Mistletoe

We all dream of catching that special someone under the mistletoe at Christmas time. However, few of us realize where this tradition came from or the many myths and magical powers that are associated with this plant. Mistletoe plays a much greater par in legend than rendering some gorgeous person helpless so some sad pathetic person can get their Christmas Jollies. It has been associated with having created healing powers and keeping away evil. In this article we will look at the many myths of mistletoe.

Mistletoe was thought to contain magical powers due to its ability to flower during the winter months. For the ancient Celts this meant a way to cure sickness and disease and to treat poisons brought on from witches and evil spirits. Legend also states that the mistletoe was a great peacekeeper. If warring tribes were caught underneath mistletoe, they took it as a sign to lay down weapons and call a truce. They fighting would of course resume the next day.

They idea of kissing under the mistletoe actually came from Viking folklore. The Viking goddess Frigga dreamed that her son, Balder had been killed. Although only a dream she consulted all of the living things existing in Earth, fire, water and air. Frigga asked all of them to spare her son. She however forgot one essential plant, that being the mistletoe. The God of evil Noki made a poison arrow out of the berries of the mistletoe and killed Balder. All of the elements tried but failed to bring Balder back to life. Frigga, however kissed her son. This brought him back to life. It is also said that the tears she said turned into the white berries that are present on the plant today.

Other Mistletoe myths include the burning of the plant on 12th night. In parts of England it was believed that if this wasn’t done then none of the boys and girls that kissed under it would ever marry. Farmers were also believed to have fed the cow that had the first calf of the season mistletoe. This was thought to bring good luck for the rest of the season.

Mistletoe myths go on and on. However they can be very effective if one finds themselves cornered one Christmas. Although by tradition no one can refuse. Spinning a few myths to the intruder should soon send them running.