of Diana at her temple at Aricia, which was constructed in the 4th century BCE, though evidence of religious activity at the site dates to the Archaic period. The sanctuary is located in the Alban Hills, a quiescent volcanic complex about 26.4 km from Rome on the Via Appia, about a 6-hour journey by foot. It is a wooded area with mountain streams overlooking Lake Nemi, a volcanic crater lake which was known in antiquity as the speculum (“mirror”) of Diana. “Nemi” is a word derived from the Latin “nemus” meaning “holy wood.”

In antiquity, worshipers wearing flowers in their hair assembled at the Sanctuary in Nemi with torches and candles, bearing votive offerings of bread or terracotta in the shape of stags, children, and body parts in need of healing. Prayers written on ribbons were tied to trees in the sanctuary. Men, women, and slaves were free of their regular jobs and duties during this festival and the entire populace enjoyed three days of equality. Dogs also joined in the celebration, adorned with flower crowns, and hunting of was forbidden during the Nemoralia in deference to Diana, goddess of the hunt.

Dies natalis means “birthday” as well as “anniversary”. Members of the 2nd century CE Collegium of Diana and Antinoüs at Lanuvium, about 7 km from Aricia, observed the birth of Diana, their patron goddess, on this date with a feast and, at the same time, celebrated the anniversary of the founding of their society. The connection between Artemis and Antinoüs is the love of hunting The emperor Hadrian is known to have restored the Sanctuary of Diana at Aricia, and likely visited it in 117 during his tour of the towns of the area. It’s not a stretch of the imagination that Antinoüs may well have accompanied him there at some later point.

Ave, Dea Diana! Felix dies natalis!

༺✧∘⬩∘𖥔∘⬩∘✧∘⬩∘𖥔∘⬩∘✧∘⬩∘𖥔⬩🦌🌳🏛🌳🦌⬩𖥔∘⬩∘✧∘⬩∘𖥔∘⬩∘✧∘⬩∘𖥔∘⬩∘✧༻

Featured images: Sacrifice to Diana from the 4th century CE "Little Hunt" mosaic at the Villa Romana del Casale, Sicily, Italy. Photo by Jerzy Strzelecki. Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mosaic_in_Villa_Romana_del_Casale,_by_Jerzy_Strzelecki,_06.jpg Image license: GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2. Alterations: I cropped the image, brushed out parts of cropped elements, and brightened the color.

Image description: In the center of the mosaic panel, a bronze statue of Diana stands on a tall, cylindrical, dark grey base. The statue is reaching behind her right shoulder with her right hand for an arrow from her quiver and holds a bow in her left hand. A short square brown altar, with a fire burning on top, is in front of the base of the statue. This arrangement is centered between two tall, thin trees with green foliage at their tops.

To the statue's right, a hunter with short blond hair, wearing a long-sleeved yellow tunic which falls to mid-thigh and tall boots, holds the reins of a brown horse. To his immediate left, and at the right of the altar, stands a blond hunter wearing a red long-sleeved tunic which falls to mid-thigh and tall boots. He holds a plate in his left hand and with his right hand casts an offering to the goddess into the altar fire.

To the statue's left, a hunter with brown hair, wearing a long-sleeved blue tunic which falls to mid-thigh and tall boots, holds the reins of a tan horse. To his left, a boy with brown hair wearing a brown long-sleeved tunic and tall boots leans forward to restrain a large brown hunting dog by placing his his hands on the dog's shoulders; the dog, with ears alert, looks back over its left shoulder at the boy.

[bowelfly]

Dr bfly's Ginger Citrus Spice Cookies

AKA the cookie recipe I've been fiddling with and refining for like a decade and the only cookies I make anymore because I like them too much Ingredients: • 12 Tbsp (1.5 sticks) butter - I'm lazy and use salted most of the time. idk how europeans measure their butter so do your own conversion • 3/4 tsp salt if using unsalted butter • ¼ cup molasses • 1 large egg • 2¼ cup all-purpose flour • 1.5 cup brown sugar • 1 tsp baking soda • 1 Tbsp ground ginger • 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon • 1 tsp ground cloves • 1 tsp ground allspice • ½ tsp ground nutmeg • ½ tsp ground cardamom • ½+ cup minced candied ginger • ½+ cup minced candied orange peel • up to a shot's worth ~(40ml) bourbon, Cointreau, both, or other liquor according to taste • Optional: 1-2 tbsp powdered buddha's hand* • turbinado sugar

