To Odin, wisdom and magick are all-important. Odin sacrificed an eye to obtain wisdom, hanged himself for nine days to learn the magical use of runes and suffered death in the underworld. This image shows him wise-bearded and one-eyed. His stalwart stance reminds us to be strong and seek wisdom.

[Linby, Sweden, 7th cent. CE]

Black/gold colored Ganges clay statue.

Odin - Supreme Norse sky and wind deity was worshipped throughout disparate cultures and has conflicting legends ascribed to him. He appears in guises ranging from a hunched old man with one eye wearing a deep slouch hat to the "Allfather" of gods and men. Some legends have him as a mighty wizard and others as a mortal king who lead his people to their new homeland.

Though some today consider him the equivalent of Zeus or Jupiter in the Norse pantheon, the Romans actually equated him with Mercury.

ResinPlus Plaque, blue wash finish.

Thor - the Thunderer.

Handsome Norse Thor is a great adventurer, often skirmishing with giants. His weapon and emblem is his hammer, Mjolnir, and he possesses a belt that doubles his strength.

On his travels, he is sometimes hoodwinked into performing astonishing feats; such as drinking the ocean dry, wrestling with old age or lifting the foundations of the world, only to discover the true identity of his adversary.

In one myth, giants stole Thor's hammer and he had to resort to Loki's trick of dressing as Freya and a bride for the giant king to be able to get close enough to retrieve Mjolnir.

During the twilight of the gods, it is said Thor and the World Serpent perish together in the battle at the end of the world.

ResinPlus plaque dusty sand finish.

Thor, the Thunderer, controlled weather during the brief growing season, hence he was the most important of the Norse gods. He holds his hammer Mjollnir, which created lightening and thunder. Originally a bull-god, Thor gave his name to Thursday. May his vitality make you strong!

[Icelandic image, date unknown].

Green/bronze colored Ganges clay statue.

Giver of victory, Tyr was Odin's second son, the bravest of the gods. Our Tuesday is named for Tyr, who fought only wars of justice. Tyr sacrificed a hand defeating and chaining Fenrir, the great Wolf of Chaos, when he threatened Asgaard. This piece depicts the god with battle-ax, and replicates a bronze original dated circa 200 BCE, from Zealand in Denmark.

Rust bronze colored Gypsumstone.