hexoteric:

northerndrengr:

Óðinn (Odin), Þórr (Thor), and Loki (or maybe Freyr) are the
three most well-known Norse gods that the non-heathens know and to some are the
most powerfully Gods too. But in my own option, the strongest god and boldest
of all the Norse Gods (or any Gods for that matter)…is no other than Týr. There
was a time that Týr was the center god of the Norseman, a long time before
Óðinn move toward the center of Norse Mythology.

To me Týr is still in the center.

Who is this god, Týr?

Týr (Old Norse, Týr,
Gothic, Teiws, Old English Tiw and Old High German Ziu and Cyo, all from
Proto-Germanic *Tîwaz, the Latinized name is Tius or Tio). Týr is a Norse god
associated with law, heroic glory, war, courage, honor, and justice. Týr almost
always portrayed as one-handed, which he lost his right hand to the wolf,
Fenris wolf (Fenrir). Týr is portrayed as the son of Odin in Prose Edda but he
also portrayed as the son of Hymir in Poetic Edda. Like I say before Týr was
once considered the center god the pantheon, and not only the center god but
also father of the gods and head of the gods, but some point during the
Migration Age (running from about 376 to 800AD) he was overtaken in popularity
and in authority by both Odin and Thor. (Now he shares the role as God of war
with Odin)

How Týr did lose his right hand?

So Týr is well-known
for being the One-handed God, but how did this happen, how did a god lose his
hand? Well the story is a powerful and fascinating story to tell, like many
other stories of the Norse (but I will tell them in another time). It was the
Binding of Fenrir (a son of Loki), during this binding a god must place their
hand in the mouth of Fenrir to order show that the gods will release his after
they bonded him. For being known for his courage, Týr volunteers to do it.

The Wolf, Fenrir; the Æsir brought up at home and Týr alone
dared go to him to give him meat. But when the gods saw how much he grew every
day, and when all prophecies declared that he was fated to be their
destruction, then the Æsir seized upon this way of escape: they made a very
strong fetter, which they called lædingr, and brought it before the Wolf,
bidding him try his strength against the fetter. The Wolf thought that no
overwhelming odds, and let them do with him as they would. The first time the
Wolf lashed out against it, the fetter broke; so he was loosed out of Lædingr. After
this, the Æsir made a second fetter, stronger by half, which they called Drómi,
and bade the Wolf try that fetter, saying he would become very famous for
strength, if such huge workmanship should not suffice to hold him. But the Wolf
thought that this fetter was very strong; he considered also that strength had
increased in him since the time he broke Lædingr: it came into his mind, that
he must expose himself to danger, if he would become famous. So he let the
fetter be laid upon him. Now when the Æsir declared they ready, the Wolf shook
himself, dashed the fetter against the earth and struggled fiercely with it,
spurned against it, and broke the fetter, so that the fragments flew far. So he
dashed himself out of Drómi. Since then it passes as a proverb, ‘to loose out
of Lædingr,’ or ‘to dash out of Drómi,’ when anything is exceeding hard.

“After that the Æsir feared that they should never be able
to get the Wolf bound. Then Allfather sent him who is called Skírnir, Freyr’s
messenger, down into the region of the Black Elves, to certain dwarves, and
caused to be made the fetter named Gleipnir. It was made of six things: the
noise a cat makes in foot-fall, the beard of a woman, the roots of a rock, the
sinews of a bear, the breath of a fish, and the spittle of a bird. And though
thou understand not these matters already, yet now thou mayest speedily find
certain proof herein, that no lie is told thee: thou must have seen that a
woman has no beard, and no sound comes from the leap of a cat, and there are no
roots under a rock; and by my troth, all that I have told tee is equally true,
though there be some things which thou canst not put to the test.”