*this is an ingredient I invented because a friend kept giving me buddha's hand so I started candying it like you would make candied orange peel or whatever but it still kept going bad so I stuck it in a dehydrator for a whole day and then put it into a spice grinder and it's great for imparting a citrusy floral note to any baked goods. You could probably approximate the same by candying, dehydrating, and grinding other citrus peels.

Instructions:

Soften butter in large mixing bowl. Beat in egg and molasses. If in a rush, butter can be gently melted, but be careful to let it cool for a few minutes at least before adding in egg. Using melted butter will give the final cookies a more “crinkly” appearance and texture, which may or may not be to your taste. I like them both ways, personally.

Stir in sugar, as well as minced ginger, orange peel, and bourbon if you’re using it.

In separate mixing bowl, evenly stir or sift together all remaining ingredients except for the turbinado sugar

Slowly beat dry mixture into wet mixture. The dough is very thick and sticky, so a hand mixer may have problems. I recommend either a stand mixer with paddle attachment or a wooden spoon and a strong arm.

Refrigerate dough for at least 3 hours. If in a rush, you can put it in the freezer for 30 minutes, and then pop it back in between batches. You should be able to handle the dough without it sticking all over your hands.

Preheat oven to 350F (~175C)

Roll dough into balls no more than ¾ inch (~20mm) in diameter. Pour turbinado sugar onto a plate and then roll dough balls in the sugar and squash down into discs.

Place on parchment paper covered baking sheet and bake for 10-13 minutes

Rest on cooling rack but also eat some of them before they finish cooling when nobody's looking

[witches-bottle-deactivated20241]

Unhelpful Witch Tips

Use a map and a pendulum to divine where the fuck they got the audacity

[artfulendeavors]

I’ve always sort of avoided drawing Loki in his myths, for various reasons, one of them being that my style is so different that I suppose I felt like it wouldn’t suit it. Also this particular myth really hurts (as a Lokean) but for some reason, I felt called to finally tackle it in my style. It’s my first Loki piece in quite a while (and I feel it turned into more of a Sigyn piece tbh) and I’m actually super proud of it.

[artfulendeavors]

Prints Now Available!!

Loki and Sigyn 5x7 matte Art Print - Artful Endeavors's Ko-fi Shop

I’ve always sort of avoided drawing Loki in his myths, for various reasons, one of them being that my style is so different that I suppose I

[deadhaven]

One of my favorite kennings for Loki is "farmr Sigvinjar arma", which translates roughly to "the cargo of Sigyn's arms". Add a little Gustav Klimt to the equation, and you have an idea that's been plaguing me for months.

[the-elf-witch-from-space]

Ми просто відчували: це любов

[0houseofpsychoticwomen0]

[giveherswords]

two of swords

[starweaverblog]

Favourite panel redraw of my old Dionysus mini comic

He's not weak, he's not to be misunderstood

[salashin-deactivated20121001]

[lokisnemandi-deactivated2012091]

I AM SO DONE.

[ulfgetofduergar-deactivated2014]

Remember, Remember, the Fourth of September…

Strawberry, sweet and Sponge Cake I see no reason why Strawberry and sweet Should ever be Forsake.

[pettycentral]

[aaeternamque]

The Spirit of Spongecake Day and the Passage of Time

I'm 33 now. I've got silver hair coming in my hair and what beard I've managed to grow thus far. Today I got groceries and there are strawberries in my fridge. I was maybe 19 when I made that offering and in many respects that part of my life feels like it happened to someone else.

Not in the sense that I've turned away from it, but that key choices I made in my mid-20s allowed me to grow into who I am now. (And who I suspect I would have always been, had it not be for many factors in my personal life.) My circumstances have changed, but the past housing and food insecurity is never far from my mind.

