Höðr the Blind
Höðr is the god of winter and darkness. Though his most famous deed—the killing of Baldr—was done through Loki’s manipulation, Höðr himself represents not malice but the necessary cold and darkness that balance the warmth and light of summer.
Sacred Story
Höðr is a blind god. When Loki tricked him into throwing the mistletoe that killed Baldr, Höðr became a symbol of unintended harm and the tragic consequences of manipulation. However, Höðr was not acting from malice but was weaponized by Loki’s scheming. After Baldr’s death, Höðr was killed by Vali in revenge, yet in the new world after Ragnarök, he will be reborn along with other gods, suggesting redemption and renewal even for those marked by tragedy.
ADF Devotion
In ADF practice, Höðr is honored as a god of winter, darkness, and the necessary cold that balances nature’s cycles. He is invoked during winter solstice and the dark months, by those working to understand shadow and difficulty, and by those seeking acceptance of hardship as part of existence. Offerings include reflection during dark seasons, acceptance of cold and difficulty, and work to find meaning and growth in challenging times.
Correspondences
- Colors: Dark grey, black, white
- Animals: Owls, ravens, white wolves
- Trees: Rowan, ash
- Symbols: Ice and snow, blindness, the mistletoe, winter darkness
Ritual Practice
Blót to Höðr (Solo Practice) — A concise daily practice ritual for solo practitioners.
Blót to Höðr: Complete ADF High Days Ritual — A complete 18-step ADF Core Order of Ritual for group celebrations and high days.