Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

DEATH OF BALDER

A symbol of the descent of the Self or Soul to incarnate on the lower planes.

“Then said Frigg: ‘Neither weapon nor wood will hurt Balder because I have taken an oath from them.' But ‘eastward of Valhalla there grows a twig which is called Mistletoe, and it seemed to me too young to require an oath from.' Loke now took Mistletoe, laid his command upon it, and went to the Assembly. There he found Hover, who stood in the outermost circle of the crowd, because he blind. Loke inquired, Wherefore dost thou not shoot at Balder?' He replied Partly because I cannot see him, and partly because I have no weapon.' Then said Loke: 'I will point out to thee where he stands and do thou shoot at him with this wand.' So Hoder took the Mistletoe and shot at Balder. The shot pierced him, and he fell dead to the earth' (The Prose Edda). - HoWITT, Literature, etc.

Wisdom (Frigg) rules the evolutionary cycle, and sets limits on all forms (weapon, etc.) of relative experience, so that no harm can happen to the One (Balder) who is deep within the soul. But it appears that in the east" of, or above the astral plane (Valhalla) in the new cycle, there is the germ of mind (Mistletoe). At present mind is latent, but as soon as it grows into activity, the soul will have its eyes opened, and become a responsible being, knowing good and evil. The Desire-nature (Loke) now acquires the impetus of the added mind (took Mistletoe), and so is the means of evolving a separate will which enables the instinct-nature (Hoder) to co-ordinate a will and intelligence. The instinct-nature is lowest, and therefore lies at the outer extreme of the evolving soul, where it is blind, unreasoning and unenlightened. Now it is that the Desire-mind (Loke) becomes capable of tempting the soul, and asks why the Higher Self (Balder), regarded as an enemy, is not killed out? The reply is given that the Lower-nature (Hoder) is unaware of its existence, and also that there are no means in its power for effecting such an end. Then the Desire-nature, being higher, reminds the Lower-nature that it must needs play its part as an agent of the evolving Self, that it cannot continue to exist in ignorance of It (the conscience), and that it must recognize its relationship with the Divine Life within. The desire-mind, therefore, enlightens the Lower-nature, and becomes the means of opening its eyes, as it were; and so directs its aim that a commencement is made of its eventful struggle with its great Adversary the Higher Self. The mind (Mistletoe) then becomes engrafted in the desires, and the sense of conflict, or resistance to discipline, is introduced into the evolving soul. By this means the unconditioned becomes the conditioned and limited, and the "Fall" into the underworld, or descent into the lower realm of births and deaths is accomplished.

See Also

ASAR
ASGARD
BALDER
DOORS
DROPNER
FALL
FRIGG
HEIMDALL
HERMOD
HODER
YRROCKEN
Loke
MISTLETOE
MJOLNER
NANna
Odin
RINGHORNE
SERPENT (water)
VALHALLA
WEEPING