4-1“Baldr's Dreams” Stanza 1–14

Baldr's Terrible Dreams

What did the terrible dreams foretell?

Baldr had terrible dreams. The gods and goddesses gathered to discuss what they meant. Odin saddled his horse Sleipnir and set out for Hel, where the dead dwelled. East of the hall's doorway lay the grave of a seeress.

Odin chanted a spell over the grave. Then the dead seeress rose. She told him that she had been dead for a long time and asked why he had woken her. Odin asked whom the seats adorned with gold were waiting for.

The seeress answered that drink had been prepared for Baldr. Odin pressed her to name the one who would take his son's life. Her answer was Hod. Then she foretold that Vali would set out for vengeance when he was 1 night old. Until he sent his enemy to the flames, he would neither wash his hands nor comb his hair.

Illustration of Baldr's Terrible Dreams