What Killed Baldur?
Baldur, the beloved Norse god of light, purity, and innocence, holds a special place in mythology. His untimely death marks the beginning of the end of the gods and the apocalypse, Ragnarök. So, what ultimately led to his demise? In this article, we’ll delve into the Norse mythology surrounding Baldur’s death and explore the consequences that followed.
Höd’s Mistrust and Loki’s Trickery
According to myth, Baldur’s only weakness was mistletoe, a plant considered too young to make promises to the gods. Baldur’s mother, the goddess Frigg, obtained an oath from every entity in the nine worlds to never harm her son, including the mistletoe. However, Höd, Baldur’s blind brother, tainted the oath by hiding mistletoe behind his back.
Sensing an opportunity, Loki, the cunning god of mischief and fire, manipulated Höd and convinced him to shoot mistletoe at Baldur. Unaware of the plant’s nature, Höd hurled the mistletoe and struck Baldur, killing the god of light. This treacherous act set in motion the series of events that would bring about the downfall of the gods.
Furious Gods and a Tragic Quest
In the aftermath, the gods were enraged at Loki’s betrayal and devised a plan to exact vengeance. Odin, the All-Father, sent the gods’ messenger, Hermód to retrieve Loki from giant land, Jotunheim. However, Hermód was unable to arrest Loki, who gained temporary freedom by giving up his spear and escaping.
Confronting the Consequences
As the gods continued their quest for justice, the consequences of Baldur’s death became apparent. The sorrow of Baldur’s mother, Frigg, was said to have caused an eternal winter to shroud the land. In response, the bitter tears of the giantess, Thjazi, turned into a perpetual storm, adding to the gloom. The gods’ failure to avenge Baldur and the chaos that followed sealed the fate of the worlds.
The Prophecy Unfolds
With Baldur’s death, the prophecy of Ragnarök began to unfold. The end times would bring about the ultimate destruction of the gods and the nine worlds. Loki’s actions had triggered this catastrophic sequence of events.
Loki’s Punishment
As punishment for his role in Baldur’s death, Loki would face binding to the earth by the goddess Freyja’s armorial device, the Bridle of the Serpents. He would also be subject to the whims of the entrails of his sons, Narfi and Vali.
In Summary
Baldur, the god of light and purity, was killed by Höd and Loki’s treachery. Mist, the only plant able to harm Baldur, ultimately led to his demise. The consequences of his death sparked a chain reaction that would ultimately lead to Ragnarök, the downfall of the gods. As a reminder of the gravity of Loki’s actions, his punishment would serve as a cautionary tale in the world of Norse mythology.