What is a Hammer Rite?
Thor’s Hammer, Mjolnir is the tool with which Thor continually fights the Jotuns, it’s the means of bringing his goats back to life, and also traditionally used to bless a bride at a wedding. In other words, the Hammer is an object of protection, and a bringer of fertility and new life. A representation of the Hammer is commonly worn by members of the Asatru religion.
The “Hammer Rite” is simply a way of establishing ritual space. This space is not as distinct as what one finds in traditional wiccan circles. Rather, the Hammer Rite is more of a calling to indicate to ourselves, and to the gods, that we’re about to perform a ritual. Some have described it as a “ringing of the bell.”
When one performs a hammer rite, one doesn’t create an inside and outside, or even a “ritual geometric shape.” The purpose of a Hammer Rite is to establish that a given “space” is being used for ritual. It’s the recognition that we’re calling upon the gods and goddesses to be with us, as we exercise our will upon the universe.
If you begin all your ritual practices with this rite, hopefully it will become a “matter of course” and you won’t have to remember to do it. Like breathing, it should become a part of what you do. It also gives you a brief time to focus your intent on the work you are about to be involved in.
Performing a Hammer Rite
There are many different ways, with several different items that can be used to do a hammer rite (though virtually all of them require a hammer).
- Some groups use two hammers and call upon two points (Fire and Ice, or North and South).
- Other groups call upon four points, though this gives the space more of a wiccan feeling.
- Other groups use one hammer, and call upon two points.
Ultimately it’s a matter of preference.
The easiest way to do a hammer rite is to go to one of your two points, and trace an an upside-down “T” shape in the air in front of you, while chanting something appropriate like,
“Hammer of Thor, Hallow and Hold This Holy Stead”.
and then do it on the oppose it point.
Some people worry about which direction they should trace the Hammer in. If doing things from right to left or left to right worries you, work out to your own satisfaction what it should be, but personally, I’ve never lost any sleep over it. I tend to make the Hammer sign from left to right, mainly because that’s the direction writing goes in. Taken from The Raven Kindred Blot Ritual
After you’ve done one point, then you do the other. That’s all there is to it.
So after you do your 2 points the rite is done or is that what is necessary to prep the area in which you intend to bless your hammer or blood your hammer. Please help me I’m very new to this and my hammer will be here today and I want Thor to be pleased with my choosing to follow this path and bless and allow me to wear my hammer. If there is any literature or books that you could suggest to help me start in the right direction that would be much appreciated. This is a life path choice and not some weekend warrior type of stuff.
There are no specific requirements to blood a hammer. If you are looking for a book try A year of Viking Ritual by Scott Mohnkern or intro to Asatru by Diana Paxson.
Take an oath to the gods and goddesses after putting your hammer to sleep for 9 days and 9 nights as Odin hung in Yggdrasil (bury your hammer) during this time you should work on an oath, once you have your oath and are ready to take the oath to the gods and to don your hammer you should make 3 cuts across your heart each cut representing the gifts from Odin vili and ve Odin-live/breath vili-understanding, and ve- senses/outward appearance.
ᚺᚨᛁᛚ ᛟᛞᛁᚾ
I found that during a Hammer Hallowing that a requisite was the wrapping of the Hammer in a black cloth that was then wrapped tightly w a black cord. The package was the buried for nine days in the ground. Because it’s often difficult to bury anything in a cityscape without being observed, it’s acceptable to dig up some earth, place it in a Tupperware like container and bury your Hammer there.
After nine days (which represents the nine days Odin hung on the rune tree), you unearth the Hammer and expose it to the light. At that time you dedicate your Hammer to your God of choice. Personally I dedicated mine to both God and Goddess. Some will argue this. But I urge everyone to never underestimate the power of The Goddesses.
You can create your own chant. At the conclusion, you hold your Hammer close to your mouth, breathe your life force into it and as quietly as possible whisper a name you select onto the Hammer. That then is your Hammer’s name. It is secret, and only you and your Hammer are to know that name. Do not let anyone know that name because a clever and skilled shaman (or witch, as the case may be) could use it to his advantage and fuck your life up.
I got this ritual from a very old text known as “The Asatruar Man.” It’s worked quite well for me.
In retrospect a US Federal Marshal stole a Hammer from me, a stainless steel Hammer that was blooded, and had been continuously worn by me for 6yrs. It was a great loss to me. Thus I highly recommend a curse be put upon the Hammer that should an enemy ever come into possession of your Hammer, that s/he be struck w plague and pestilence , and suffer greatly for such disrespect.
Another book I highly recommend is “The Asatru Edda,” published by The Norena Society. Well worth the read.
Hailsa!