Then said Gangleri: “This certainly I can perceive to be
true: these things which thou hast taken for proof, I can see; but how was the
fetter fashioned?” Hárr answered: “That I am well able to tell thee. The fetter
was soft and smooth as a silken ribbon, but as sure and strong as thou shalt
now hear. Then, when the fetter was brought to the Æsir, they thanked the
messenger well for his errand. Then the Æsir went out upon the lake called
Ámsvartnir, to the island called Lyngvi, and summoning the Wolf with them, they
showed him the silken ribbon and bade him burst it, saying that it was somewhat
stouter than appeared from its thickness. And each passed it to the others, and
tested it with the strength of their hands and it did not snap; yet they said
the Wolf could break it. Then the Wolf answered: ‘Touching this matter of the
ribbon, it seems to me that I shall get no glory of it, though I snap asunder
so slender a band; but if it be made with cunning and wiles, then, though it
seem little, that band shall never come upon my feet.’ Then the Æsir answered
that he could easily snap apart a slight silken band, he who had before broken
great fetter of iron,–‘but if thou shalt not be able to burst this band, then
thou wilt not be able to frighten the gods; and then we shall unloose thee.’
The Wolf said: ‘If ye bind me so that I shall not get free again, then ye will
act in such a way that it will be late ere I receive help from you; I am
unwilling that this band should be laid upon me. Yet rather than that ye should
impugn my courage, let some one of you lay his hand in my mouth, for a pledge
that this is done in good faith.’ Each of the Æsir looked at his neighbor, and
none was willing to part with his hand, until Týr stretched out his right hand
and laid it in the Wolf’s mouth. But when the Wolf lashed out, the fetter
became hardened; and the more he struggled against it, the tighter the band
was. Then all laughed except Týr: he lost his hand.

“When the Æsir saw that the Wolf was fully bound, they took
the chain that was fast to the fetter, and which is called Gelgja, and passed
it through a great rock—it is called Gjöll—and fixed the rock deep down into
the earth. Then they took a great stone and drove it yet deeper into the
earth—it was called Thviti—and used the stone for a fastening-pin. The Wolf
gaped terribly, and thrashed about and strove to bite them; they thrust into
his mouth a certain sword: the guards caught in his lower jaw, and the point in
the upper; that is his gag. He howls hideously, and slaver runs out of his
mouth: that is the river called Ván; there he lies till the Weird of the Gods.”
Then said Gangleri: ‘Marvelous ill children did Loki beget, but all these
brethren are of great might. Yet why did not the Æsir kill the Wolf, seeing
they had expectation of evil from him?” Hárr answered: “So greatly did the gods
esteem their holy place and sanctuary, that they would not stain it with the
Wolf’s blood; though (so say the prophecies) he shall be the slayer of Óðinn.”
– The Prose Edda of Snorri Sturluson (Translated by Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur,
Ph.D. [1916]) Pages 44-46 of Gylfaginning

Týr, known for his great wisdom and courage, agreed to put
his right hand in the Wolf’s mouth, which he had lost. As a result of this
deed, Týr is called the “Leavings of the Wolf”; which is to be understood as a
poetic kenning for glory. According to the Prose version of Ragnarök, Týr is
destined to kill and be killed by Garmr, the guard dog of Hel. However, in to
two poetic versions of Ragnarök, he goes unmentioned, unless one believes that
he is the “Mighty One”.

‘Then shall the dog, Garmr, be loosed, which is bound before
Gnipa’s Cave: he is the greatest monster: he shall do battle with Týr and each
become the other’s slayer.’ – The Prose Edda of Snorri Sturluson (Translated by
Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur, Ph.D. [1916]) Page 80 of Gylfaginning

How to Worship Týr

Tyr’s gift is very simple: the courage to do difficult
things. Tyr is less interested in offerings of objects and more interested in
actions. If you work with him, he will expect you to have a code of honor, and
to stick to it at all costs. He will not tolerate oath breaking, or even the
frequent breaking of small commitments. Understand that if you promise him
something in return for his gift, he will expect you to come through. Do not
break your word to him, or it will go badly for you. Tyr is never malicious or
sadistic, but he will strike with a warrior’s force if he feels that it is
necessary.

·        
Colors

o  
Dark red

o  
steel grey

·        
Symbols

o  
Swords

·        
Altar Suggestions

o  
Weapons – real ones, not fake (and keep them in
good working order)

o  
Knotted cord – for oaths

o  
Holly tree – mustard seed

o  
The rune Teiwaz

·        
Food and Drink

o  
Mead

o  
meat

o  
bread

·        
Service Offerings

o  
Protect or defend someone who is unable to
protect themselves

o  
Train in a weapons art or other martial art

·        
Contraindicated

o  
Letting the weapons get rusty or dirty

o  
Dishonorable behavior within range of his space,
breaking your sworn word

@lokablot