Narvi and Vali

wayward-questant:

Today has seemed like a very important day for me to honor Narvi and Vali, so I decided to write about it and share with you all. UPG ahead.

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This morning, I woke up groggy and dragged myself off the couch and upstairs to grab clothes for the day, and upon arriving in my room, I was almost immediately pulled towards my altar. Something was compelling me to go over to it. So I shuffled over, still half-asleep, and asked why I’d been called over. Because I was still so asleep, all I could make out were lots of jumbled voices, not making any sense. But I felt like Loki’s whole family, as they were represented on my altar, was all there, asking me for the same thing. I went over each part of my altar, first Hela’s portion, then Sigyn’s, Angrboda’s, and Loki’s, all getting no specific calls until I realize that something’s missing.

Narvi and Vali. Their portion of the altar felt empty. It was then that I realized at least part of why I’d been called over.

In the past, there have been certain aspects of the topic of Narvi and Vali that Loki has specifically not wanted me to think or know about, but today, I got the feeling like I was very much supposed to do something for Them.

The song “Always Gold” by Radical Face has been in my Loki playlist for a long time. But the first time I tried to listen to it, I got the distinct feeling that Loki didn’t want me to. Since then, I hadn’t touched it, but on my morning commute to school, I played it. This time it felt like I was very much supposed to, and it broke my heart.

“We were tight knit boys
Brothers in more then name
You would kill for me
And knew that I’d do the same
And it cut me sharp
Hearing you’d gone away

But everything goes away
Yeah everything goes away…”

The next thing that I heard from Loki was a request. He wanted me to paint Them. He wanted something done to honor Them and make sure They were not forgotten. Since then, I’ve been planning two pieces for Them. One of Narvi on a sailboat, ready for adventure, and one of Vali in the forest, surrounded by small animals.

I felt Loki around most of the day. To say that He felt full of grief wouldn’t quite explain it. It was the sort of grief that comes with the anniversary of a death that may have happened long ago, but…the pain is still there. Still an ache in the soul where something was crudely torn from you…

And I realized the way to help that feeling was to do what was requested. To paint the boys and make sure They weren’t forgotten.

And that’s why I’m sharing this. I want to make sure that Narvi and Vali are remembered and honored. I want others to carry Them in their hearts. Sing for Them. Make art for Them. Give some time out of your day to do something for the boys that didn’t deserve Their fate.

And don’t forget our own children here. If you have your own children, hug them. Remind them they are loved. Do the same for your young siblings, if you have them. If you can, donate your time, talent, and money to charities for children who are sick and poor. Especially this holiday season. Remember Them.

Because in remembering Them, we do Them honor and make sure Their tragedy was not for nothing.

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Below are some charities to which you might donate your time, talent, and money if you are able to. I’ve especially tried to include charities that don’t require a donation of money, so that those who might not have it to give can still find ways to help.

http://freerice.com/content-group/lovers-loki

A FreeRice group set up for Lokeans. FreeRice is an educational website that donates 10 grains of rice for every quiz question answered correctly.

http://www.couragelion.org/

The Courage Lion Project donates a stuffed lion named Duffy and a storybook about him to children who are critically ill, traumatized, abused, grieving or in crisis. The stories help the children to identify, validate, and communicate their feelings.

http://www.afghansforafghans.org/

From the website:

afghans for Afghans is a humanitarian and educational people-to-people project that sends hand-knit and crocheted blankets and sweaters, vests, hats, mittens, and socks to the beleaguered people of Afghanistan.