Sacrificed on the Alter of Greed ...

Fire Demon

Glenfell Towering Inferno... The Burning Tower of London..  So many different scenarios come to mind with this.  It is very clear from all of the newspaper reports and from personal accounts from those who knew this building very well that the local burrough council who were the administrators were clearly at fault. 

Fire Officers asked to turn a blind eye to the non existent fire stairs on the outside of building.  This has been an issue for years.  Council decided it would be too expensive.  This is why those people died - because of greed.  Greed, corruption, cost-cutting, this in a single dreadful incident demonstrates how bad things are in the UK.

Looks like if the officials are preparing the greatest cover up ever of the 21st century.Said Addis I believe the Grenfell tower was disturbing the view of rich people in the area so they used all means to get rid of it regardless if this would cost the life of humans. Named & shamed Amanda Gill head of housing Kensington & Chelsea, this women should be behind bars. 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-gill-93a13534/?ppe=1

Below are various headlines etc from reports, click the links to follow.

WIRED

Firefighter Volunteers

Highimpactflix

teleSUR

• The type of cladding used on London's Grenfell Tower is banned in the UK, the US and Europe, a top-ranking British official admitted on Sunday, questioning whether the panels played a major role in a fatal high-rise fire.Speaking on BBC television, Chancellor Phillip Hammond said multiple formal inquiries were underway following the June 14 fire at the 24-story residential building, which killed at least 58 people and left dozens more missing. 
  http://www.smh.com.au/world/grenfell-tower-fire-government-minister-admits-cladding-was-banned-in-the-uk-20170618-gwtodn.html

•  Shocking footage from Grenfell TowerShocking footage from Grenfell Tower, a residential building in London that erupted in flames. Read more:http://nbcnews.to/2tjUUS7https://www.facebook.com/NBCNews/videos/1859039007449454/

•  Grenfell Tower; what is not adding up https://www.facebook.com/nargess.moballeghi/videos/vb.196726563733439/1580390702033678/?type=2&theater

• In February this year, ministers posted on a government website details of their ‘anti-red tape’ agenda on new-build properties.
  In a separate report fire safety inspections, the Conservatives said, had been reduced for some companies from six hours to just 45 minutes.
  http://metro.co.uk/2017/06/16/government-ministers-congratulated-themselves-for-cutting-fire-regulations-6713967/

 On 13 August 2013 the Grenfell Tower residents blogged their concerns about the danger of power surges in their building. (It looks like it was a power surge to a fridge which started the fire). 
  https://grenfellactiongroup.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/no-justice-for-grenfell-tower-power-surge-victims/

So five days later we are supposed to believe 50 people lost their lives.  I understand this figure to be around 538 who have lost their lives.  This is looking like the biggest cover up since colonizing the empty Australia.

Images @ Eminpee Fotography

DIY - Stoves in a hurry!

fire

Besser blocks are so plentiful, usually people have a few hanging around behind the shed or under the house.  This is the reason we decided to make one.  I love to make things from what ever I can and I want too show my kids that they can too if they read this blog one day. 

The idea is so easy with just four Besser concrete blocks and a couple of minutes of your time and you can be cooking on your outdoor stove and enjoying this. 

This type of rocket stove comes in handy if the electricity is off or if you have no money to pay the bill but you still have to cook for your children.  Take control of the situation instead of looking for a handout because of bad budgeting procedures and build a rocket stove.  Cooking fires are not illegal if they are tended at all times and are used for cooking.

Images @ Eminpee Fotography

The Biggest fire in California's written history Blazes on!!

It may be a long way from where I am in Urunga Australia, but looking at various Flickr images that are up on the internet makes this fire very real.  This is a very cataclysmic episode as far as I can ascertain, as it will destroy too much to not cause drastic changes in the future for the entire planet.

INFERNO

The inferno, known as the Rim Fire and labeled the biggest wild land fire in the history of California, continues to devour acres of nationally protected landscapes and threatens thousands of structures.


More than 200 square miles have already been destroyed in and around one of America’s most treasured national parks, Yosemite.

Groves of giant sequoias and a reservoir that serves as a water supply for millions of people are threatened by the blaze, while 3,800 firefighters battle the growing disaster.

With claims of 20% containment and firefighting costs exceeding $20 million so far, the massive fire has been spreading since it was first reported in August 17th 2013. 

