Mistletoe....

[Moli]

Mistletoe was often hung over the entrances to homes of the pagans in Scandinavian countries to keep out evil spirits. An ld Scandinavian myth tells of the seemingly invulnerable god, Balder, who was struck down by a dart made fromn mistletoe. The tears of this mother, Frigga, became the white berries of the mistletoe, and it was decreed that the plant must never again be used as a weapon.
Frigga, who was the goddess of love, henceforth gave a kiss to anyone who passed under the mistletoe. It may be that our present custom of kissing under the mistletoe derives from this old legend.
Legend holds that the Druids, who were members of a pagan religious order in ancient Gaul, Briton and Ireland, held the mistletoe in such reverence that if enemies met under it in the forest, a truce was declared for the day. It was their belief that only happiness would enter a home when mistletoe hung overt the door.
When the Yule season approached, the mistletoe was cut down from the sacred oaks by the Prince of the Druids who used a golden sickle. The mistletoe was distributed to the people who believed it possessed powers of the protection against sickness and evil. Later among Christians it came to symbolize the healing powers of Christ.

[Mags]

All these old myths and customs are so interesting........

[Naomi]

I love reading about these old myths/customs

[Kim]

Fascinating.

[Fran]

Interesting Moli...

[Jac]

That was interesting. Wonder when the kissing under it started and why.

[Mags]

Originally Posted by Jac

That was interesting. Wonder when the kissing under it started and why.

Here you are Jac!

So when did the kissing start? Norse mythology says that a mistletoe bough was used to kill Balder, the God of Peace. The plant was then entrusted to the Goddess of Love, and kissing under it became obligatory.

History records that the Druids held the plant sacred when growing on Valonia Oak, believing it would make barren animals fertile if drunk and that it was an antidote against poisons.

[yola]

Well well!!! I didn't know any of that . . . thanks Moli n Mags!!

[Jac]

Thats brilliant Mags. Thank you. Where do you get all this info? Its great.

[Mags]

Originally Posted by Jac

Thats brilliant Mags. Thank you. Where do you get all this info? Its great.

Just doodle around with google Jac