When the offering was made, I certainly never expected that anyone would remember it after so long. Nor would I have believed that some people still mark it on their calendar as a low-effort, low-cost way to honor Loki with sweets and humor. I put the photo out there, but to was the Lokean community who decided what it was. You all, still, decide what it is.

As my circumstances have changed and I'm lucky enough to be able to, I plan on making a donation to a local food bank in my area on Spongecake Day. The amount depends on how much I'm able to save, but at least a few hundred. I say this not to pat myself on the back but to consider how Spongecake Day's meaning, for me, has grown as I have.

The core of the original offering was that I didn't have a lot of fresh food and offered what I had, even though I wanted to hoard it all for myself. Times, especially in the US where I live, are such that many families are struggling to get food or other things they need. For me, as an adult with some expendable income, Spongecake Day is more about paying it forward. Helping others. I strongly believe that if I have the ability to help, I am morally and ethically obligated to do so. And I believe this is what Loki might expect as well. I am, again, speaking for myself and my practice.

I see Spongecake Day as a day of humor, silliness, taking joy in the small things we can do and that no act of devotion is too small. I also see it as a reminder to care for others in our respective communities in any way we can. Especially in this current political and social climate, when government systems are unable to care for their people as they ought to.

Ultimately, the choice is not mine to decide what Spongecake Day is or will be in the future. Or if it indeed has a future. It's up to the Lokean community at large. It doesn't belong to me. It belongs to all of us.

[lokeanwelcomingcommittee]

This is so heartwarming, and what a beautiful message. I'm sorry you received the initial response that you received, but I've always loved that the community rallied and turned it into something fun (and sort of a "fuck you" to folks who want to dictate others' practice).

Spongecake Day is very much alive and breathing. The bard quite literally sing of your tale, LOL!

Donating to a local food bank is such a lovely idea - I'll take up that tradition too, and I encourage others to do so!

-R

[salashin-deactivated20121001]

[lokisnemandi-deactivated2012091]

I AM SO DONE.

[ulfgetofduergar-deactivated2014]

Remember, Remember, the Fourth of September…

Strawberry, sweet and Sponge Cake I see no reason why Strawberry and sweet Should ever be Forsake.

[oldpaintings]

Head of a Satyr by circle of Antoine Watteau (French, 1684–1721)

[chaos-bites]

🔥 Subtle Loki Worship 🐎

Sitting around a bonfire or campfire, especially with loved ones

Being kind to children; playing with them if offered

Supporting organizations focused on marginalized groups; spreading the word, donating, volunteering, etc.

Supporting organizations focused on children and children's safety

Volunteering at a homeless shelter or an animal shelter

Teaching yourself that it's ok to ask for help, even if you don't receive it at first

Seeking out a community you can join; this will help with creating a support system as well; LGBTQ+ support groups, gamer groups, fandom groups, etc.

Having horse, snake, raven, or wolf imagery around; having skull imagery is also cool, but may not be acceptable in all households

Engaging with your childhood media or toys

Having literally any stuffed animals

Keeping a list of jokes and quotes that make you laugh

Supporting animal conservation efforts

Learning to accept yourself for who you are; embracing unique aspects of your identity, especially those that are looked down upon by others

Showing support for marginalized groups, such as being an LGBTQ+ ally or purchasing from POC small business owners

Identifying your strengths and weaknesses; finding healthy ways to acknowledge them both

Learning new ways of coping with emotional turmoil, including mental illness related situations

Listening to scary stories

Having a candle that reminds you of him (no altar needed)

Collecting lost or interesting objects (so long as it's not reclaimed first lol)

Being a little mischievous/silly with loved ones

Finding little ways to express yourself if you can't do so openly (e.g. wearing a bracelet with the colors of your gender identity, wearing shoelaces with pride flag colors that aren't easily recognizable, etc.)

