What Was Viking Yule Really Like?

Jól took place over three nights, starting with the midwinter solstice around December 21st. Unfortunately, the eddas we would normally turn to for information don’t contain many details about the celebrations. So what do we know? There was lots of feasting and drinking. What else would you expect from the Vikings? In a saga about KingContinue reading “What Was Viking Yule Really Like?”

Viking Völvas: Who Were These Magical Women?

As I write Whispers of a Sorceress, the second book in my Daughters of Valhalla series, I’ve been learning a lot about Viking* völvas. In the books, the character Haldis has been trained as a völva, or Viking seer. Born blind in one eye, which is all-white, and with a reddish-purple rash running down oneContinue reading “Viking Völvas: Who Were These Magical Women?”

How Did Vikings Give Birth?

Some of you may know that I recently wrote a short story called “Daughter of Ravens,” which is all about the birth of my character Haldis. If you’re interested, you can read it today via my newsletter! As research for the story, I looked up everything I could find about how Vikings gave birth. NotContinue reading “How Did Vikings Give Birth?”

What Did the Vikings Eat?

As a foodie, I am always interested in learning what people ate in other time periods. Living in the Bay Area of California today, I am spoiled with choice — partly because so many immigrants have brought their cuisines here with them. On any given day, I have my pick of imported fruit, seasonal vegetables,Continue reading “What Did the Vikings Eat?”