Barbara Walker Tarot - Princess of Swords: Skuld

The Valkyrie rides her black horse over storm clouds, seeking the souls of warrior-heroes who died bravely. Skuld was the leader of Norse death angels, whose earthly embodiments were funerary priestesses, like Asian dakinis: the Slavic Wilis, Vilas, Valas, or Saxon Valkyries. Skuld’s magic was eventually condemned as “skulduggery” or witchcraft. Her card means a stringent test or formidable challenge, a vigilant, active, shrewd, sharp-witted person capable of probing hidden weakness, keen judgment, unconquerable spirit, stern expectations.