Baldrs Draumar: Odin Seeks an Answer in the Underworld

Chapters

1. 01

   The Gods Consider Baldr’s Dreams

   Baleful dreams come to Baldr, and gods and goddesses gather to ask what they mean.

   BaldrOdin
2. 02

   Odin Rides into Niflhel

   Odin saddles Sleipnir, passes Garm, and reaches Hel’s high hall and the seeress’s grave.

   OdinSleipnirGarmRealm of HelHelBaldr
3. 03

   The Seeress Rises from the Grave

   Odin works magic at the eastern grave-door, and the long-dead seeress is compelled to speak.

   OdinRealm of Hel
4. 04

   Odin Gives a False Name

   Calling himself Way-tamer, he asks for whom Hel has prepared ring-strewn benches and mead.

   OdinBaldrHelRealm of Hel
5. 05

   Baldr’s Mead Is Prepared

   The seeress says mead has been brewed for Baldr in Hel, while the gods’ sons hang in suspense.

   BaldrHelRealm of HelOdin
6. 06

   Hodr Is Named

   The seeress says Hodr will take Baldr’s life, and Odin keeps asking.

   HodrBaldrOdinBaldr's Death
7. 07

   Vali Is Foretold as Avenger

   The seeress says Vali will avenge Baldr while still very young; the poem does not show the vengeance.

   ValiBaldr's DeathBaldrHodrOdin
8. 08

   The Seeress Unmasks Odin

   The seeress recognizes Odin behind the false name and leaves Loki’s release and the gods’ destruction in an as-yet-unreached future.

   OdinRagnarokLokiBaldr

Ancient sources

MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.

• Anonymous; translated by Henry Adams Bellows, The Poetic Edda: Baldrs Draumar, Stanzas 1–5: the gods consider Baldr’s dreams; Odin rides Sleipnir to Niflhel and works magic at a seeress’s grave.
• Anonymous; translated by Henry Adams Bellows, The Poetic Edda: Baldrs Draumar, Stanzas 6–10: the seeress says Baldr’s mead is prepared and names Hodr as the one who will take his life.
• Anonymous; translated by Henry Adams Bellows, The Poetic Edda: Baldrs Draumar, Stanzas 11–14: Rindr will bear Vali to avenge Baldr; the seeress unmasks Odin and foresees Loki’s release and the gods’ doom.
• Anonymous; translated by Henry Adams Bellows, The Poetic Edda: Baldrs Draumar, Introduction: manuscript, preservation, and the conjectural relation of the seeress to Voluspo.