witchofhounds:

not-so-new-lokean:

Fenrir ISN’T the ‘Norse Satan’

During my time as a pagan, I’ve ever felt connected to two gods: Loki and Fenrir. But I didn’t dare start worshipping Fenrir until recently.

Why is that, you may wonder.

Fenrir, one of Loki’s children is a monster. A giant wolf, to be exact. Due to his wild growth, the gods decided to trick him into chaining him up. They told him they would test his strength, and he agreed.

He broke out of every chain, so they asked dwarves to make them a chain.

Because the new chain seemed so weak, Fenrir suspected it was a trap. So he made Tyr put his hand into Fenrir’s mouth.

And when Fenrir couldn’t break free, he bit Tyr’s hand off.

Now, why do people dislike Fenrir?

Because of Ragnarok, of course! He is destined to kill Odin.

But tell me truthfully: if Odin chained you up for eternity, wouldn’t you want to bite his head off? It seems like a valid reason.

Yet people advise against worshipping Fenrir. He is ‘pure evil’.

Even some of my fellow Lokeans agreed he’s bad.

And yet they worship Loki, who killed Balder, a completely innocent god. Not saying anything against Loki, I’m a Lokean too, just criticising there hypocrisy.

Anyhow, Fenrir sits lonely and chained up. And he’s called pure evil. What if he wasn’t treated so roughly?

He was a good pupper, before they took away his freedom. To me, he represents just that.

And what random people on the internet think won’t stop me from believing.

If you feel connected to Fenrir, don’t be afraid. He’s pretty nice.

If you don’t mind me adding my feelings;

In my opinion, Fenrir resonates in those who have been wrongly punished, judged or cast aside for things they could not help. People who have been wronged because of their nature and society’s unwillingness to show compassion.

Behavioural issues, racial/socioeconomic profiling, pushing expectations on children, pushing away those who need kindness the most. I heard his howls in the shouts of “problem” children I worked with, who are disregarded at such a young age when what they need is patience and acceptance. I see an echo of his frustration in people incarcerated for crimes that others with privilege get away with daily. I feel his loneliness in abused children, his rage in those aged out of the foster system.

If Fenrir is a monster, then he is a monster of the Gods’ making. Rather than take this creature and teach him honour, compassion and love, they abused his trust and taught him how to hate.

To me, Fenrir personifies personal justice. That rare time beyond forgiveness and understanding, where only your fangs will suffice. He is raw, vengeful and lonely. And I feel it fit to honour him by being kind to those who society has abused.