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What is The Cult of Thorn?
If you are a fan of the Halloween movie franchise, then you know that the Michael Myers character’s time includes the fact that he was cursed as a child by the Cult of Thorn. Thorn refers to an ancient, dark and supernatural demon or force that bestows great power upon someone who was possessed by it, dating back to the time of the druids.
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Thorn is an ancient, supernatural, dark demon who bestows great power upon someone possessed by it, and Michael Myers was possessed by Thorn when he was a child. Thorn forces its host to kill their family members on the night of Samhain, and it was Halloween’s way to explain and represent what “pure evil” is. The Curse of Thorn is often associated with a constellation of stars that would appear from time to time during Halloween. In the time of the Druids, in order to prevent mass death among the tribes, one child from each tribe was chosen to be possessed by Thorn. It would then sacrificially murder its host’s entire family on the night of Samhain (All Hallow’s Eve), which in turn it would promise to spare their community from disastrous events, such as plague and drought. This possession also appears to give the cursed subject inhuman strength and durability, as well as rapid healing and immunity from death (immortality). The Mark of Thorn was a symbol that appeared on the wrists of those involved with the cult, or cursed by one of its members. It could be seen on Michael’s wrist and hand.
The curse was placed through an Ancient Celtic ritual. The Cult of Thorn has been around for thousands of years and, in order to preserve their society and keep their tribes alive, they place the Curse of Thorn on an unsuspecting child who is then compelled to kill their whole family on Halloween night. This also reveals Michael Myers has been hearing a voice inside of his head that has told him to do these evil things, as he’s supernaturally willed to be the cult’s puppet. This curse even explains the inhuman strength of Michael Myers. The Cult of Thorn primarily tries to explain the supernatural circumstances that surround Michael and how he’s been able to survive as much as he has, but this wealth of lore doesn’t make Myers any more intimidating. At this point in the franchise, everyone has basically accepted that Michael is an unstoppable killing machine and his resilience is the element from this story that is the least in need of an explanation.
The symbol of Thorn is a Rune. According to proper history the rune named “thorn” (ᚦ), also known as Thurisaz, has no demonic meaning in historical Germanic paganism. Its association with evil or demons is a modern interpretation, primarily from later Christian perspectives, that misrepresents its original context.
The idea of a demonic or evil aspect is a modern concept influenced by several factors:
- Christian demonization of paganism: In the Christian tradition, all gods and spiritual entities outside of Christianity are often viewed as demonic. When this lens is applied to the Germanic runes, their original context is lost.
- Literary and pop culture influence: The 1957 film Night of the Demon, for instance, popularized the idea that runes could be used to summon demonic powers. This has been reinforced by other pop culture depictions, such as the fictional “Curse of Thorn” in the Halloween horror movie franchise, which describes the rune as an evil curse involving murder and sacrifice.
- The rune’s destructive potential: The Thurisaz rune represents a powerful, often chaotic, and even destructive force. In modern occult interpretations, this destructive potential is sometimes incorrectly equated with malicious or demonic intent, rather than a neutral, transformative, or protective power.
Traditional meaning of Thurisaz (Thorn)
In ancient runic tradition, the meaning of the rune was complex and multifaceted. It primarily represented the concepts of a giant (Proto-Germanic þurisaz), a thorn (Old English þorn), and Thor, the god of thunder.
- A force of chaos and conflict: Thurisaz symbolizes a powerful, often uncontrolled, or chaotic force. This is reflected in the Norse association with the jötunn, or giants, who represent the wild, destructive, and untamed aspects of nature.
- A protective and defensive force: Like a sharp thorn, the rune represents a defense mechanism, a passive barrier to intruders. This ties into its protective use in warding off threats and its association with Thor, the protector of both gods and humankind against the destructive forces of the giants.
- A catalyst for change: As a raw, elemental energy, the rune can break down existing structures. It is a catalyst for change that, while potentially painful or challenging, can lead to breakthroughs and new beginnings. This is similar to how a storm can be destructive but also necessary for renewal.
In case you are wondering – Runes are never mentioned in the Bible, at least not in the original Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek versions. If you turn to the Icelandic translation, however, you do actually find at least the word rune used, although only twice and that in the apocryphal/deuterocanonical book Ecclesiasticus. Did the Nordics use runes after they became Christians? The answer appears to be, yes. According to a few online sources, but this one in particular, Norsemen would use the common runes on headstones to signify the deceased as a Christian.
Resources:
https://screenrant.com/halloween-6-movie-thorn-cult-explained/
https://halloweenmovie.fandom.com/wiki/Thorn
https://vikings-valhalla.com/blogs/runic-alphabet/thurisaz-rune