Thor
Thor is a God of the winds of rainstorms, of thunder and lightning and crops. He is the Protector of the Aesir in Asgard and Human kind in Midgard. Thor is the son of Odinn, often times called the All-Father. Thor’s mother is a giantess called Jorth (Earth). It is thought by some that Thor’s mother may be Frigga ( Roberts, Norse Gods and Heroes pg. 39 ). Frigga is the wife of Odinn.
Thor is pictured as a tall red bearded middle aged man with eyes like fire. His flaming eyes would terrify anyone. He is tremendously strong and is not one to made angry, because he can be quite dreadful in his wrath. Though most of the time he is gracious and kind.
In the Germanic Folk’s past Thor had many names in various dialects, that all meant thunder. Here are a few examples of Thor’s names in the various dialects. Thor, ThorR, Tor, Tonder, Thunor, Donar and Donner.
He also had several kennings that he was called among the folks ( A kenning is, Poetic paraphrases of concepts in several words. Rudolf Simek, Dictionary of Northern Mythology pg. 183 ). Some of the kennings he was known by were. Thonarar (The Thundering One), Asa-Thor, Asa-Bragr, Ving-Thor (Battle Thor), Oku-Thor (Driving Thor), Ennilang and Eindridi, Hlorri and Harveur, Sonnung, Veud and Rym ( From the Edda’s). Hallower, Midgard’s Protector, Hammer Weilder, Red Beard and The Thunderer, Deep Souled One. Eztel, Altvater and Grossvater ( Grimm, Teutonic Mythology pg. 169 ). He also is called Veurr which is related to the Danish word “Vie- To Consecrate”. Simek says that Veurr may mean Guard of the Shrine. In the Voluspa he is called Midgards Veurr. There has been a few Rune stone monuments that have been found with inscriptions that read “ May Thor consecrate these runes”, and “ May Thor consecrate this monument”.
When Thor was just a few months old he showed the Aesir how strong he was, by picking up and tossing around ten large bales of bear skins. The Gods were very much surprised by this. And at a young age Little Thor had fits of rage and the Gods were not able to control him. So they sent him to a Giant called Vingnir and his wife Hlora. They were the Keepers of Lightning ( Roberts, Norse Gods and Heroes pg. 40 ). In the hopes, that they could help bring Thor’s anger under control.
Thor stayed with his Foster Parents until he was a young man. In time Vingnir and Hlora were able to bring his anger under control. One day for a reason that has been lost. It is said that Thor had killed Vingnir and Hlora (Rydbreg, Our Fathers Godsaga Retold For The Young ). Soon after he set out on a journey back to Asgard. Upon his arrival, Odinn and Frigga welcomed him back with open arms. And the other Aesir and Asynjur welcomed him home as well. Thor was given a land called Thrudheim or Thrudvang. In the center of Thrudheim, Thor built a huge Hall, that was called it Bilskirnir. It is said that it is more spacious even than the All-Father’s Valhalla. He was also given one of the Twelve Seats on the council of the Gods.
Just as Thor had showed his strength as a child. He showed his worth to the Aesir through his Might and Main. During the many battles with the Giants. Thor showed that he was the strongest among the Gods and was able to drive them back from the walls of Asgard.
Thor had met a beautiful Goddess called Sif. She was the daughter of Sigtrygg a swan-maiden ( Puryear, The Nature of Asatru pg. 233 ). They fell fast in love and soon married. Thor and Sif had a daughter named Thrud and Thor a new step-son named Ullr. Thor was also seeing a giant mistress named Jarnsaxa. He possibly had three son’s with her. Modi ,Magni and Svadi ( Savdi, a son of the god Thor, Halfdan Eysteinsson Saga, Seven Viking Romances pg. 197). Thor also had a daughter by the name of Skin-Beak from Queen Eagle-Beak of Jotunheim ( Egil and Asmund Saga, Seven Viking Romances pg. 246 ).
Once Laufey’s son Loki, had snuck into Bilskirnir. Sneeking in to were Sif was sleeping. Loki had cut off all of her hair. Upon returning home, Thor discovered what had happened. Thor then went before the council of the Aesir and told them about what happened to his wife. He knew that Loki was the only who could do such a thing. It was not long before Loki was caught and brought before the Gods. Loki was made to go down to Svartalfheim to see the dwarves. And try and get them to craft a wig to replace Sif’s hair. While Loki was there he had got the dwarves into a contest with each other.
