Well, it’s taken only about 25 years, but I think I’m biting the bullet and getting some new tattoo work done, and I can think of none better then some of the folks here for advice on something… My particular heritage is primarily French from Québec, with both sides of the family having solid roots in Normandy. I fell into the DNA rabbit hole a few years back, and even invested in a few tests (while they were on sale) to compare… French was naturally prominent, but there were surprises.. Some Scandinavian traces were still there even from French communities where very few ever left the Saint Hyacinthe area.. To this day, my mother and I are really the only two of three in the family that left & speak English lol… Comparing it to archeological dna services like mytrueancestry has definitely been revealing, especially when it highlighted an ancestral link to Visigothic and Danish roots (with many other Germanic influences, including a smidgin of Norwegian).. In any case, I’ve always been fascinated with the Elder Futhark and all things proto-Germanic. I currently have a camel spider tattooed on one hand, and a scorpion on the other.. Due to a promise I gave to fellow soldiers after our 1992-93 Somalia tour that I’d “fight” them on a bar table once we got home to remind us of our only entertainment out there lol. The idea is to add runes on my fingers… I have tried to research the proto-Germanic inspiration for the Nordic influence of Huginn & Muninn.. These would be transcribed using the Elder Futhark, and figured these to be Hugiz and Muniz. Any thoughts by those with a bit of knowledge in this area? Once settled, I also have an itch to get the Visigothic Eagle on one side of the neck, and the well known Raven from Vikingtid banners on the other side… Both would be fair homage to two ancestral links.

We had 13ft/4m swells yesterday due to a massive storm hitting the coastline. Through violent tides, Njörðr gifts me with endless depths of inspiration. #coast #inspiration

"Those without purpose are easily distracted by pleasure." ✨ [Danheim] is one of my inspirations through the dawn of my journey and the awakening light of my karma. Thank you for your Music. https://2ly.link/24DEX

I had a very new friend die just now. I want to share with you all something vulnerable and personal. I hope it is ok with me sharing this. If anything, maybe this can shed some light on someone else struggling with this. This is going to be a long post, and I don't expect many to read it all the way through... or even fucking understand what I am trying to say. Trust me, I am used to people having no clue when I talk about this, including doctors and therapists. I think I just need to get some of this off my chest for now. He was a fan of mine for over 2 years and just realized recently the beard care products he was buying was made by the same dude, me. He reached out to me back in December with a long email and asked me what inspires me to my core. I sent him a long email back explaining that my "inspiration" is honestly more of a curse rather than blessing and explained how almost all my life I experience something called "Óðr" in Old Norse, translated to something like frenzied inspiration or divine madness, but there isn't really a proper word for it in English. For me though it is very vivid which leads to insomnia, mania and psychosis if I don't get what is in my head... out of my head. This happens with my music, my scents in my products and through my artwork. This resorts in me basically sacrificing everything in the pursuit of literally not going insane. (I can go more into this in another post, but for the time being let's just leave it here). He responded back in a very long email explaining to me that my email and my explanation of Óðr put into perspective his entire childhood and how he too suffers from something similar, but he must draw it from his mind. If he doesn't draw it exactly how it is in his head, he has to keep trying. He had tried to see doctors for it and they all labeled him having a form of OCD, but there was nothing else in his life that was even remotely related to OCD. My therapist thought I had a form of schizophrenia, but I doubt that. With everything I had said, for the first time he felt understood. For the first time, there was someone else out there that knew exactly what he dealt with. I mean, damn, for the first time I felt someone else finally understood what the fuck I have to deal with. For him though, it got so serious in his head this led to attempted suicide twice not being able to get this out of his head in time. Through these conversations and vulnerabilities shared, a bond was made unique to anything I have ever experienced. It was a bond that felt spiritual. Fast forward to about a week ago, he told me he was losing weight rapidly and went to the doctor and got the blood tests back and they found out he had pancreatic cancer. The doctor told him that he doesn't have much time and needed to get his things in order for his family because surgery/chemo is not possible. It was too late. He died a few hours ago. The thing that fucks me up the most is that it was my music that made him feel at ease when dealing with Óðr for the past 2 years without even knowing it was because of Óðr I wrote those very songs, and it was my music that has been playing nonstop for the last 2 days now easing him into the abyss next to his wife and children. According to his wife, it will be my music at his wake/funeral. I just want you all to know I read every one of your comments. I read every one of your private messages and try to respond to everything I can. I grew a very unique bond with this man when realizing that we struggle through the same mental state that is so unknown and undiagnosed. The number of messages I receive from you all about how my music affects you on a very unique and deep level... I see you. I cherish you. <3 I had a song called Hel's Embrace I planned on releasing when I released the full Helsa's Saga. Hel's Embrace is the 6th chapter to that saga. I will be dedicating the track in memory of him and plan on releasing it soon instead. Rest in peace, brother. 🍻 "Kven skal synge meg i daudsvevna slynge meg... ...Du er løyst frå banda som batt deg" - Einar Selvik

1.27.25 'Modern Viking' was an ambitious idea of mine I have had for a couple years now. My goal with this track was a bit more cinematic. I wanted to capture the moment a modern-day heathen soldier had a near-death experience on the battlefield when his heart stopped and he began hearing the Einherjar chanting only to be resuscitated back to life while being medevacked. You all know me, I can't help but be cinematic with my music :) When I first originally thought of this concept, I wasn't skilled enough to pull it off yet. I have learned so much since then when it comes to mixing and mastering my own sound, as well as producing my own video content, with the major changes in my life recently I felt it was time. I was originally inspired to do this song after listening to a few personal stories of near-death experiences during war. Mixing these inspirations with a life-changing "death experience" I had with DMT once and the fact I had been sitting on nearly 2.5 hours of audio recordings of war 'gifted' to me from a special someone (thank you for all your insane stories), this song was inevitable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8p6YLKD-Ok

Noiduin is a Finnish Dark Folk act hailing from Pori, located on the Western coast of Finland. Noiduin draws its inspiration from Finnish mythology and folklore, and the songs are often based on ancient Finnish spell poems. https://youtube.com/@noiduin?si=NHqdPLsNok3yBo_2

The 12 Days of Yule represent a period of complete freedom, magic, and reflection on the past year. These days begin and end at different times for each of us. Some may find this cycle nearing its end, while others are still journeying through it. Yet, during this timeless phase, we all connect with a shared myth, revisiting the past to gather our results and glimpsing the future through the Yule prophecy to shape our plans. The 13th, enchanted night of Yule is fast approaching. This night will form a bridge to guide us through the dark period. Walk with courage across this bridge, so that by Imbolc, you emerge transformed, with a clear sense of direction and a solid inner understanding of the purpose behind it all. When this significant night arrives, burn your Yule log and keep the ashes. Reflect on your achievements and consider your plans moving forward. Ask yourself the essential question: how do you wish to shape your reality in 2025? May your dreams and intentions find their strength in this time! We wish you clarity, inspiration, and magic as you move toward your true reality. May your plans unfold, your strength grow, and your inner flame continue to burn bright! Sincerely, The Menshikova School

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