runningw-thewolves

[runningw-thewolves]

The Value of Worshipping Loki, Fenrir, Hel, or Any Other "Evil" or "Scary" Deity

If you've spent any time in Heathen spaces, I'm sure you've seen people who claim that Loki and their offspring are evil and / or not worthy of worship. While I can understand this line of thinking st the surface level, I don't think it takes certain factors into account

1) Downfalls Of Mythic Literalism

Taking the myths as true stories is, in my opinion, unhelpful in worshipping the gods. These stories have been written down by humans after they were passed down orally. There's always going to be human bias in these telling and retellings because humans aren't perfect.

Claiming that Loki is evil is saying that humans know the gods and can decide if they are "good" or "evil."

The myths and stories are just that: stories. They aren't the end all be all of who the gods are.

2) "Good" vs. "Evil" Is Unhelpful

The concept that Loki is evil and the other gods are good is such a black and white way of looking at Norse Mythology. A vast majority of humans are neither purely good nor purely evil, so why should the gods be subject to this sort of ridicule?

In reality, things are always gray, there isn't much that's black and white.

3) Chaos Is A Part Of Life

The gods often reflect the realities of life, and let's be honest, life is messy and chaotic. Embracing chaos can be helpful in getting through rough patches.

Loki is a god of chaos; chaos is a part of life. Therefore, some may find benefit in working with or worshipping them.

4) It's Literally None Of Your Business

If everything I have said previously does not inspire you to leave Loki devotees or devotees of "evil" deities alone, please realize that other peoples' practices aren't your concern. They aren't hurting anyone. They aren't hurting you.

I think all of us need to remember that everyone is fighting their own battle. Picking a fight with someone over who they worship or work with is not kind, and you're unlikely to change anyone's mind.

Even in this post, I'm not trying to convince you to worship Loki or his children. All I'm trying to do is remind people that kindness goes a long way.

I hope you found this post informative or helpful in some way. If you have any questions or comments, send them my way!!

[runningw-thewolves]

Reminds me of @muirin007’s Loki videos where it often starts with “I’m Loki, God of *insert something random here*”. My favourite one is still “God of ‘Eat My Shorts!’”

because of his affiliation with change i wonder if that sort of makes loki also the god of Impsulsively Dyeing Your Hair A Color

[runningw-thewolves]

See this shit right here? This shit is what got me here today.

I was maybe 7-ish years old, primary 4. We had been talking about the Greek and Roman Gods in class and I distinctly remember being uninterested. Just straight up like;

Then we went on a field trip to Vikingar. I remember DISTINCTLY sitting on those benches in the mock-up longhouse, staring up and down the room in pure awe, eyes wide like the moon and my jaw glued to the floor. I remember being so fascinated, so infatuated, so mesmerised by what I saw that it changed me forever. My family would often holiday at the nearby caravan park; from then on, anytime we were near Vikingar I would beg relentlessly to go back.

That said, as an adult, bits of it are outdated but I think, for an introduction, it’s pretty good. The decorations and props are insane. Highly recommend, especially for the kiddies.

'Vikingar!' Viking Experience, Largs, Scotland

[runningw-thewolves]

- Loki is a Halloween kid. He enjoys scary campfire stories, trick r treating, dressing up in costumes, maybe watching a horror movie or two; he LOVES Halloween.

- Fenrir has drooled once over chilli con carne. He devoured it happily. (Still hold that as a badge of honour.)

- Vali looks like an Emo kid from 2006 who just walked outta Hot Topic and if you play Simple Plan or Green Day he immediately starts vibing.

- Sigyn consistently sounds like Kanga from Winnie the Pooh. From how gently she talks to how often she says “dear”.

- Angrboda once heard what an AFA nutter said about her and immediately pissed herself laughing. Like a very sarcastic sort of laugh, sort of like “Get a load of this!”

- Narvi is a fucking ray of sunshine. Beautiful smile, super friendly and optimistic - any more excited and he may as well be Pinkie Pie.

- Hel is halfway between a stereotypical Goth and a Disney Princess; closest character out there similar to her would be Charlie from Hazbin Hotel.

Can we please start wholesome rumors about the gods based on our own experiences? I need "pass it on" posts.

I'll go first:

Ares likes hugs, pass it on!

[runningw-thewolves]

Nazis will never be welcome in paganism. They have no space in our communities, we will have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to nazis. You have no right to the cultures, gods and religions you hijack to spread your disgusting ideologies. You will find no refuge or comraderie amongst pagans.

Reblog to let nazis know they’re not welcome here.

[runningw-thewolves]

If you do, and you are able and comfortable to do so, I’d love to see your essay!

