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"Tricksters are inherently transgressive figures who literally embody what it's like to live in a socially unacceptable or taboo way, which is why members of marginalized communities flock to them while more privileged people find them distasteful. They are the personifications of chaos and social unrest, which includes how much strife surrounds people who are deemed socially unacceptable; they are literally the gods of minorities and people who suffer under bigoted unjust systems.

When tricksters do something bad in a myth, marginalized groups see a complex rebellious figure with their own motives while privileged people see a bad person doing bad things. And when tricksters are punished, privileged people just see a bad guy getting their comeuppence while marginalized groups see the harsh realities of living as a socially unacceptable person.

Hail to Loki who changes shape at will

mare

salmon

fly

hag

Hail to the father of creatures that even the gods fear.

Hail to the god who writhes beneath the earth in anguish.

Hail to he who goes to battle for his children.

Hail to Loki, who encourages us to break our own chains holding us back for fear of ridicule.

Zhao Zhao (Chinese, b. 1982)

Constellations, 2021-2022

Constellations, 2017 (300 x 980 cm)

Embroidery on Silk???

Lord Dionysus, probably: Nothing is wrong with you. It is the perception of others that you have assumed as your perception of yourself that's flawed. The thoughts that you have are forged in negative experiences from fools who presumed to know everything about you - those who brought you low in hopes to dim the light that threatened to outshine them. How do you view yourself, truly, without input from other people?

I have three trickster deities in my deity 'social circle' I suppose we can call it. They are, of course: Loki, Hermes, and Odin.

Very curiously the only deity that has the 'reputation' of a trickster and all that it comes with it is Loki. That's not to say that Hermes and Odin aren't acknowledged as tricksters but when someone speaks about a trickster deity most people's minds automatically jump to Loki.

I'm going to tell you how I associate the others as different aspects of the 'Trickster' archetype. Of course this all UPG.

For Hermes in particular I associate him with the 'thievery' aspect of the archetype. For instance as a baby he rustles Apollo's cattle; he seems to lean toward tricking people out of their property. It's well known Hermes is a patron of thieves, rustlers, outlaws. The more 'crime' focused aspects of trickery.

Hermes in particular generally has a playful demeanor; it's not to say the others don't but he genuinely seems to come across as largely benevolent. He might cheat at cards or hustle some pool but he's generally not going to fuck up your whole life with his tricks. I think he takes great pride in the 'winning' over other people. He is associated with a love for games so it makes sense that he would love the thrill of a mental challenge. The kind of "I warned you, didn't I? Oh, but it's okay. You can't have possibly have known. It's okay, kid. No harm, no foul. But you aren't getting your money back. No refunds."

I think Hermes is perhaps so benevolent that one might actually forget this aspect of his personality. He is known as the "glad-hearted god" and he is a bringer of immense joy to mankind.

Loki, of course, needs no introduction. Loki is without a doubt a trickster but in the way a lawyer is if that makes sense? He points out loop holes you hadn't considered and if he sees something that he can twist to his advantage he will. But! That's more in line with him being a wordsmith and clever rather than actually seeking to humiliate you or belittle you. I think Loki loves to debate; loves to play devil's advocate.

It's more of a oh? You think this? Defend it to me. I'm going to make you consider every angle and if you mess it up then you have to admit I win!

Loki's tricks are notably harmless but can verge into the crueler territory if he has a lesson to teach. (Cutting Sif's hair for example) The cutting of hair is a symbol of adultery and I think more than anything Loki can't stand hypocrisy. From the Aesir and from others in general. You say one thing and do the other? Well, he's going to have to call you out and make you look like an idiot.

So, Loki's trickery (when it's not harmless like HAHA, I put pink dye in your shampoo or...BOO SPIDER, is generally designed to teach a lesson or upset the status quo.)

Now finally, we arrive at Odin. To me Odin is the essence of the Trickster we all fear. I admittedly know the least about Odin so please forgive me if my information on him isn't as on point.

Odin to me is ruthless in getting what he wants. He doesn't particular care if you know why he's tricking you; he wants something from the exchange. That's not necessarily a bad thing and that's not to say you NEVER get anything in return. Odin can be very generous if he takes a liking to you. However Odin definitely exemplifies the concept of "I will do anything to get what I want and woe to you that stand in my way. I have no trouble stepping over you."

He has no problem lying or telling you what you want to hear to accomplish his goals. He is the Trickster that will whisper sweet words and if you happen to not want to go along with what he wants then that's a "you" problem.

I can't help but admire the lengths he will go to get what he wants. More than anything he craves knowledge. He's well known for that. If you happen to have some obscure knowledge he wants and you won't fork it over he has no problem tricking you, using seidr, or outright killing you if the ends justify the means.

That isn't to say that Odin isn't a wonderful deity and loving to his followers and those he calls his. I just think he is more of the figure people should think of when they jump the gun to thinking about 'harmful' trickster deities.

Odin is a trickster with a ruthless side; if he can use his formidable wits to get what he wants he's not going to care too much if he has to bend the truth, steal, lie, or kill to get it.

I have spent less time with Odin than Loki, but I definitely feel the "do what I need to get what I want" vibe. He is a little scarier than Loki in my opinion, though I certainly recognize my own bias. I am glad that Odin is being more recognized as the trickster he is, though. This tough God of War thing is just...too macho for the guy that learned "women's" magic. If war gets him what he wants, he's totally there and strategizing. But war itself isn't his *Thing* the way I think some people think it is.

Valkyrie