The only story that exists about Balder is the story of his death. Balder’s horrible dreams haunted him so that he told the other gods about them. They interpreted them as foretelling the death of Balder. Since all the gods loved him so much they couldn’t bear the thought of him dying.
They decided to make arrangements to protect Balder from any harm. His mother Frigg went to all corners of the world to take oaths from everything in the world to the effect that nothing would or could harm him. Nothing on earth was to be able to harm him.
Now the gods were more at ease knowing that Balder was protected. However, his dreams continued but Balder spoke not of it.
It now became the most popular entertainment among the gods to throw things at Balder. They would have him stand up when they met and then attack him. Some would strike him with a sword or axe. Others would shoot arrows at him and even throw rocks. Nothing harmed him as promised and Balder’s fame grew.
One god was not happy with this however. Loki didn’t like Balder and began to really hate him. He used his abilities to turn himself into an old woman. He went to Frigg to talk to her.
The old woman asked Frigg if there really was nothing in the world that could hurt Balder. Frigg replied that only one little plant, called mistletoe, found to the west of Valhalla that wasn’t asked to make an oath since it was considered too young and small to do so.
The old woman went away and Loki returned to his shape. He went to find the plant, tore it up and headed to the field where the gods were throwing things at Balder. Not far away stood Balder’s brother Hod who was blind.
“Why aren’t you throwing things at your brother”, asked Loki. “That’s because I’m blind and also I don’t have any weapon.”, answered Hod. “That’s no excuse, here’s a stick of wood. I’ll guide your throw” said Loki. With Loki’s guidance Hod threw the mistletoe with all his might at Balder. It struck him in the chest and he fell immediately dead to the ground.
Tags: Balder, Baldr, Friday 13th, Frigg, Höðr, Loki, Norse mythology, Valhalla