As one man reported, you have seen a lot by 57 but he had never seen a wall of flame 600 feet high!

Images from Flickr

Related articles

• Yosemite Rim Fire
• Crews report progress against Yosemite fire
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Beltane or Beltain /ˈbɛlteɪn/ (also Beltine or Beltaine) is the Gaelic May Day festival. Most commonly it is held on 30 April –1 May, or halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It was observed in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. In Irish it is Bealtaine ([ˈbʲal̪ˠt̪ˠənʲə]), in Scottish Gaelic Bealltainn ([ˈpjaul̪ˠt̪ˠɪɲ]) and in Manx Gaelic Boaltinn or Boaldyn. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals; along with Samhain, Imbolc and Lughnasadh.

Beltane is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and it is associated with important events in Irish mythology. It marked the beginning of summer and was when cattle were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were performed to protect the cattle, crops and people, and to encourage growth.

Special bonfires were kindled, and their flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle would walk around the bonfire, or between two bonfires, and sometimes leap over flames or embers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire.

Doors, windows, byres and the cattle themselves would be decorated with yellow May flowers, perhaps because they evoked fire. In parts of Ireland, people would make a May Bush; a thorn bush decorated with flowers, ribbons and bright shells.

Holy wells were also visited, while Beltane dew was thought to bring beauty and maintain youthfulness. Many of these customs were part of May Day or Midsummer festivals in other parts of Great Britain and Europe.

As a festival, Beltane had largely died-out by the mid-20th century, although some of its customs continued and in some places it has been revived as a cultural event. Since the latter 20th century, Celtic neopagans and Wiccans have observed Beltane, or something based on Beltane, as a religious holiday. Neopagans in the Southern Hemisphere often celebrate Beltane at the other end of the year (~31 October–1 November). From Wiki
 
Images @ Eminpee Fotography

Periodic table

http://www.chemicalelements.com/ 

FACTS ON GOLD FOR EXAMPLE:
Date of Discovery: circa 3000 BC
Discoverer: Unknown
Name Origin: From the Old English word geolo (yellow)
Symbol Origin: From the Latin word aurum (gold)
Uses: electronics, jewelry, coins
Obtained From: crust of the earth, copper ores

A chemical element is a pure chemical substance consisting of one type of atom distinguished by its atomic number, which is the number of protons in its nucleus. Elements are divided into metals, metalloids, and non-metals. Familiar examples of elements include carbon, oxygen (non-metals), silicon, arsenic (metalloids), aluminium, iron, copper, gold, mercury, and lead (metals).

The lightest chemical elements, including hydrogen, helium (and smaller amounts of lithium, beryllium and boron), are thought to have been produced by various cosmic processes during the Big Bang and cosmic-ray spallation.

Production of heavier elements, from carbon to the very heaviest elements, proceeded by stellar nucleosynthesis, and these were made available for later solar system and planetary formation by planetary nebulae and supernovae, which blast these elements into space.

 The high abundance of oxygen, silicon, and iron on Earth reflects their common production in such stars, after the lighter gaseous elements and their compounds have been subtracted. While most elements are generally viewed as stable, a small amount of natural transformation of one element to another also occurs at the present time through decay of radioactive elements as well as other natural nuclear processes.

The history of the discovery and use of the elements began with primitive human societies that found native elements like copper and gold and extracted (smelted) iron and a few other metals from their ores. Alchemists and chemists subsequently identified many more, with nearly all of the naturally-occurring elements becoming known by 1900.

The properties of the chemical elements are often summarized using the periodic table that organizes the elements by increasing atomic number into rows ("periods") in which the columns ("groups") share recurring ("periodic") physical and chemical properties. Save for short-half-life radioactive elements, all of the elements are available industrially, most of them to high degrees of purity.

Hydrogen and helium are by far the most abundant elements in the universe. However, iron is the most abundant element (by mass) making up the Earth, and oxygen is the most common element in Earth's crust. Although all known chemical matter is composed of these elements, chemical matter itself is hypothesized to constitute only about 15% of the matter in the universe. The remainder is believed to be dark matter, a mysterious substance that is not composed of chemical elements, since it lacks protons, neutrons or electrons. From Wiki
 Dark Matter:

Images @ Eminpee Fotography

"Kung Hei Fat Choy" = Chinese New Year's Eve

Be happy and prosperous is "Kung Hei Fat Choy".  Today is the last day of the Year of the Water - Dragon.  It is the Chinese New Year and the sign is going into the year of the   YIN - Water -  Snake.

