Balder the Beautiful, Volume I. A Study in Magic and Religion: the Golden Bough, Part VII., The Fire-Festivals of Europe and the Doctrine of the External Soul

"Balder the Beautiful, Volume I" by James George Frazer is a study that examines the myth of Balder, a Norse god, by looking at fire-festivals and ideas about the external soul in different cultures. The book asks questions about an ancient priest and hints at Balder's death involving mistletoe, talking about the importance of sacred kings and rules, like special restrictions for gods, along with the symbolic use of fire in rituals for cleaning or starting fresh; it introduces a dive into old customs and beliefs, reflecting the changing ways people have thought over time.