As we talk about establishing sacred space and increasing our piety, I want to take a moment to point out Thor’s role as hallower of the sacred. When we use a location that is not permanently set aside for holy purposes, we preform the hammer rite to invoke the protection of Thor and by his power to sanctify the location. When we gather for a meal, we invoke the holy with “the sign of the hammer” in order to set aside the act of eating as a sacred act. We bless the womb of the bride with Thor’s hammer. Runestones often invoke Thor to bless an area or to curse those that would violate the sacredness of a space or move a stone. In a very obvious way, we wear the Mjolnir pendant around our necks to mark us as followers of the Aesir and to protect and sanctify us as people. As we think on the Thunderer, let us take note of his power to uplift, to sanctify, to transmute the mundane into something holy.

Hail Thor!

Matthew D. Flavel
Alsherjargothi,
Asatru Folk Assembly