The Man Who Defeated Thor | The Two Legends of Hodr

[@Duckie_713]

I cannot explain the excitement that surges through me when I see a new upload from you,they make my day.

[@MrParac]

same

[@SeanBook001]

I just found your channel two days ago, and have been listening non stop. I've always been a bit of a synchronist, researching different religions and finding similarities and what fits with my own experiences. And as I have been watching your videos I find that I identify more with Heathenry than any of the other religions I have studied, and MANY of the puzzle pieces I have held to be my truth have been fitting together into place with many ideas from Heathenry. Thank you for your effort in restoring this religion.

[@waspoptic]

If we had a dollar for every time Ocean successfully told a pun, we'd have enough funding to create a time machine and go back in time before the Viking time period to collect all these stories without being altered or erased

[@benjamincompton9767]

We would have enough to build WoO's hall

[@Nerobyrne]

"And thus, Baldr was killed, and the cruise missile invented at the same time!" -Gandalf

[@OceanKeltoi]

Okay i lol’d

[@kaelanmcquerry1285]

I always thought the mistletoe being sharpened was purposely ridiculous. Like what loser gets killed by... mistletoe

[@3rdeye671]

The Sun does by the hand of the underworld darkness that brings the death of winter. Mistletoe is the only plant that grows in winter and it isn't attached to the ground as it grows off oak trees. The death of the Old SunKing at midwinter by the lord of the underworld darkness using the only live thing. After three days the SunKing is 'reborn' or 'resurrected' and his marriage to the Goddess of the land brings fertility, order and life. Sacrifice and renewal is the annual theme of the eternal struggle between darkness and light, the life bringing sun and the death bringing winter darkness from the underworld.

[@rowansnow6579]

I feel like Saxo's telling has the same vibe as the fall of Troy. Someone blessed by the gods trying to steal the hand of a woman who wants nothing to do with him who is already married, armies getting dragged off to war for it, the absurd amount of magic armor, sneaking into camps to get an edge, one of the main warriors missing from the battle in his tent for various reasons, the ending where no one actually gets what they want because 1 important person couldn't keep it in their pants. I need to read Saxo's version I want to compare

[@Jamie-SkywardStar]

When I have kids and I pass on the story when they're young, I'll want to combine the two, probably similar to how to explain at the end. Maybe as Baldr and Hoðr fell for the same girl a bit of a civil war takes place, Thor taking Baldr side but in seeing the persistence of Hoðr out of respect for him leaves. In the end Baldr and Hoðr die but in Hel rekindle their friendship and put the jealousy aside, letting the past die too.

[@atlantismanic]

I always read it as Hodr as god of chance(blind chance, greatest danger to the powerful). Baldr's protection a manifestation of the what are the chances trope which ensured the unlikely would happen.

[@mammo_the_mammoth]

He said nope, and it fucks off absolutely love that

[@mammo_the_mammoth]

Omg you liked my comment I listen to your videos every time you make a new one you’re story time videos help me sleep with my anxiety it sucks you should do long videos

[@TheEvergladesErgi]

This video was my Saxo-ual awakening 🤣🐊

[@Ashen.Elixer]

It could also be possible that Nanna was married to both, but at different times. Especially with how she's generally depicted as have some form of agency by writers who were writing in eras where that...was not often the case. I would consider it likely that she had a bigger part in whatever the original version was. The Norse culture was fairly well known for "allowing" women to, y'know, do things

[@willyhanson993]

If someone can be stabbed to death by a pencil then one can surmise being stabbed to death by mistletoe

[@northp_the_green_pale_pete]

I really love that there's such a difference between both tellings. I enjoy Snorri's version for being short and sweet, but I definitely view Saxo's version as being the more epic tale. Fascinating either way. Awesome video!

[@kachirro]

Another awesome video. The stories of Hodr sound like a compilation of Hamlet, Iliad, Odyssey and the Trials of Hercules. The blindness could be Snorri's way of victimizing Hodr and demonizing Loki to fit the Christian devil's level of manipulation.

[@urubutingaz5898]

I can see how this myth was important to people in the past, it's a complicated story that really makes you reflect. An unsolved puzzle involving biased writers, whispers of the end of the world and a fateful encounter between heathendom and Christianity. What can I say except: there's something in there.

