Baldur High Days Ritual

Step 1: Initiating the Rite

The ritual leader speaks with gentle, radiant warmth

We gather to honor the beautiful one, the beloved of all beings, the light that shines through darkness. All who come in joy and hope are welcome here.

All process deosil with graceful, gentle movements

We honor Baldur, god of beauty, light, and goodness, the most beloved of all gods.

Step 2: Purification

Ritual Leader sprinkles water with shimmering light

As Baldur’s light penetrates all darkness, so do we let all that is ugly or harsh fall away from us. We stand beautiful and pure, ready to receive his blessings.

Each person is blessed with water

Purified in beauty, we are ready.

Step 3: Honoring Earth Mother

All place hands on earth with tenderness

Jörð, you who bear the most beautiful of all creatures upon your body! Baldur loves all that grows and all that lives. Bless this rite with the beauty of all growing things.

Hail, Earth Mother!

Step 4: Statement of Purpose

Ritual Leader speaks with heartfelt sincerity

We gather to honor Baldur, god of beauty, beloved of all beings. We come to celebrate the goodness and light he represents, to seek his blessings on all beautiful things and all who suffer loss.

We seek his gifts of beauty, joy, and the hope that even in loss, light remains.

Step 5: (Re)Creating the Cosmos

The Fire

Ritual Leader lights fire with tender care

From Muspelheim comes sacred flame—gentle and beautiful, illuminating all it touches with grace. This fire shows the beauty in all things. Hail to the fire!

The Well

Ritual Leader pours water with reverent movements

Mimir’s Well reflects the face of Baldur, most beautiful of all beings. In these waters, all beauty is revealed. Hail to the well!

The World Tree

Ritual Leader touches central pole with loving hand

Yggdrasil bears the beauty of Baldur in all its branches. Every leaf reflects his light. Hail to the World Tree!

The Three Worlds

Through Baldur’s beauty, all worlds are made brighter. His light reaches even to the darkest places.

Step 6: Opening the Gates

Ritual Leader opens arms wide with love

Heimdallr, we call upon you! Open the gates for Baldur! The beautiful one approaches. Let the passage be clear.

Open the gates! Let the light-bringer come!

Step 7: Inviting the Three Kindreds

The Ancestors

Come, honored ones! You who loved Baldur and grieved his passing! Come and share in our love for the beautiful one.

The Nature Spirits

Come, beautiful spirits! All creatures who know the joy of existence! Come and celebrate the beauty that Baldur represents.

The Shining Ones

Come, all the Powers! And especially you, Baldur, most beautiful one, come and know us as your people.

Step 8: Key Offerings to Baldur

The Invitation

Baldur! Most beautiful of gods, light of all worlds, beloved of all beings! You whose very presence fills all with joy! Come to this rite and know the love and grief and joy we bear for you.

Praise Offerings

Ritual Leader offers flowers or honey to the fire

For your incomparable beauty that makes all behold you with love. For your goodness and your gentle heart. For the light you bring to all the worlds. For the joy of your presence and the hope you inspire. For your compassion and your love for all beings.

These praises and this offering we give to you, Baldur.

Formal Offering

Ritual Leader holds up primary offering

We offer to you, Baldur, this gift of [choice offering such as flowers, honey, white fabric, or light candle]. Accept it as a symbol of our love for your beauty and our commitment to nurture beauty and goodness in the world.

Offering is placed where it will be beautiful

Step 9: Prayer of Sacrifice

We understand that Baldur’s story teaches us that beautiful things can be lost, that goodness does not protect us from harm. We offer now, understanding that appreciation deepens when we know beauty is precious and fleeting.

Accept our sacrifice, beautiful god. Help us see and honor beauty always. Bless us with the resilience to grieve and still believe in goodness.

Step 10: Omen

Ritual Leader reads the omen with hope and gentle discernment

Baldur, what beauty do you reveal to us? What light do you shine on our path?

The omen is read with attention to grace and beauty

Step 11: Calling for Blessings

Baldur, we call upon your blessings! Bless us with the ability to recognize beauty all around us. Bless our hearts with goodness and compassion. Bless our lives with joy and hope.

Grant us the courage to love deeply even knowing loss is possible. Grant us the light to see goodness even in darkness. Grant us your blessing, that we might be instruments of beauty and goodness.

Step 12: Hallowing the Blessing

Ritual Leader marks each person with sweet oil or flowers

By Baldur’s beauty, may you be blessed. His light dwells within you. His goodness guides your heart. His beauty shines through you.

All respond

We are blessed. We are beautiful. We are good.

Step 13: Affirmation of the Blessing

We accept Baldur’s blessings this day. We pledge to recognize and honor beauty wherever we find it. We pledge to nurture goodness in ourselves and others.

By the blessing of Baldur, most beautiful god, we are made beautiful and good this day and all our days.

Step 14: Workings

Community may perform workings for beauty, healing, or hope

Now is the time for any workings. Call upon Baldur’s light to illuminate and beautify your intention.

Focused working with flowers or light

Step 15: Thanking the Beings

We thank Baldur, beautiful god, for his presence and his light.

We thank all the Shining Ones.

We thank the Nature Spirits and the Ancestors.

Step 16: Closing the Gates

Ritual Leader lowers arms gently

Heimdallr, we thank you for the open passage. Close now the gates between the worlds. Baldur’s light remains in our hearts.

The gates are closed. The passage is sealed.

Step 17: Thanking Earth Mother

Jörð, thank you for holding this rite, for bearing all beauty. We return to you what is left.

Thank you, Earth Mother.

Step 18: Closing the Rite

Ritual Leader places hands over heart with love

The rite is complete. Baldur’s blessing settles into our hearts. His light shines through us always.

Go forth in beauty and goodness. The light endures.

The rite is ended. The blessing remains.

All bow with love to Baldur and to each other