One of the symbols used to represent Loki is that of two snakes, circling one another to form an ‘S’ shape, and biting the tail of the other (years of archaeological evidence; see Rundkvist below).

Loki is connected to the snake in a number of ways.

Jormungandr, the giant serpent of Loki’s offspring, is said to be so big that he/she can circle the world and bite his/her own tail (Gylfaginning 34), (Thorsdrapa 1).

In an older version of the myth about Idunn’s kidnapping by Thjassi, Loki turns into a snake at one point to wriggle into the room in which the potion of longevity (similar to Idunn and her apples) is being kept (Skaldskaparmal 5).

A snake was also used to punish Loki after the events of Lokasenna.  Loki was tied down, and the snake was tied above Loki’s head, so that its venom dripped directly onto Loki (final prose section of Lokasenna).

Another notable serpent in Norse mythology is the Nidhogg, a being that feeds on the roots of the world tree Yggdrasil.  However, Nidhogg is not directly associated with Loki in any significant manner (Grimnismal 32-35), (Gylfaginning 15).

Sources:
-Rundkvist, Martin. “Snake Brooches of South Scandinavia.” <http://www.academia.edu/313476>
-image used with permission from <http://aomiarmster.tumblr.com/post/27782533517>
-Gylfaginning, Prose Edda. <http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/pre/pre04.htm>
-Thorsdrapa, Prose Edda. <http://www.nordic-life.org/nmh/thoreng.html>
-Skaldskaparmal, Prose Edda. <http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/pre/pre05.htm>
-Lokasenna, Poetic Edda. <http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/poe10.htm>
-Grimnismal, Poetic Edda. <http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/poe06.htm>

Iðunn Blot

This ritual is not my usual fare, it Norse rather than Anglo-Saxon because I wrote it for others. (Also in ancient Norse the “ð” makes a “th” sound.)

The apples are ripening,
A chill has come already this year,
Trees have begun to show the colors of Fall

In ancient times, there were many gods and goddesses to thank for the harvest season. Iðunn, goddess of the ripening apples is among those very worthy of being thanked this season. She bore the apples that rejuvinated the gods. The apples here in Georgia are ripening. They are a great joy in the fall, sweet and special.

This blot we will not be using mead, today we will share the fruits of the harvest with each other with this fine cider. A fitting drink for the bearer of apples, Iðunn.

Theign over this Ve, lord of this hearth and horgr, I ask of you to hallow this, your land.

(Do torch hallowing and cast out evil wights and light central fire.)

Hail to thee Iðunn,
Bragi’s wife, we welcome you
     (All: Welcome)
Þjazi’s folly, we welcome you
     (All: Welcome)
Renewer of the gods, we welcome you
    (All: Welcome)
Apple bearer, we welcome you
    (All: Welcome)

Hail to thee, Iðunn,
You who are a blessing of life
And brought renewal and joy
To the gods themselves.

We gather today,
And pray for blessings, dear Iðunn
That these people gathered here
Shall be renewed in will
To find the way past hardships

That these people gathered here
Shall be renewed in soul
To find even stronger bonds of friendship

That these people gathered here
Shall be renewed in spirit
To find their way into greater joy

Iðunn, renewer of the gods,
Smile on these folk.
Through the coming winter
Let your blessings follow them.

(Pour cider in horn.)

Among you all now,
You hold a tough burden,
A tough nut to crack.
They are our worries,
They untimely age us.
They are our stress and strain,
They make us gray before our years.
They have stolen our joy from us
As Iðunn was stolen by Þjazi.

Iðunn, take from us these tokens of our thoughts of this day. Just as on your most troubled day you were transformed into a nut and bourne to safety, we shall silently send off our troubles, our tough nuts to crack.
Iðunn, help us renew ourselves.

Before the horn comes to you, step forward and silently unburden yourself of your worries and stress and strain.  As you burn your nut, think of those things that untimely age you, let them go from your life.
As you take the horn and drink this cider, think of the joy already in your life and let that happiness renew your spirit.
(Pass horn.)

(As they drink say:)
May Iðunn bless you,
May your joys outweigh your worries.

(Aspuge the people.)
(Mark each person with the Wunjo rune, say:)
Blessings on you
Blessings on your hearth and kin
May joy enter and grow in your life

[Close by saying:]
May the gods and wights
grant to you their favor and grace
May the harvest renew you
May you grow in joy and strength of will
May Iðunn renew you as she does the gods.