A Conversation for Mistletoe
Balder brought back to life?
NAITA (Join ViTAL - A1014625) Started conversation Jun 25, 2002
I've never seen a version of this myth ending with anything except Balder remaining dead and in Hel (the kingdom of death). Could you tell me where you found it?
In the versions I have read an emissary to Hel(the goddess) brings back the answer that Balder will be released if everything in the world cries for Balder. Loki, disguised as a woman, refuses and Balder stays in Hel until the end of the world at Ragnarok. Loki's part in both the slaying and the aftermath is discovered and eventually he is captured and punished.
According to myth Balder will be the head god when a new world rises after Ragnarok.
Balder brought back to life?
Mina Posted Jun 25, 2002
During my research for this entry I found two versions of the myth. I chose to use the happy ending.
If you search the internet, you should also find both versions.
Balder brought back to life?
NAITA (Join ViTAL - A1014625) Posted Jun 26, 2002
I did search, but obviously not enough, since I found both today.
My guess though is that the happy ending is a more modern invention.
I seem to only find it on pages about mistletoe, and the backstory to the custom of kissing under the mistletoe doesn't occur in the other versions.
Not having the patience for doing a thorough search through old norse material I shan't claim it doesn't exist there, somewhere.
Personally I'm still in doubt though. And I don't like being in doubt.
I tried checking 'the straight dope' and 'urband legends reference page' but came up with nothing, so now I'm going to send the question to 'the straight dope' myself.
I did however come across this little bit of information that has been conveniently forgotten as it puts a limit on the kissing.
"Traditionally, a man may take a kiss from a girl standing under the sprig, but only if he plucks a berry from the plant and presents it to her with each kiss. Once the berries are gone, so's the kissing."
Balder brought back to life?
Mina Posted Jun 26, 2002
I've got that snippet in the entry.
Have you checked out http://www.howstuffworks.com/mistletoe.htm ?
It's a really good site generally, and I often use it for all sorts of information.
Balder brought back to life?
NAITA (Join ViTAL - A1014625) Posted Jun 26, 2002
Ah, right, you do.
Maybe I'm not getting enough sleep.
I'm not giving up my quest though, I must prove this "Balder resurrected" tale false so people can go back to reading the proper one where Loke is chained to a rock with a snake dripping acid poison onto his face.
That's what causes earthquakes you know. Loke's wife catches the drops of poison in a bowl, but when it's full and she has to empty it the acid poison drips in Lokes face and he twists and shakes, and the earth shakes with him.
Right! I'll stop lecturing now.
Balder brought back to life?
Mina Posted Jun 26, 2002
That sounds really interesting! I'll keep an eye out for that version, as I hadn't heard that about the poison. Ouch!
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Balder brought back to life?
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