Upon Loki’s return Sif was given wig of such fine strands of gold, that it looked just like natural hair. Thor was gifted with a Mighty Hammer that was called Mjollnir. It would soon prove to be the greatest weapon among the Aesir. And Thor would use Mjollnir in his battles against the evil frost giants. He used Mjollnir in the defence of Asgard and of the Aesir and Human kind who lived in Midgard. Mjollnir was not only used in the killing of giants. It was also used to resurrect his goats Tanngnjostr and Tanngrisnr after killing and eating them for food. It was also used in the Hallowing of a Bride, such as in the case when his Hammer was stolen by the Giant Thrym. Thor had to dress as Freyja to get it back. Mjollnir was placed in his lap to Hallow the bride ( Hollland, The Norse Myths, The lay of Thrym ). It was also used to Hallow the cremation of Balder ( Holland, The Norse Myths, The Death of Balder ).
A Giantess named Gridr had given Thor on an over night visit. A pair of Iron Gauntlets called Jarngreipr. So that he could throw Mjollnir, and with these gauntlets. Mjollnir always returned to Thor’s hand. He was also given a Girdle called Megingjord, when Thor wore it, his strength was doubled. Thor was also given a staff called Gridarvolr.
Thor drove around in the nine worlds in a huge wagon. With his goats Tanngnjostr and Tanngrisnir as his team that pulls the wagon along. When the wheels of Thor’s wagon turns, it makes the sound of thunder on Midgard. Thor has to keep his Goats and Wagon, with his friend Egil at a place near Jotunheim called Elivogar. Because he cannot cross the Bifrost Bridge with it. Each day as the Aesir ride to Urd’s Well. Thor has to go on foot, he has to cross two rivers called Kormt and Ormt and two streams called Kerlaug to get to the place of judgement.
Thor is the God of the common working man and woman. It is said that when we die that Thor gets the breed of Thralls ( Hollander, The Poetic Edda pg. 78 ). Within the walls of Thrudheim reside the souls of slaves and peasants who had dutifully served slain masters who now reside in Valhala ( Roberts, Norse Gods and Heroes pg. 40 ). Rudolph Keyser has this to say in his book Religion of the Northmen 1854 pg. 150. The belief that bondsmen after death should come to Thor, seems to express the thought that their spirits had not the power to mount up with freeborn heroes to the higher celestial abodes, but were compelled to linger midway as it were among the low floating clouds, under the stern dominion of Thor.
When Christianity had come into the Germanic Lands. The people of the new faith always wore a Cross around their necks. Showing their Faith in their God Christ. It seemed that in answer to the Christians and the Cross, that tiny Mjollnir pendants began to appear. Those who still followed the Old Faith started to wear the pendants to show their Troth in the Gods. Thor became the champion of Heathenism in the Germanic Lands. It was the Red Thor against the White Christ. Karl Mortensen in his book A Handbook of Norse Mythology 1913 pg. 113. Says that, “When the vigorous priest Tangbrand preached Christianity in Iceland, he once fell into conversation with a heathen woman, who said to him, “ Have you heard that Thor challenged Christ to a holm-going, but Christ dared not Contend with Thor!”” There is an Old Abjuration Formula, that lists Thunar as one of the Gods being renounced when being converted to Christianity.
“Do you renounce the devil—
And all offerings to the devil—
And all the works of the devil?
I renounce all the devil’s works, and words,
Thunar and Woden and Saxnot, and all the Trolls,
which are worshiped here.”
Today many modern Heathens still wear Mjollnir pendants to show their Troth in the Gods, as the followers of the old faith did in times past.
Thor brings the rain to all living things on Midgard. Rain brings life to seeds that grow into plants and trees and many other things. His Lightning when it strikes the ground enriches the soil bringing nutrients that absorb into the plants and food. That they and we, may grow strong and healthy.
Thor is Our Greatest and Truest friend among the Gods. Thor is our protector. He never breaks his faith ( Hollander, The Norse Myths pg. 107 ). In Asgard and the Gods by Dr. Wilhelm Wagner 1902 pg. 123 he says that, “Thunor, in the north Thor. He was held in great reverence, and was perhaps even regarded as an equal of the God of Heaven.” In A Handbook of Norse Mythology by Karl Mortensen 1913 pg. 96 “Thor was at one time the chief divinity with all the Gothic-Germanic peoples. Not only does the symbol of the hammer bear witness to this, but also the fact that he is placed by the side of Jupiter’s Day is rendered by Thor’s Day.”
On Thursdays in times past. People would set aside their normal household work, and would instead tend to more important matters. Such as weddings and legal activities. In Iceland the Assembly or Thing opened on a Thursday.
So whether you just talk to him or doing a blot to him. You can feel that he is near and listening. You can feel and see the blessings that he gives in your daily life. HAIL THOR!!!