Völuspa by Ralph Metzner & Byron Metcalf

Völuspa is a fascinating creation myth – a powerful journey of creation, destruction and renewal. Narrated by renowned author and teacher, Ralph Metzner, and supported by a dramatic and potent soundtrack by Byron Metcalf (feat. Dashmesh Khalsa), this unique album is designed to take the listener on a personal exploration of the cycles and mysteries of death and rebirth that are ever present in the human psyche.

The Völuspa is one of the poetic songs of the Elder Edda, which were first compiled and written down in the 13th century in Iceland. It is believed that many of the anonymous songs of the Elder Edda were composed and recited several hundred years before that, some perhaps as early as the fifth or sixth century CE. Since it was written in the Old Norse language and script, Ralph Metzner consulted several modern English and German translations to arrive at this version. Völuspa means “Visions of the Völva.” Völvas were clairvoyant prophetic seeresses in the pre-Christian Nordic culture. In this poem an unnamed völva is relating her visions in response to questions posed to her by Odin/Wodan, the knowledge-seeking god of shamans, warriors and poets.

“Ever since I wrote about and quoted from the Völuspa in my book of The Well of Remembrance (Shambhala, 1994), I have admired this poem with its awesome visions of the origins of the world, the creative activities and conflicts of gods and humans, and the stunning prophecies of planetary destruction and renewal that seem to be coming true in our time.” – Ralph Metzner (2018)

Byron Metcalf is an award-winning professional musician and recording artist and shamanic practitioner. Byron’s highly successful music business career spans 5 decades and covers a wide variety of musical styles and genres. Byron produces music for deep inner exploration, breathwork, shamanic journeywork, body-oriented therapies, various meditation practices and the healing arts.

byronmetcalf.com