Connecting with the God Thor

Throughout history, in modern times, and across cultures, gods and goddesses have played key roles in people’s beliefs. They have been and are invoked in prayer and meditation to help a person or society receive wisdom and provide grace in the area overseen by the deity. This article will look at various deities, their roles, and how to invoke them as guides and benefactors. The deity for this article is Thor, the Norse god of storms and protector of mankind.

Who is Thor?

Thor is a god of Norse mythology, the son of Odin and Frigga, and half-brother to Loki. He is widely known in modern times through the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He is a fierce warrior and protects mankind from monsters and giants. His mythology is rich and complex, spanning centuries. The first written reference is attributed to the Roman historian Tacitus in De Origine et situ Germanorum in 98 A.D. He is featured throughout the Poetic Edda. It is the modern name for an untitled collection of Old Norse anonymous narrative poems from the 13^th Century (Wikipedia)

His Most Famous Symbols

His Hammer, Mjölnir

It was a weapon and an instrument of blessings. It is now most famously known through the modern superhero version from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Photograph of a silver-gilted Thor’s hammer found in Scania, Sweden, that once belonged to the collection of Baron Claes Kurck. (Wikipedia)

Mjölnir held by Thor on the cover of Thor #494 (Jan. 1996). Art by Mike Deodato Jr.

His Goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr

They pull his chariot and provide sustenance. He is able to kill, cook, eat them, and then resurrect them with his hammer.

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A Modern Take

Here is his card in the oracle deck, Gods and Titans, by Stacey DeMarco:

From the booklet:

We can call upon Thor when we need some real action. He is a brilliant rut buster, someone who will forcefully make action happen! If we feel inertia, tiredness, or frustration that things are not happening how we want, call upon Thor and his mighty hammer to smash a way through. Getting caught in a cycle of negative thought or behavior often needs forceful action, as we get comfortable with our lives, even when they are unhealthy. Thor is protective of his own, so we can feel safe knowing that his might will shield us as we move forward into the unknown.

Thor is also a poet, not just an action man, so you can take a more sensitive rout, even if you are the masculine type. Follow Thor’s lead and be the best of both worlds!

Why Invoke Thor?

You would choose to invoke Thor when you need to act, win a competition, or defend yourself in battle. You also want to invoke him when you have the need to act with force or exert power. Thor is the god when you need to conquer your fear and act courageously. He is a symbol of aggression put to a just cause.

Thor is also a god to invoke when you need a blessing to get a large task done or to attain fame and recognition. If what you need to do involves significant choices and outcomes, then Thor is a deity to have supporting. Not specifically a God of War, he can certainly be invoked for battle, contests, and competitions.

Specific Request, Temporary Guide, Council Member

All deities are available to us. Some may prove to be spiritual council members for us, while others serve as temporary guides, or best fulfill a specific request.

You can ask Thor’s guidance for a specific request, such as, “Give me strength to reach a new maximum on my bench press or squats when weightlifting?”. Or, “Help me find the strength to beat my opponent and win this competition.” If you decide to ask for a specific request and he is not a member of your council, then be sure to make a proper sacrifice or payment ahead of or during your request. You may honor him by leaving a tankard of ale. Or glass of beer (the higher the quality, the better) on an altar before your competition.

You can ask him to be a temporary guide through a drawn-out training process or physical struggle. Any process that will test your strength and resolve can be something Thor can help you get to the end of, successfully. The greater the request, the greater the honor, so you might want to purchase and wear his talisman (a hammer in the old design on a necklace). Or, you might consider getting his hammer symbol tattooed on your body, for more permanent access to his power and blessing.

If Thor is a member of your council, he does not need to be the head, just a valued member. Much of his invocation deals with specific moments when you need strength, aggression, and fearless action. Therefore, his role as a spiritual guide is most often very specific and usually limited.

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