The "blank" rune, or "Wyrd rune," was added to the classic Futhark by Ralph Blum as the 25th rune, but it is a modern invention that doesn’t belong to the original structure. This addition is unnecessary, as the Elder Futhark is already a perfect and self-contained system. However, in modern divination, the "fate rune" has gained popularity and is sometimes used in readings. The Northern Tradition school rejects the blank rune, as it disrupts the balanced design of the Elder Futhark, which could mislead the practitioner. For ancient Scandinavians and other pagans, belief in fate (wyrd) was absolute, and every rune in a reading was seen as a manifestation of fate. The Perthro rune already represents fate, so there’s no need for another. Ksenia Menshikova

A great video on proper pronouncement of the Elder Futhark. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gUakTKRpYM8

Norse code. The use of genetic ancestry to trace history and probe events of the past is challenging because ancestries in many locations are relatively similar, making it hard to distinguish groups and populations. In January edition of Nature Magazine, The researchers use a new technique to examine the genomic history of early medieval Europe. This allowed them to track the expansion of two streams of Scandinavian-related ancestry across the continent, as well a later stream of ancestry expanding into Scandinavia before the Viking Age (around 750–1050). The cover is inspired by the serpentine carvings found on Viking Age runestones and features the Elder Futhark runes for the DNA nucleotides A, T, G and C (K). — show less Cover image: Art by Oliver Uberti. (Stone texture: © Olga Yastremska, New Africa, Africa Studio/Adobe Stock)

Younger and Elder Futhark Bone sets from Grim frost. Sadly Reið wasn't painted on in the younger set so I had to paint it on the bone myself, but no problem there! These came in some really nice leather bags, and are made from some pretty dense bone. Not too bad. I like collecting different rune sets, even if this wasn't how the runes were used by Nordic and Germanic people, I do like to carry pouches of these wonderful staves.

The Elder Futhark creates a chain of transformation, where each rune initiates change, linking consciousness to the sacred knowledge of the Northern Tradition. Ksenia Menshikova

VALHALLA (Label Artwork) 🔥SCENT🔥 Oak-Barreled bourbon, Warm Sandalwood, Fresh Tobacco, Spiced Mead, Vanilla Sticks 💡INSPIRATION💡 Valhalla — the golden hall where the bravest warriors gather for an afterlife of endless feasting, fighting, and camaraderie. This blend captures the essence of that legendary realm with the warmth of oak-barreled bourbon, sandalwood, and fresh tobacco, embodying the strength and richness of the gods' own sanctuary. Notes of spiced mead and a touch of vanilla add a smooth, inviting sweetness, reminiscent of the lavish feasts and toasts to fallen heroes. Valhalla is a tribute to this timeless hall of legends, a bold and enduring scent that brings a taste of the warrior’s paradise to life. 🎨BEHIND THE SCENES🎨 ▪️The 5th scent I have released. ▪️There are 12 different layers of clouds blended in this, as well as 15 different layers of just lighting alone. ▪️Valhalla and Asgard actually share the same constructed bindrune, but both differing on their meanings. ▪️Knowing this was going to be an epic scene, I rendered over 1400 images dedicated on bringing what I had in my head into reality. The Bindrune consists of three elder futhark runes: ᛏ (Tiwaz): Represents sacrifice and honor in battle, fitting the warriors who fight for glory in Valhalla. Positioned as the backbone of the design, forming the spear-like structure. ᛉ (Algiz): Symbolizes divine protection and favor, highlighting the warriors’ connection to the gods and their readiness for the eternal fight. Integrated seamlessly into the spear’s shape. ᚨ (Ansuz): Reflects Odin’s wisdom and divine guidance, appearing subtly as the fletching on the shaft of the spear, suggesting the divine call to Valhalla and the flight to glory. I constructed the bindrune to form a crude spear pointing upright, symbolizing the warrior's honor and readiness for the final battle. Tiwaz and Algiz merge to create a strong, protective backbone, while Ansuz, as fletching, adds Odin’s voice and guidance. I hope this captures the spirit of Valhalla—sacrifice, protection, and divine purpose. www.valkyriebeardcare.com

