Loki, by Manarama
The other day someone asked the meaning Caleuche, the name of the ghost ship we’d written about. A short time later, d page responded with a succinct answer–it was a word from an Indian language that meant shape shifter. How appropriate that was since the ship and the crew were known as shape shifters.
So it was interesting when, a short time later, I found myself reading about another shape shifter – Loki. Here’s the passage:
“One of the best-known trickster myths features the Norwegian god, Loki, the son of two giants. He possessed great ingenuity, but was a rascal and raconteur who enjoyed stirring up trouble. A shape-shifter who took various forms—including a horse, falcon, and fly—Loki could even change his gender, so it’s no wonder trickster synchronicities appear in many guises. Loki hung out with the major gods, Odin and Thor, yet he was often their enemy. When he wasn’t invited to a banquet at Valhalla, for instance, he crashed the party, becoming the thirteenth guest. He lumbered around, demanding food and alcohol, embarrassing everyone. He even tricked Hoder, the blind god of darkness, into shooting Balder, the god of light and joy, with a mistletoe-tipped arrow. Balder died and the earth was plunged into darkness. Ever since, the number thirteen has been considered unlucky.”
The source for that paragraph? Seven Secrets of Synchronicity. I was reading the galleys, our last step before publication in August.
Rob
I had totally forgotten about that!When I finish a book, it's pretty much gone from memory, at least in details like this. I so enjoyed writing Vanished. And what an interesting synchro you had with the blackbirds. I just got goose bumps! Vicki – send me your email address again, will you? I have something to send u and can't find it in my disorganized files.
The book was Vanished and it began with crows and then I guess just about every other bird in the area.
I always think of it with blackbirds because when I read your book the next day I was outside and all of these birds, primarily blackbirds, began to sit in this one tree in my backyard and I will never forget the eery feeling I had.
It was just another early synchronicity with you and your writing!
Wonderful book too! It was the first one of yours I had read.
wv: cosion -cosign?, caution?
More ravens! And your WF is hysterical!
Now – refresh my memory, Vicki: which book??
These posts are so interesting. I am constantly learning about new things.
We just survived a nor'eastern here that just about blew us off the map, but did blow a huge old tree across the road onto power lines. This morning as I was looking at the damage 2 large ravens were yelling out as I walked around.
Then here I am later and reading something similar.
Anytime I see Ravens or a large grouping of blackbirds (usually harassing my beautiful black cat) I always think of your book Trish,
shiver…….
wv: sable…black…
Freya/Freyja was "Volva" (keeper of the staff). She was a prophetess. The cats represent travel to other dimensions. We see traces of Freya in the Tarot : the Queen of Wands where the Queen is on a throne, holding a staff with a cat at her feet.
I've just sent you a message about the words volpe and vulpes (meaning fox- I somehow "knew that they mean the same thing). My Dictonary of Symbols (Hans Biedermann) connects fox with Loki. I almost dropped the book on the floor when I read "Loki".
Love the idea of the chariots pulled by two cats. In the tarot, the chariot signifies victory after travails, and the cats…well, I don't know what they symbolize in tarot, But for me, cats are independence.
So on the contractors – do your homework. Know what this job should cost. Weigh your options. Cats do this daily!
Actually there a problem of slipperiness with the contractors!
Freya (lady)is the awesome goddess of Seidr (pronounced Sith) magic. She has a chariot pulled by 2 cats, she has the powerful magical Brisingamen necklace, and in one version of the story she gave Odin the runes. She and Loki have a longstanding feud.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freyja
Ok, enlighten me, D. Who is Freya? The fact that ravens flew past is most intriguing! Are the contractors shysters? And the book, now THAT's a good one, too.
Okay. I'm a dingbat… *blush*. There are only three books sitting in next to the computer. One of them is "The Tricking of Freya", by Christina Sunley. Now I MUST read it!
Before I read this I was outside dealing with issues with large trees on the property our condo is on. I kept thinking about Yggdrasil and the World Tree. While talking to a contractor, two very large ravens swooped down over our heads and landed on the greenbelt. I thought, hmmm.. here's Hugnin & Munin (Odin's ravens). I came inside and read your post. Surprise.. here's Loki!
I wonder when Freya will turn up?
Very cool post!
That image looks like my ex-boyfriend, who was a trickster!
LOVE the story of loki! and that it came from your reading secrets! neat!
the image looks perfectly suited for this trickster!