The gods are queer and them's the facts

There's no right answers because it's honestly more just theory and interpretation, but I think about it sometimes and I want other perspectives

So, when you research Norse paganism and it's afterlife, you get three options (not getting into the idea of multiple soul parts and how they can go to other halls and the main 3 aren't the ONLY options, that's another discussion)

1. Valhalla

2. Fólkvangr

3. Helheim

Everyone knows the rules, you die on a battlefield as a warrior, you get to go with Odin or Freyja to Valhalla or Fólkvangr but if you die of sickness or old age, like most common folk, you get to go to Helheim

Where does that leave people who aren't really soldiers, but they do die fighting? And by that I mean people who die in riots or are killed while protesting? They didn't die of sickness or old age, they died fighting, just not on a battlefield in the traditional sense. What about people who died in like, one on one fights of some sort? It's no battlefield, but again, they went down swinging or weilding some sort of weapon.

But...I am not sure how much of the 'warriors go to Valhalla/Folkvangr, and the rest of you schmucks go to Hel' is a traditionally held belief and how much is a weird hybrid of the modern faux-warrior cult bullshit, the historical Odinic schema that might have been grafted on to older beliefs (1), and the Christian perspective that warped what little survived contact.

If we are going to go with that perspective, I would take it as a 'people who drink life till it's empty are gonna do the same in the after' rather than as a literal injunction to die in a formally declared war.

There is evidence that it may have been thought that most Aesir/Vanir/etc had their own halls or places (2). I have read speculation based on that for a belief that, for example, working class folks maybe end up with Thor, etc, etc.

I would also dispute the commonly held notion of Hel as a place of punishment/shittiness (I'm not saying you said that, just that I see it a lot, even in Heathen writing). After all, if Norse Wesley Crusher Baldr goes there in the stories when he dies, it's probably fine. And, as Lokeans, we are friends of the owner.

But (oh yea, another but) I am also not sure how much of the 'detailed picture of the afterlife' thing is authentic. My sense is that there is sort of a 'you live a good meaningful life so you live a good meaningful life' vibe to the whole endeavor. (3)

If you ask me though, Lokeans probably still end up as wanderers in whatever comes after this. Hell, you got an infinite number of yous in an infinite number of parallel universes. You might as well experience a few of them.

(1) Gunnell, Terry. 2015. Pantheon? What Pantheon? Concepts of a Family of Gods in Pre-Christian Scandinavian Religions. Scripta Islandica 66: 55–76.

(2) Grímnismál in particular seems to say this, and perhaps implies that people end up in many of these.

Whether or not someone was a warrior by trade really has nothing to do with it; it's just that those who enlisted in armies were more likely to find their death on the battlefield. Remember, going to Valhalla, Fólkvangr, etc. were consolation prizes for people who couldn't be reunited with their ancestors in their family burial mounds because they died far from home.

It was only after Scandinavia was Christianized that Valhalla was thought of as a "warrior's paradise" and envisioned as the best possible afterlife. But this is probably not the way the pre-Christian Norse thought about it.

Consider what a "hall" actually is within Norse cosmology. "Halls" represent distinct physical and cognitive environments we experience during our lifetimes: Thor's hall is the faculties and feelings of strength and courage. Frigg's hall is the creative mindset or "zone" we get into with fiber arts and crafting. Odin's hall and Freyja's hall are both environments found on battlefields. Ægir's hall is the sea. Njord's hall is the cabins and decks of ships and the faculties associated with sailing and navigation. Presumably, Skadi's hall is the mountainous wilderness. Loki doesn't have a hall because he personifies play and humor and therefore darts around everyone else's.

Hel's hall represents the state of grief, which is something we commonly experience with the loss of a loved one. This is evident in the fact everything about Helheim symbolizes what being in a state of grief is like—food has no taste, you feel cold and numb, everything's dull and gray, there's no mirth or warmth, etc. Even Hel herself represents this emotion since she's literally half-dead and half-alive. (In English, we might use the phrase "feeling dead inside" to describe the sensation.)

While Helheim is part of Norse cosmology for certain, I think its depiction as "the underworld" is a post-Christianized literary device more than anything. Sure, Snorri claims it's where the average person went, but Snorri intentionally uses claims as a way lie to Christian readers about Norse cosmology, while he preserves the cosmology's true nature within allegories. And the allegory of Helheim is that it's a place where the living tend to go as a result of grief.