[@teej6441]

I tend to agree with your proposal of the Saxo legend being more authentic, but with Balder being the one with Nanna. I feel Hodr's blindness is actually poetic in a sense that we actually say even now that someone can be blinded by love, blinded by jealousy, blinded by {insert emotion}. So Hodr's love/lust/jealousy means he is blind to the Ill he is committing. I think you're also on to something with the musical arts association for Hodr. Even now many of the greatest compositions we have musically are often coming from places of love, heartache and heartbreak for those who wrote them. Whether the Norse made that connection themselves or if it's a more modern conception is something I don't know. Interesting to me too is that the German word for dispute or quarrel, hader, links back etymologically to Hodr through a root meaning fight, battle, disagreement. So even the etymology of his name seems to belie the portrayal of Hodr in Snorri as some helpless fool manipulated by Loki.

[@jgr7487]

One big difference between Iceland & Norway is that the Vikings would get "wives" in Ireland to populate their colonies, so Snorri may have been influenced by the Irish myths mixed with the Norse ones.

[@suburbanhermit7]

When it comes to oral tradition, there's so much variation among different communities. Depending on the movements of the Icelandic settlers during their diaspora, they could easily have heard the Celtic story and adopted it. Keeping Hodr as the responsible party in that version seems to suggest a connection to Saxo's version, IMO. Either way, your amalgamation at the end is certainly plausible, and I really connected with the idea of Loki as a deity devoted to maintaining balance. I have never considered a connection with Loki before, but I will definitely think about it now. Thank you for the video, and for all your hard work!

[@lilykatmoon4508]

Knowing your penchant for puns, I can’t believe I was confused when you were talking about rockets taking off his toe. Homer Simpson “Doh” moment, lol.

[@gremlin2550]

I rarely hear people talk about Loki as a balancing force, as I do.

[@skylarshove8417]

I guess you could say neglecting to mention the armor before is a plot hole, I consider it plot armor

[@mintyartsy4346]

The mistletoe being used as an arrow could be allegorical for love, kind of like Cupids arrows. Add to that the tradition of kissing under a mistletoe and the top lip being called a cupids bow. In that case the story as a whole would be allegorical for forbidden love since the result is death.

[@magnusgranskau7487]

or as a scare story not for kids to eat it, as is normal also seen in folklore

[@poolguyunfiltered2850]

I really dig this one. Personally, I find Snorri's Death of Baldr to be a bit simplistic and disjointed in terms of how Hodr is manipulated and how he is treated there after. It feels very much like a fresh coat of paint on a different story. Kind of like a movie that is thrown together just well enough to get the studio to bank roll the sequel that will have the big endgame payoff. Speaking of movies, I could see Saxo's version working really well as a modern cinematic retelling with a lot of vague are they/aren't they maybe kinda gods thrown in there. A good deal of the heavy-handed over Christian elements could be written out, and you would have a pretty solid Northman-like flick. As much as I do not see Thor as hired brute, it would be pretty boss to see a portrayal of the fight between Hodr and redheaded giant of a man wielding a warhammer.

[@OceanKeltoi]

Big agree on a Hodr film. It's one of the more epic stories in Saxo's record.

[@hannahgreen681]

Here for the history and learning of the Gods and I greatly enjoy the laughs thrown in. Glad to see new videos from you! I feel that the story for mistletoe was a later addition or change of the true story and had always felt odd to me. The tradition of kissing under it for good luck... and it being used to kill a God.... idk it was just odd. Also the fact that the plant is poisonous. Thank you for talking about this legend, it has been a confusing one for me.

[@bforman1300]

Have always understood that mistletoe had anticoagulant properties and that a wound made by mistletoe wouldn't clot, and that was how Baldur died; bled to death through the equivalent of a pinprick so small it wasn't taken seriously. Evil genius, I always thought.

[@lizzyrose6494]

So, one interpretation I heard of the story of Baldur's death is that Loki was offended because Odin had done harm to his children. While odin allowed one of his own sons to be invulnerable. So, taking baldur's life would be akin to the treatment of his own children.