24 chinese cardinal directions (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

This combination creates the 60-year cycle due to the least amount of years it would take to get from Yang Wood Rat to its next iteration, which always starts with Yang Wood Rat and ends with Yin Water Pig. Since the zodiac animal cycle of 12 is divisible by two, every zodiac sign can only occur as either Yin or Yang: the Dragon is always yang, the snake is always yin, etc. The current cycle began in 198.

When trying to traverse the lunasolar calendar, an easy rule to follow is that years that end in an even number are yang, those that end with an odd number are yin. The cycle proceeds as follows:

• If the year ends in 0 it is Yang Metal.
• If the year ends in 1 it is Yin Metal.
• If the year ends in 2 it is Yang Water.
• If the year ends in 3 it is Yin Water.
• If the year ends in 4 it is Yang Wood.
• If the year ends in 5 it is Yin Wood.
• If the year ends in 6 it is Yang Fire.
• If the year ends in 7 it is Yin Fire.
• If the year ends in 8 it is Yang Earth.
• If the year ends in 9 it is Yin Earth.

Chinese New Years Day is calculated as being the day after the second New  Moon after the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere or in the Southern Hemisphere its the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year (21st. December). The date of the Chinese Year New will change slightly from year to year but is always around late January  to early February because it is determined by this lunar movement.

Brice is a Fire Horse. So far last century, Fire Horses have only occured in  these two years: 1906 and 1966, the next being 2026. The Chinese believe that anyone born during a year of the Fire Horse will possess greatly enhanced characteristics in both their positive and negative attitudes and traits; they are the extremes of the astrological signs.  This seems to sum him up fairly exact. 

I am an Earth Pig or Boar and the Earth Pig is in no rush to get to the top of the ladder. He/she would much rather take one step at a time and proceed on the merits of proper planning and preparation rather than being driven by blind impulse and momentary inspiration. This is the result of an abundance of patience in the Earth Pig which would even impress a sign known for steadfastness like the Ox. In the final analysis, the Earth Pig is more assured than others of reaching his/her final goal and experiencing success.

On the flipside though, a dense element like Earth may make the Pig more passive than usual so that in absence of motivation, this sign could be in danger of sinking into lethargy and inertia. However an ingrained sense of self-preservation makes such a likelihood extremely rare and the Earth Pig would in all probability adopt a sensible approach to life and its vicissitudes.

Even though the Earth element brings about a bent for practicality and materialism, it by no means cancels out the kind and compassionate nature which is basic to the Pig sign. On the contrary the Earth Pig has a better idea of how to make things work to the advantage of others and can create opportunities that stand to benefit both him/herself as well people who are close to him/her.

It is this rational perspective in life that makes the Earth Pig such a supportive partner in relationships as well. He/she will do their utmost in ensuring that their partners and family members lack for nothing. On his/her part, the Earth Pig needs a home environment that is comfortable, secure and stress-free. Like other members of the sty, this Pig too functions best when feeling happy and secure in a relationship.

Yes thats me.

Images @ Melonpopzdropz Flickr

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• Chinese New Year 2013 - The Year of the Snake
• What Chinese Say About People Born in the Year of the Snake
• The Chinese New Year: More About the Year of the Snake
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• Yin-Yang-Inspired Architecture - The Tianjin Ecocity by Steven Holl Relieves Dense Chinese Cities (TrendHunter.com)
• 2013, Snake Soup, and The Year of The Little Dragon
• Chinese fireworks have explosive messages

SOL

Dates for MERCURY RETROGRADE 2013

2013 Retrograde Dates

In 2013, Mercury will be retrograde from:

• February 23–March 17
• June 26–July 20
• October 21–November 10

The Sun

The Sun is a magnetically active star. It supports a strong, changing magnetic field that varies year-to-year and reverses direction about every eleven years around solar maximum^. The Sun's magnetic field leads to many effects that are collectively called solar activity, including sunspots on the surface of the Sun, solar flares, and variations in solar wind that carry material through the Solar System. Effects of solar activity on Earth include auroras at moderate to high latitudes, and the disruption of radio communications and electric power. Solar activity is thought to have played a large role in the formation and evolution of the Solar System. Solar activity changes the structure of Earth's outer atmosphere.

