{"id":21694,"date":"2020-02-01T01:10:55","date_gmt":"2020-02-01T05:10:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=21694"},"modified":"2020-02-09T14:17:32","modified_gmt":"2020-02-09T18:17:32","slug":"book-review-pagan-portals-thor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2020\/02\/01\/book-review-pagan-portals-thor\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review – Pagan Portals-Thor: Meeting the Norse God of Thunder by Morgan Daimler"},"content":{"rendered":"

Book Review <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Pagan Portals: Thor<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Meeting the Norse God of Thunder<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

by Morgan Da<\/b>i<\/b>m<\/b>l<\/b>er<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

104 Pages<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

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The Norse God, Thor is probably one of the most well known. You don\u2019t have to be a pagan or mythology buff to have the general story of this God of Thunder who is part of the curriculum as first introductions in elementary school, and woven into much of secondary teaching. Apart from that introduction, movies and comics have made Thor a symbol of strength, courage and let\u2019s not forget some very appealing eye-candy. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But, in the reading of Pagan Portals-Thor: Meeting the Norse God of Thunder by Morgan Da<\/b>i<\/b>m<\/b>l<\/b>er, <\/b>these images barely scratch the surface of a God that is complex and unknowable in all the ways that these Gods can be. Their stories are ripe with murder, abandonment, war, deceit, incest, grand sagas and more. Thor is no exception to this and when the pop-acculturation is stripped away we find a God of immense power and the guide of many who acted in His name. Thor has been instrumental in the revival of Heathenry and the forging community and Thor\u2019s Hammer are woven hand in hand. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pagan Portals-Thor: Meeting the Norse God of Thunder <\/b>is separated into six (6) Chapters and a lengthy and informative Introduction about Thor\u2019s impact and movement throughout history. We begin in Chapter One-Who is Thor?, <\/i>and the attention is called to he contradictory nature that runs throughout what we know or perceive of Thor…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

… Thor was definitely one of the most popular deities in Norse cultures with his name found in various place-names and references to his image in major temples……in the temple of Upsala Sweden… the images of three gods are worshiped by the people. As the mightiest of them, Thor has his throne in the middle of the room; the places on either side of him are taken by Woden (Odin) and Fricco (Freyr). (Adam of Brmen, 186)…. <\/b><\/i>(Chapter One)<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter Two: Thor in Mythology<\/b> is devoted to Thor\u2019s presence as a mythological figure and the tales that have followed his entry into literature, academics and general knowledge. These are the stories that stir the hero within and most often stick with us as our adventurous spirit is roused. The author ends this chapter with a recounting of Thor\u2019s impact in her life. This is a fitting conclusion to the boundless scope of the myths and the ability of the author to bring it into perspective for the reader and encourage personal application in their own. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pagan Portals-Thor: Meeting the Norse God of Thunder <\/b>takes the reader on a journey of exploration that reminds us of the imminence and reach that Thor (and many other Gods forms) have had throughout history. And, the more important reminder that although these Gods may have appeared to have taken a back seat to other forms of devotion, their energy and mysteries are what have led us to the place we are now. Moreover, whether their presence is actively felt and acted upon, they are relentless in awaiting our return of awareness and gratitude for their blessings. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The chapters flow through all of the relevant information to establish a connection and understanding of that Deity\u2019s gifts. Chapter Three<\/b> speaks to the presence of Thor in other places (regions) and the cultural biases that formed that version of Thor. Chapter Four<\/b> speaks to the symbols and imagery that go hand and hand with the stories of the Gods, bringing anchors of similarity in what every being needs and requires to live the fullest life, whether God or mortal. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Chapter Five<\/b> brings Thor into the Modern World and the impact of this God is the stirrings of the modern Heathenry. As is true with all of the Gods, their energy is timeless and boundless in the scope to which it can be transformed and realigned to fit the specificities of any time\u2019s needs. And, the concluding Chapter Six<\/b> is dedicated to the ways in which the modern practitioner can connect to Thor now. There is a saying that everything that is old is new. And, everything that is new is old. And all changes; but never dies. This chapter proves this to be so and encourages the reader to find new ways of connection (which is applicable to any of the God forms) and to truly see the Divine in everything.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A lovely addition at the end of each chapter of Pagan Portals-Thor: Meeting the Norse God of Thunder <\/b>is entitled \u201cThor in My Life\u201d<\/i>. The author continues to bring Thor to life with description of how his depiction, his love life and relations, his lineage and highlights of the myths surrounding him, symbols and insights that are relevant to the chapter, have impacted her personal journey of retrieving Thor\u2019s mysteries.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Would I <\/b><\/u>R<\/b><\/u>ecommend?<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I enjoyed Pagan Portals-Thor: Meeting the Norse God of Thunder by Morgan Daimler <\/b>and think this would serve as a very nice introduction to a very prominent God. This is not necessarily the Pantheon of my choosing, but my curiosity was piqued by yet another approach to Thor and I was not disappointed in what I came away with. The bibliography is an impressive collection of academia and myth, providing the reader with ample food for thought and resources for any approach towards cultivating more knowledge about Thor. If you are exploring the Norse Gods and\/or Heathenry, then this should definitely be a go-to read. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

About Morgan:<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Morgan Daimler is a blogger, poet, teacher of esoteric subjects, witch, and priestess of the Daoine Maithe. Morgan is a prolific pagan writer, having published more than a dozen books under Moon Books alone, and she is one of the world’s foremost experts on all things Fairy. She lives in Connecticut, USA.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n