the
observances and customs common to the people of the Northland to-day.

The Edda gives an ancient account of Balder, the sun-god, who was
slain because of the jealousy of Loki (fire). Loki knew that
everything in nature except the mistletoe had promised not to injure
the great god Balder. So he searched for the mistletoe until he found
it growing on an oak-tree "on the eastern slope of Valhalla." He cut
it off and returned to the place where the gods were amusing
themselves by using Balder as a target, hurling stones and darts, and
trying to strike him with their battle-axes. But all these weapons
were harmless. Then Loki, giving the twig of mistletoe to the blind
god, Hoeder, directed his hand and induced him to throw it. When the
mistletoe struck Balder it pierced him through and through and he fell
lifeless.

"So on the floor lay Balder dead; and round[2]
Lay thickly strewn swords, axes, darts, and spears,
Which all the Gods in sport had idly thrown
At Balder, whom no weapon pierced or clove;
But in his breast stood fixt the fatal bough
Of mistletoe, which Lok the Accuser gave
To Hoeder, and unwitting Hoeder threw--
'Gainst that alone had Balder's life no charm."

[Footnote 2: From Matthew Arnold's "Balder Dead."]

Great excitement prevailed among the assembled gods and goddesses when
Balder was struck dead and sank into Hel,[3] and they would have slain
the god of darkness had it not occurred during their _peace-stead_,
which was never to be desecrated by deeds of violence. The season was
supposed to be one of peace on earth and good-will to man. This is
generally attributed to the injunction of the angels who sang at the
birth of Christ, but according to a much older story the idea of peace
and good-will at Yule-tide was taught centuries before Christ.

[Footnote 3: _Hel_ or _"his grave"_; the terms were once synonymous.]

According to the Edda, gifts from the gods and goddesses were laid on
Balder's bier and he, in turn, sent gifts back from the realm of
darkness into which he had fallen. However, it probably is from the
Roman Saturnalia that the free exchange of presents and the spirit of
revelry have been derived.

The Druids held the mistletoe in great reverence because of its
mysterious birth. When the first new growth was discovered it was
gathered by the white-robed priests, who cut it from the main bough
with a golden sickle never used for any other purpose.