The astrological symbol for the sun in all charts and tablets is the circle with a dot in the very center -  Divine spirit (circle) surrounding seed of potential (dot)

THE ELEMENTS ARE IMPERATIVE TO LIFE

IMG 0914 The Sun is our healer (Photo credit: Images @ Melonpopzdropz)

 The signs of the zodiac are broken down into the elements of fire, earth, air, and water. If we learn the elements we will understand how the signs share common features. This simplifies astrology, and makes it easier to learn.

THE FIRE ELEMENT: (ARIES March 21-April 19, LEO July 23-August 22, SAGITTARIUS November 22-December 21)

Fire is bright, strong, and takes control. It wants to be in charge. You never can miss fire. Never subtle, the most confident of all the signs. When it wants something you will know! Fire people do not stop until they get what they want. Look to the fire people as the leaders. The majority of world leaders have strong fire elements in their charts. People look to fire people as the energy boosters of the zodiac. Want to start something with enthusiasm? Find yourself a fire sign. The motivator s and pep talk people are usually fire people. These people are very proud and confident.

Fire people can also be very arrogant and self-centered. Don't go to a fire person for sympathy or comforting. They just don't have the time. They are too busy getting their needed recognition. They have no patience for emotionalism or heaviness. They tend to run over the weaker, shyer signs.

Generally compatible with air signs, fire signs can become tired and bored with the intellectual observations of the more communicative air signs. Without the encouragement and ideas of the air signs the fire signs would be lost. A fire sign is the boss who takes your ideas and motivates and leads all the employees to better sales and marketing while taking all the credit.

THE ELEMENT AIR: (GEMINI, May 21-June 21, LIBRA, September 23-October 22, AQUARIUS, January 20-February 18)

Here you will find the talkers and communicators of the zodiac. If you need something written or spoken, ask an air sign. Ideas seem to materialize out of thin air for them. These people are like the air we breathe. Always moving and changing. Just when we think we know them poof, they change again. Very social these air signs. If your party seems dull and no one is talking, you don't have enough air sign people to fill in the gaps between words with more words.

Objective and rational no emotionalism here. The air signs are so objective they can become impractical in their actions and beliefs. Superficial, these signs never want to get into heavy emotional discussions about the dreaded "feelings" dialog that are more important to watery signs. Like the air, these signs hate to be restricted. Freedom of thought and movement are their most cherished desires.

Fire signs work well with air signs. Fire needs air to generate heat. The fires stimulate and help motivate the air signs into new ideas.

THE ELEMENT WATER: (CANCER, June 22-July 22, SCORPIO, OCTOBER 23-November 21, PISCES February 19-March 20)

Like the water in a glass, water signs conform to the elements around them. Feelings, emotions, and deep personal conversations are what motivates and stimulates the water signs. Sensitive to a fault, the water signs are often more concerned with your feelings and needs then their own. You can find them at movie's crying loudest and most often. Everything seems to touch them.

Psychic and secretive are often characteristics of the water elements. When they can no longer withstand the emotions of the world, they often retreat into their own private worlds. Sometimes this leads to compulsive behaviours and fearful ways of life. If the emotions get too strong, these people can be become addicted to drugs, alcohol, food or anything that keeps them from feeling as deeply.

Trust is a big need of theirs, which the earth signs can bring to water. Earth signs also bring the need stability and consistency to water that keeps it contained in a healthy calmer manner. In fact, water signs can be so emotional that the simplest things can get blown out of proportion into big dramatic scenes. Water signs dislike the strong boisterous personalities of the air and fire signs.

THE ELEMENT EARTH: (TAURUS, April 20-May 20, VIRGO, August 23-September 22, CAPRICORN December 22-January 19)

Talk about rocks. The most stable, consistent and sometimes rigid of all the signs. Once they make up their minds, like mountains they cannot be moved without huge efforts. Practical, patient, reasonable, and persistent are these signs. If you want to make sure a project gets done and gets done "right" call, on an earth person. They will stick with it until the bitter end. Not much one for spontaneity or flexibility. (We have to leave that up to the air signs) Not as sensitive as the water signs, the earth signs are still aware of the needs and often want to serve others. These people are not much one for the limelight. If it can be done, an earth sign will do it without the need for recognition.

