The Rune Thurisaz
Thurisaz: Thurses / Thor
Meaning: Thurisaz (th, þ ) means “thurses,” who were giants in Norse mythology. The rune also references the god Thor, known as the god of thunder, or the Thunderer. Thurses were not intelligent, but would use pure brute strength to accomplish goals. Thor was invoked and called upon to deal with giants on behalf of the gods in Asgard and was thought of as a protector by regular people, who would wear talismans depicting his hammer, Mjölnir (crusher). Thor is the archetypal warrior, one of might, strength and courage. Giants represent the unawakened forces of chaos, brute force, ignorance and fear. Thurisaz is associated with the blackthorn tree which has wicked thorns but sweet berries, that are best after a frost. The rune can signify difficulty and chaos, but also, the tool (Thor’s hammer) needed to effectively deal with the trouble.
Mythology: In one story from Norse mythology, Thor, Loki and a servant encountered the giant, Útgarða-Loki. Once inside the giant’s fortress, all were put to very difficult tests. Given a tankard to drink from and challenged to empty it, Thor finds even he can’t finish it. He comes across a cat and when he tries to pick it up, can only manage to pick up one of its legs from the floor. Finally, in the great hall, he wrestles with an old woman, and grappled with her for a long time before she forces him down to one knee. With each of these, the mighty god of thunder and strength manages to make some headway, but doesn’t quite succeed, or so it seems. The next day, Útgarða-Loki reveals the challenges for the illusions they were— the cat was Jörmungandr (the World, or Midgard Serpent whose body spans the globe, and grasps its own tail). The tankard was connected to the ocean and Thor’s actually drinking managed to lower the sea level. Finally, the Old Woman was the goddess and Jötunn, Elli, old age personified...from whose reach even the gods were not immune. Útgarða-Loki says that he would never have let any of them into his hall had he known how well they would do.
Excerpt from “The Challenge of Thor” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“I AM the God Thor,
I am the War God,
I am the Thunderer!
Here in my Northland,
My fastness and fortress,
Reign I forever!
Here amid icebergs
Rule I the nations;
This is my hammer,
Miölner the mighty;
Giants and sorcerers
Cannot withstand it!”
The Mythic Journey: The myth described above is described in the Prose Edda by Snorri Sturulson. Unlike other of the stories Snorri told, this one doesn’t have older source material. Today, our ogres and giants are encountered on the heroic “Road of Trials.” These are obstacles that seem huge, unsurmountable and test our metal. In this stage, personal strength, determination, courage are tested and the inner warrior who can help us respond with reason and mental agility is called to action. In the myth, Thor believed he had failed the challenges when in fact, he'd had an effect on tremendous forces of nature and life -- the World Serpent, the Oceans, aging as part of the human condition. Consider then, that you have the tools to overcome adversity, that you may have come further along than thought.
Thurisaz is a rune of balance between chaos/giants and order/Thor. The god of Thunder is well loved even today, and many wear amulets in the form of Mjölnir for protection and connection to the personification of the sky god and hero of Asgard. Modern giants may be products of culture, authority and/or society that are in conflict with higher truths.
Essential Oils: Oregano, “The Oil of Humility & Non-Attachment,” is a power house essential oil. Very intense. This oil is a great encourager that can help a person break away from modern giants in the forms of hurtful relationships, bad jobs, or addictions. When you consider out dated opinions and resistance, oregano can support getting beyond rigid attitudes. It helps with willfulness. This oil may be inhaled aromatically or diluted with fractionated coconut oil and placed on the bottoms of feet. (note, with any topical application of this oil, it is good to dilute to prevent skin sensitivity)
Thyme, “The Oil of Releasing & Forgiving” is another great oil to help support the process of dealing with one’s own giants. It helps with anger, rage, hostility, bitterness. This would be a great companion oil to the use of oregano, since Thyme supports the qualities of forgiveness, of healing on the emotional level. Again, suggested applications are the same as Oregano above, and do dilute to prevent skin sensitivity.
References:
Longfellow, Henry Wordsworth. "Tales of a Wayside Inn.” Project Gutenberg, April 24, 2008 [EBook#25153] http://www.gutenberg.org/files/25153/25153-h/25153-h.htm
Sturlusson, Snorri, “The Prose Edda,” Rasmus B. Anderson translation. Chicago, 1901, Web Archive, eBook released July 31, 2006.
Emotions & Essential Oils: A Modern Resource for Healing, 3rd edition. Enlighten Alternative Healing, LLC, UT 2014
Note: Statements about essential oils have not been evaluated by the Federal Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
© 2015 Jenn Poniatowski
Jenn offers rune readings and soul retrieval journeys. She has taught online classes on Norse runes and feels a deep connection to these ancient symbols and their application to our modern mythic journeys or soul paths of today. Jenn is enchanted by the mythology and sagas of the Old Norse and Viking age.
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