Viking-age graves suggest that the Norse people believed they'd do in death the same things they did in life. It's probably safe to assume they thought the average person would spend their afterlives reunited with their loved ones doing what they enjoyed in life.

I like this response a lot, thank you!

I especially enjoy the idea of "you go in death where you lived in life" because I know a few people irl who have shared that perspective with me as an in general belief system, and I've half adopted it for myself

When u read about loki , well, he’s a very intriguing character that both irritates and charms you, a blessing to the gods aswell as a menace

He was there at the beginning of the world with Odin as his bloodbrother & was the one who ended the world & to father the wolf that killed the great all father Odin himself

Loki both belongs with the jotuns & the agardians aswell as not belonging with either

He’s a helpful, dangerous mischievous scamp that both gets himself & the asgardians into continuous trouble aswell as the one that resolves conflict & saves the day

So I always wondered

1.how in the 9 realms did he manage to bag a wife who proceed to have kids with him ?

2. How in the hel did the relationship end up being that good that Sigyn willingly stayed by his side for years, holding a bowl equally as heavy as her grief from a fresh loss of her children & procumebley her normal life ?

Loki is one of the biggest & most influential characters in the myths, so I’m always so saddened by how little space Sigyn is given when Loki is given so much character to a point where its complicated for scholars to detect what kind of ditey he was

But the wife of the great trickster god (aswell as Angurbođa) is given nothing

So I am so depretly intrigued, what.is.her.story

What kind of a person was she, bc in my eyes , there must be more to her, something about her got the great trickster himself to marry her and I want to know what!

That is why I’m always clawing at this question when in read into norse mythology or even enjoy loki as a diety, & especially looking at the bowl story

FINALLY found some time to sketch, so here’s Loki, Angrboda, and Sigyn! 

Angrboda’s design is based on a lady of 50-something I used to see at my gym. She had a mop of dyed black shaggy hair that looked like it belonged at a KISS concert in 1985. She was short and stocky and walked like she’d been furiously riding a horse across the plains for days and her legs were very sorry for it. I have no doubt that she could single-handedly lift up a car if she needed to, and she constantly let out a boisterous, raspy cackle that you could hear all the way across the building. She always came to different Zumba classes with her friend, Sharon, who was at least a foot taller than her, 500 decibels quieter, and so willowy that together, they looked like the number 10. 

This woman had absolutely no inside voice to speak of, so whenever she and her friend would go to the weight room, you could hear her bark, “SPOT ME, SHARON” as she squatted something like 250 lbs. I absolutely love this lady and I haven’t seen her in a while because I cancelled my gym membership to stay safe from ‘rona, but I hope she’s still squatting 250 lbs and that she and Sharon are enjoying virtual Zumba together. The minute I saw her, I was like, “Oh, that’s absolutely Angrboda.”

Contrary to a lot of popular Norse myth retellings, I never liked the idea that Loki “cheated” on Sigyn with Angrboda; I always just assumed it was an open/polyamorous relationship. They’re that loud (occasionally crass) family with a horde of boisterous kids and a big RV and the best barbecues on the block.

Also, they sparked the end of the world, no biggie.

GNá

Gná serves as Frigg’s swift and reliable messenger, carrying out tasks across the Nine Realms. To aid her in this duty, she rides the magical horse Hófvarpnir, whose name means “Hoof-Thrower.” This extraordinary steed can traverse land, sea, and sky with ease, ensuring that Gná can deliver Frigg’s messages without hindrance. Because of her ability to travel between worlds, she is often associated with speed, transcendence, and divine communication.

(Text by Delia Gosforth, Illustration by Ellen Artistic)

I am the artist! Do not post without permission & credit! Thank you! Come visit me over on: instagram.com/ellenartistic or tiktok.

These illustrations all made it into a Norse Goddess Coloring Book!

(Print Copy)

There are also PDF copies available!