We all know about how Fenrir is supposed to kill Odin at Ragnarok. Thing is that this story has been the same since it was recorded back in the early 1000s, and myths aren’t supposed to remain the same. They are supposed to adapt to the times, have embellishments that apply to the modern day. So with that in mind, here is a modern retelling of Fenrir’s story, with embellishments to represent the struggle against oppression that minorities face, the fire to live when another group calls for your death or torture.

Fenrir was always an excitable puppy. He deeply loved his home, his family, and his life. He had parents who were willing to play with him at his level, as well as siblings who didn’t judge him for being a wolf pup. When Odin came and kidnapped the children - and he did kidnap them - Fenrir was traumatised deeply. His culture laid back in Jotunheim, and he was forcibly uprooted. He hoped, perhaps, he could still have his siblings. Jormungandr, at this point braver than Fenrir, tried to fight back and was thrown into the seas of Midgard. Hel, the quietest of the three, clung tight to Fenrir, and the wolf did what he could to protect her though, frankly, he was just as scared.

At the gates of Asgard, Fenrir was forced on to the Asgardian soil. He waited for Hel; she tried to exit the vessel but was held back. She tried to break free but found she was overpowered. Fenrir, the ever loving eldest brother, tried to jump to her aid; he too was held back. He watched, tears in his eyes, as Odin commanded for Hel to be banished to the darkest of the realms where should would never set foot on Asgard. Fenrir could only sit and watch as his sister cried and screamed for him, begging him to do something while he was also overpowered, robbed of agency to protect.

In Asgard, Fenrir was kept in a cage in the square of the kingdom. The cityfolk stared at him, gawked and gossiped. Fenrir had no shelter from the rain, the brittle snow and harsh cold, the howling winds, or even from the judging stare of others. One God, Tyr, noticed the wolf had not been fed and would likely die if not given a meal soon. He called a meeting with Odin, pleading on the Wolf’s behalf to free him, feed him, give him proper shelter. Odin took deep offense to this, and soon so did most of the Gods. The only one who sided with Tyr was the Wolf’s father, Loki.

After months of fighting, pleading and debating, Tyr approached the Wolf’s cage with a key and a collar. Tyr opened the door of the cage, sitting down as he gently held a hand forward for Fenrir to sniff. “Easy,” Tyr spoke softly, “I’m not gonna hurt you.” From his pocket, Tyr pulled out a slab of meat and placed it before the wolf. Fenrir was at first puzzled, suspicious; it didn’t smell poisoned, but how could he know for certain? Fortunately, hunger overrode him and he devoured the meat, barely chewing. Fenrir felt no pain, no illness came to him. Tyr smiled at him; “See? I don’t wanna hurt you.” The isolation crept up on Fenrir and he crawled to the God’s side, weeping into his clothing as the God stroked his matted fur.

Tyr took the wolf back to his halls, brushed out the matts in his fur, bathed him, tended to his wounds and provided plenty of food and water. Tyr secured land for the wolf to run around in, and provided comfortable bedding for the wolf to curl up on. When Fenrir was clean and satiated, Tyr explained the nature of the collar; “I was able to secure your freedom on the condition that you wear this. However, when you are in my halls, on my land, you will remain uncollared.” Preferring it over the cage, the pup agreed.

Fenrir became Tyr’s loyal companion, and the two grew close. The wolf came to see the God as a brother, and their love for one another caused something strange to happen; Fenrir grew rapidly under the affection of Tyr. So rapidly, in fact, that the space Tyr acquired soon was too small for the wolf. The cityfolk and the Gods protested in anger, and Odin called another meeting.

In this meeting, he scolded Tyr; “You asked for his freedom, and brought the threat straight into our home without restraint.” Tyr tried to argue in Defense of the Wolf, but the Gods outnumbered him. “Kill him!” One shouted. “Burn him!” Another roared. Odin could see that Tyr wouldn’t allow death to meet the wolf, so Odin hatched a plan to test Tyr’s loyalty and deal with the wolf.

Iron chains were brought to the wolf, and the Gods told him they wished to play a game to test his growth and strength. Tyr’s presence calmed the wolf, and so he agreed. The Gods bound him then stood back, smiling with triumph. Then the fetters broke. The terror was palpable; Tyr celebrated with the wolf.

Chains of the finest damascus were sought after and brought before the Wolf, the Gods asking another round of the game. Tyr’s growing concern wasn’t unnoticed by Fenrir, yet he agreed. He was eager to see his limits. Once more, the Gods smiled thinking they were triumphant until, after a fair struggle, the damascus finally caved in.

Odin sent for the finest dwarven craftsmen, begging them for a way to bind the wolf permanently. After some consideration, and a hefty price - for even the dwarves understood how grave and blasphemous an ask they were being demanded of - the dwarves agreed and sent Odin to collect the ingredients they would need. Once Odin returned from his travels with the ingredients in hand, the dwarves got to work. Within a month, the chains were completed. The dwarves warned Odin as he walked away; “What you have asked is an affront to nature. The chains will one day break; will you still be willing to pay the price then?” Odin paid them no mind.

