HISTORY OF THE MISTLETOE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 852, 21 December 1929, Page 38

HISTORY OF THE MISTLETOE

A SACRED BUSH Of all seasons, Christmas is the most joyful in the happy homes of Old England, and, of all her ancient customs, the one that appears least likely to he forgotten is the very pleasant kissing under the mistletoe bough. Long may it last in all its jollity. The Druids in early ages held the tree in great awe and it was looked upon as most sacred. The mistletoe is a parasite' and the seed grows on branches of other trees. Early in the New Year the Druids went in solemn procession to the woods seeking the sacred mistletoe, and, when discovered, an altar was built round the tree on which the plant grew. On the sixth day of the moon the head Druid climbed the tree and cut off with a golden sickle the mistletoe, which dropped into a white cloth. Two white bulls were then offered as a sacrifice and the plant blessed by the priest and distributed among the populace to prevent disease and witchcraft. In Holmstem, the country people called the mistletoe the “Spectre Wand,” from the superstition that if a person holds the branch it will enable them to see and speak with ghosts. The Scandinavian Apollo, Balder, was charmed by his beautiful mother Friga against all injuries from the elements, but Loke, the evil spirit, made an arrow of mistletoe which grew upon a tree and with this the handsome Balder was killed. The gods were very angry and by their combined efforts Balder was restored to life and the mistletoe plant was dedicated. to his mother Friga, who was the Scandinavian equivalent for Venus. From the fact of its being protected by such a godlike person, arose the quaint custom of kissing under it at Christmas. On that eventfut eve the young folk gather with great solemnity and under the sacred bush hanging in the halls the girls are all kissed with great rejoicing.

‘'Under the mistletoe, pearly and green, Meet the kind lips of the young and old, Under the mistletoe hearts may be seen Glowing as though they had never been cold.”