JARNSAXA

Jarnsaxa is known as the lover of Thor and the mother of Magni, one of his sons. Her importance is reflected in his wife, Sif, being called “the rival of Jarnsaxa,” emphasizing her role in Thor’s life. In the poem Hyndluljóð, she is listed as one of Heimdall’s nine mothers, making her the daughter of Ægir and Rán, the powerful sea deities. While she is referred to as a giantess, this does not mean she is from Jotunheim : her lineage ties her to the sea rather than the land of the Jötnar. Though little is known about her beyond these connections, her legacy endures through Magni, ensuring her place in the mythological world of gods and powerful beings.

(Text by Delia Gosforth, Illustration by Ellen Artistic)

I am the artist! Do not post without permission & credit! Thank you! Come visit me over on: instagram.com/ellenartistic or tiktok.

These illustrations all made it into a Norse Goddess Coloring Book!

(Print Copy)

There are also PDF copies available!

Bestla

Bestla is the mother of Odin, Vili, and Vé. She was the daughter of the giant Bölþorn and the wife of Borr. Though little is recorded about her directly, her lineage connects her to the ancient and mystical forces of the giants. Bestla also had a brother, from whom Odin is said to have learned nine magical songs : some scholars speculate this brother may have been Mimir, the wise being associated with knowledge and the Well of Wisdom.

(Text by Delia Gosforth, Illustration by Ellen Artistic)

I am the artist! Do not post without permission & credit! Thank you! Come visit me over on: instagram.com/ellenartistic or tiktok.

These illustrations all made it into a Norse Goddess Coloring Book!

(Print Copy)

There are also PDF copies available!

THRUD

Thrud (Þrúðr), whose name means “Strength,” was the daughter of Thor and Sif. She was both a goddess and a Valkyrie, one of Odin’s warrior maidens who guided fallen heroes to Valhalla. Thrud had a half-brother, Ullr, Sif’s son from a previous relationship, as well as two other half-brothers : Magni, whose mother was Jarnsaxa, and Modi, whose maternal lineage remains unknown.

One of the most well-known tales involving Thrud is the story of the dwarf Alvis. Alvis, a master craftsman, sought to marry her. However, Thor, unwilling to see his daughter wed to a dwarf, devised a clever trick. He challenged Alvis to prove his wisdom by answering a series of riddles throughout the night. The dwarf eagerly participated, unaware of Thor’s true intentions. By the time he had answered all the questions, the sun rose, and as dwarves cannot survive daylight, Alvis was turned to stone. This myth highlights Thor’s protective nature as a father and his determination to control Thrud’s fate. However, the sources do not record her own thoughts on the matter, leaving her true feelings about the marriage and Alvis’ fate a mystery.

(Text by Delia Gosforth, Illustration by Ellen Artistic)

I am the artist! Do not post without permission & credit! Thank you! Come visit me over on: instagram.com/ellenartistic or tiktok.

These illustrations all made it into a Norse Goddess Coloring Book!

(Print Copy)

There are also PDF copies available!

The Valkyries

The Valkyries were formidable warrior maidens, tasked with selecting fallen warriors from the battlefield and guiding them to Valhalla. Many were of royal birth before becoming Valkyries, and some, like Brunhild and Svafa, fell in love with mortal heroes. They could transform into swans using magical skins, which men sometimes tried to steal to claim them as wives. Certain goddesses, such as Freyja, Eir and Sigyn, were associated with them, though their names do not appear in traditional Valkyrie lists. Among the most famous Valkyries were Skuld (one of the Norns), Gunnr, Hildr, Olrun and Thrud, the daughter of Thor.

(Text by Delia Gosforth, Illustration by Ellen Artistic)

I am the artist! Do not post without permission & credit! Thank you! Come visit me over on: instagram.com/ellenartistic or tiktok.

These illustrations all made it into a Norse Goddess Coloring Book!

(Print Copy)

There are also PDF copies available!

LOKI

Loki is often remembered as a trickster, a god of mischief and chaos, but they also embody something more fluid, more enigmatic—a being beyond strict gender boundaries. While commonly depicted as male, Loki’s gender shifts throughout the myths. In the Ardre stone pictures, Loki is shown wearing a dress, reinforcing their ties to femininity and transformation. But Loki is also a mother.

In an effort to kill an evil witch, Loki consumed her heart, imbued with magic and power. This act had unexpected consequences—Loki became pregnant and later gave birth to monstrous offspring. 