[@kylepeters8690]

To me the mistletoe spear has never been that strange given Loki is a god and a shapeshifter, so I always assumed he either used magic to create it, or did something like the dwarves and forged it from a bunch of mistletoe.

[@magnusgranskau7487]

i think it was a spear smeared/infused with misteltoe rather then a såear itself. misteltoe does accure in scandinavia atleast in the Oslofjord area.and since it is rare thats might e why they forgot to make it unharmful

[@kylepeters8690]

@@magnusgranskau7487 I hadn't even considered just working it into the wood or smearing it. A simple solution and probably not something the gods would look to closely at.

[@Sterkona]

Nothing better between college classes than an Ocean video

[@milesfromnowhere1985]

Turns out, this is exactly how far I had previously read in Gesta Danorum, so I'm reading it now with your video in the front of my mind. How serendipitous.

[@mbyrd9223]

Missile toe!!! LMFAO oh my Gods!🤣🤣 I'm dead!! Another great video, keep up the great work Ocean Man. Happy to see another new video so soon!

[@amethyst5538]

I always enjoy your work, but coming home after a hard day and finding this cheered me up. I was always confused about the mistletoe unless they used the berries as a poison, but I like Saxo's a lot more due to the logic and just the all around more filled out story line.

[@CelynBrum]

I wonder if Hodr and Baldr are related to the Proto-Indo-European "Divine Twins" (or Horse Twins). This is because often one of the Twins is a strong warrior, while the other is more of a healer/lover; they are associated with the morning and evening star and share either a sister or a love interest in the form of the Dawn. Hodr would fit the strong warrior mould, while Baldr's whole "he's just so great and everyone loves him" vibe fits with the other twin. Nanna would then be the sister/love interest. Apparently they have potentially found images of Divine Twins in Scandinavia but can't identify who they might be. Of course, I am not a historian or a religious scholar, so I may also be absolutely full of nonsense. Please do not take this comment as anything but wild speculation!

[@3rdeye671]

No thats good discernment. The tale can also be about the ancient struggle between the SunKing and the Underworld Darkness that brings the death of winter as it takes the maiden of fertility into the underworld and slays the old SunKing only for the SunKing to be resurrected and to gain in power and overckme the darkness at equinox and wed the maiden of the land and together bring fertility and life to the world.

[@weenug489]

"Isn't the battle tomorrow? Why do I have a watch-" 😂

[@lizabethhampton4537]

Saxo!Hodr: "If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy"

[@redwolf7929]

I always assumed Hodr was a God who had total " inner vision" but was perhaps unsuited and unable to operate in the physical outer world.Odyn ,being half blind has inner and outer vision.Hodr was therefore easily manipulated .He may have been described as a type of character as having his head in the clouds .

[@UndeniableDuck]

Come for the puns, stay for the knowledge.

[@Shotin35mm]

It's been more than a year since my conversion and I enjoy life a lot more and look forward to each new bright adventure that fate may have for me. I just felt like expressing that here because you were one of the first to pop up when I began my journey as I searched for answers here on youtube. I've bought books, listen to the songs, read the legend and began my blacksmithing journey to forge for the gods. I create different pieces now but I have yet to perfect the mjolnir. once I do, I'll forge many. Thank you for creating your content and just thank you for everything.

[@morlath4767]

I HAVE to know how long it takes you to come up with those puns! Thank you for yet another great video (half-way through now). You, sir, are my go-to channel for Norse/Pagan information.

[@OceanKeltoi]

I had a completely different pun at the beginning and then canned it as I was recording the video. I then came up with this one in about 15 seconds.

[@morlath4767]

@@OceanKeltoi Ha. Bloody fantastic! As always, looking forward to your next one.

[@lucashummel5952]

Always love getting new content to add to my work entertainment. This channel makes boring warehouse work more tolerable

[@enochanglin3546]

I actually love your interpretation! I wish someone would rewrite the myths to not only a modern myth but something new. These stories were passed down orally and changed a lot over time, so I see no reason we cant do the same, especially trying to combine different sources into a new version of the myths.

