“Þeim var eg verster eg unni mest.” -Laxdæla Saga A last-minute decision prompts me to visit the grave of Iceland’s leading saga lady and my saga heroine- Guðrún Osvifrsdóttir. It was December of 2021 when Iceland’s past began to whisper to me. Following my first trip around the little island that summer, I was smitten…
My first experience riding an Icelandic horse was pure magic. Things draw on as destiny wills. – Njal’s Saga There is no denying the powerful relationship between humans and horses. For centuries, we have relied on horses for transportation, chores, and companionship. Experience has demonstrated that horses are far more than this; they are a…
How one little book made a big life impact All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. JRR Tolkien A long-awaited milestone Readers, I am over the moon to share that my first book became a bestseller on Kindle last week! I wish I could have…
A pair of romantic ravens steals the show and my heart. Only you know what dwells in your heart when you are alone. Nothing is worse for a wise person than to have nothing to love. Havamal Stz 95 Last weekend we sprung forward into daylight time. I love the wintry weather, but this year…
Valkyrie, Freyja, and women of the Viking era A well-behaved woman rarely makes history. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich **Trigger warning for blood, gore, descriptions of war and bloodshed** Freyja’s Chosen The Norse goddess Freyja chooses her slain We wind and wind the web of spears, there where the banners of bold men go forth; we must…
Cattle die. Kinsman die. The self must also die. I know one thing that never dies. The reputation of a dead man. Havamal Stanza 77 Fate, life-changing decisions, and treating all with dignity Recently I had the pleasure of penning an article for my favorite guiding company, Midgard Adventure about my favorite destination there, Thor’s…
A long walk in nature clears my mind. Some of. you may have read about a recent unpleasant experience I had. This ended up being my most-read post, leaving me reflecting on how so many of us are seeking deeper connections with other people. The deepest connection I have is with nature. It is one…
An exploration into Iceland’s Hidden Folk “If I deny elves, I deny my grandmother and mother.” Pall Ásgeir Ásgeirsson My disclaimer I believe there are many perspectives on any one topic, and elves are no different. When approaching this subject, I asked myself, how do I write about elves in a relevant way that remains…
Exploring Iceland’s Unseen History Myth, Mysticism, and Magic When most people think of Iceland they picture majestic glaciers, volcanoes, mystical waterfalls, and the dancing green of the aurora. Drone footage of colorful canyons and black sand beaches flood Instagram, along with pictures of the otherworldly highlands and blue ice caves of the south. It all…
Riding is a blessed sitting, and a swift journey, and the toil of the horse. Icelandic Rune Poem When I began to wander, I was lost. But soon I found myself. Raidho, the sixth rune of the Elder Futhark alphabet means “ride or journey.” The Elder Futhark is the oldest form of the Germanic alphabet…