Being kind to yourself when you're having a difficult time

Learning to forgive yourself for past mistakes you've made

Sleeping with comfy blankets

Drinking hot chocolate

Eating candies and sweets or spicy foods

-

May add more later! So far, this is my list of discreet ways to worship Loki. Hope this helps, and take care, y'all! ❤️

Link to my Subtle Worship Master list

[skaldish]

I don’t think people realize just how many USChristian attitudes get passed around in Heathenry, so I compiled different statements and behaviors I’ve seen over the years that reflect Christian notions not original to Heathenry. These examples are illustrative rather than definitive, since I’m only somewhat familiar with different Christian frameworks, but it should be enough to give you the picture:

General Christianity

“The first and most important thing you need to do to practice Heathenry is read the Eddas.”

“You must worship Odin even if you don’t want to, because he’s the head god.”

“The point of being Heathen is to live life in a way that grants you entry to Valhalla.”

“Valhalla is the good/awesome afterlife and Helheim is the bad/boring afterlife.”

“The Æsir are good and the jötnar are evil.”

“Odin is like God, Loki is like the Devil, and Baldr is like Jesus.”

“Odin is more powerful than the rest of the gods.”

“Ragnarok is the End Times.”

(“Us vs. them” attitudes.)

(Not knowing what to do with the the goddesses in general, regardless of one’s gender.)

Catholic-Specific

“To be Heathen, you must serve the gods.”

“We can’t truly know the gods, only attempt to understand them through the Eddas.”

“The gods are distant and don’t care about our personal needs or lives.”

“We must act as the gods’ ambassadors on Earth.”

“Making sacrifices should be painful. That’s why it’s called a sacrifice.”

“Ragnarök is the End Times and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

(Treating the Hávamál as scripture.)

(Using medieval Icelandic law-tracts as a stand-in for Heathen religious orthodoxy.)

(Observing strict worship and insisting others do the same.)

(Adopting a very feudalistic relationship with the gods; lord/servant dynamics.)

Protestant-Specific

“Showing devotion to the gods is done by acting as their hands and feet on earth.”

“You must think about the gods all the time and involve them in everything you do.”

“Why should we merely ‘work with’ the gods when we can worship them?”

“Ragnarök is the End Times and we must prepare to fight on the side of the gods.” OR...

“Ragnarök is the End Times and we must help fulfill it.”

(Behaving as marginalized on the basis of their faith.)

(Reacting badly when confronted with new information about Heathenry.)

(Making bold or even standoffish declarations of faith.)

If you come from a Christian background and hear someone make statements like this, you’re probably going to feel pressured to come up with a counterargument for why it’s okay for you to disagree. What you actually need to do is dismiss the premise entirely. These arguments aren’t reflective of Heathen truths and you don’t have to argue with them as though they are.

This is also not a dig at those who’ve made these statements / done these behaviors before. It’s not exactly second-nature for us to break out of the habit of believing in a specific idea or behaving in a specific way when we believed / behaved that way for most of our lives. However, it’s still worth understanding how specific to Christianity these things are and trying to move away from them.

It’s up to you if you want to point out the nature of these arguments to the people making them. But if you do, I recommend doing so tactfully, with a clear head, and with a very clear understanding about what makes the premise Christian in nature.

Let me know if you want clarification on any of these points and why they aren’t reflective of Heathenry. I’m happy to go into it.

[synthient]

The story of Cats is that in the 1930s, the famous poet T.S. Eliot wrote a book of cutesy little cat-themed poems for his godchildren

And then 40 years later, Andrew Lloyd Webber found a lost cat poem that T.S. Eliot had cut from the cat book for being too sad for children, and ALW was like “woahhh. A cat….that’s sad. That’s deep, man. I wanna make a musical out of this”

So the producer assigned to the project was like “okay, I guess you could maybe read these cat poems as a satire of 1930s British society? We could probably do something sort of interesting with that, I’m thinking a cast of about 5 and–”

And ALW was like “no. Forget the satire. Also I want a cast of dozens and the most advanced special effects technology ever seen on stage. I’ve taken out a second mortgage on my house to fund this”

And the producer was like “wh– you– wh– do you even have. a plot”

So ALW got a bunch of actors and writers and artists together and they holed up and did cocaine workshopped for 5 weeks, and at the end of it they emerged and said “the plot is that a bunch of cats are having a dance contest for the right to take a ufo to cat heaven :)”

and then it made 2 billion dollars.

[castielcampbell]