Thurisaz – Rune of Adversity
The Thurisaz rune is known as ‘thurs’ in Old Norse. Thurs means frost giant and in my native Sweden, we know them as rimturse/-tursar. This is a rune of adversity. The ancient gods were always battling the giants who were destructive primal forces. It is in the alchemy between the potentially destructive elements of ice and fire that creation takes place according to ancient Norse wisdom. We must keep the balance to preserve creation and to keep this balance we must at times do battle.
Stripped back meaning based on the actual word and shape
The shape of the Thurisaz rune is like a thorn and it can certainly indicate a thing or a person appearing as a thorn in one’s side. However, ‘As within, so without’… Look at the thing which is irritating you, or is causing you to feel angry, within yourself and you will be able to release resentment and find peace. Thurisaz can also represent anger channelled in a positive way – as a force for breaking free from destructive patterns and anything that is holding us back.
In ancient Sweden, it was taken for granted that not all would survive the winter. That is because there often wasn’t enough food to feed everyone. Conditions were harsh in general with freezing temperatures well below zero for months on end. The consensus was to push those thought too frail to live through the long cold winter over a cliff known as ‘ättestupa.’
One way of looking at this rune is through the acceptance of life’s harsh realities and understanding that not all the choices we have to make are going to be pleasant. It is what is for the highest good that matters. Thankfully, the consensus today is that we NOT through our frail and old over a cliff – May it be forever so 🙂
Correspondences
- Polarity: Masculine
- Planetary correspondence: Mars
- Colours: Red, orange, magenta
- Herb: Onion
- Tarot card correspondence: The Tower
- Archangel correspondence: Archangel Camael (Mars)
- Chakra correspondences: Third chakra aka solar plexus chakra
- Health: Muscles, blood, male sexual organs, digestion, circulatory issues
Divinatory Meanings
General: resistance, adversity, curses pushing through blocks, choosing our battles wisely – reversed: depression, resentment, impotence, apathy, ruin
Love & relationships: dynamic relationship, sparring partners – reversed: a relationship that only brings grief, your love life blocks you from moving forward
Health/wellbeing: explosive strength, healthy expression of anger, scratches and breakages – reversed: grief impacts the health, poor nutrition, not eating enough
Business: tough competition – reversed: bad partnership, enemies posing as friends
Holistic Healing Tips for Thurisaz
Thurisaz showing up in a reading is a good time to address any anger issues that may be draining the seeker of energy. If the anger is used in a destructive way, counsel the seeker to transform it into a positive power to use for breaking through blocks and barriers instead. Look carefully at if the anger is being directed toward others or if it is turned in on the Seeker. Depression can be thought of as anger that one has swallowed instead of expressed.
If this is a central rune in a reading, it could mean that the Seeker is facing a situation where she feels she has to choose the lesser of two evils. If this is the case, use your wisdom to guide the Seeker to making a choice for the Highest Good and to consider carefully the long-term (possibly karmic) effect of their choice.
Either way, acceptance of one’s emotions is key at this difficult and trying time. There is no shame in feeling anger or grief. Allowing these feelings to flow freely stops them from festering and speeds up healing. Wallowing could be an issue – Don’t be afraid to address it.
In some cases, for Seekers who really struggle with assertiveness, it can be helpful to hold this rune over the solar plexus chakra while chanting THOOR-ee-sahz.
Affirmations
- I accept my feelings of anger and love myself completely.
- I accept my feelings of grief and love myself completely.
- I choose what is for the Highest Good.
- I have no enemies, only sparring partners.
- I assert my rights with kindness and respect for others.
- Life’s tests temper me and make me stronger.
Thurisaz Prayer
Dear Mother-Father God, Thank you for strength enough to handle any situation that brings adversity into my life. Grant me wisdom to become conscious of my anger and to channel it in healthy ways. Help me to always choose the path or option that leads to the Highest Good for All. Thy will be done. Amen
Thurisaz and Hyperborean Water Magic
In Hyperborean times, our ancestors used Thurisaz exclusively for cursing someone or something. It’s easy to see that this powerful magic was useful to the gods when battling the destructive forces of the giants.
Thurisaz is a rune that can do great damage when used with the Power of Water (including the ice and frost of the giants) so please pray before even thinking of using it. Be mindful that curses, although they can be effective, always have repercussions for the whole web and weft of life, including you.
Hence, like Thor’s hammer, any curse you cast or any ill you intend for the enemy will come back to you. Sometimes, it comes back three times stronger than it went out. Are you prepared to handle that power? Are you strong enough to catch the hammer?
How to Charge the Water
- Draw the rune over your glass or another glass vessel with the pointer and middle finger on your dominant hand.
- Chant the name of the rune three times.
- Visualise the rune glimmering in the colour of your choice as you chant (see colour correspondences above).
- Visualise the light from the rune charging every molecule in the water until the light expands beyond the glass. When the light has formed an aura around the glass that you can see or feel with your hands, it is ready to drink/use.
Thurisaz Water Magic for Yourself
I do not recommend drinking Thurisaz-charged water. I experimented with this a while back and had one of the worst weeks of my life. Maybe it’s because I was born with Mars in Pisces but physically it nearly destroyed me. It led to a weakening of both my body and my emotional resilience and helped create the perfect storm that made me feel like ending my life.
My inner guidance on this is that some people can benefit from using Thurisaz in Water. If you have an overabundance of Fire in your chart (or a Fiery transit), you may wish to try dousing some of it with Water. So, for instance, if you feel rage building inside you, say a prayer and ask Spirit to transmute the anger before you charge the water.
Thurisaz Water Magic for the Environment
I’m getting a big ‘No’ from Mother Gaia about using this type of magic in the environment. It is an energy that is alien to her desire to nurture and cleanse with water.
Try the Thurisaz Bane of Obstacles Tarot Spread!
Take me back to the Elder Futhark Rune Index!
