I have not posted a story in some time, so today, let's talk about Thor. Thor is one of the primary Aesir worshipped by the Norse and the Vikings. His symbol, the hammer Mjollnir, is used at weddings and in christening of ships. It is worn on sea voyages. Thor is a breaker of resistance, associated with Thurisaz. Like Thurisaz, Thor can be a symbol of good things, like protection from the chaos of Jotunheim. But he has twice nearly killed the Midgard serpent Jormungandr. What terrible things might occur if he had succeeded, well we do not know what would happen, but the skalds say it would usher in Ragnarok, the Doom of the Gods. Here is the story of just how "Brusque" Thor can be.
Having need of a kettle to brew mead for the Aesir, Thor goes out to visit the Jotun Hymir. He arrives with Hymir's son, the God Tyr, at the Hymir's home. There they are warned of Hymir's foul moods by Tyr's Grandmother, who spoke with nine-hundred heads.
"Tyr, " she said, "It is well to see you, but remember your father is foul-of-mood, and distrustful of guests. He will not want to see you, or your friend, the mighty Thor. Go hide beneath that kettle there, lest his wrath find you before hospitality."
Tyr and Thor did as instructed, hiding beneath a great kettle in the corner of Hymir's hall. No sooner did the lip of the kettle touch down when Hymir stormed into the room. "Hymir, dear!" called his mother. "We have guests! Your son has come to visit, and he's brought a friend."
"Where are they? Who is this friend?" Hymir demanded, voice rumbling the walls.
"Why in the cauldron yonder, behind the pillar set, my son."
"Would that they came out to visit us!" He glowered at the pillar. It cracked and shook and fell, clanging against the cauldron, smashing pots and kettles. At this point Tyr lifted up the large basin and stepped out with Thor.
Hymir's rage suffered setback! He seethed, but would do no harm, seeing Thor's hand resting gently on Mollnir. So he bade three oxen be killed and cooked and eaten. Thor, gobbled up two himself, leaving only one for Tyr, Hymir, and Tyr's Grandmother.
Hymir lamented, still smoldering. "If you would stay another day, we ought fish, else I'll have no way to feed you."
"Then we shall fish, what can we use for bait?"
"I have mine," the giant said, "you'll have to find your own!"
Thor laughed and turned to Hymir's prize bull, a large and beautiful animal. With a twiste he pulled the poor beasts head off. "This shall do, wouldn't you say?"
Hymir became apoplectic, but could not raise a hand against the giant's bane. So he took boat and line with Thor into the sea.
The oair traveled some distance before Hymir used his bait. So great his skill that with ease he caught to large whales for feasting whilst Thor merely set his bull's head bait and tested his line.
"Thor, my guest, it would do well for you to cast your line."
"Not yet, my host, travel out further, and I will cast it there."
Hymir rowed and rowed, further and further, until they could not see island or star. "We have gone far enough, Thor, cast your line."
"Still farther we will go, I will catch a great prize for us. Row. Row."
Hymir continued, until the sea and sky were as black ravens wings, as black as the mouth of Fenris-Wolf. There Thor cast his line, though Hymir could not tell if the line sank into the sea or into the sky!
"We are too far, Thor. How will we see?"
Thor set out a lamp. "By this, and be silent."
It was not long until Thor felt his line tug. At first Thor pulled gently, to set the hook and test his catch. But whatever fish he caught, well, it proved over strong! Thor yanked and yanked, straining, standing - nearly tipping the boat as he grunted and groaned to bring his catch. "I got a large one! We'll eat well, we will!"
Hymir looked agape as the head of the Jormundgandr rose from the blackness, spraying grey water and venemous foam. Thor had hooked the serpent! Thor pulled and pulled, bracing himself, as the beast writhed and thrashed. It's scales glittered in lamp light It's roar filled the ears of Hymir, who trembled.
Thor held fast Jormundgandr, and reached down to his belt to draw Mollnir. Hymir, knowing what was at stake should Thor smash the monster's head, drew a knife. Thor let his hammer fly, and Hymir cut Thor's fishing line. With a great splash the beast fell beneath the waves, and Mollnir returned to Thor's hand. "What did you do, Hymir?" Thor exclaimed. "I know not whether my blow struck true!"
"'Tis better you don't, and let the beast lie!" Hymir said, beginning to row back. " No one knows the worlds fate should you have killed it."
Thor grumbled but acquiesced. Hymir took them back to his home. "My arms and back are sore, Thor. Please help me take my boat in, and carry a whale."
Thor grunted and pulled the whales onto the boat, then, wading into the surf, he carried it all - boat and catch- back to Hymir's home. Any man would be impressed by such a show of strength, but when Tyr and Thor asked for the kettle to brew mead, Hymir, the old curmudgeon, laughed. "Oh, Thor, you may seem strong, but I've been tricked before! Truely only the most strong can shatter my cup! Do this, and I will give you my kettle!"
Thor took up the goblet and hurled it across the room. There it bounced -dink!- and landed on the floor unmarred. Thor growled and fumed, brow furrowed. Hymir laughed and chortled, saying, "Ho ho! That amused me so, Thor. I will give you one more try."
Thor grabbed the cup one more time, and looked about. Where could he thow the chalice at something so hard it would break? The stone mantle was not hard enough, the hay bale and wooden tranchers, softer still. Only then did Tyr's mother whisper. "Thor! Thor! Strike his Hymir's head. It's the hardest thing known!"
Thor heaved with all his might. The wine cup dashed across Hymir's head, splintering as it struuck, though Hymir himself remained unharmed. Hymir frowned and furrowed his brow. "Go then, and take the kettle."
Tyr, generous of body, strained to pick the cauldron up, but THor shrugged and lifted it himself out of the dwelling. They took it to Aegir, a giant. Thor placed his hand on his Hammer.
"Aegir, of the Giants, brew ale for us."
Aegir was cunning, and new Mollnir's score. He could not raise a hand against Thor. So threatened he agreed. And that is why the Aesir have fine ale for their feasts.
Threatening giants, killing a hosts prize bull, attacking one's host. All these thing Thor does. He dares to press farther than is necessary, and took it upon himself to kill even the fate of man - to break the lock of the middle world. Imagine the chaos that would ensue!
And yet, Thor is also the protector of gods against the Jotuns. He gives great strength and protects those who call upon him. Even as he sometimes goes to far, he also ensures that we can carry on. A bit like our emotions, our passions, is he. We often see our passions taking us too far, and yet, we rely on these passions to carry us through, as Thor carries great loads himself.
Today's
rune is MANNAZ, on Óðinsdagr, September 30th. Seen before this rune represents the divine coming through other people. But it also represents our intuitions and divine desires. The gods speak to us through an inner voice. Heed that voice today.
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