Study › Runes & Norse › Thurisaz
Thurisaz (ᚦ) is the third rune of the Elder Futhark, the rune of Thor and of lightning. Its meaning is focused force: power gathered to a point and released to break through obstacles, in defence as much as attack. Reversed, that power runs wild and is wasted.
Keywords: force, breakthrough, protection, conflict, focus
What does the Thurisaz rune mean?
Thurisaz is the third rune of the Elder Futhark, tied to the god Thor and to lightning. It comes after Uruz, and Ansuz comes after it.
Its essence is a focused burst of energy, like a lightning bolt or a hammer-blow. The name points to the "thurs", or giant — and to Thor, who guards humankind against the giants with Mjollnir, so the rune serves defence as much as attack. Thor is also a god of fertility and expansion, and that fits, for growth too depends on focused effort. Thurisaz is used to break through stagnation, obstacles and limits of any kind, and it can strike back as a counterattack. But it is an immense force that is not conscious in itself and must be aimed like a weapon: once it has broken through, it keeps going until its wielder stops it, and unchecked it can turn destructive. It calls for caution.
In short, Thurisaz is great force and decisive action that breaks through obstacles — doing what needs to be done without delay or hesitation, in spite of fear, limitation and circumstance. Decide what you want, and go and do it. A positive breakthrough.
Its god is Thor, whose hammer Mjolnir is the rune's image. The first rune of the Futhark is Fehu.
Thurisaz in a reading
Thurisaz in love
Upright: A powerful attraction. A barrier between you finally breaks. One partner shields the other. Tension that clears the air. Attention fixed on the one who matters.
Reversed: Pressure where there should be tenderness. A rupture instead of a breakthrough. Walls raised against the partner. Quarrels that wound. Attention scattered or obsessive.
Thurisaz and money
Upright: Forceful action pays off. A breakthrough in business. Assets are well protected. Competition sharpens you. Concentrated effort brings results.
Reversed: Pushing too hard backfires. Obstacles block the way forward. Assets are left unguarded. Disputes cost money. Effort is spread too thin.
Thurisaz and health
Upright: A surge of strength. A breakthrough in recovery. The body defends itself well. A crisis that brings healing. Energy directed where it is needed.
Reversed: Strain from overexertion. Setbacks instead of progress. Defences are weakened. The body fights itself. Energy scattered and wasted.
Thurisaz on the spiritual path
Upright: Raw power awakens within. An old limit breaks. Guarded against harmful influences. Inner struggle that strengthens. Will gathered to a point.
Reversed: Power used blindly. Breaking without building. Open to harmful influences. Inner conflict that exhausts. A scattered, restless mind.
Thurisaz reversed
Reversed, Thurisaz loses its aim. Its force runs wild, defences fall, and struggle goes on for its own sake. It asks where your strength is being spent without a purpose.
Thurisaz in the rune poems
The rune poems are the oldest sources for the runes' meanings. Here is what each one says of Thurisaz, first as written, then in English.
Norwegian Rune Poem
Þurs vældr kvinna kvillu;
kátr værðr fár af illu.Giant causes anguish to women;
misfortune makes few men cheerful.
Icelandic Rune Poem
Þurs er kvenna kvöl
ok kletta búi
ok varðrúnar verr.
Saturnus þengill.Torture of women
and cliff-dweller
and husband of a giantess.
Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem
Ðorn byþ ðearle scearp; ðegna gehwylcum
anfeng ys yfyl, ungemetum reþe
manna gehwelcum, ðe him mid resteð.The thorn is exceedingly sharp,
an evil thing for any knight to touch,
uncommonly severe on all who sit among them.
Questions
How do you pronounce Thurisaz?
Say it "THOOR-ee-saz".
What does the Thurisaz rune look like?
Thurisaz (ᚦ) is an upright line with a pointed bump on its right side, like a thorn.
Is Thurisaz a good rune?
It is a strong rune rather than a gentle one. Directed, it breaks through obstacles and protects; reversed, it warns of conflict and wasted force.