The mystical power of mistletoe and the tradition of kissing
under this plant originated with the legend of Goddess Frigga, the Goddess of
Love and her son Balder, God of the Summer Sun.
Balder dreamed about his death. Frightened, he told his mother of the dream. Frigga felt concern for her son
and also for the life on earth. She knew that without Balder, life on earth
would come to an end. Frigga appealed to every being in air, water, fire, and
earth to promise her that they would never harm her son. Every animal and
plant under and above the earth promised to keep her son safe.
Loki, the God of Evil, an enemy of Balder, knew that Frigga had
overlooked one plant in her appeal. Known as mistletoe, it grew on apple and oak trees.
Loki made an arrow and placed a sprig of this plant at its tip. He beguiled Hoder, the blind brother of Balder and the God of Winter, and made him
shoot this arrow at Balder.
Balder immediately died and everybody worried
as the earth turned cold and life became dreary. For the next three days, every
creature tried to bring Balder back to life. Finally Frigga with the help of
mistletoe brought him back to life. Her tears on the plant became pearly white
berries and she blessed it so that anyone who stood under the mistletoe would
never be harmed. They would instead receive a kiss as a token of love.
The plant’s ability to remain lush and fruitful throughout the year led to its use as a symbol of fertility. The Greek goddess Artemis wore a crown of mistletoe as an emblem of immortality. The plant also played a role in the Druids’ celebration of the Winter Solstice. With a golden knife they cut it from the oak and made potions to boost procreation.
Mistletoe served as the magical
ingredient in the kissing ball or kissing bough in Victorian
England. This round frame trimmed with ribbons and ornaments often held a tiny nativity with mistletoe at the bottom. The ball hung from rafters or the ceiling. Guests at holiday parties, weddings and
other festive occasions played kissing games beneath the ball. The kiss
beneath the decoration was said to bring good luck and lasting friendship.
Washington Irving, wrote of a tradition in kissing beneath the mistletoe in Old
Christmas From the Sketch Book of Washington Irving:
"The mistletoe is still hung
up in farm-houses and kitchens at Christmas; and the young men have the
privilege of kissing the girls under it, plucking each time a berry from the
bush. When the berries are all plucked, the privilege ceases."
The custom of
plucking berries for each kiss, and ceasing the bestowal of kisses once the
berries are gone, has been left behind. Still, the hanging of mistletoe and the
custom kissing beneath it remains a popular tradition in Christmas
celebrations.
Enjoy a mistletoe moment this Christmas day.