The final fetters were shown to Fenrir. Only Odin smiled; the other Gods stared in horror, for why was the Allfather showing a ribbon to the wolf? Tyr’s terror was so strong that Fenrir could smell that something was up. Odin asked for another round; the wolf denied. “How am I to trust that what you ask is a fair game?” Odin, no stranger to lying, told the wolf; “Why would I challenge you if it was not fair?” The wolf did not buy it. The more the wolf refused, the more Odin fought back - and as he fought, the angrier he got. Tyr feared that Odin would hurt the wolf, and Fenrir knew. For Tyr, he relented. “I will only allow this if one of you is willing to risk your hand.”

This ask made the Gods freeze. Even Odin dare not speak; he had no need to. He watched as Tyr observed his allies. With a sigh, Tyr raised his hand. Fenrir was surprised; Tyr explained “If this is a fair game, then I have nothing to lose.” With that, the wolf was shackled and Tyr placed his hand inside the Wolf’s maw. At Odin’s word, Fenrir began his struggle. In an instant, boiling hot agony flooded his body as the fetter wound tighter with each thrash. Lost in the pain, Fenrir gritted his teeth and - in turn - took Tyr’s hand off. Tyr fell to the floor, screaming in agony while the Gods cheered. Furious, for him and his brother, Fenrir snapped at the Gods, desperate to protect Tyr. Odin took a sword and jammed it through Fenrir’s snout, pinning him to the ground. The Gods pulled Tyr away, as Tyr pleaded for release to comfort the whining Fenrir.

Fenrir was left alone, deep in a cavern in Asgard. Isolated, cold, pained, hungry, thirsty, tired, dirty. He waited years on end, until one day… the binds broke. Fenrir lifted his head from the ground, carefully removing the sword and spitting it to the ground. He did not move, instead curling up and allowing himself to lick his wounds and rest. Fenrir would spend the next few days hunting, discovering that a harsh winter had taken his food with the summer. In the cave, Fenrir considered everything. He pondered and contemplated, his eyes drifting to the chains.

When the Gods next saw Fenrir, Odin was dismayed to see him free. Then came the confusion; even Jormungandr and Loki stared. In the Wolf’s jaws were the binds that had bound him and the sword Odin had used on him. Fenrir came to a halt in front of Odin, gently dropping the items at Odin’s feet. Fenrir stared down the God; “You are truly pathetic to think I would sink to your depravity. You issued a challenge; you lost. Your fear and loss is enough for me. But next time, I will not be so merciful.”

If Ragnarok was to come, Fenrir decided it was not today, not at his hand. As he walked away, he paused by Tyr. Tyr fell to his knees, crying and begging the Wolf’s forgiveness. Fenrir looked back to the Gods; “Be grateful I have decided to spare you in hopes you’ll leave me be, instead of killing you all right now.” Turning to Tyr, the wolf frowned, his heart breaking seeing his brother. “When you are ready, brother, you know where to find me.” And with that, Fenrir left. He was tired and hungry; he had no tolerance for war today.

[runningw-thewolves]

Just thought I’d share some of the things I thought about while writing this retelling. TW for lots to do with racism, death, murder, genocide etc.

1. A giftet I saw on here back in 2020, just after the murder of George Floyd. The gifs depicted a Black woman on the street; one thing she said has always stuck with me since I saw it. “Thank yourselves we’re asking for equality and not revenge.”

2. A recent story from Greenland of an Inuit woman named Kiera whose baby was taken from her due to failing some colonial bullshit Danish language test, which has allowed thousands of Indigenous children to be forcefully removed from their loving families and culture.

3. Everything we’re seeing in and about Gaza; Israhellis calling for the deaths of innocent Palestinians, the murder and displacement of families and children, but even more so how even in the midst of all this people are still sharing Palestinian art, music, photography, and joy.

4. The reversing of fundamental human rights like abortion in the US, and certain social media platforms changing policies to allow harmful speech towards minority groups, especially LGBTQIA+.

5. How even after 400 years, racism is still so prevalent and Black people are often robbed of agency and humanity, robbed of the freedom to express anger and hurt because sensitive Wyt folks will deem them dangerous even after they’ve been shot to death by an officer while they were unarmed.

We all know about how Fenrir is supposed to kill Odin at Ragnarok. Thing is that this story has been the same since it was recorded back in the early 1000s, and myths aren’t supposed to remain the same. They are supposed to adapt to the times, have embellishments that apply to the modern day. So with that in mind, here is a modern retelling of Fenrir’s story, with embellishments to represent the struggle against oppression that minorities face, the fire to live when another group calls for your death or torture.