[@ingmargussenhoven6054]

Every time I see that you posted a video I know I am gonna learn a lot and have a lot of fun thank you 😁

[@OceanKeltoi]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@spinedogfog581]

great explaination! I would love to see more stories about Ullr, the God of snow and winter sport, and I believe a god of hunting as well, as he led the great hunt when Odin was not leading it. This is one of my main gods, as I live in a very cold and northern region of Canada, and I make dedications of cannabis often to ask for protection and guidance when traveling into the mountains, or when I pray or thank him for snow needed for ideal snowboarding conditions. I understand that there is not a lot of info about Ullr, but he is the one who speaks to my concience the most.

[@OceanKeltoi]

he's on my list of deities i need to tackle once this run of videos is done with. He's been a heavily requested deity for me to do a video on. I've got a document with notes on him and what I would cover. Very interesting deity even though there's not much information about him.

[@mahdij1]

We love your stories I am reading the poetic Edda and just ordered other books. Thank you so much

[@mgtmoviemaker]

Amazing video, as always, and the pun was hysterical.

[@astrid1647]

I love the videos where you cover a character that most people don't bother digging deeper into. This was great! Thank you for all the hard work you put into these!

[@3rdeye671]

Its an ancient tale about the death of the sun at midwinter. Baldr is the Sun and Hodr is the underworld darkness that kills the sun taking away the fertilty Baldr brings. Mistletoe is the only plant that 'lives' through winter and it isnt attached to the ground being a parasitic plant that grows off Oak trees. The three day motif is a reference to the sun at midwinter where it stays in its Southern most position for three days before reversing direction and being 'reborn' or 'resurrected' one degree to the north. Hodr is 'blind' as he represents the darkness of the underworld that brings winter and the death of fertility and life with the killing of 'bright', 'warm' and 'noble' Baldr who everyone adores and all weep and are sad at the passing of Baldr. This is the ancient tale of the Sun as King married to the land and together they bring fertility and order such is the way of their realm. Its the same motif used in the Green Knight Arthurian saga and relates to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ as his 'death' is over three days and his 'birth' is on December 25th where the bright star Sirius with the line of the three belt stars of Orion point out the exact place of the 'resurrected' Suns rebirth.

[@thorfinndonar1717]

There's literally nothing as sick as that intro, brother. Love your vids!! 🍻

[@benjamincompton9767]

Please, please, bring us more. The format is great, you are very engaging and we are actually learning, about the earliest sources at that. You are doing a great service for your fellow heathens. I know from your videos that you never set out to be a KZbinr but you really help. I honestly see you as a great gothi for the modern age.

[@greywolfwalking6359]

A awesome job on this piece!! It is very exciting as you tell/share it... I appreciate your time and effort to make this work happen for us! I'm gonna watch it again, n ,take notes for my studies ... Thanks for sharing this gift of talent and time! 👍🦊🧙‍♂️🐺👍

[@hestiathena4917]

I'm not really that religious or spiritual, but I still greatly enjoy learning about various faiths past and present, and I can say that anyone who is able to consistently deliver such _horrible, horrible_ puns regarding their faith is someone well worth listening to!

[@ewokpants4891]

This is not a dream Snorri built under quilt whilst snoring till the morning or a Snorri Story about gloom or glory but one of blind Hodr's guilt about the prince he killed, with mistletoe he did doth throw, of which Hodr was sorely Sorry.

[@firstnamelastname8107]

These last couple of videos I've had to pause and scream WHY after the opening pun so. You're on a roll.

[@OceanKeltoi]

Hel Yes

[@jackhudson4816]

I was beginning to worry you’d stopped making these excellent videos 🤣

[@OceanKeltoi]

More to come!

[@akay_2]

Why the fuck did I laugh at that intro?🤣🤣

[@IVNVKNG]

I think you're awesome, and the style of your videos are legendary themselves. You are a legend.

[@ricepint6242]

always waiting for your videos in anticipation, keep up the good work !

[@ogrimdaorc1928]

Thank you for another educational video! I always love seeing a notification for your channel!

