A Season of Celebration: How the Vikings Have Perfected It

Several months back (June of 2013) I wrote an article called, “The Warrior Within: Lessons from the Valkyrie”. In it, I discussed the importance of the Valkyrie to the legends and myths of the Norse. The Valkyrie are simply described as twelve beautiful maidens. They are choosers of the slain and they follow the direction of their God and their leader: the Father of Battle - Odin. Their task is vital to the Viking way of life, stressing the need of every warrior to fight with vigor and energy; giving every ounce of strength they possess to prove themselves worthy of an afterlife in the halls of Vahalla. If the Valkyrie deem them worthy and the warrior dies on the field of battle, his soul will be lifted up and carried to a location that is easily recognized, especially if you are a Viking warrior. Its roof is made of shields and its rafters are spears. Breast-plates litter the benches. A wolf lurks at the western door and an eagle hovers over it. Moreover, Vahalla has five hundred and forty doors, and when the time comes to fight against Fenrir the wolf, son of the bound Loki, eight hundred warriors will march out of each door, shoulder to shoulder. But that time has yet to come. In the meantime, the fallen warriors celebrate. And what a celebration it is.

(c): theskyrimblog.ning.com

Every morning the fallen Viking warriors rise from a gentle slumber and arm themselves with spear and sword. They travel to the great courtyard to fight, killing one another anew, only to rise again in the evening, travel back to the hall, and feast. Andhrimnir the cook, who is always smutty with soot, roasts a giant boar, which is said to be the finest of all foods. The warriors devour the meat which is accompanied by copious amount of mead and wine. They drink and they eat until they’ve had their fill. Then, with their stomachs full and their minds swirling with the potent drink, the warriors fall asleep resting their heads upon the tables with the happy thought that tomorrow’s adventures will be just as satisfying.

As we enter a new celebratory season and as I embark upon the enhanced sales of my books Odin’s Light and The Serpent’s Ship, Book One and Book Two of The Zeke Proper Chronicles, I urge you, dear reader, to consider the celebration of reading. Lose yourself in a good book and raise a glass to Odin, the Father of Battle.