Fenrir was always an excitable puppy. He deeply loved his home, his family, and his life. He had parents who were willing to play with him at his level, as well as siblings who didn’t judge him for being a wolf pup. When Odin came and kidnapped the children - and he did kidnap them - Fenrir was traumatised deeply. His culture laid back in Jotunheim, and he was forcibly uprooted. He hoped, perhaps, he could still have his siblings. Jormungandr, at this point braver than Fenrir, tried to fight back and was thrown into the seas of Midgard. Hel, the quietest of the three, clung tight to Fenrir, and the wolf did what he could to protect her though, frankly, he was just as scared.

At the gates of Asgard, Fenrir was forced on to the Asgardian soil. He waited for Hel; she tried to exit the vessel but was held back. She tried to break free but found she was overpowered. Fenrir, the ever loving eldest brother, tried to jump to her aid; he too was held back. He watched, tears in his eyes, as Odin commanded for Hel to be banished to the darkest of the realms where should would never set foot on Asgard. Fenrir could only sit and watch as his sister cried and screamed for him, begging him to do something while he was also overpowered, robbed of agency to protect.

In Asgard, Fenrir was kept in a cage in the square of the kingdom. The cityfolk stared at him, gawked and gossiped. Fenrir had no shelter from the rain, the brittle snow and harsh cold, the howling winds, or even from the judging stare of others. One God, Tyr, noticed the wolf had not been fed and would likely die if not given a meal soon. He called a meeting with Odin, pleading on the Wolf’s behalf to free him, feed him, give him proper shelter. Odin took deep offense to this, and soon so did most of the Gods. The only one who sided with Tyr was the Wolf’s father, Loki.

After months of fighting, pleading and debating, Tyr approached the Wolf’s cage with a key and a collar. Tyr opened the door of the cage, sitting down as he gently held a hand forward for Fenrir to sniff. “Easy,” Tyr spoke softly, “I’m not gonna hurt you.” From his pocket, Tyr pulled out a slab of meat and placed it before the wolf. Fenrir was at first puzzled, suspicious; it didn’t smell poisoned, but how could he know for certain? Fortunately, hunger overrode him and he devoured the meat, barely chewing. Fenrir felt no pain, no illness came to him. Tyr smiled at him; “See? I don’t wanna hurt you.” The isolation crept up on Fenrir and he crawled to the God’s side, weeping into his clothing as the God stroked his matted fur.

Tyr took the wolf back to his halls, brushed out the matts in his fur, bathed him, tended to his wounds and provided plenty of food and water. Tyr secured land for the wolf to run around in, and provided comfortable bedding for the wolf to curl up on. When Fenrir was clean and satiated, Tyr explained the nature of the collar; “I was able to secure your freedom on the condition that you wear this. However, when you are in my halls, on my land, you will remain uncollared.” Preferring it over the cage, the pup agreed.

Fenrir became Tyr’s loyal companion, and the two grew close. The wolf came to see the God as a brother, and their love for one another caused something strange to happen; Fenrir grew rapidly under the affection of Tyr. So rapidly, in fact, that the space Tyr acquired soon was too small for the wolf. The cityfolk and the Gods protested in anger, and Odin called another meeting.

In this meeting, he scolded Tyr; “You asked for his freedom, and brought the threat straight into our home without restraint.” Tyr tried to argue in Defense of the Wolf, but the Gods outnumbered him. “Kill him!” One shouted. “Burn him!” Another roared. Odin could see that Tyr wouldn’t allow death to meet the wolf, so Odin hatched a plan to test Tyr’s loyalty and deal with the wolf.

Iron chains were brought to the wolf, and the Gods told him they wished to play a game to test his growth and strength. Tyr’s presence calmed the wolf, and so he agreed. The Gods bound him then stood back, smiling with triumph. Then the fetters broke. The terror was palpable; Tyr celebrated with the wolf.

Chains of the finest damascus were sought after and brought before the Wolf, the Gods asking another round of the game. Tyr’s growing concern wasn’t unnoticed by Fenrir, yet he agreed. He was eager to see his limits. Once more, the Gods smiled thinking they were triumphant until, after a fair struggle, the damascus finally caved in.

Odin sent for the finest dwarven craftsmen, begging them for a way to bind the wolf permanently. After some consideration, and a hefty price - for even the dwarves understood how grave and blasphemous an ask they were being demanded of - the dwarves agreed and sent Odin to collect the ingredients they would need. Once Odin returned from his travels with the ingredients in hand, the dwarves got to work. Within a month, the chains were completed. The dwarves warned Odin as he walked away; “What you have asked is an affront to nature. The chains will one day break; will you still be willing to pay the price then?” Odin paid them no mind.

