The Mistletoe And The Sun God

Of all the gods who lived in Asgard, there was none gayer and happier than Balder, the young and handsome sun-god. Balder had a twin brother, whose name was Hod. He was the god of darkness, and he was not as joyful as his brother, for he was blind. Hod was always sad, for he could not see to join in the sport and adventures of the others, and he was very lonely, for the others often forgot about him.

However, there came a time when Balder was no longer happy and carefree. He grew pale and sad and ceased to join the merry sports of the others. His wife asked him what was troubling him, and Balder replied that he had a strange dream which came again and again and which he could not forget, for it distressed him so much. In the dream, he was killed, but he never knew who killed him. He knew only that the gods could do nothing to save him from his fate.

Balder’s wife went at once to Odin and Frigg, the king and queen of the gods, and told them what Balder had said. Odin and Frigg, who were also Balder’s parents, called a great council of all the gods and goddesses to discuss what should be done to protect Balder.

Before the council met, Odin went up to his watchtower and sat on the great throne from which he could look down and see all things, and he saw that in the underworld, the home of the dead, the great hall had been swept, and the tables set with cups as if for a feast. It was clear to him that in the underworld, they were preparing to receive an honored guest, and it was with a heavy heart that Odin made his way to the council.

The debate was long, for Balder was well-loved, and the gods wished to ensure his safety. It was finally decided that he would only be completely safe if all things, fire, water, trees, plants, rocks, the earth and its metals, birds and animals, sickness and plagues, promised not to harm him. So Frigg sent her messengers to all of them, and each one in turn promised that no harm should come to her son.

When they were sure that nothing had been left out, they returned to the other gods once more, and the gods were happy again, for they were sure now that Balder could not be hurt. It became a great sport to hurl sticks and stones and sharp weapons at Balder, for they would only glance off him and none would harm him.

Only Loki was unhappy. Loki, the red-haired god of fire, was jealous of the bright and beautiful sun-god Balder, for the sun is always brighter and more beautiful than fire. The gods all met to hold festivities, and only Balder was truly carefree.

Loki said, “I will guide your aim,” with a malicious gleam.

Loki never succeeded in his usual mischiefs, but angry at his failure, he set out, disguised as an old woman, seeking something overlooked in the promises. He found Hod, who waited lonely and forgotten on one side, and Loki crossed to him.

“Why do you not join the others in their fun?” Loki asked.

“How can I?” asked Hod. “It is always dark where I am, for I am blind, and I cannot even see the sun.”

“I will help you to join in,” replied Loki. “Here, take this dart, and I will guide your aim.”

“You are kind,” smiled Hod, always lonely because he never could join the others in their games. He took the dart and aimed it at Balder, guided by Loki. Then he threw it, and the little spear pierced Balder through the heart, so that he fell dead.

The gods were silent when they saw what had happened, and Loki stole away quickly, while Hod, afraid that the gods would take revenge on him, went and hid away deep in the forest where no one could find him.

Balder was given a great funeral. His body was put on his ship, surrounded by his weapons, as was the custom. Then it was surrounded by pine logs, which were set alight, and as the flames blazed up, the ship moved slowly out to sea, on its journey with Balder’s wife, who could not bear to be separated from him.

Asgard, the home of the gods, was sad and cheerless now that Balder was gone, and finally, Hermod, the messenger of the gods, offered to go to Hel, who ruled the underworld, and ask what ransom she would take so that Balder might return.

The gods gladly agreed that he should go. So, for nine days and nights, Hermod rode until he finally reached the place of Hel.

It was dark and silent in the courtyard when he dismounted, and he went at once into the great hall. There on her throne sat Hel, and beside her were Balder the sun-god and his wife.

Hermod told Hel the gods’ request, and Hel agreed to let Balder go, if he was so well-loved that all things wept for him. Hermod returned to Asgard at once and told the gods what Hel had said, and Frigg sent her messengers to ask all things to weep for Balder’s return. All things agreed, for they all loved Balder.

The messengers returned to Asgard to tell the gods that all things were weeping, but on the way, they passed a cave in which a giant woman was sitting. They stopped and asked her to weep for Balder, but she only laughed. “I did not love Balder,” she replied. “Let Hel keep him,” and she only laughed louder.

The messengers returned to Asgard with great sadness and told Frigg how only the giant woman, whom they had never seen before, had refused to weep for Balder. They told her also how her laugh had sounded like the laugh of Loki, who had changed his shape and had no love for Balder.

There was great grief in Asgard, for now Balder could never return, and no one sorrowed more than his twin brother, Hod. Soon afterward, however, Hod, too, was killed, and he went down to join his brother in the house of Hel, where Balder greeted him with great love and kindness.