Often so rigid, they become stuck with old routines to the point of impracticality. Fear of starting something new, earth signs can be very cautious to the point of missing a great opportunity. Conventional to a point of boredom.

The fast moving, changeable air signs fascinate Earth signs though they are un-trusting of their unworkable schemes. If you see an adult asking why repeatedly, you can pretty much be assured you are in the company of an earth sign. Fire signs are too forceful for their slower thorough nature. Sharing with the water signs the characteristics of retentiveness, self-protectiveness, and acquisitiveness. Water signs will sooth and comfort the worry element so often found in the earth people. With this support and encouragement, earth signs can work and work and work.

Saturn's Rings in Ultraviolet Light 

NEBULASource: Hubblesite.or

Giant  Twisters  in the Lagoon NebulaSource: Hubblesite.org

Cone Nebula (NGC 2264): Star-Forming Pillar of Gas and Dust Source: Hubblesite.org

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=227874027301674&set=a.194657210623356.50481.100002372351681&type=3&theater

DANNY WILTON is a person who needs a lot of thanks for all of this hard work.

Moon phases 2012
Moon phase	Date	Time
Full moon	January 9    2012	00:32:14
Last quarter	January 16    2012	02:09:22
New moon	January 23    2012	00:41:40
First quarter	January 30    2012	21:11:43
Full moon	February 7    2012	14:56:10
Last quarter	February 14  2012	10:05:41
New moon	February 21  2012	15:37:09
First quarter	February 29  2012	18:23:15
Full moon	March 8        2012	02:41:42
Last quarter	March 14      2012	19:27:01
New moon	March 22      2012	08:39:28
First quarter	March 30      2012	13:42:04
Full moon	April 6           2012	13:20:26
Last quarter	April 13         2012	04:51:14
New moon	April 21         2012	01:20:17
First quarter	April 29         2012	03:58:16
Full moon	May 5           2012	21:36:07
Last quarter	May 12         2012	15:48:03
New moon	May 20         2012	17:48:21
First quarter	May 28         2012	14:16:04
Full moon	June 4          2012	05:11:44
Last quarter	June 11         2012	04:42:42
New moon	June 19         2012	09:03:00
First quarter	June 26         2012	21:30:31
Full moon	July 3           2012	12:51:46
Last quarter	July 10         2012	19:49:33
New moon	July 18          2012	22:24:32
First quarter	July 26          2012	02:56:52
Full moon	August 1       2012	21:27:24
Last quarter	August 9       2012	12:56:40
New moon	August 17      2012	09:54:31
First quarter	August 24      2012	07:54:46
Full moon	August 31      2012	07:57:45
Last quarter	September 8  2012	07:16:10
New moon	September 15 2012	20:10:34
First quarter	September 22 2012	13:42:34
Full moon	September29  2012	21:18:32
Last quarter	October 8      2012	01:34:11
New moon	October 15    2012	06:02:36
First quarter	October 21    2012	21:33:48
Full moon	October 29  2012	13:50:30
Last quarter	November 6   2012	17:36:55
New moon	November 13 2012	15:08:20
First quarter	November 20 2012	07:32:36
Full moon	November 28 2012	07:47:28
Last quarter	December 6   2012	08:32:49
New moon	December 13 2012	01:42:24
First quarter	December 19 2012	22:19:55
Full moon	December 28 2012	03:22:40
		2013 Full MOON DATES (for AEST Subtract 2 hours) Sunday, 27th January 2013, 05:38:24 am Monday, 25th February 2013, 09:26:06 pm Wednesday, 27th March 2013, 10:27:18 am Thursday, 25th April 2013, 09:57:06 pm [*] Saturday, 25th May 2013, 06:24:54 am Sunday, 23rd June 2013, 01:32:18 pm Monday, 22nd July 2013, 08:15:30 pm Wednesday, 21st August 2013, 03:44:36 am Thursday, 19th September 2013, 01:12:48 pm Saturday, 19th October 2013, 01:37:42 am Sunday, 17th November 2013, 04:15:42 pm Tuesday, 17th December 2013, 10:28:06 am

 

What the Moon is in when its full in 2012 and 2013

05/04/2012   -   Libra          =   Pink Moon
06/05/ 2012  -   SCORPIO =  Flower Moon

