Thurisaz Elder Futhark Rune Meaning Thurisaz is the 3rd rune in the elder futhark, which is the oldest of the runic alphabets. It consists of 24 letters divided into 3 aetts. It is 8 runes in each aett. The 1.st aett is called Freys aett. Thurisaz upright ~ boundaries, defense, protection, authority, standing up for truth, honesty, facing your fear, knowing your own limitations, focus, introspection, blocks, the subconscious, having something to hold on to in challenging times, being a ‘giant’, possessing magical abilities, discernment, warding off evil, possessing a fearsome ‘weapon’, crushing something. Thurisaz reversed ~ Danger, defenselessness, betrayal, evil, instability, attack. Thurisaz means Thorn.

 f u þ a r k g w h n i j ï p z s t b e m l ŋ d o

Associated deity from the mythology: Thor’s hammer Mjölnir

The Mythology of Thurisaz

Thurisaz is the ancient name of the thunder god Thor who gave his name to Thursday. The Thurisaz symbol is believed to be Thor’s hammer Mjölnir which possessed magical abilities. It was the only thing that could keep the giants from entering into Aasgaard. With his hammer, Thor was also able to protect humans from the serpent Nidhogg, ‘The gnawer from beneath’. Mjölnir is depicted in Norse mythology as one of the most fearsome weapons. With it Thor would (from prose edda):… be able to strike as firmly as he wanted, whatever his aim and the hammer would never fail, and if he threw it at something, it would never miss and never fly so far from his hand that it would not find its way back, and when he wanted, it would be so small that it could be carried inside his tunic.

Interpretations of Thurisaz

This rune reminds me of the story of David vs Goliath. When this rune turns up in a reading you are reminded of that you are powerful enough to face anything on your path. The hammer is what Thor holds on to fight off the giants who want to enter Aasgaard. What are you holding on to, to fend off the giants that want to destroy the natural peaceful state of your mind? When things get scary and people around you are falling into the fear mentality, what do you believe deep down will keep you safe? Some stack on the weight to keep the world at a distance, others starve themselves. Some horde and over-consume. Others become heroes in the sense that they don’t allow the giants in. They have something that they hold on to that is of such nature it can never be destroyed. People born under this runestone are meant to stand up for what they believe in even among people with completely different values. Giants and beasts have to succumb. David wins over Goliath. You will overcome the thoughts that cause fear when you realize that love always wins in the end.

Thurisaz rune meaning on a rune cloth

Water ~ Hidden agendas.

Fire ~ People trying to exploit a vulnerable situation.

Earth ~ Need for negotiations.

Air ~ Confrontations.