RAGNAROK (Label Artwork) 🔥SCENT🔥 Masculine Teakwood, Resinous Amber, subtle smokiness from Black Peppercorn 💡INSPIRATION💡 Ragnarök — the cataclysmic battle marking the end of gods and the dawn of a new world rising from the ashes. This rich, masculine blend captures the saga’s intensity with warm teakwood, resinous amber, and a hint of smokey pepper. Smooth yet bold, Ragnarok embodies the strength of a warrior king, the fire of destruction, and the honor of rebirth. A scent as powerful and timeless as the legends themselves. 🎨BEHIND THE SCENES🎨 ▪️I had originally planned on this design to be this massive battle scene with Sutr in the background and armies charging in, death and destruction all over the place. I had created this epic scene, sized it for the label and realized there is SO much going on this massive battlefield it just looked like noise on a label. So while I still have that artwork and may release it as a print, I had to step back a bit with a more simplistic, yet still symbolic composition to represent Ragnarok. ▪️The broken sword icon for Ragnarok was heavily inspired by Riven from League of Legends :) The Bindrune consists of four elder futhark runes: ᚾ (Nauthiz, Reversed): Represents inevitable fate and hardship, symbolizing the inescapable suffering and doom that comes with Ragnarok. Positioned at the top to set the tone of unavoidable destruction. ᚦ (Thurisaz): The core of chaos and destruction, embodying the overwhelming force of Ragnarok. It takes center stage as the heart of the bindrune, funneling all energy into its violent power. ᛏ (Tiwaz, Inverted, x2): Represents sacrifice and loss, showing the ultimate fate of gods and warriors who fall in Ragnarok. The repeated inverted Tiwaz signals multiple sacrifices, reinforcing the finality and totality of this event. I tried to make this bindrune flow like the story of Ragnarok itself: starting with the inevitability of fate at the top, descending into chaos and destruction at the center, and culminating in the sacrifices of gods and warriors below. The layered design captures the doom, power, and finality of the end of all things. www.valkyriebeardcare.com

SHAMAN (Label Artwork) 🔥SCENT🔥 Spicy blend of Clove, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Citrus Notes 💡INSPIRATION💡 Shaman draws from the ancient wisdom of Norse völvas and healers, those who harnessed the power of earth’s rarest herbs and spices to protect and empower. This blend of Clove, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Citrus evokes the rituals of seers who invoked the elements to shield their kin from misfortune. The dark, spicy aroma recalls a time when nature’s gifts were sacred, each scent carrying the essence of resilience, healing, and the strength of those who walked between worlds. Shaman is an homage to the herbal guardianship of old, a scent steeped in the potency and mystery of Norse lore. 🎨BEHIND THE SCENES🎨 ▪️One of the valhalla ladders used in this design is actually mine I got hanging next to my monitors in the studio. :) It consists of driftwood that floated along the shore during a storm while I was on mushrooms. 🍄 ▪️This is the third scent I had ever created for Valkyrie. It was heavily inspired by the iconic thieves blend oil that was rumored to be a concoction used back in the medieval ages to ward away the plague. ▪️The icon for shaman took me the longest to figure out what exactly I wanted to use. I finally settled on something resembling a potion but also bones and fire involved in its design. The Bindrune consists of four elder futhark runes: ᚨ (Ansuz): The divine communication rune, symbolizing the whispers from the gods and the shaman’s role as a conduit for their messages. ᛏ (Tiwaz): The rune of sacrifice, representing the trials and personal cost endured by the shaman to gain wisdom and power. ᚲ (Kaunaz): The flame of insight, representing the shaman's inner fire that burns with hidden knowledge and reveals truths from the unknown. ᛉ (Algiz) (inverted): A symbol of vulnerability and submission to chaotic forces, reflecting the shaman’s willingness to risk danger in pursuit of truth and connection with the divine. This bindrune captures the mystical power, sacrifice, and dark insight of a shaman diving into the unknown. Perfectly balanced between mystery and danger. www.valkyriebeardcare.com