04/06/2012   -   Sagittarius =  Strawberry Moon

04/07/2012   -   Capricorn  =  Buck Moon

02/08/2012   -  Aquarius    =   Sturgeon Moon

31/08/2012   -  Pisces        =   Sturgeon Moon

30/09/2012   -  Aries          =   Harvest Moon

30/10/2012  -   Taurus        =   Hunter's Moon

29/11/2012   -  Gemini       =   Beaver Moon

28/12/2012   -  Cancer       =   Cold  Moon

27/01/2013   -  Leo             =   Wolf Moon

26/02/2013   -  Virgo          =    Snow Moon

27/03/2013   -  Libra           =   Worm Moon

26/04/2013   -  Scorpio      =    Pink Moon

NORSE MYTHOLOGY 

Name of the Gods in order of appearance:

Æegir, Norns,  Hel , Freyja, Sleipnir,  Skaði,  Váli, Viðar, Sól

Odin was the chief of the Aesir gods and the ruler of Asgard.   Odin would do anything for wisdom, and sacrificed his eye.

Thor god of thunder had a hammer named Mjölnir.  Thor's father was Odin.
Yggdrasil in Norse Mythology was the ash tree of life.
Loki was the trickster god in Norse Mythology.  Loki was the father of Hel, Midgard Serpent, and The Fenrir Wolf.

IMG 0914 The Sun is our healer (Photo credit: Images @ Melonpopzdropz)

Sunna

Sunna is the Norse Goddess of the Sun, also known as Sól, though some hold that Sól is the mother and Sunna Her daughter. In Norse mythology, the Sun is female while the Moon is male. When the world was created from the body of the dead giant Ymir by the triad of Odin, Vili, and Ve, the Sun, Moon and Stars were made from the gathered sparks that shot forth from Muspellsheim, the Land of Fire.
Sól ("Mistress Sun"), drives the chariot of the Sun across the sky every day. Pulled by the horses Allsvinn ("Very Fast") and Arvak ("Early Rising"), the Sun-chariot is pursued by the wolf Skoll. It is said that sometimes he comes so close that he is able to take a bite out of the Sun, causing an eclipse. Sol's father is Mundilfari, and She is the sister of Måni, the Moon-god, and the wife of Glaur or Glen ("Shine"). As Sunna, She is a healer.
At Ragnarok, the foretold "Twilight of the Gods" or end of the world, it is believed the Sun will finally be swallowed by Skoll. When the world is destroyed, a new world shall be born, a world of peace and love, and the Sun's bright daughter shall outshine Her mother.

Balder the Good, having been tormented with terrible dreams indicating that his life was in peril, told them to assemble the gods, who resolved to conjure all things to avert from him the threatened danger. Then Frigg, thewife of Odin, exacted an oath from fire and water, from iron and all other metals, from stones, trees, diseases, beasts, birds, poisons,and creeping things, that none of them would do any harm to Balder. But the other gods, feeling that what Frigg had done was quite sufficient, amused themselves with using Balder as a mark, some hurling darts at him, some stones, while others hewed at him with their swords and battle-axes; for do what they would, none of them could harm him.

And this became a favorite pastime with them and was regarded as an honor shown to Balder. But when Loki beheld the scene saw that Balder was not hurt, he was annoyed, assuming, therefore, the shape of a woman, Loki went to Fensalir, the house of Frigg. When Frigg she saw the pretended woman “Loki” he asked Frigg if she knew, what the gods were doing at their meetings. She replied that they were throwing darts and stones at Balder, without being able to hurt him "neither stones, nor sticks, nor anything else can hurt Balder, for I have exacted an oath from all of them. "What," exclaimed the woman, " have all things sworn to spare Balder?"

"All things," replied Frigg, "except one little shrub that grows on the eastern side of Valhalla, and is called a Mistletoe, and which I thought too young and feeble to crave an oath from." As soon as Loki heard this he went away, and resuming his natural shape, cut off the mistletoe, and went back to the place where the gods were assembled. There he found Hoder standing apart, without partaking in the sports, Loki went up to him and said, "Why do you not also throw something at Balder? Because I am blind, answered Hoder, and I can’t see where Balder is standing, and I also have nothing to throw. “Come, then, “said Loki, do like the rest and show some honour to Balder by throwing this thing at him, and I will direct your arm towards the place where he stands.

