Daily Angel Oracle Card: Loki ~ Play, from the Gods and Titans Oracle Card deck, by Stacey Demarco, artwork by Jimmy Manton

Loki ~ Play: “Look at the lighter side of the situation. Rediscover your sense of humor and play.”

“Loki is a trickster god. Tricksters are those gods who, though tricking, shape shifting, playing the fool or simply playing, become teachers in the lessons of life. In this way, they humble the powerful, expose the unjust, and balance imbalances.

Loki plays his trickster role superbly and is featured in many stories in Norse mythology. One story that displays Loki’s talents is on the theft of Thor’s magical hammer, Mjollnir.

Thor awoke one morning to find his hammer missing. Little did he know that King Prymr had stolen it to blackmail the gods into granting him the hand of the goddess Freya in marriage. Thor asked Loki for help. After borrowing Freya’s winged cloak to help speed things up a bit, Loki flew around until he came upon King Prymr. Acting innocent to the plot, Loki soon ascertained that the hammer was buried underground, and he relayed Prymr’s ultimatum to Thor.

After visiting Freya again and learning from her that she would certainly not marry King Prymr, the Norse gods gathered to discuss their strategy. It was suggested that Thor disguise himself as Freya. Covered i a bridal veil, he could possibly get close enough to his hammer to regain it. Thor was outraged, but the clever Loki convinced him of the wisdom of this play.

And so the “bride” was presented, and King Prymr happily greeted them and invited them to a great feast. Thor, ever the big warrior, began to shovel the food through his veil at a great rate, prompting Prymr to question “Freya’s” hunger. Loki confidently answered that Freya had starved herself in eagerness for the coming nuptials. Unable to control his lust, Prymr then peaked behind the veil only to be met by a set of fiery, savage eyes not fit for a maiden. the king again questions Loki about his bride, and Loki smiled and told Prymr it was because she had not slept for eight nights in her excitement at meeting him. Finally it was time for the ceremony. The king’s men brought out Mjollnir, to lay it on “Freya’s” lap to sanctify her prior to the marriage vows. Of course, Thor now had his chance. He grabbed his hammer and threw off his gown. Thor defeated Prymr and all of his people, all because of Loki’s rather clever prank!

Loki was also well equipped to aid his trickery. As a shape shifter he has few rivals. Stories claim he can change into a seal, a woman, a fish, a horse and even a housefly!

It is wise to take a leaf out of Loki’s book and find a way to laugh at your troubles. It is a great talent to find the humor in any circumstance. Should Loki call you, look to the lighter side of the situation – there always is one! Ask yourself: When was the last time I actually laughed, played, or did something downright silly? There is much freedom in this!

Shadow Side: “It’s not nice to be tricked if the outcome is cruel rather than character shaping. Loki did, at times, stretch friendships, and at these times did not come out as the victor. There is also a big difference between light jesting and making fun of someone. Ridicule just to build up ourselves is the shadow side of play. It tears others down, as well as ourselves.

Another way the shadow side is expressed is when, rather than showing real emotion when things are not going well, we smile through it, masking our own true feelings. Are we covering a soul wound or the expression of healthy emotion with too much play? We must be true to our emotions and ourselves; not cover them with jokes and false laughter.”

Symbols: “Horses, Bound Man, Snakes”

~ By Stacey Demarco

It’s time for you to find a clever way to deal with a certain person or situation in your life. This is not going to be a typical solution, it is going to take all your wit and inner resources. Think of yourself as the trickster. How are  you going to have a little fun with this? How are you going to bring things back into balance, without anyone getting hurt, but in a way that is definitely way outside the box? Yes, things may get a little uncomfortable, but trust me, no one will be bored!

We often chicken out and decide to ice things over instead of making the necessary changes. We laugh when our feelings are hurt, and we brush off the little criticisms or insults we receive. We don’t speak up for ourselves. We laugh at our own expense, get in on jokes that actually hurt our feelings and pretend that we think pranks are funny when we feel humiliated. We lower our expectations of those around us, and when greeted with sarcasm or hostility we ignore it and paste a smile on our faces.

Not anymore!

Now we will stand firmly in our power. We will set boundaries and not allow others to cross them at our expense. We will treat everyone with respect and we will demand that they treat us with the same respect in return. And we will do it with a smile. With a twinkle in our eye and a skip in our step. For we no longer have to take ourselves so seriously. But don’t cross us, it’s really not worth it. Once the line is crossed, and the respect is truly lost, it will take a whole lot of effort on your part to attempt to repair the damage done.

Fair warning.

Namaste

Dee

~Archangel Oracle

*Gods and Titans Oracle Card deck, by Stacey Demarco, artwork by Jimmy Manton