[@lilykatmoon4508]

“May have” is such a history phrase, lol. Sometimes I find the unknowable a great source of inspiration, but other times I long to have that short cut, and just KNOW something. But I wonder, as I explore more, about something you said in your offering video. You talked about the necessity of learning from history, and having the discernment to discover the real value and thinking about the point of an animal sacrifice to our ancestors. You pointed out how the values back then were messed up in some cases. You used slavery as an example as well as animal sacrifice. You spoke of the importance in what we know now as far as human rights as well as the value an animal had to their survival. How the animal was consumed by the people. I also thought about Beofelds video on the same and some comments he made in the same vein. So, after you put that perspective in my mind, it’s been percolating as I learn more and develop reciprocity with the Gods. When I watch these videos and the constant “may haves” and “we’ll never know for sure’s”, I think about the goals of the reconstruction perspective. I wonder- maybe that’s the point. Even if we had some magickal way to observe our ancestor, and have a complete historical record- we aren’t the same people. We don’t have the same worldview’s and never could because our worlds are just too different and we’re just learning to reconnect to the animist nature of the world. But, the Gods are still there, as they’ve always been. It’s not for us to know everything from back then. They want us to do our very best to consider the Wisdom of the Old Ways, but we have to use our reason and our intuition based off reason and personal experience. And we have to do the best we can always with honor and in the spirit of Frith. Idk. This probably sounds stupid or naïve, I’m really just learning. However, your videos often spark some very useful introspection, and I’m grateful for the videos you put out. Skål.

[@paulgallagher5889]

Since I always listen to your lessons while I work, I often forget you add little text puns beyond the intro puns!!!!🤣 Always a treat and a great day when I get to learn about Norse Heathenry from you!! And a little Celtic sweetener for the upcoming holiday as well?! Nice.

[@HazardWolfCorp]

Yet another great feast of information!

[@mrmegalovania]

You are definitely an awesome person to look to for this information. I love learning more of Norse that I don't know and your insight on the unknown to everyone.

[@bluejay4960]

I can’t believe you’ve done this (affectionate) (referring to a pun of your choosing)

[@SneakyTogedemaru]

Very nice storytelling! Thanks )

[@michaelmacak7198]

Do you happen to have audio books available anywhere? I love the poetic edda. It now takes me an hour to get through a page since I lost most of my vision. If not, I still thank you for the stories you have shared thus far.

[@stevenhuntley8706]

I've always seen a connection between Pandu and Baldr, and Hodr and Dhritarashtra. Not to mention, Viður and Vidura

[@Das_Pepe]

I always saw Hodrs blindness as representation of the dark. As in the Winter killing the sun. I’ve somewhere read that Hodr is also a Winter god. So the death of Baldr is literally a representation of fall and the beginning of winter. I would really like to know what your interpretations of the myths are as you always talk about who did what and what happened but what do you think it means?

[@jamesbradleysears7188]

I have a small addition to your speculation, which I quite enjoy. Perhaps in Hođr cutting Þor's "club" with the magic sword we have an alternative tradition about why his hammer has a short handle?

[@thehorriblebright]

I actually have a small stick of mistletoe. I would suggest that mistletoe shaped into an arrow with a head of metal or stone is the most likely to really work.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

That was your best pun lead up yet

[@Sienisota]

I can see Loki giving Hodr power to balance Balder's invincibility. And asking for his eye(s) in return.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

I remember this story in class. Never heard the one about Alill and Fergus.

[@alternativeaquascaping517]

I cant remember where, maybe Gautreks Saga, there’s an instance of Odin giving a reed to someone to throw at a king as a “mock sacrifice” and mid flight it turns into a spear effectively making it a genuine sacrifice. There might be some connection there as the substrate is similar.

[@mahdij1]

I love your content and cant wait for you to give us more.

[@XanSteel]

You know it’s possible that a part of mistletoe maybe missing, such as perhaps what Hodr threw, was covered in mistletoe sap.

[@Helzdottir2903]

Explosive opening!

[@SneakyCoyoteProductions]

When it comes to Loki's involvement in this story, I'm more apt to go with an interpretation presented by Lewis Hyde in "Trickster Makes this World." For me, Loki is the God of Change and transformation, so Frigga's attempt to make Baldr 100% immortal (thus unchanging, & untouched by death) was an affront in his eyes, as pointed out by Hyde. When it comes to Hodr though... I've always struggled with his place in the story. Hearing the Saxo tale definitely inspires some new thoughts about him... Of course, I've never been the biggest of Baldr's fans, so to hear a tale where "Shining Baldr" is a bit of a twat I just feel validated. XD

[@Helgrier]

Lets go

[@TheEvergladesErgi]

Stop. Drop. Roll. cause this video is on fire

[@williamkelly53]

You are the God of horrific humor ...You are worthy of the title.

