northernnwinter:

I see a lot of posts discussing the darker sides of the gods, places where they’re harsh and demanding and somewhat terrifying. And, honestly, it makes me a little sad. I get that those sides are there, that they are very present facets, but that doesn’t meant that it’s all they are. Perhaps we all see what we need or want to see, but I find that there is a forgiving and accepting side to them as well. Our gods are not without fault – why would they not accept fault in us? I take comfort in the perspective I have of the gods.  

To me, Frigg is the warmth of hearth and home and family. She can be stern, but it stems from love. Skadi is the one who is pushing you to be more, be stronger, stay true to yourself and test your own limits. Idunn is warmth and sunlight and laughter. She expects you to work hard, but she’s also about apple pie and country kitchens when you’re sad. She’ll give you a hug, and then tell you the dishes won’t wash themselves. Sigyn is that strong, quiet voice that tells you that you can make it through the next day, who will listen to your sorrows but not let you wallow in them. Bragi is the burst of inspiration when you need it, the well-meant voice telling you not to continually make excuses. He’s a well-timed joke or reference just when you need reminding of how much more there is around you than your small woes. I always find that devotion of time and energy and work seems to suit my interaction with the gods best. I can’t think of things they would better appreciate (except occasional home-made cider).

Of course I know they have their harsher sides, and their disinterested sides, and everything in between. But I think sometimes we need to be reminded of their softer sides as well.

…although even their softer sides can be a bit interesting. I will always maintain that it was Loki and Idunn who thought that an amusing wakeup call for me would be to literally drop a bunch of apples on my head and watch me fall out of the tree. If nothing else, I sat in the mud and had a good laugh when I had not laughed in some time.