The Myth of Loki

A key feature of the Myth under consideration is the stable notion of the unity, the mutual interpenetration — despite a definite separateness — of the Worlds.

The Spheres of Being are perceived as a divided, yet nonetheless Unity.

The common potential reality underlying them binds them together; however, manifested actuality is possible only in differentiation.

At the same time, this united/separate mode of existence of the worlds is upheld by two key mythological figures: the god-Guardian of order (Veles among the Slavs, Heimdallr among the Scandinavians) and the god-Transgressor of this order (Semargl, Loki). The Guardian-god keeps the Worlds unmixed, while the Transgressor-god, on the contrary, protects them from stagnation, from fixity.

Such are, for example, Annwn, Gwynfyd, and Abred among the Celts; the Worlds of Yggdrasil among the Scandinavians (considered as a triple triad); and Yav/Prav/Nav among the Slavs. Regardless of how these spheres are understood (and they are understood in very different ways, though we will speak of that later), there is a constant exchange between them.

The figure of the transgressor who enacts exchange is an exceptionally important mythological image. It is precisely the trickster who enacts all forms of exchange: the exchange of values, the exchange of beings, the exchange of information.

Let us briefly consider these forms of exchange.

Exchange of information is the most obvious form of exchange. In this case, “being informed” increases with distance from the center: both the higher and the lower Worlds are regarded as more knowing than the middle, incarnate world.

Exchange of beings is likewise of great importance. It may be voluntary (when, for example, a being of one world enters into marriage with a being of another — numerous examples of this are found in both Celtic and Germanic mythology) or forced (for example, the abduction of children or even adults by beings of another world; changelings, that is, the forced “slipping” of children into another world, and so on).

Exchange of values also makes a crucial contribution to the unity of the Worlds. Most of the treasures of the Germanic gods, as well as of the Celtic gods, come from other worlds. This is entirely natural: the native energy of any world, when “applied” to its own laws, can only sustain that world; it cannot drive it toward transformation, development, toward acts of transcendence. Therefore, whenever the worlds demand a “shake-up,” new energy, a new value, is brought into them.