Thor: Deep-Souled God of Thunder
Page One   Page Two  

Thor, also known as Thonar, is one of the most popular Norse deities. Ancient inscriptions and legends pay tribute to him, and Heathens still call upon him today. If you are interested in Runic magic, you would do well to learn about Thor and other deities from the Norse pantheon.

Thor’s Hammer and Rune magic

Known as the God of the common people, Thor has historical connections to agriculture and fertility. This is reflected in the use of a Hammer to hallow or bless the bride at weddings; this is done by placing a Hammer in her lap during the ceremony. Hammers are associated with Thor, with a magical hammer named Mjollnir being his primary tool.

The symbol of Thor’s Hammer is frequently used in Runic work and related forms of magic. Though not actually a Rune itself, the symbol for a Hammer can be utilized in many ways similar to Runes. The most basic form of this symbol has the appearance of an inverted capital T. Rune workers often use a Hammer-sign to ward ritual circles. Archeologists have also found examples of ancient Runic inscriptions invoking the protection of Thor and Mjollnir.

Thor brings storms of blessing and wrath

Thor is associated with storms, and indeed our word “thunder” comes from his name. Storms bring rain, which is necessary to agriculture. Hence Thor’s importance to farmers and gardeners.

When storms happen, Thor is considered to be riding through the sky in his chariot, bringing the thunder, lightning, and rain. Two goats pull this chariot. If he gets hungry, Thor can kill the goats, skin them, and eat them. He places the goats’ bones upon their skins, and in the morning holds his hammer over these remains to bring the creatures back to life.

Helpful storm activities are blessings of Thor. However, storms can often be fierce and even destructive. This is a reflection of Thor, for he has been known to act fiercely when necessary. Sometimes he is known, in this wrathful aspect, as a God of battle.

However, Thor does not simply engage in war for the sake of war; nor does he fight for greedy or ignoble purposes. He is interested in the preservation of life on Earth, and protection of the Gods and Goddesses. Many of his fights are to defend others, often against giants which represent raw forces of devastation. While he does not fight merely for the so-called glory of battle, apparently he does somewhat enjoy fighting the giants. It is a way that he can use his

great strength to benefit others by protecting them; this is something to ponder for those who have physical strength in this world and those who have the urge to fight for whatever reason.

Thor competes with a giant king

Thor is fond of making journeys. Often these are to the lands of giants, where he encounters friendly giants, trickster giants, and aggressive giants. One giant king tricked Thor in a series of contests. Thor thought he had been defeated in these, but ultimately all served to prove his great strength and power.

One of the contests involved a great drinking horn in the hall of the giant’s castle. The giant king challenged Thor to consume all the ale in the horn, in just one draught. Thor thought this would be easy, but much to his surprise he could not empty the horn even in three draughts. The giants made great mirth about this. However, Thor would later find out that he had been tricked, and that the other end of the drinking horn had been in the ocean, which was constantly refilling it even as Thor swallowed. To empty the horn, Thor would have had to drink the entire ocean. As it was, the ocean was considerably lower after he had taken his three drinks.

A practical God

Thor is good to invoke at celebrations and feasts, as he greatly enjoys good food, drink, and companionship. In general, he is a friendly and helpful figure. However, one should not go about invoking his help for every little thing, for he also expects his followers to do a few things for themselves. In other words, he will not do everything for you, but will assist if the cause is worthy.

Thor’s followers do not cringe before him or subjugate themselves. He is a good friend to have, not a petty dictator or an angry God to be feared.

Thor’s Hammer and sacred sexuality

Thor is usually seen as a very masculine deity. However, in one legend he dresses and acts as a woman to pull off an elaborate ploy. His hammer had been taken by a giant, Thrym, who demanded that he be allowed to marry the goddess Freya in exchange for the hammer’s return. Thor successfully passed himself off as Freya and was admitted to Thrym’s hall. The giant thought there would be a wedding that day, but instead he got the wrath of Thor.

An essential part of this story involves the placement of the hammer for the marriage ceremony. When Thrym is about to marry Thor dressed as Freya, the hammer is laid in the lap of the “bride”. Instead of marrying the giant, of course, Thor grasps his hammer and, revealing himself, smites the would-be groom. The placement of the hammer in the bride’s lap, however, is a traditional Heathen practice, and reflects another level of symbolism. Here, the hammer is a phallic symbol, and represents fertility for the marriage

Thor’s hammer, then, is a complex magical symbol and tool. It can be a weapon, and it can also be a hallower. Like a knife, it can be used in various ways for woe and for weal. In defense of loved ones, sometimes woe for one’s enemies means weal for one’s family. The weaving and working of wyrd, the threads of our fate in the Norse worldview, are complex.