Thurisaz: the Risks for Rewards

Thurisaz: the Thorn

Meaning: Boundaries, Challenges, Drive, Honesty, Protection

Affirmation: I overcome all obstacles presented to me with ease.

Associations: Divine Masculinity, "the Point," Thor, Youth

Thurisaz is commonly associated with the God Thor, who is the son of Odin and his wife, Freya. Representative of this deity and the challenges he faces as the prince of Asgard, Thurisaz encompasses the energy of overcoming life's many challenges through our ambition and true nature.

As the rose and other thorny plants like the cactus or hawthorn teach us, the presence of thorns often indicates that there are other valuable aspects and facets being protected by the risk of a painful poke. It also means that, if we fail are are jabbed, the pain from the thorn will linger. The risks presented by Thurisaz are, as a result, relatively high stakes, but they also promise a very worthy reward. Unlike Gebo, however, these rewards are not being given to us. We have to first prove that we are worthy of having earned them, much as Thor is having to earn his rightful place on the throne of Asgard.

When I observe Thurisaz, the first rune I see is Isa. Isa is the constant of us, the individual, facing the challenges being presented to us by the real world, and spirit. It is also representative of the challenges and blockages that we are being asked to overcome. It is only by learning and utilizing ourselves, and our personal power, to the best of our ability that we will be able to overcome the ultimate challenges presented to us in our lives, which I feel is an important lesson Thurisaz seeks to teach.

I also see Kenaz. Kenaz indicates the level of worldly awareness, and inner understanding, needed to be able to succeed at the challenges we face. It also provides the energy needed to clearly see the obstacles and challenges we should avoid, and to discern which we should try and take on. If we are not smart enough to avoid the avoidable thorns in the first place, we will find ourselves too battered and bruise to be able to take on the challenges that really matter. Kenaz helps lend us the wisdom to know the difference between a pointless challenge, and a meaningful one.

Lastly, I see Laguz. Laguz helps motivate us to seek out and face the challenges that help bring us deeper levels of emotional fulfillment. It helps us achieve our overall dreams and ambitions, bringing us closer to our ultimate and true happiness, which is possibly the greatest reward Thurisaz, or anything, for that matter, can offer us. Laguz also asks us to remember to check back in with our emotional center on a regular basis while working through the challenges presented to us by Thurisaz. While completing the challenge is important, it is also important to make sure that we do not overtax ourselves spiritually or emotionally while doing so, and also that we do not stray from our inner truth in order to reach our goals more quickly.

Today's spread is called The Roses, and is one of several spreads featured in my upcoming book, Runic Wisdom, that features the energies of Thurisaz in various divination spread formats. It asks what sort of helpful energies are surrounding us, and what we have to look forward to as we face a difficult challenge. I hope you enjoy it! If you choose to share this spread on Instagram, I'd love to see! Feel free to tag me, or use the hashtags #RunicWisdom or #RunicWisdomThurisaz to make sure I get a peek.