The final fetters were shown to Fenrir. Only Odin smiled; the other Gods stared in horror, for why was the Allfather showing a ribbon to the wolf? Tyr’s terror was so strong that Fenrir could smell that something was up. Odin asked for another round; the wolf denied. “How am I to trust that what you ask is a fair game?” Odin, no stranger to lying, told the wolf; “Why would I challenge you if it was not fair?” The wolf did not buy it. The more the wolf refused, the more Odin fought back - and as he fought, the angrier he got. Tyr feared that Odin would hurt the wolf, and Fenrir knew. For Tyr, he relented. “I will only allow this if one of you is willing to risk your hand.”

This ask made the Gods freeze. Even Odin dare not speak; he had no need to. He watched as Tyr observed his allies. With a sigh, Tyr raised his hand. Fenrir was surprised; Tyr explained “If this is a fair game, then I have nothing to lose.” With that, the wolf was shackled and Tyr placed his hand inside the Wolf’s maw. At Odin’s word, Fenrir began his struggle. In an instant, boiling hot agony flooded his body as the fetter wound tighter with each thrash. Lost in the pain, Fenrir gritted his teeth and - in turn - took Tyr’s hand off. Tyr fell to the floor, screaming in agony while the Gods cheered. Furious, for him and his brother, Fenrir snapped at the Gods, desperate to protect Tyr. Odin took a sword and jammed it through Fenrir’s snout, pinning him to the ground. The Gods pulled Tyr away, as Tyr pleaded for release to comfort the whining Fenrir.

Fenrir was left alone, deep in a cavern in Asgard. Isolated, cold, pained, hungry, thirsty, tired, dirty. He waited years on end, until one day… the binds broke. Fenrir lifted his head from the ground, carefully removing the sword and spitting it to the ground. He did not move, instead curling up and allowing himself to lick his wounds and rest. Fenrir would spend the next few days hunting, discovering that a harsh winter had taken his food with the summer. In the cave, Fenrir considered everything. He pondered and contemplated, his eyes drifting to the chains.

When the Gods next saw Fenrir, Odin was dismayed to see him free. Then came the confusion; even Jormungandr and Loki stared. In the Wolf’s jaws were the binds that had bound him and the sword Odin had used on him. Fenrir came to a halt in front of Odin, gently dropping the items at Odin’s feet. Fenrir stared down the God; “You are truly pathetic to think I would sink to your depravity. You issued a challenge; you lost. Your fear and loss is enough for me. But next time, I will not be so merciful.”

If Ragnarok was to come, Fenrir decided it was not today, not at his hand. As he walked away, he paused by Tyr. Tyr fell to his knees, crying and begging the Wolf’s forgiveness. Fenrir looked back to the Gods; “Be grateful I have decided to spare you in hopes you’ll leave me be, instead of killing you all right now.” Turning to Tyr, the wolf frowned, his heart breaking seeing his brother. “When you are ready, brother, you know where to find me.” And with that, Fenrir left. He was tired and hungry; he had no tolerance for war today.

[runningw-thewolves]

We all know about how Fenrir is supposed to kill Odin at Ragnarok. Thing is that this story has been the same since it was recorded back in the early 1000s, and myths aren’t supposed to remain the same. They are supposed to adapt to the times, have embellishments that apply to the modern day. So with that in mind, here is a modern retelling of Fenrir’s story, with embellishments to represent the struggle against oppression that minorities face, the fire to live when another group calls for your death or torture.

Fenrir was always an excitable puppy. He deeply loved his home, his family, and his life. He had parents who were willing to play with him at his level, as well as siblings who didn’t judge him for being a wolf pup. When Odin came and kidnapped the children - and he did kidnap them - Fenrir was traumatised deeply. His culture laid back in Jotunheim, and he was forcibly uprooted. He hoped, perhaps, he could still have his siblings. Jormungandr, at this point braver than Fenrir, tried to fight back and was thrown into the seas of Midgard. Hel, the quietest of the three, clung tight to Fenrir, and the wolf did what he could to protect her though, frankly, he was just as scared.

At the gates of Asgard, Fenrir was forced on to the Asgardian soil. He waited for Hel; she tried to exit the vessel but was held back. She tried to break free but found she was overpowered. Fenrir, the ever loving eldest brother, tried to jump to her aid; he too was held back. He watched, tears in his eyes, as Odin commanded for Hel to be banished to the darkest of the realms where should would never set foot on Asgard. Fenrir could only sit and watch as his sister cried and screamed for him, begging him to do something while he was also overpowered, robbed of agency to protect.

In Asgard, Fenrir was kept in a cage in the square of the kingdom. The cityfolk stared at him, gawked and gossiped. Fenrir had no shelter from the rain, the brittle snow and harsh cold, the howling winds, or even from the judging stare of others. One God, Tyr, noticed the wolf had not been fed and would likely die if not given a meal soon. He called a meeting with Odin, pleading on the Wolf’s behalf to free him, feed him, give him proper shelter. Odin took deep offense to this, and soon so did most of the Gods. The only one who sided with Tyr was the Wolf’s father, Loki.