LONGSHIP (Label Artwork) 🔥SCENT🔥 Ancient Cedar, Oak Wood, Northern Sea Salt, Sea Kelp, Driftwood, Moss, Musk 💡INSPIRATION💡 Longship captures the spirit of Viking explorers braving the northern seas, where icy waves crash against wooden hulls, and salt-laden winds carry the scent of distant lands. With ancient cedar and oak at its heart, touched by sea salt, kelp, and driftwood, this blend evokes the raw beauty and power of the open ocean. As you navigate through mist and fog, the call of seagulls hints at land on the horizon, a promise from Thor himself. Longship is a tribute to those daring journeys — a musky, aquatic scent that carries you back to the age of Viking conquests and uncharted shores. 🎨BEHIND THE SCENES🎨 • Ever since living on the coast, I wanted to try to replicate that experience within a bottle of beard oil. This scent is dedicated to the Oregon Coast during the stormy and brutal winters here. • When designing this composition, I was dead set on creating an atmosphere of epic proportions which led to me rendering and designing some incredible scenes. Some of these may still appear on the site through merch/prints. I may have to snag one myself haha. • I am part of the reason Longship soap doesn't stay in stock. This still remains one of my all-time favorite scents I have ever smelled and quite literally the only soap I use now. The Bindrune consists of three elder futhark runes: ᚱ (Raido): The rune of travel and purpose, representing the longship's steadfast journey across the sea. ᚾ (Nauthiz): Symbolizes the hardships and necessity of the voyage, the challenges faced and the resolve required to overcome them. ᛃ (Jera): The tides and cycles, reflecting the natural rhythm of the sea and the journey’s ultimate balance and return. This rune combination gives you the raw, struggling endurance of a ship that keeps moving forward, no matter the conditions. Nauthiz being blended with Raidho makes the struggle part of the journey, which is both realistic and symbolic of any voyage—especially one that’s as epic and dangerous as those undertaken by longships. Jera grounding it all provides that sense of balance and continuity, the cyclical nature of the tides and time itself. www.valkyriebeardcare.com

BERSERKER (Label Artwork) 🔥[SCENT]🔥 Fir Needle, Charred Cedarwood, Warm Sandalwood, subtle notes of Spice and Musk 💡[INSPIRATION]💡 Inspired by the 'berserkir', Norse warriors who channeled the strength and fury of bears in battle, Berserker captures their primal, untamed power. This blend of fir needle, charred cedarwood, and warm sandalwood is spiced just enough to reflect the intensity of the fray. A subtle hint of smoldering wood lingers, evoking the raw, woodsy energy of the battlefield and the indomitable spirit of these legendary bear-pelt wearing warriors. 🎨[BEHIND THE SCENES]🎨 • The very first scent I have ever created. It was the scent that started the foundation of Valkyrie back in 2016. • The artwork took me the longest out of all of them, but not because of how hard the composition was. There were so many different routes I could have taken with the idea and imagery of the Berserker, and some of the versions I made quite honestly borderlined extreme gore. I had over 30 completely different designs and compositions before finally ending with this one. • The bear in this composition actually involves 6 different renders blended together to make him. • Half of the layers making up this composition is actually lighting 😅 • Since the very beginning this scent was always 'orange' to me and always reminded me of watching wood ignite and smolder in a campfire. The fire itself just consumes everything in its path and the idea of a berserker aligned with that. It reminds me of fury, destruction, primal rage and intensity. The Bindrune consists of three elder futhark runes: ᛏ (Tiwaz): The spear-like rune of war and focus, representing the unrelenting drive and bloodlust of the berserker. It’s sharp, aggressive, and cuts straight through chaos. ᚦ (Thurisaz): The rune of giants and destruction, embodying the primal rage and brutality that fuels a berserker’s madness. This is the core of their raw power. ᚲ (Kaunaz): The flame within, a torch of wild, consuming fire. It’s the burning frenzy that takes over the berserker, turning them into an unstoppable force. www.valkyriebeardcare.com