The Valkyr

Not news to most, a Valkyrie was a warrior maiden that descended from Asgard to collect the souls of dead Vikings chosen by Odin. That’s not the whole story, but we’ll start there for now. In 2023, I entered a few meads into the Mid-State Fair Homebrew competition, but was missing one more drink to fill the roster. So, I rushed and put together something light bodied with a grain profile, slightly fruity, with a lower ABV%. I put it together thinking that all I wanted to do was add another drink and hopefully they’d like it. I was rushing so much I honestly didn’t even bother to write down the recipe. Surprisingly it won first place in its category. Because of that, I reformulated it the best I could and dialed it in even sharper. I wanted to do this, not only to remake a gold medal mead, but to highlight the beauty and dignity of the Valkyr. It says in the Pros Eda:

"These are called Valkyrs: Them, Odin sends to every battle;

They determine men’s feyness and award victory.

[stanza XXXVI]

Then it goes on to list 5 valkyries. In another portion of the Pros Eda it mentions how Odin and Freyja devide the dead:

"Fólkvangr 't is called, | where Freyja rules

Degrees of seats in the hall;

Half the kill | she keepeth each day,

And half Odin hath."

 [stanza XXIV]

Some sources list the number of Valkyries to be as many as 39 in count. How few there are may be due to the importance of the job and the selection of the warrior, or how few battles there were at the beginning of history. In the story of Sigrdifumal, Sigurth the slayer of Fafnir rescues a Valkyrie who was put to sleep by Odin with a sleep thorn. Odin had done this because the Valkyrie had gone against Odin's wishes of giving victory to a certain king in battle. With this in mind, the Valkyr sigil was designed by Ragnarok Meads through tireless efforts searching through Icelandic magic resources to reflect the strength, endurance, and power of a Valkyrie:

With these runes; 

I will shield myself from external forces and never yield,

 I shall bring to all matters an end,

 I can use great power and affix the results,

by imposing my will on the universe.

I feel this mead reflects these words very well through its use of: Orange blossom honey, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, allspice, coriander, wheat, and pilsner. In Norse culture, Valkyries represent both battle and the afterlife, connecting the living with the gods. This fits the refreshing nature of this mead, symbolizing vitality and the balance between life and death celebrated in Viking rituals. Crafted on a foundation of wheat and pilsner malt, The Valkyr is elevated by a bright infusion of summer fruits. A perfect companion for warm days, its soft raspberry sweetness is balanced by a refreshing tart finish. At 9% ABV, this mead promises to be the highlight of the season. Bold, yet refined, its flavors are carried by subtle hints of orange blossom honey. Below I have listed the main ingredients with some fascinating information surrounding them, including health benefits and even magical purposes. The FDA does not regulate herbs and dietary supplements. The following was collected through multiple online and literary sources.

Honey

Health benefits: There is said to not be enough modern scientific research to back up the claims made about the beneficial qualities of this substance, but many cultures for centuries have sworn by them and their possible benefits. One of the most common and well known uses for honey is for coughs and colds. Honey many other benefits such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antioxidants which can help neutralize reactive oxygen species in the body. ROS can build up in cells causing damage, this can contribute to conditions like premature aging, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Polyphenols, a plant compound, also plays a part in honey’s health benefits. Some studies have found that honey can be effective when administered to partial-thickness burns and wounds that had become infected after surgery.

Magical applications: All honey is the product of good weather from the Sun and hard work from bees. So understandably, honey has a strong connection to solar energies, and the earth from which all other nutrients are gathered.

Raspberries

Health benefits: There is said to not be enough modern scientific research to back up the claims made about the beneficial qualities of this herb/spice, but many cultures for centuries have sworn by them and their possible benefits. Part of the rose family, raspberries have several nutrients including: fiber, magnesium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, Omeg3 fatty acids, potassium, copper, and vitamin B/C/E/K. Like many fruits, Raspberries have anti-oxidants like vitamin-C, quercetin, and ellagic acid which helps reduce oxidative stress, free radicals, and helps promote collagen production. Oxidative stress is linked to higher risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes/obesity. Some animal studies with raspberries have shown to help reduce these illness, as well as inflammation and DNA repair.

Magical purposes: Some sources indicate that raspberries can be used for fertility and love magic, as well as protection. In the Greek story of Ida, raspberries had a connection to fertility. In fact, the Latin name for these berries is Rubus Ideaus, which means “bramble bush of Ida”.

Strawberries

Health benefits: There is said to not be enough modern scientific research to back up the claims made about the beneficial qualities of this herb/spice, but many cultures for centuries have sworn by them and their possible benefits. Like most fruit, strawberries are packed with vitamins and minerals that can help with everyday health, if you’re not allergic to them. Such vitamins as: calcium, potassium, folate, phosphorus, vitamin-K, magnesium, and manganese.