After months of fighting, pleading and debating, Tyr approached the Wolf’s cage with a key and a collar. Tyr opened the door of the cage, sitting down as he gently held a hand forward for Fenrir to sniff. “Easy,” Tyr spoke softly, “I’m not gonna hurt you.” From his pocket, Tyr pulled out a slab of meat and placed it before the wolf. Fenrir was at first puzzled, suspicious; it didn’t smell poisoned, but how could he know for certain? Fortunately, hunger overrode him and he devoured the meat, barely chewing. Fenrir felt no pain, no illness came to him. Tyr smiled at him; “See? I don’t wanna hurt you.” The isolation crept up on Fenrir and he crawled to the God’s side, weeping into his clothing as the God stroked his matted fur.

Tyr took the wolf back to his halls, brushed out the matts in his fur, bathed him, tended to his wounds and provided plenty of food and water. Tyr secured land for the wolf to run around in, and provided comfortable bedding for the wolf to curl up on. When Fenrir was clean and satiated, Tyr explained the nature of the collar; “I was able to secure your freedom on the condition that you wear this. However, when you are in my halls, on my land, you will remain uncollared.” Preferring it over the cage, the pup agreed.

Fenrir became Tyr’s loyal companion, and the two grew close. The wolf came to see the God as a brother, and their love for one another caused something strange to happen; Fenrir grew rapidly under the affection of Tyr. So rapidly, in fact, that the space Tyr acquired soon was too small for the wolf. The cityfolk and the Gods protested in anger, and Odin called another meeting.

In this meeting, he scolded Tyr; “You asked for his freedom, and brought the threat straight into our home without restraint.” Tyr tried to argue in Defense of the Wolf, but the Gods outnumbered him. “Kill him!” One shouted. “Burn him!” Another roared. Odin could see that Tyr wouldn’t allow death to meet the wolf, so Odin hatched a plan to test Tyr’s loyalty and deal with the wolf.

Iron chains were brought to the wolf, and the Gods told him they wished to play a game to test his growth and strength. Tyr’s presence calmed the wolf, and so he agreed. The Gods bound him then stood back, smiling with triumph. Then the fetters broke. The terror was palpable; Tyr celebrated with the wolf.

Chains of the finest damascus were sought after and brought before the Wolf, the Gods asking another round of the game. Tyr’s growing concern wasn’t unnoticed by Fenrir, yet he agreed. He was eager to see his limits. Once more, the Gods smiled thinking they were triumphant until, after a fair struggle, the damascus finally caved in.

Odin sent for the finest dwarven craftsmen, begging them for a way to bind the wolf permanently. After some consideration, and a hefty price - for even the dwarves understood how grave and blasphemous an ask they were being demanded of - the dwarves agreed and sent Odin to collect the ingredients they would need. Once Odin returned from his travels with the ingredients in hand, the dwarves got to work. Within a month, the chains were completed. The dwarves warned Odin as he walked away; “What you have asked is an affront to nature. The chains will one day break; will you still be willing to pay the price then?” Odin paid them no mind.

The final fetters were shown to Fenrir. Only Odin smiled; the other Gods stared in horror, for why was the Allfather showing a ribbon to the wolf? Tyr’s terror was so strong that Fenrir could smell that something was up. Odin asked for another round; the wolf denied. “How am I to trust that what you ask is a fair game?” Odin, no stranger to lying, told the wolf; “Why would I challenge you if it was not fair?” The wolf did not buy it. The more the wolf refused, the more Odin fought back - and as he fought, the angrier he got. Tyr feared that Odin would hurt the wolf, and Fenrir knew. For Tyr, he relented. “I will only allow this if one of you is willing to risk your hand.”

This ask made the Gods freeze. Even Odin dare not speak; he had no need to. He watched as Tyr observed his allies. With a sigh, Tyr raised his hand. Fenrir was surprised; Tyr explained “If this is a fair game, then I have nothing to lose.” With that, the wolf was shackled and Tyr placed his hand inside the Wolf’s maw. At Odin’s word, Fenrir began his struggle. In an instant, boiling hot agony flooded his body as the fetter wound tighter with each thrash. Lost in the pain, Fenrir gritted his teeth and - in turn - took Tyr’s hand off. Tyr fell to the floor, screaming in agony while the Gods cheered. Furious, for him and his brother, Fenrir snapped at the Gods, desperate to protect Tyr. Odin took a sword and jammed it through Fenrir’s snout, pinning him to the ground. The Gods pulled Tyr away, as Tyr pleaded for release to comfort the whining Fenrir.

