An interstin* take on the God Thor, looking in more delete at the mythology surrounding his character.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I'd say Thor is one of the most well-known among the Norse gods, but as is often true, there's more that lies beneath the surface knowledge that many possess. Daimler did an excellent job exploring the myths and history behind Thor, and comparing it to beliefs that have sprung up in modern times (looking at you, Marvel). She also provides recommendations for good resources if you'd like to do further research yourself, keeping this book as an accessible introduction to one of the more popular gods. If you have any interest in Norse mythology, then this a great resource to add to your shelf!

I have enjoyed quite a number of Pagan Portals books, and multiple books by Morgan Daimler. I have some Norse background, but I don't really feel drawn to the Norse deities as much as those from my Celtic side. I jumped at the chance to read and learn more about one of the most well known Norse deities, Thor, to expand my knowledge. Pagan Portals books are usually around 100 pages but packed full of information. This one was no different. I felt like this is a good book for a beginner to get to know Thor.

A small book but mighty. The author shows knowledge, wisdom and understanding throughout this book. The author has clearly some time researching and working with this deity and it really showed throughout. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Thor, beginners and lifetime practitioners.

I thought this was a very detailed book of information and little known stories of Thor. I will admit that I took much longer than usual to make it through this book just because it was so filled with information that I found myself having to take breaks to process it all. Overall I found it to be very informative reading.

**Thank you Netgalley and publisher for giving me an electronic ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

As a norse pagan myself, I really loved this book. I enjoyed learning about the prayers to Thor and the author's history with norse paganism. I also loved the book recommendations for learning more about my religion. I recommend this book to anyone that is interested in norse paganism and Thor.

My thanks to John Hunt Publishing/Moon Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Pagan Portals - Thor’ by Morgan Daimler in exchange for an honest review.

In this short book Morgan Daimler provides an introduction to the popular Norse God of Thunder, Thor. Aside from exploring his origins in Norse mythology and influences in other cultures, Daimler undertakes the task of disentangling these from Thor’s depiction in modern popular culture, specifically in the Marvel comics and films.

She writes: “The Thor of the comic books, however, is often very different from the Thor of folklore and mythology and while the comics have acted as a good introduction for many people to Norse mythology they must not ever be taken as mythology in their own right; they were created purely for entertainment not religion.”

She also shared her own experiences with Heathenism and its gods and goddesses and offers a number of practical suggestions to facilitate a relationship with Thor.

She includes notes, a bibliography and sources including online links. One ‘hot topic’ touched upon is how white supremacists have sought to appropriate Norse mythology to their cause. It’s certainly something that I have encountered.

I found it a very useful text and while I am somewhat familiar with the Norse pantheon, I gained more insight into Thor’s complex nature.

Again, a well written, informative addition to this useful series that provides insight into modern Pagan beliefs and practices.

I have been pretty good with not requesting things from NetGalley for the past few months because I have a huge TBR list (and access to the library), but when I saw this book about Thor, I was immediately intrigued. My experience of the Norse Myths is limited to the marvel movies, Neil Gaiman’s retelling, and the way Saxo reinterprets them in a selection of tales from the Gesta Danorum. Since I already like myths, I’m always up for learning more about them.

Thor is an introduction of the figure by someone who worships him. The book covers:

Who is Thor?
Thor in Mythology
Thor in other places
Thor’s possessions, symbols, and associations
Thor in the modern world
Connecting to Thor today

Every chapter ends with the author’s experience with Thor, which was something that I found very interesting. And though the book was pretty short, I thought it was a concise and well-written introduction to Thor as he was understood and worshipped in the past. I didn’t realise how much of my impression of Thor was coloured by popular depictions on him or how important he was. I learnt a lot while reading this.

The only thing about the short length of the book is that the author doesn’t get the space to dive into some of the topics. For example, it’s briefly mentioned that some people who worship Thor do so with lots of racism, but you’ll have to go to a URL linked away from the book to find out more about the dog whistles. My ereader didn’t have the link formatted but I googled and found this interesting article about how the worship of the Norse gods in modern times came to be associated with white supremacy. I’d also have liked to hear the author’s views on whether Thor’s gender is important to his status as a god because I’ve seen a video by a Viking who talks about it and was interested in reading more.

Of course, the book does mention that it’s an introduction and hence can’t cover all aspects of Thor, so the above is really just the questions that I had left after reading the book. Overall, if you’re curious about who Thor is and why he was so important, this is the book for you.

I like the books written by this author and I liked this one.
It's informative, well written and it help to learn more about Thor.
I liked the style of writing and how well researched and informative this book is.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Norse God, Thor is probably one of the most well known. You don’t 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’s not forget some very appealing eye-candy.

But, in the reading of Pagan Portals-Thor: Meeting the Norse God of Thunder by Morgan Daimler, 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’s Hammer are woven hand in hand.

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

… 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)…. (Chapter One)

Chapter Two: Thor in Mythology is devoted to Thor’s 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’s 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.

Pagan Portals-Thor: Meeting the Norse God of Thunder 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.

The chapters flow through all of the relevant information to establish a connection and understanding of that Deity’s gifts. Chapter Three speaks to the presence of Thor in other places (regions) and the cultural biases that formed that version of Thor. Chapter Four 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.

Chapter Five 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’s needs. And, the concluding Chapter Six 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.

A lovely addition at the end of each chapter of Pagan Portals-Thor: Meeting the Norse God of Thunder is entitled “Thor in My Life”. 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’s mysteries.

Would I Recommend?

