Loki and the bonfires of Austria

Long ago in the Norse Kingdom of Asgard, there were two brothers, Thor (the elder) and Loki(the younger). In truth they were not brothers by blood, but to any onlooker, truly they were brought up as bonded brothers. Odin, the father of the boys and God/King of Asgard, decided it was time for Thor to take his place as the new God, as his father grew weary of the task.

Loki burned with evil thoughts and jealousy. Even though he was younger and not blood related, he wanted the power which the position bestowed. Deep in his heart he blamed Odin for his becoming an orphan, although he loved Thor, he would walk over his dead body if it meant he could rule. He had scores to settle.

Thus began the brutal and bloody sibling rivalry of the gods of Asgard, spewing over into other worlds and igniting uncalled for wars.

One day Odin had had enough. He bound Loki in mystic chains and locked him in a fiery supernatural cave deep in the mountains of Earth where no one could find him. He was to spend a hundred Asgardian years in captivity. He had every luxury inside that cave, except for his lack of freedom, he lived quite lavishly, wanting for nothing of material value.

Not wanting to appear mean spirited, Odin then created the summer solstice or estival solstice to occur when one of Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun. It would happen twice yearly, once in each hemisphere (Northern and Southern). For that hemisphere, the summer solstice is the day with the longest period of daylight and shortest night of the year.

During these times only, would Loki be free to walk the earth, unfettered and unchecked.

Every year Loki watched as the earth beings celebrated the solstice, and every year he scoffed at their ignorance. They had no idea that they should be worshipping him, Loki, God of mischief, trickery and deception, whose sole aim was to create chaos and deviltry.

Overall, Loki is a fascinating and enigmatic figure, known for his intelligence, trickery, and ability to cause chaos and annoyance for the other gods. Loki is a master of deception and shapeshifting, able to transform into various animals and objects. He is often portrayed as an annoyance for the other gods, he once cut off Sif's hair and then replaced it.

Even when Loki is not misbehaving, he’s got 2 or 3 tricks up his sleeve, ready to unleash mischief when everyone least expects it. As the original prankster — using his powers for both good and bad — it’s hard to hate him because he’s just so darn clever sometimes. This infamous God of Mischief, has a knack for pulling off clever tricks and pranks

As Loki stood above the Nordkette mountains above Innsbruck, the fires created a mystical atmosphere with secular and Christian motifs and symbols visible in the flames. The Feast of the Sacred Heart was under way. They were commemorating the year 1796 when an oath was sworn to protect Tirol from invading French troops, and as a sign of the oath, Sacred Heart fires were lit on mountain tops and slopes.

"Heathens", Loki scoffed.

For too long he had watched this farce being enacted on a day which belonged solely to him.

Up in Asgard, Odin and Thor watched in horror as Loki formed his plan.

"Loki". Odin roared, regretting not having sent Loki to Valhalla instead, at least he would spend his days fighting the dead, and his wounds would heal at night, so Odin would not feel guilty about that punishment.

But Loki only smiled in evil satisfaction. Odin had granted him this day, and he could do nothing to stop him. A God's pinkie promise, so to speak.

He sat patiently, watching the jovial Highlights: In addition to the bonfires, there are musical and culinary highlights to enjoy. This adds to the festive atmosphere and makes the summer solstice an event that engages all senses.

From his lofty perch high atop the The Hohe Salve Mountain in Hopfgarten im Brixental, Loki had the full panoramic view of the hosts of solstice fires.

With a bit of nostalgic sadness, he watched as the humans enjoyed themselves, and decided to add more tricks and pranks to his mischievous repertoire, after all he really needed some release from the eternal boredom of his existence.

Disguising himself as an angelic dove with spotless white wings, Loki appeared to the villagers as an angel sent by their God.

"The summer solstice which you have been celebrating was created solely for the worship of Loki of the Aesir of Asgard and God of Chaos. You are to cease all other worship but that of Loki and atone for your mistake by the sacrifice of a first-born child. If you do not, you will pay the price for your lack of respect". The dove spoke in a beatific calming voice.

Many people fell to their knees at the sight of the perfection and purity of the white dove, believing themselves in the presence of holiness.

Everyone believed the words of the dove, all except Sarai, daughter of doubt, as the townspeople called her.

Loki went from bonfire to bonfire, spreading his mischief.

The next summer solstice came and still they made no sacrifice.

The whole town had deliberated on the truth of the story and whose first born would be sacrificed for a god whom they did not know.

Sarai used every means necessary to convince people not to listen to the false prophet. And so people grew to ignore the dove's request.

In anger, Loki struck down all of the first born sons and daughters with a mysterious illness. As the night of the summer solstice drew to an end, he once again returned to the cave, leaving the people grieving their children.

After many months of tending the first borns with no one closer to a cure for their malady, Odin finally dispatched Lady Sif and the Warriors Three to deliver the cure. Only the first born children were able to see them, and it appeared as if they were miraculously healed. The children told their parents to sacrifice an animal to the God Loki during the next solstice.

Loki sulked for a while, he was happy for the sacrifice and worship of the people, but greatly disappointed that they had only sacrificed an animal and not a human. He was sure that Odin and Thor had a hand in creating more misery for him.

Still, he could live with that.

As the bonfires were lit everywhere, he arrayed himself in bright lights and rose high above the many groups gathered on the hill celebrating him...I am Loki, son of Farbauti of Jotunheim, realm of magic and wilderness. Son of Odin...yet to be ruler of Asgard. He announced in a loud voice.

In awe the people rose and pointed to the sky. Now they believed that this was truly a God. How imposing was he, able to fly high into the sky and rule over them, to inflict punishment if they disobeyed him.

They shouted of sacrifices every year at the summer solstice, of warding off evil spirits and proclaiming Loki as their deity.

Maybe he would just stay here and torment these people into bowing to his every whim and fancy, Loki mused.

On the longest day of the year, a town revives an ancient solstice ritual and discovers its unexpected power.

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This is a real tradition in Austria (sans Loki).

Mountaintop Bonfires in Tyrol, Austria: Bonfires are lit on mountaintops to celebrate the solstice, a tradition with ancient roots.