Balder

The Beautiful

Balder, it is said, was the most blessed of the gods, the embodiment of perfection in every way, and as Odin's first child, this one time Lord of the Sun was heir apparent as ruler of the universe.  But Loki, in his jealousy, connived to have Balder stricken down with an innocent sprig of mistletoe, the only thing in the world that hadn't sworn to do Balder no harm. That was the moment, according to a great many, that Ragnarok became our inescapable lot . . .