Hoder then took the mistletoe, and under the guidance of Loki, darted it at Baldur, who, pierced through and through, fell down lifeless. Surely never was there witnessed, either among gods or men, a more atrocious deed than this. When Baldur fell, the gods were struck speechless with horror, and then they looked at each other, and all were of one mind to lay hands on him who had done the deed, but they were obliged to delay their vengeance out of respect for the sacred place where they were assembled. They gave vent to their grief by loud lamentations.

When the gods came to themselves, Frigg asked who among them wished to gain all her love and good will. "For this," said she, "shall he have who will ride to Hel and offer Hel a ransom if she will let Balder return to Asgard." Whereupon Hermod the son of Odin offered to undertake the journey, Odin's horse Sleipnir, which has eight legs and can outrun the wind, was then led forth, on which Hermod mounted and galloped away on his mission. For the space of nine days and as many nights he rode through deep glens so dark that he could not discern anything, until he arrived at the river Gyoll, which he passed over on a bridge covered with glittering gold. The maiden who kept the bridge asked him his name and lineage, telling him that the day before five bands of dead persons had ridden over the bridge, and did not shake it as much as he alone. "But," she added, "You are not dead” why do you then ride into Hel? "I ride to Hel," answered Hermod, "to seek Balder. Have you seen him pass this way?

She replied, "Balder had ridden over Gyoll's bridge, and yonder lied the way he took to the abodes of death" Hermod pursued his journey until he came to the barred gates of Hel. Here he alighted, girthed his saddle tighter, and remounting clapped both spurs to his horse, who cleared the gate by a tremendous leap without touching it. Hermod then rode on to the palace, where he found his brother Balder occupying the most distinguished seat in the hall, and passed the night in his company.

The next morning he besought Hel to let Balder ride home with him, assuring her that nothing but lamentations were to be heard among the gods. Hel answered that it should now be tried whether Balder was so beloved as he was said to be. "If, therefore," she added, "all things in the world, both living and lifeless, weep for him, then shall he return to life; but if any one thing speak against him or refuse to weep, he shall be kept in Hel." Hermod then rode back to Asgard and told them of all he had heard and witnessed. The gods upon this despatched messengers throughout the world to beg everything to weep in order that Balder might be delivered from Hel.

All things very willingly complied with this request, both men and every other living being, as well as earths, and stones, and trees, and metals, just as we have all seen these things weep when they are brought from a cold place into a hot one. As the messengers were returning, they found an old hag named Thaukt sitting in a cavern, and begged her to weep Balder out of Hel. But she answered, It was strongly suspected that this hag was no other than Loki himself, who never ceased to work evil among gods and men. So Balder was prevented from coming back to Asgard.

The gods took up the dead body and bore it to the seashore where stood  Balder's ship "Hringham," which passed for the largest in the world. Balder's dead body was put on the funeral pile, on board the ship, and his wife Nanna was so struck with grief at the sight that she broke her heart, and her body was burned on the same pile as her husband's. There was a vast concourse of various kinds of people at Baldur's obsequies.
First came Odin accompanied by Frigg, the Valkyrie, and his ravens; then Freyr in his car drawn by Gullinbursti, the boar; Heimdall rode his horse Gulltopp, and Freya drove in her chariot drawn by cats. There were also a great many Frost giants and giants of the mountain present. Balder's horse was led to the pile fully caparisoned and consumed in the same flames with his master.

But Loki did not escape his deserved punishment. When he saw how angry the gods were, he fled to the mountain, and there built himself a hut with four doors, so that he could see every approaching danger. He invented a net to catch the fishes, such as fishermen have used since his time. But Odin found out his hiding-place and the gods assembled to take him. He, seeing this, changed himself into a salmon, and lay hid among the stones of the brook. But the gods took his net and dragged the brook, and Loki, finding he must be caught, tried to leap over the net; but Thor caught him by the tail and compressed it, so that salmons ever since have had that part remarkably fine and thin. They bound him with chains and suspended a serpent over his head, whose venom falls upon his face drop by drop. His wife Sigun sits by his side and catches the drops as they fall, in a cup; but when she carries it away to empty it, the venom falls upon Loki, which makes him howl with horror, and twist his body about so violently that the whole earth shakes, and this produces what men call earthquakes.

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