Fenrir was left alone, deep in a cavern in Asgard. Isolated, cold, pained, hungry, thirsty, tired, dirty. He waited years on end, until one day… the binds broke. Fenrir lifted his head from the ground, carefully removing the sword and spitting it to the ground. He did not move, instead curling up and allowing himself to lick his wounds and rest. Fenrir would spend the next few days hunting, discovering that a harsh winter had taken his food with the summer. In the cave, Fenrir considered everything. He pondered and contemplated, his eyes drifting to the chains.

When the Gods next saw Fenrir, Odin was dismayed to see him free. Then came the confusion; even Jormungandr and Loki stared. In the Wolf’s jaws were the binds that had bound him and the sword Odin had used on him. Fenrir came to a halt in front of Odin, gently dropping the items at Odin’s feet. Fenrir stared down the God; “You are truly pathetic to think I would sink to your depravity. You issued a challenge; you lost. Your fear and loss is enough for me. But next time, I will not be so merciful.”

If Ragnarok was to come, Fenrir decided it was not today, not at his hand. As he walked away, he paused by Tyr. Tyr fell to his knees, crying and begging the Wolf’s forgiveness. Fenrir looked back to the Gods; “Be grateful I have decided to spare you in hopes you’ll leave me be, instead of killing you all right now.” Turning to Tyr, the wolf frowned, his heart breaking seeing his brother. “When you are ready, brother, you know where to find me.” And with that, Fenrir left. He was tired and hungry; he had no tolerance for war today.

[runningw-thewolves]

The funny thing is that I've described this idea to people as "Norse mythology Vi and Caitlin but in Ever After High".

Fenrir's kid? The Vi - has experienced poverty, oppression, and knows exactly what it's like to be held in a cage most of your life.

Tyr's kid? The Caitlin - has experienced wealth and abundance and hasn't had to worry about a damn thing, was able to study law till their heart was content but never quite understood the other side of the story, the details that were intentionally left out, until they encountered someone from the other side.

This is my insanity, but it is an insanity that is a devotion to Fenrir because why the Hell not? It's an angle I've pondered for a while.

Slightly off-tangent but not but do any of you recall Ever After High? Well, it is certainly a big inspiration behind my personal project 'Auruvitulum Academy' and there's been an angle of Fenrir and Tyr's tale and bond I wanted to explore. Not to say "That is what actually happened", but more like a "What if?" That what if being; "What if romantic feelings were involved?"

And somehow, Ever After High seems to be the medium in which I am exploring this.

[runningw-thewolves]

Slightly off-tangent but not but do any of you recall Ever After High? Well, it is certainly a big inspiration behind my personal project 'Auruvitulum Academy' and there's been an angle of Fenrir and Tyr's tale and bond I wanted to explore. Not to say "That is what actually happened", but more like a "What if?" That what if being; "What if romantic feelings were involved?"

And somehow, Ever After High seems to be the medium in which I am exploring this.

[runningw-thewolves]

Face Ragnarök Like Fenrir

At times like these I also take inspiration from Fenrir.

They put their hand in your mouth, bite it off.

They tie you up, break those fetters.

They may finally tie you down and put a sword in your mouth. What will fall out of your mouth is hope.

They cannot contain you.

Your fetters will break. You will be free. Vengeance will be yours.

Hail Fenrir.

Ves þú heil!

[runningw-thewolves]

No Frith for Fascists

There is no frith for fascist ilk, be it nationalist, cop, or terf. No love can they hold, soft and sleek as silk As they commit to their own unworth.

Forsaken by Freyja; every one a dishonest, abusive coward. No sanctuary for them no joy or compassion As her wrath they have foolishly conjured.

By creed of Skadhi, their lives forfeit, stripped of warmth, light, and vigor. Endless their anguish no mercy nor respite Her vengeance, an endless Winter.

Hunted by Fenrir with bloodlust and fury, their doom ever inevitable. No quarter given no peace nor amnesty As the black wolf devours the intolerable.

There is no frith for fascist kind, no hope for them, enjoyed. No future given no refuge to find Ill-fated to be destroyed.

[runningw-thewolves]

Incorrect Statements about Fenrir

(Not calling names or pointing fingers. If anyone starts drama then that’s on them.)

“Fenrir is nothing but a wild animal.”

And this is exactly why wolf culls happen. In the year 2024, when we have proof of animals having individual cultures and possibly religions (see corvids, elephants and monkeys), proof wolves will do everything they can to avoid us, and more than enough proof of their social hierarchy, you’d think this sentiment would’ve died by now. But nope. If Fenrir is a wolf, do forgive me for suspecting he acts like a fucking wolf.

“Fenrir will keep you at arms length.”

