GEIRAVÖR

GEIRAVÖR

"The voice of Thor resounds again on high,

While arm'd Valyries ride from out the sky;

The Gods of Asgard all their powers release

To rouse the dullard from his dream of peace."

H.P. Lovecraft, The Teuton's Battle-Song

"Wise thought her the valkyrie; were welcome never

men to the bright-eyed one, her who the birds' speech knew well.

Greeted the light-lashed maiden,the lily-throated woman,

The hymir's-skull-cleaver as on cliff he was perching."

Þorbjörn Hornklofi, Hrafnsmál

"Gol and Geiravör (Spear Bearer),
Randgrid and Radgrid,
And Reginleif;
These bear ale to the einherjes.

These are called valkyries. Odin sends them to all battles, where they choose those who are to be slain, and rule over the victory. Gud and Rosta, and the youngest norn, Skuld, always ride to sway the battle and choose the slain. Jord, the mother of Thor, and Rind, Vale’s mother, are numbered among the goddesses."
Snorri Sturluson, The Prose Edda

"They favor the most heroic fighter: those most highly qualified to join the heroes already in Valhalla. Each Valkyry identifies such a man and urges him into the thickest of the fray, sharpening his bloodlust with her savage cries and bidding him to ignore the wounds which sap his strength. At last he falls to the weapons of his opponents, and his attendant Valkyry waits by the bleeding corpse."
Michael Page & Robert Ingpen, Encyclopedia Of Things That Never Were