Another of Loki’s children was Sleipnir, the eight-legged stallion ridden by Odin. In this tale, a mysterious Jötunn builder arrived in Asgard, offering to construct an impenetrable wall to protect the gods from their enemies. In return, he demanded the sun, the moon, and the goddess Freyja in marriage. The builder had a powerful stallion, Svaðilfari, who helped him move impossibly heavy stones at great speed. Loki transformed into a beautiful mare to lure Svaðilfari away, ensuring the builder would fail. The plan worked, but at a cost: Loki, unable to avoid the stallion’s advances, gave birth to Sleipnir.

Loki, the shapeshifter, the goddess, the mother, and the trickster, is a being who defies categorization. They exist outside the rigid roles of male and female, of god and goddess, embracing both chaos and creation.

(Text by Delia Gosforth, Illustration by Ellen Artistic)

I am the artist! Do not post without permission & credit! Thank you! Come visit me over on: instagram.com/ellenartistic or tiktok.

These illustrations all made it into a Norse Goddess Coloring Book!

(Print Copy)

There are also PDF copies available!

LAUFEY

Laufey, also known as Nál, is primarily known as the mother of Loki. Her name is associated with foliage, suggesting she may have been a tree-goddess. Unlike most figures in Norse mythology who take their father’s name, Loki chose to be called Laufeyjarson (son of Laufey), rather than after his father, Farbauti, which could hint at a closer bond with his mother. Laufey is mentioned among the Ásynjur (goddesses) in one of the þulur. In Sörla þáttr, she is also identified as Nál, meaning “needle,” a name given due to her slender and delicate nature.

(Text by Delia Gosforth, Illustration by Ellen Artistic)

I am the artist! Do not post without permission & credit! Thank you! Come visit me over on: instagram.com/ellenartistic or tiktok.

These illustrations all made it into a Norse Goddess Coloring Book!

(Print Copy)

There are also PDF copies available!

RAN

Ran is a powerful and merciless sea giantess in Norse mythology, embodying the ocean’s unforgiving nature. She rules over the drowned in the depths of the sea, a realm where those lost to the waves find their final rest. Married to the sea giant Aegir, she is the mother of nine daughters, the personifications of waves: Gjálp, Greip, Eistla, Eyrgjafa, Úlfr, Angeyja, Imdr, Atla and Járnsaxa. Her very name, meaning “theft” or “robbery,” reflects the sea’s ability to claim lives and treasures alike. In Viking poetry, Ran is often invoked as a force that seizes sailors and drags them into her watery domain.

In the Reginsmál, Loki borrowed Ran’s magical net, which she used to ensnare drowning men. He later used it to help the gods capture the shape-shifting dwarf Andvari, whose cursed gold sets in motion the tragic events of the Volsunga Saga. This tale highlights both Ran’s deadly influence and the way the sea’s power extends beyond mere destruction.

(Text by Delia Gosforth, Illustration by Ellen Artistic)

I am the artist! Do not post without permission & credit! Thank you! Come visit me over on: instagram.com/ellenartistic or tiktok.

These illustrations all made it into a Norse Goddess Coloring Book!

(Print Copy)

There are also PDF copies available!

ANGRBODA

Angrboda, whose name means “Grief-Bringer,” is a powerful and mysterious giantess from Jotunheim. She is best known as Loki’s first wife and the mother of three fearsome beings: Hel, the ruler of the underworld, Fenrir, the monstrous wolf fated to break free at Ragnarok, and Jormungandr, the serpent that encircles the world. Her origins are shrouded in mystery, and some scholars believe she was a later addition to Norse myth, appearing after the 12th century.

In the Völuspá, there is mention of a jotunn witch dwelling in Járnvid, or ‘Ironwood’, a dark and foreboding forest. Some believe this could refer to Angrboda, suggesting she played a deeper role in the prophecy of Ragnarok, and raised Fenrir’s children, Skoll and Hati.

(Text by Delia Gosforth, Illustration by Ellen Artistic)

I am the artist! Do not post without permission & credit! Thank you! Come visit me over on: instagram.com/ellenartistic or tiktok.

These illustrations all made it into a Norse Goddess Coloring Book!

(Print Copy)

There are also PDF copies available!