Thurisaz

Thurisaz represents the giants, Thor or both. The Jotnar were the giants in Norse mythology - the enemies of the AEsir. It fell to Thor to protect humans from the power of the Jotnar - their power being natural forces that can destroy. I see these forces as being psychological, emotional etc. Just as Restall-Orr treats fear as 'deity', a current to be respected but one that can be stepped out of (Restall-Orr, 2006), all such forces can be treated this way. Thus, Thor is needed. James Peterson suggests, 'the thurses, or Jotnar, represent elemental, unconscious, irrational, or chthonic forces." Sibley continues, 'It represents those powers that can grip and seize one with surprise and terror." (Paxson, 2005)

As Thor is a reliable and dependable force for regeneration and fertility, his protection in overcoming these forces is welcome. From their defeat comes new life and liberty.