hold
The blind one's murder hand, whose quick-launch'd spear
Pierceth young Balder's breast, that sun of Valhal's sphere!"

Viking Tales of the North (R. B. Anderson).

The Worship of Balder

One of the most important festivals was held at the summer solstice,
or midsummer's eve, in honour of Balder the good, for it was
considered the anniversary of his death and of his descent into
the lower world. On that day, the longest in the year, the people
congregated out of doors, made great bonfires, and watched the sun,
which in extreme Northern latitudes barely dips beneath the horizon
ere it rises upon a new day. From midsummer, the days gradually grow
shorter, and the sun's rays less warm, until the winter solstice,
which was called the "Mother night," as it was the longest night
in the year. Midsummer's eve, once celebrated in honour of Balder,
is now called St. John's day, that saint having entirely supplanted
Balder the good.

CHAPTER XXII: LOKI

The Spirit of Evil

Besides the hideous giant Utgard-Loki, the personification of mischief
and evil, whom Thor and his companions visited in Joetun-heim, the
ancient Northern nations had another type of sin, whom they called
Loki also, and whom we have already seen under many different aspects.

In the beginning, Loki was merely the personification of the hearth
fire and of the spirit of life. At first a god, he gradually becomes
"god and devil combined," and ends in being held in general detestation
as an exact counterpart of the mediaeval Lucifer, the prince of lies,
"the originator of deceit, and the back-biter" of the AEsir.

By some authorities Loki was said to be the brother of Odin, but
others assert that the two were not related, but had merely gone
through the form of swearing blood brotherhood common in the North.

"Odin! dost thou remember
When we in early days
Blended our blood together?
When to taste beer
Thou did'st constantly refuse
Unless to both 'twas offered?"

Saemund's Edda (Thorpe's tr.).

Loki's Character

While Thor is the embodiment of Northern activity, Loki represents
recreation, and the close companionship early established between
these two gods shows very plainly how soon our ancestors realised that
both were necessary to the welfare of mankind. Thor is ever busy and
ever in earnest, but Loki makes fun of everything, until at last his
love of mischief l