Uncle Thor's Lessons, Anecdotes and Humor

Yesterday we examined the Bjork Rune through several exercises. Bjork itself is old Norse for the birch tree. Birches are considered sacred to the Goddess Freya. An old Nordic tradition was to make cradles, cribs and other baby furniture of birch. It was believed that the Birch wood had a protective quality for the very [...]

These exercises can help you get in touch with the Bjork Rune. Please note that the Alternate Exercises are adult level activities. Enjoy the exercises. Exercise 1: The Bjork Rune is a force of new life. As the Perdra Rune is linked to pregnancy, so the Bjork Rune is connected to infants. In ancient times, [...]

Yesterday I read a book titled Guadalcanal Diary. I had read it once before, when I was still in grammar school. The book is considered an American classic. To this day, it is required reading for Marine Corps officers. The book is an eyewitness account of the first weeks of the Battle of Guadalcanal. Guadalcanal [...]

The Tyr and Bjork Runes are placed with good reason. In some ways they are reciprocals, and in others they are opposites. We can learn much of the Runes by contrasting pairs that occur within the Elder Futhark. Tyr is Male to the female Bjork. Tyr is the warrior and Bjork is the mother. Tyr [...]

It matters little if you call them Jotuns, Etins, Trolls or Thurses. By any name, giants are portrayed as powerful, lumbering, large and stupid beings. Many a myth and legend tells of a person outsmarting a hostile giant. The person can range from a God like Odin to a common lad named Jack. As for [...]

It was a fine summer, and I had just turned 17. Her name was Beth and she was a skinny, awkward teenager with too many freckles. We hung out together, and had some denial that our interest was anything but platonic. That ended when we made out on a fishing pier while a romantic sunset [...]

Tonight we had Part II of a meal I like to make. The main ingredient is monkfish. Using a covered casserole dish, I line the bottom of the dish with sliced mushroom. Next comes crushed tomatoes. I use a large can. Half goes in after I finish placing the mushroom. A heaping tablespoon each of [...]

In ancient times, the role of archers had mixed results. Some armies got little effect, while others used them to strategic success. The difference was in how the different armies used the archers. Those who dispersed them among the lines of infantry got little effect. The armies that concentrated archers into one mass got much [...]

The Fehu Rune’s essence is that which underlies all assets. It is that which gives value. The metaphysicians knew it as substance. We know it as Fehu. It is the foundation of value. There are many factors that go into giving a thing value. Quality, quantity, need and availability are but a few factors that [...]

The Tyr Rune is the principle behind planning, strategy and tactics. It is also a Rune of victory through effort. There we see the difference between mere intellectual activity and action. Without effort, planning is just an intellectual exercise. It is nothing but thoughts. The Tyr Rune takes thoughts and translates them into effective action. [...]