Strawberries also contain antioxidants that protect against free radicals, anti-inflammatories that can help prevent skin damage and osteoarthritis, vitamin-C, lowered risk of cardiovascular disease, improve blood lipid profile, strawberries can also serve as a prebiotic, promotes brain health protection from Alzheimer’s, and contain polyphenols which improve insulin sensitivity in non-diabetic adults.

Magical purposes: There seems to be many stories from all over the world and history that point to strawberries (a member of the rose family) being most used as a symbol of fertility and love. Which is common for most fruits it seems, but strawberries apparently can also increase intuition, creativity, and happiness.

Allspice

Medical uses: There is said to not be enough modern scientific research to back up the claims made about the beneficial qualities of this herb/spice, but many cultures for centuries have sworn by them and their possible benefits. This spice is harvested from the unripe berry of the Pimenta dioica tree and contains glycosides and polyphenols, which have antibacterial, hypotensive, anti-neuralgic, and analgesic properties. Two other important compounds found in allspice are Eugenol and Gallic acid which have selective antiproliferative and antitumor properties.

Magical purposes: Allspice can be used many types of magic including Health, prosperity, protection, love, and energy.

Coriander

Medical uses: There is said to not be enough modern scientific research to back up the claims made about the beneficial qualities of this herb/spice, but many cultures for centuries have sworn by them and their possible benefits. Such as vitamins and antioxidants, and the leaves and seeds are full of vitamin K which helps with blood clots and bone repair. The antioxidants in coriander helps fight off loose oxygen molecules known as free radicals which damage cells causing potential cancer, heart disease, and signs of aging. It has also been used for digestive and respiratory issues.

Magical purposes: Utilized for protecting a home and its occupants, this little plant is best used for protection.

Cranberries

Health benefits: There is said to not be enough modern scientific research to back up the claims made about the beneficial qualities of this herb/spice, but many cultures for centuries have sworn by them and their possible benefits. Mainly composed of fiber and carbs, along with sugars like sucrose, fructose, and glucose, Cranberries are an amazing little fruit. They also have abundance of minerals and vitamins like vitamin A/B/C/E/K, Copper, manganese, potassium, and minimal amount of iron and calcium. The antioxidants help fight against cancer, diabetes, UTI’s, E. coli, heart disease, inflammation, liver disease, and other chronic conditions, as well as moderating bile acid to help prevent colon cancer. When the fruit is dried is loses most of is vitamins but keeps other nutrients like potassium and calcium.

Magical purposes: Research did not yield much, other than the best use is against negative energy, increase joy (Yuletide celebrations), and a few interesting methods in which to use them. Some of these methods include making a wine or use during cooking is usually the most common, or even dried as a type of charm to be placed or hung.

Barley

Health benefits: There is said to not be enough modern scientific research to back up the claims made about the beneficial qualities of this herb/spice, but many cultures for centuries have sworn by them and their possible benefits. Grain being, one of the world’s possibly oldest and first agricultural products has been used in a multitude of ways and has many nutrients like fiber, vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, and fatty oils. Barley water is thought to help with UTI’s, digestive pain, and kidney problems. It also contains many vitamins such as iron, folate, lignans, copper manganese, and selenium. Other symptoms that raw barley has been used for are cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, lowering triglycerides, fiber, stomach cancer, and controlling appetite by stabilizing blood sugar. Barley, like most other grains, comes with anti-nutrient content which impairs digestion and nutrient absorption. This can be reduced by sprouting the barley which will also increase vitamin, mineral, protein, and antioxidant levels.    Barley is generally safe, but don't eat large amounts of cooked barley sprouts during pregnancy. Barley may come with a risk of bacteria that can cause illness. As per the FDA, pregnant women, children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems should avoid eating raw or lightly cooked sprouts of any type. Moreover, avoid taking barley supplements when breastfeeding, just to be safe.

Magical purposes: As a symbol of rebirth and fertility, barley has had a very extensive background in ancient cultures worldwide. Its symbolism is the reason we use rice (a grain) to throw at weddings.

Disclaimer: As a reminder, all things in excess can be dangerous. Even drinking too much water can cause severe side effects or death. In the United States, all herbal remedies are listed as a dietary supplement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, it is not subject to strict scrutiny for safety and efficacy. Unlike standard pharmaceutical drugs which are required to pass (Clement et al. 2006). The FDA mandates that all herbal remedies contain a disclaimer informing the consumer that any claims about the medicine’s therapeutic value have not been evaluated by that agency… Ironic, I know… The information contained in this article is comprised of multiple online sources, including but not limited to: NIH and other government sources, WebMD, Healthline, and others.

Compliments to Runic Works for assistance in word smithing and many of their runic translations.