From the Dowayne, Rosanna Baphinol nό Valerian:
Were I to compile all that speaks to me of Valerian House, I could easily say this quote from Kushiel’s Dart would do nicely: 
“That which yields is not always weak.”
Of the thirteen houses of the Court of Night Blooming Flowers only two deal with pain, and as one of those who finds pain to be a kind of pleasure I am often confronted with misunderstanding. It is through the acceptance of such sharper delights that I find a certain sort of peace, just as Phédre does – with the right patrons. The adepts of Valerian House not only take pride in what they do, but they also challenge themselves with their art. That challenge manifests, for me, in the pushing of my own personal boundaries, in many aspects of life, from which I return stronger each time.
When I contemplate the motto, “I Yield,” I know that it is done with the knowledge that I am the one who gives it. At any moment the signalé can be used, and the power of the situation is truly revealed. To yield is a choice. Such devotion is a gift, allowing me the full control of whatever or whoever I deign to submit to. Valerians are delicate flowers with spines of iron. Let not the surface appearance dictate just how strong a person can be, you might be surprised what is hiding underneath.
From the Second, Tryphosa Katseros nό Valerian:
“Love is hard, harder than steel and thrice as cruel. It is as inexorable as the tides, and life and death alike follow in its wake.” ~Jacqueline Carey, Kushiel’s Chosen
This quote more than anything embodies for me why Valerian is so important to me. While not about Valerian itself it speaks to the dichotomy of how we who belong to Valerian live. While seemingly soft and demure we revel in being challenged and brought to the edge and beyond of what we can stand. We love our patrons for the pain and cruelty they inflict on us and that love at times can be very hard, but in the end is worth it.
Another core of Valerian is trust. Without a solid core of trust there can be no yielding and without yielding those of Valerian do not achieve what we crave. Through the trust that is required I have learned much of myself and the many different aspects that make me who I am. The ability to give up all control and trust someone else so completely has shaped me into the person that I am. And this is a lesson that came hard and over a long period of time. I am thankful for the values of Valerian and how I can continually learn from them as I grow, yield, and trust in love.