Today is the start of Father's Day weekend. Coincidentally, it is also Summer Solstice weekend. Most folks know that Summer Solstice gives us the longest day of sunlight. However, from this day forward, the days grow shorter until the Winter Solstice when daylight gradually begins to grow again. But there is something else that some folks take into consideration during Summer Solstice - the death of Balder.
For the uninitiated, the old lore of the Germanic/Norse peoples tells the tale of the old Gods Balder and his blind brother Hodr. Balder is all that exemplifies beauty, goodness, and that which is wholesome in the world while Hodr exemplifies, well, not much. Mother Frigga, Wodan's wife and Queen of Asgard, works her charms and extracts promises from everything in the Multiverse that it/they will not harm her beloved son Balder. Well, almost everything. Whatever the reason, the lowly parasitic plant Mistletoe was left out of Frigga's equation. Too bad for Balder.
As the tale continues, Balder's invincibility was celebrated in Asgard. Nothing the other Gods did harmed the Bright One, Balder. Then, along comes Loki, who was more than aware of the Mistletoe flub (within the Germanic/Norse lore, Loki exemplifies the negative and chaotic factors).
Loki wasted little time in influencing blind Hodr. He placed a bow and an arrow made of Mistletoe in Hodr's hands and even guided the shot. The arrow found its' mark; Balder died instantly. And, the Multiverse mourned.
For the moment, indulge me. Let's look at this and a bit more through a more human albeit finite lens.
There are folks in this world that seem to have, like Balder, a Midas touch and live a charmed life. Other folks are like Hodr and have apparent shortcomings that they let get in their way of living. Then there are siblings where one is the "Bright One" and the other is the "Dull One." In both cases, at least in a way, we have Balders and Hodrs. Eventually, some of the Hodrs get sick and tired of hearing all about the Balders. And some of them react by turning to the "dark side." But before they turned dark, they've already convinced themselves it was OK to do so; it was their entitled right. They dwelled too long in a negative manner on their short comings and became vulnerable to the "whisperings of Loki." Regardless of these whisperings, you are entitled to nothing if you have not earned it. But the fact is, there are times in our lives when all of us are vulnerable.
It is important that you guard your thoughts. Telling the world about your problems and short comings is counter-productive. And, allow very little time if any for a self-made "pity party." Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Time spent recognizing your short comings and figuring out how to overcome or use them to your advantage is productive and time well spent. Then, plan your life course and work your plan. If you start now, by the time Winter Solstice rolls around maybe you too can be "Balder Rising."
Copyright @2015 Terry Unger
