"Mjóllnir", that mighty Hammer which has protected both Gods and the Folk from time immemorial, wielded by the great defender, Thor himself and forged by the dwarfs Sindri and Brokkr at the behest of the ever cunning Loki, is mythically accountable for the production of both thunder and lightening as a direct result of big brother Thor smashing some Jótun (giant) in his noble effort to defend both Asgard and Midgard!

Of course, the aforementioned is of rudimentary nature wherein the followers of the old heathen religion or the student of Northern mythology are con­cerned and serve only as a mere primer for which to initiate the content of this essay with. For while our myths certainly occupy an essential and valid role within our faith, it is not my intention to address the mythological role, or importance said vehicle imparts to us, the adherents of the Elder Faith; but rather, it is the literal role which the Hammer of the Gods can and does play in our everyday lives.

You see, the Hammer is made manifest in the reality of our daily lives in the metaphysical form of our will with which we employ in an endeavor to overcome the metaphysical Jótuns (the forces of chaos) with. The wondrous God Thor does indeed reside within each one of us and we are the mighty Hammer wielders whenever we exercise the might of our will, whether it is individually, or collectively as a Folk!

Goethe once penned that; “You must conquer and rule, or lose and serve... suffer, or triumph, and become either the anvil, or the hammer! "No doubt Goethe well understood the conceptual hammer as will analogy, as well as the power his words may wield and elicit in those whom possess the Germanic soul and spirit.

We all, whether free-worlders, or prisoners, encounter a myriad of chaotic forces amassed against us, some seemingly unnoticeable, ergo easily dealt with, while others may become overwhelming and unleash the affects of attrition on us in what may only be perceived as an all out assault upon us from the realm of the unseen!

As Odinists/Wotanists/Ásatrúar, it has become a commonality to dawn and wear daily an amulet of Thor's Hammer around our necks both as an outward statement for all to see that the wearer openly professes his/her return to the indigenous faith of our noble ancestors prior to the advent of Christianity. And secondly, but no less important, as a daily reminder to the wearer that he/she does indeed wield the power, might and authority of Asa-Thor and his mighty Hammer. To smash and defeat the forces of chaos which we encounter on a daily and routine basis which would seek to besiege and overwhelm us, thus denying us our victories over the negatives of our lives. And yet, in so many of these times of despair we often neglect or become absent of mind to just merely touch the hammer's about our neck's so as to remind ourselves of the might within us, or the fact the big brother Thor is always by our side to encourage us on to victory over the minions of chaos and self accepted weakness. Albeit, this is of no concern to fret over, for you see I have noticed with great delight just how ample our every day environments are in fact filled with the very images of the holy hammer! Yes, they are everywhere in our society, whether in subtle form which only one of us would readily recognize, to the loudly obvious incarnations which may adorn an ad, or a bottle of Armor All, or to the local hardware store sign. Upon nascent consideration, it appears that these copious embodiments of the hammer are little more than random; Though, I would posit that of course they are not! They are, to my way of thinking, Thor himself providing me with discreet yet ample visual confirmation that he is always near and as a reminder that I always posses the power to face and overcome that which would oppose my will and stand between myself and the victory which All-Father Odin promises shall always be mine, as long as I have the strength and courage to face the Jótuns in my life!

However you may elect to view this somewhat phenomenal occurrence of hammers and hammer images all about us, is of little importance really. What is of paramount importance is that whenever we do see one of these signs, we are immediately reminded of our own courage, might and fortitude to address and overcome that which would otherwise reek havoc upon our well being and our lives!

So then, live bravely and embrace the adversity in our lives, for no matter how one may go about dealing with it, for better, or worse, no one is exempt from it, save for the final hour... For every hour wounds, but the final one kills!

Hail Thor!!! And hail the mighty gift of fortitude which he imparts to us. May you all wield your might well, and may your hammers always strike Trú.