[@Ded2DjeD]

This is great.

[@jamesknudsen7910]

Odin having learned that Hodr will kill Baldur but not that Loki is ultimately responsible for his death preemptively removes Hodr's sight

[@abfleks]

Dude, that first joke.. 😆

[@erlinggaratun6726]

Loki is fate itself, and the Gods do understandably have a feather to pick with him..

[@sveinoleaase]

Balder is associated with light, hood with darkness. As Jim says: day divides the night. The night divides the day, break on trough to the other side.

[@patriot139]

I have another take on it. Balðr is one to blind others by his beauty. Hođr was blind to his beauty.

[@Kevc0re_]

You’ve heard of Scooby Snacks?! Well what about Baldr Snacks?!

[@OceanKeltoi]

Delicious and also very good for you

[@Sathtana]

I'm gonna take a lap after that intro, brb.

[@Pohatu]

Have you thought about doing a video series where do you either the Havamal or Prose Edda and then do a chapter by chapter analysis?

[@OceanKeltoi]

A friend of mine, Wolf the Red, does a verse by verse breakdown of the Havamal, which you might be interested in. The project has been dormant for a bit, but he's mentioned to me recently that he's starting it back up again. Here's a link to the playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLKfm5YRD7CYstvN0jTziDXkm67ELIuVIe

[@Pohatu]

​@@OceanKeltoi I feel bad saying this since I know you and him are friends, but I have a weird thing about voices when it comes to these videos. I really struggle watching/listening to him versus listening to your videos. 😅

[@OceanKeltoi]

@@Pohatu Valid. I've heard some have the same issue the other way around actually 😂

[@douglasalfseike3867]

Much to ponder 🤔!

[@bezoticallyyours83]

I havebt heard the one about Nanna and Baldr either

[@puffinmuffin3589]

Thank you for all of the knowledge about our religion I love the videos

[@MrChristianDT]

Ancient people used bracelets as a form of currency, then have a legend where a guy gets a "wealth enhancing bracelet." Lol

[@eaglestarmartin6474]

Isn't mistletoe toxic? Maybe Hoðer poisoned the magic snax.

[@sortofadm4764]

❤ Love the easter egg

[@ulfrinndrengr1973]

An offer. I have for a very long time seen Hođr's blindness as metaphoric if it was spoken of at all pre-Sturluson's writing. Being "blinded by light" is a long standing trope that has been experienced since time immemorial. Perhaps blinded by the jealousy of that which was given to "the light" Baldr, culminating in his becoming the enemy of Baldr. It may also be part commentary on Hođr as god associated darkness, not being able to see in darkness, giving blindness as opposed to having it. Baldr being the favorite and beloved makes more sense as light is usually favored over darkness and would be especially so by a seafaring people of rough and rocky waters and coasts. This favoritism of a god would lead to greater derisive statements by Saxo who means to drag them through any mud he can find, even if it means making some himself. The later involvement of Loki as a balancing God of sorts, whether the involvement was real or implanted would make sense between the two brothers. As their very natures are completely at odds to one another. So there's my piece. Chew on it and think if it pleases!

[@Kevc0re_]

Mistletoe. 😂 I would’ve also accepted Toe Missile

[@lilguyfinish]

Inject me with more of your content sir, I need it in my veins Mr Keltoi

[@OceanKeltoi]

Deal

[@lilguyfinish]

\o/

[@callum4871]

A man on a mission to defy and kill the gods… I’ve heard this story before somewhere😏😂

[@syddlinden8966]

Oceans puns are criminal. 😂

[@syddlinden8966]

Saxo be like "age gap relationships are problematic"

[@jgr7487]

Baldr had a mistletoe allergy. Change my mind.

[@Ratnoseterry]

So hodr and baldr can be paralleled to the brothers in grimnismal?