I enjoyed Pagan Portals-Thor: Meeting the Norse God of Thunder by Morgan Daimler 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.

By Robin Fennelly on PaganPages.org
https://paganpages.org/emagazine/2020/02/01/book-review-pagan-portals-thor/

[The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]

- I never read a book by Morgan Daimler before, and I didn't really know what to expect from this book. I only picked it up because I felt Thor reaching out to me a few months ago and I wanted to learn more about him.
- I love this book! It's very short, easy to read and it covers a lot of topics such as Thor in mythology, Thor's family, symbols, Thor in the modern world, and some tips for worshipping Thor.
- I already know a lot about Norse mythology, but I still learned a lot of new things.
- I really liked the "Thor in my life" section at the end of each chapter.
- There are also prayers, poems, a guided meditation to connect with Thor and lots of resources.
- After reading this book I will definitely try to learn more about Thor and maybe start worshipping him!

Thor is known to many as a strong God due to the strength he is believed to have. Many of the new movies depict him with his hammer fighting other Gods. He was so much more. Pagan Portals brings you a book that sets the records straight and gives you a look at the God behind the myth and and the history. Norse mythology describes him and how he is related to other deities. This book is simple enough for the ones who are new to this subject and interesting enough to keep everyone else enthralled. There is so much information that you will want to keep it on your book shelf to read again. I received this book from Net Galley and John Hunt Publishing for a honest review. I loved it and it kept me reading long after my bedtime.

I was super excited and curious to learn more about Thor. I have to say the majority of my experience was mainly second hand and Marvel-based. lol!

That being said, this book was a great primer in learning more about Thor. I had no idea he had a red beard.

I know little regarding the Norse pantheon but was eager to delve more into it and it was great to see another soul who feels the sliding/fluid nature of folklore from a cultural/geographical perspective.

I enjoyed the format of introduction, discussion with references and then the author's experience with the chapter topic. Further, Daimler left the reader with not only a guided meditation to aid in further experiential learnings with the God of Thunder but also further book references for those that were interested. It was great that he referenced the pop culture references to the God and their many inconsistencies. = )

I look forward to grabbing up more from this author!

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.*

This a good, succinct introductory book on one of the major deities in Heathenry - Thor, popularly best known as the god of thunder. As the author herself says, it is impossible to cover all of the myths, legends and information on such a major pagan deity in one relatively short book. However, it is intended to be an introduction only and there are plenty of sources given at the end of each chapter which directs and encourages the reader to research further. I found it most interesting to learn how Thor lives on today, not only in Heathen circles but in modern media, films, comics and books - Thor is the people's deity, one that many can relate to and do so every Thursday - Thor's day!

This is an easy read and this book will appeal even to the non-pagan who is curious about such a major influence, albeit sometimes hidden, on much of western culture.

Pagan Portals Thor by Morgan Daimler
Book Review by Dawn Thomas

104 Pages
Publisher: John Hunt Publishing Ltd / Moon Books
Release Date: March 27, 2020

Health, Mind & Body, Religion, Spirituality, Norse Folklore

This is a great introduction to the God Thor. There are many references to him in modern culture, but he has a great history. The author does a wonderful job including the history along with attributes of the modern deity. I like her description of his description as misunderstood or underestimated. She also includes mentions of the Prose Edda, the Poetic and the Sagas which reference Thor. Most people only know of Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, but many are not aware of his other symbols: his belt, staff, and gloves. She also shows ways to honor Thor, including prayers along with a guided meditation to meet him.

I have always been interested in the Norse tradition. What I learned in this book was that Thor was also found in folklore from England and Germany. There is a large reference list of places to find more information on Thor. This is a great book for anyone that is also interested in learning more about it.

I enjoy this series because it offers a really great introduction to whatever the book is about. In this case it is Thor for anyone who has an interest. Gives a number of topics and a good jump off point.

Pagan Portals - Thor was a great, concise introduction to the mythology and history that relates to the god known as Thor. I felt like Morgan Daimler did a fantastic job at describing the different aspects of Thor, such as him being a deity for the common people, and she was very thorough at referencing the resources she used for her information. Any reader who would like to incorporate Thor in their spiritual practice has a good base to go off of from this book and will easily know where to find further information for more in depth knowledge about him. I would be happy to read more books both in the Pagan Portals series and by this author based off of my experience reading this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and John Hunt Publishing Ltd. for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and John Hunt Publishing Ltd for this advance reader's copy.

This was a solid beginner's read about Thor. The author, Morgan Daimler, also makes opinion vs interpretation vs fact clear when talking about Thor in history as well as religion and pop culture. Daimler makes a strong case for looking beyond popular interpretation of Thor, which is still valuable, but doesn't encompass all that Thor is. I appreciated that she went into a little detail about how Thor spread from the Vikings to Scotland and even Ireland, which isn't well-known. Daimler nailed the conversational tone and the book is very accessible for readers of all kinds. Well done.

This book was received as an ARC from John Hunt Publishing Ltd - Moon books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thor is one of my favorite Myths and favorite Avengers and knowing what his entire existence was like including children and fighting battles was so breathtaking to glimpse. I learned so much from this book that it sparked my curiosity on Norse Mythology just the same way Wonder Woman did on Greek Mythology. I was in awe and shock on the material Morgan Daimler presented in the book that I almost stopped breathing and had to continue. My favorite sections was how he interacted with his children and definitely his relationship and interaction with Loki. I know a lot of our readers are fans of Thor in the Avengers and will be very curious to read more about him and the god qualities he possesses.

We will consider adding this title to our Religion and Spirituality collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.