Learning, and Listening

We the Mods/admins River, Jude, and Nicole are shocked, saddened, and angered at the sudden deletion of the Lokean Pagan Discord Server. It came as a surprise to us as well. There were many issues both in the server itself of how Sara treated its members and also how she treated the moderation staff. To give a few examples, a mod was demoted as punishment when Sara did not agree with how another mod wanted a certain issue handled. There were also instances of censorships and her talking poorly about other members behind their backs in a different group. There were other red flags as well. We as mods understand that we may have enabled some of that behavior by not addressing it. The issues we did raise about were ignored or dismissed. In light of the recent events before the server was deleted, all of us were in the process of stepping down.

Instead of issuing an apology and accepting responsibility for her actions, like we who worship Loki are often called to do, she chose to issue a non-apology and delete the server. There are two sides of every story, so there might be other factors at play. However, this is inexcusable and unacceptable behavior for someone who claims to want a leadership role in the Lokean and larger heathen/pagan communities.

I am thankful for those people who stepped into action and set up a new server, contacting previous members and providing a safe space for us to sort out our hurt and confusion. I am so glad to be a part of such a strong and loving community that cares about its members.

The podcast will continue after some rebranding. It is currently on hiatus. Sara and Birdie will no longer be a part of it. I don’t know about the blog. That’s still up in the air as far as I know.

We have a new home and the people are lovely. We don’t bite (unless there is consent.)

A lot of people have been hurt by Sara’s actions and decisions. Let us take the lessons we have learned here and move forward. Let us strive to do better together and not repeat what happened. Take care of yourself. If you need to step away, do so. We will be here when you get back.

Nobody's expecting you to become best friends with every single person at this party. You don't have to talk to anyone if you don't want to. But the fact that you enjoy sitting in a corner doesn't make people who like meeting new people stupid.

Other guests are allowed to hang out with the people you don't like. You're allowed to avoid them. But you're not allowed to go: "Fuck you Steve, you're not even a real guest, because you don't know the host of this party! Hey, everyone, get a load of this guy, he thinks he's a real guest!!! Omg Tanya, are you actually talking to Steve?! Gross. Guess you must be a bad person then..."

The point I'm trying to make is that the infighting that is going on in (American) heathenry is unhealthy.

People shouldn't be made to feel like shit because of who/how they worship, and you shouldn't use religion as an excuse to bully people.

Where I grew up, it's common to pour a small amount of your drink on the ground as an offering to the småfolk. But my friend living 2 hours away from me doesn't do this, as they believe it would offend the småfolk. So who's right? Both. Both of us are right. Our local areas have found different ways of venerating the småfolk.

It's impossible to find "the one true" anything in Norse heathenry, because decentralised religions don't work that way.

True inclusivity means accepting that people will do things differently than you do.

A quick run down!

Skaði; the Avenger. Daughter of the giant Thiazi, a strong and fearless figure who didn’t hesitate to face the Gods looking for retribution after her father’s death. Associated with winter, hunting, snow and wolves.

Sif; the Golden-Haired. Fair wife of Thor, renowned among the Gods for her beautiful locks of gold hair. It is believed she was associated with harvest and fertility.

Hel; Queen of the Dead. Daughter of Loki, one half of her body decays like a corpse while the other is fresh and young. She reigns over Helheim, realm of the dead, with her hound Garm. Associated with death but most of all, the acceptance of it.

Iðunn; the Eternally Young. Fair, generous and luminous, keeper of the golden apples which grant the Gods their immortality. Associated with purity, youth and innocence.

Frigg; the Prophetess. Wife of Odin and blessed with the gift of foresight, though she is said to keep all knowledge of the future to herself. Allmother associated with childbirth, motherhood and family matters as well as divination.

Jörð; the Fertile Earth. Giantess and mother of Thor, embodying the spirit of the earth. Associated with nature, wildlife and the prosperity of land.

Rán; the Restless Sea. Embodying the dangers of voyage at sea, she was said to sink ships who ventured on her waters. She dwells in an underwater palace where she pulls her victims to stay with her for eternity. Associated with the ocean and death at sea.

Freyja; the Sorceress. Sister of Freyr, she masters the art of seidr (magic) and is known as the most beautiful of the Goddesses. Associated with love and sexuality, but also battle and death: along with Oðinn, she chooses the fallen warriors who will fight alongside the Gods during Ragnarök.

“Certain niche depictions of this gods sphere of influence offend my extremely modern puritanical deference to purity culture. Therefore The God themself is the problem. I am Very Good.” 

ᛚᛟᚴᛁ

“Loki, that’s me. Loki, the Light-Bringer, the misunderstood, the handsome and modest hero of this particular tissue of lies. The difference between a god and a demon is really only a matter of perspective.” - Joanne Harris, The Gospel of Loki.

“That was the thing about Loki. You resented him even when you were at your most greatful, and you were greatful to him even when you hated him the most.” - Neil Gaiman, Norse Mythology.

Boss bitch. Queen. Muse.

Facebook/Yahoo/Website

I know people have pointed out that Krasskova (and also Butler) essentially run a cult of sorts, but I would like people to know that the main publisher of devotional anthologies for western paganism, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, is a part of their cult/circle/what have you.

It was founded by Sannion AKA H. Jeremiah Lewis, who is basically all over Tumblr and such for being a Neo-nazi amongst other things.

"Our space is apolitical" does not invite neutrality, but is instead another way of saying, "We don't mind neo-Nazis in our Heathen spaces as long as they don't tell us they're neo-Nazis."

i see people mention “loki doesnt have any recorded worship” but a lot of norse gods have no big sacrifices for them. there were not a lot of recorded, huge things like that. a lot of gods had no places were named after. leaving aside that cultures and traditions change so ‘new’ gods can be worshiped now, we are looking at a very narrow scope of what “worship” looked like. what the every day person might have called upon gods for in day to day activities. 

take christianity for example: its not rly stated in the bible that your loved ones become angels in heaven that act as messengers for you. sure they do GO to heaven, but what happens after is open for interpretation. that doesn’t mean that for the average person they don’t have a bigger, personal connection “god” compared to their loved ones they knew. and the idea that your family become angels you can call upon or ask to talk to god for you is still a christian invention. but not everyone records this down, its regional, and its more personal. how does history record these smaller, more intimate religious and spiritual beliefs?

Hel: Are you okay?