Back to the point of wolves being scared of people; if he’s keeping you at arms length, it’s probably cause he doesn’t trust you. And there’s only one reason he wouldn’t trust you; you don’t trust him. I know, shocker! A wolf who has learned to avoid people who treat him with hate, fear and ire avoids people who treat him with hate, fear and ire. Who would’ve thought?

“Fenrir is like a military boot camp.”

Tell me you think of Fenrir as just bloodthirsty without telling me you think of him as just bloodthirsty. I suspect this goes back to the idea of snarling, child-killing, Black muscular hulks of beasts that has been run into the ground as a stereotype. He may be stern and thorough, but he’s not a military drill sergeant. He is not aggression and macho-hyper-masculinity.

“Fenrir is evil.”

Wolves are keystone species. If you take them out, the entire ecosystem collapses. Ask Yellowstone how it found out. Fenrir isn’t evil in the same way Odin isn’t good. There’s no “good vs bad” in Heathenry, merely actions and consequences. Cut it out.

“Fenrir will not comfort you.”

When a wolf dies in a pack, the entire pack mourns. Some packs will break apart after the deaths of the breeding pair. If one of the breeding pair dies, the other mourns. Even after misbehaving members are corrected wolves will give them affirming licks to remind them they are family. What makes you think Fenrir wouldn’t apply to any of this? What makes you think that if a follower, a member of his pack, is suffering that he’ll just sit on the side and watch?

Funny thing is, if I said any of these sentiments but with one of the Aesir I’d get instant clap back.

“Thor is just a drunk swinging a hammer during temper tantrum.” - Not true at all; none of these define him. So why then is Fenrir shoved in a books of assumptions?

“Heimdall will keep you at arms length.” - For what reason? If y’all trust each other, what would be the problem?

If you wouldn’t say it about the Aesir or Vanir, then don’t say it about Fenrir either. Quit trying to paint him as a demon or devil.

[runningw-thewolves]

List of random crap I associate with Angrboda

- Femme fatale characters (I am also including Jessica Rabbit even though she’s a subversion of this character archetype)

- Tom Lehrer’s “Masochism Tango” (though I do have it on a Loki and Sigyn playlist as well)

- That scene from Addams Family Values where Morticia and Gomez are dancing and Morticia casually throws a knife at Gomez.

- Doing a witchy cackle for the Hell of it cause it’s fun

- “Bombastic side-eye. Criminally offensive side-eye.” Also; “stank face.”

- That “Fuck it all” parody of “Let It Go”

- The Song “I’ve No More Fucks To Give” by Thomas Benjamin Esq.

- Fall Out Boy’s “I Don’t Care”

- P!nk’s “So What”

- DAGames’ “Fuck Yourself” (CW for WW2 slur about the Japanese)

- The Song “Fuck this shit, I’m out”

- Self-empowerment songs (e.g. “WANNABE” by ITZY)

- Outfits that make you feel yourself. Like you look in the mirror and it just clicks, and you think you’re a hot piece of ass or elegant as Hell or cute to the point of dying.

- Everytime Chilli gives Bandit her “Excuse me!?” look in Bluey (do NOT fuck with a bitch who knows what she’s doing)

- Inclusive femininity, punching TERFs and Nazis and Pro-Israel cunts.

- Spreading awareness about MMIWTS (murdered and missing Indigenous women and two spirit)

- Women’s wrongs movies (e.g. Carrie, Lisa Frankenstein, Bride of Chucky etc)

- To quote Hell’s Belles; “Do it scared.” You’re afraid to do something? Then do it scared.

- Owning your power, cause damn it you are wonderful and loved and worthy.

- Scary dog breeds - because they are actually just silly goofballs with gummy smiles. Look at this and tell me how it is scary. I’ll wait.

- Fighting against breed specific legislation.

- Raising awareness about the problems with the foster care and adoption systems, childhood trauma, generational trauma etc.

- Utilising the “block” button.

- Tom Cardy’s “Hey, I Don’t Work Here”. (I feel like the last chorus is pretty much what she’d tell Odin if given the chance.)

[runningw-thewolves]

No since there already is one. See @sigyn-foxyposts’ reblog. ;)

I’ve noticed a distinct lack of a Discord space for both worshippers and fans of Sigyn (and Loki and Angrboda) to discuss, create content, maybe even collaborate. I’m considering if I should bite the bullet and create such a space. What do y’all think?

[runningw-thewolves]

Cartoon Characters I Can’t Help But Associate With Sigyn

Kanga (Winnie the Pooh)

Chilli (Bluey)

[runningw-thewolves]

There is!? I tried Disboard but got nothing. May I ask for the link?

I’ve noticed a distinct lack of a Discord space for both worshippers and fans of Sigyn (and Loki and Angrboda) to discuss, create content, maybe even collaborate. I’m considering if I should bite the bullet and create such a space. What do y’all think?