Loki, The Trickster

Loki is an often misunderstood god, often painted as malicious and evil, sometimes even by Norse pagans. Of course, Loki in mythology is often chaotic (such is the nature of a trickster), but whether or not Loki is malicious or beneficial varies from source to source. Loki is well known to be a shapeshifter, often appearing as different genders or species throughout both the Poetic and Prose Eddas.

Loki is married to the goddess Sigyn, with whom he has two sons (Narfi and Vali). Loki has several other kids, three with the jötunn Angrboda (Hel, Fenrir and Jörmungandr) and Odin's eight-legged horse Sleipnir, whom he gave birth to after being impregnated while taking the form of a mare.

Loki can be seen as an agent of change. I've personally seen many examples of Loki worshipers who asked the god for help and, while they did get what they asked for, it was in a way that was unpleasant. Though, they seemed to all agree that they came out of the situation stronger and better for it. Of course, this is not anything we can back up with archaeological records (we can't even figure out if Loki was worshiped or not), but it is a common theme among modern worshipers and, in my opinion, that makes it worth mentioning.

Sources & More

• The Way of Fire and Ice by Ryan Smith
• Loki, on the Gods and Spirits Wiki