Comments on: Thurisaz – Rune Meaning

By: Mahryan

Mahryan — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:55:21 +0000

In looking into the mythology of Thor, I also did some re-reading on Thurisaz I find Freyer Aswynn, Leaves of Yggdrasil especially helpful on Thurisaz). Most sources portray this rune as ‘grim’ as in the Anglo-Saxon Rune poem; some describe it as entirely evil and best avoided. Aswynn provides a more nuanced view.
Here is what I think:
Thurisaz is the rune of elemental instinctual power – therefore, without training our minds, we are barely conscious of it within us. It has the suddenness of thunder and lightening. We can call on it and use it, but the danger is that we are likely to summon and wield this power through anger or fear and without due consideration of the consequences. And any time we hurl Thurisaz there will be consequences! If we call on this rune in petty anger our exaggerated fear, not only may we cause more harm to others than we really meant, but the power will also rebound onto us.
Aswynn sees Thurisaz as a “war fetter’ for binding powerful enemies when all else fails. She associates Thurisaz with the third ‘charm’ in the Hávamál and I would agree, heavily emphasizing the third line:

I know a third: in the thick of battle,
If my need be great enough,
It will blunt the edges of enemy sword,
Their weapons will make no wounds

If my need be great enough. Most of the time t (for example Algiz or Berkana) or take control and re-direct negative energies (such as Raido, Isa, Ehwaz).
Thurisaz should be used only in desperate situations – in battles with Giants if you like. Even then, more as a threat I think than an action. I have had such an experience once or twice. Instinct has told me that I am facing someone dangerous, who unfettered will do much harm. Instinctively, I have found myself conveying to that person that I am as powerful as they – I literally felt as if I was growing in ‘size’. I didn’t throw Thurisaz at them, I merely conveyed that I could and it worked.
Alas, when words are my weapon especially, I am also guilty of occasionally throwing a Thurisaz when I should know better. The outcome is never good – it always rebounds and causes far more trouble than the situation actually warranted.
In a reading, Thurisaz will have as many ‘levels’ and nuances as any other rune and context is everything. Being an elemental power it is associated with raw sexual drive and can represent the very best and very worst of sexual power. It is always about power in some form or other and it should never be taken lightly. Previous comments help to illustrate the complex dark and light of Thurisaz.

By: Vanr

Vanr — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:32:48 +0000

Thank you Mahryan.

By: Mahryan

Mahryan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:01:33 +0000

There is this free download on Asswyn’s blog. Assgard and the Gods – the link is:
http://www.aswynn.co.uk/index.php?option=com_jdownloads&Itemid=62&task=view.download&cid=32

By: Mahryan

Mahryan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:57:41 +0000

I don’t have muchknowledge of Norse mythology either. It is complex because there are Scandenavian, Icelandic and Germanic traditions. I have several book s that provide chapters on the gods & goddesses, but have not identified a nexcellent in-depth source. Asswyn’s Northern Mysteries and Magick is a generally good Rune source, which includes such a chapter, plus other information on the Asaatru tradition. Diana Paxon’s Essential Asatru is also useful.
I find that sources are often contradictory though and try to consult several when looking for information on the gods and mythologies. A good library would be a place to begin. If I find something else I will post it.

By: Vanr

Vanr — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:40:41 +0000

Thank you Mahryan for this information.

My knowledge on Norse Mythology is much lesser and I would appreciate it if you could suggest some books.

By: Mahryan

Mahryan — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:31:33 +0000

Vanr, I was taken with your feeling that Thor was once a giant becasue I seemed to recall that he was a half-giant. I checked my sources on Norse gods and all agree that Thor’s father was Odin. The majority of sources say that his mother was a giantess and of these most say the giantess was Jord (couple say Fjorgyn). Thor had two sons with the Giantess Jarnsaxa.
A giant called Thrym once stole Thor’s hammer. Thor, dressed as Freyer, and accompanied by Loki managed to get it back. Thrym is sometimes described as Thor’s shadow self. I can’t find anything on it, but I wonder if Thrym was Thor’s half-brother.
It would make sense then that, as you suggest, Thor would suffer in having to fight against the chaos of his own blood-kin.
I really know very little as yet of the Norse mythologies, so thank you for the the little Thurizas prick to find out a little more!

By: KAT

KAT — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:37:11 +0000

Vanr,

I like that. I will think about that one. It does put both sides into it. :-)

By: Vanr

Vanr — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:07:59 +0000

Thor name resembles the Thurses (Giants). Thor was said to be the only Aessr that could deal with and destroy the Giants.

What came upon me yesterday is that perhaps Thor was once a Giant and for some reason decided to deploy himself with the Aessir. I understand that this is extremely radical, but this assumption seems to explain a lot to me on this rune and especially Thor himself.

It could explain your query, KAT, as well. Positive and Negative for whom? Aesir, Giants or Thor himself? If my assumption is true, perhaps Thor suffers because, through keeping Order against Chaos, he should fight his previous allies.

By: KAT

KAT — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:55:25 +0000

I was trying to figure out this one murkstave then. This is a difficult one and it talks about Thor’s hammer and power and protection. Would this then be more delayed power or sight, cooper does says stagnation, refusal to face facts, but Blum has a more postive on the reversal and has a more negative like on the non-reversal. Can someone kind of clarify on this one. thanks!!!!!