Also called Balder, Baldur, Bealdor.
Their story
Baldr was troubled by dreams of his own death, so his mother Frigg made all things swear not to harm him, and the gods made a game of throwing things at him. Loki found that the mistletoe had not sworn, and put a dart of it into the hand of blind Höðr, who threw it and killed Baldr. The Völuspá says that after Ragnarök Baldr will return to a green, renewed world.
Their day
Sunday. In modern practice, Sunday is a common choice, as he is so closely associated with light.
Best times to give to them
- Midsummer
- Sundays
- sunrise
- the return of the light after Yule
What they like being given
- mead or white wine, or elderflower cordial
- white flowers
- bread and honey
- a candle or sunlight on your altar
- kind acts done quietly
How to honour them
- Light a white candle at sunrise on Midsummer morning.
- Place white daisies or chamomile on your altar in summer.
- Do something good without seeking thanks, in his name.
- Remember him in times of grief, as the one the whole world wept for.
How they can help you
- hope in dark times
- comfort in grief
- peace and reconciliation
- renewal after loss
- gentleness
Symbols
- the sun
- the white flower baldursbrá (scentless mayweed)
- mistletoe
- the ship Hringhorni
- the ring Draupnir
Festivals
- Litha Summer solstice, around 21 June
- Midsummer (Miðsumar) Around the summer solstice; in Scandinavian folk custom usually Midsummer Eve, 23 June
Herbs linked with them
- St John's Wort Hypericum perforatum
- Mistletoe Viscum album
More Norse gods
- Odin The Allfather, seeker of wisdom
- Thor The Thunderer, protector of gods and people
- Freyr Lord of the harvest, giver of peace and plenty
- Njörðr Lord of the harbour, the wind and the sea
- Tyr The one-handed god of justice and oaths
- Heimdall Watchman of the gods at the rainbow bridge
- Bragi God of poetry, skald of Valhalla
- Ullr The glorious archer on skis