Name: Thorn (Thurisaz)
Meaning: Thorn, 'to prick'
Rune ritual image: spearhead
As the Norse Thurisaz this rune is commonly attributed to the mighty Thor and his hammer Mjolnir, vanquishing Giants and protecting Asgard. It is not this concept of Thorn that I wish to discuss, but instead the attribution of this secret to piercing boundaries with the spear Gungir, who's owner is Woden (Odin), the ergi shaman. Gungir holds such magickal properties as unswerving accuracy and the ability to puncture through anything, akin to a thorn.
The thorn grows as a natural defence that pierces anything that uses force against it, as a form of protection. Pressing firmly against this sharp protrusion will penetrate the skin and draw blood, and that can be compared to a stabbing weapon, such as a dagger or spear. This interpretation can be aligned with Lugh's spear Brionic, from the Irish 'brion' meaning 'thorn' or 'prickle', `also known for its accuracy and ability to pierce anything.
There is clearly the potential for violence in this rune, much like the suit of swords in the tarot, it becomes important to take into account the motivation behind the act, less it cause unnecessary harm or damage.
The notion of boundaries can be defined by both conceptual and physical perimeters, such as our sense of self and our skin. As swiftly as a spear may breach the body rendering damage to the tissues within, an insult or curse may penetrate the psyche, causing harm to the person another way.
Pricks and sexual penetration are also governed by the Thorn rune, with the spearhead offering a suitably phallic silhouette, held by its shaft.
In magick this rune can be used for its ability to penetrate boundaries with great precision, like a surgeons scalpel. Woden used the spear to pierce himself during his ritualised sacrifice, aiding his travel across the veil and as such Thorn can help open a doorway or portal whilst in an altered states of conscious to the other realms. This would be a good rune for gaining insight or to penetrate an issue or situation.
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