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Moonlit Night Scene of
Church Surrounded by
Wishbone Mistletoe
Happy New Year
Glückliches Neujahr
1913 Vintage Postcard
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Continuing with our theme of Christmas flowers and plants our next tradition is Mistletoe. I can remember as a very small child that when told the Christmas Tradition was to kiss under the mistletoe. Well at that time I had already had enough of kissing aunts, uncles, grandparents etc. and the mere thought of this being a traditions was horrifying. I can remember avoiding every doorway if possible and worrying about being caught.
Of course this wonderful Christmas tradition took on a different meaning as I grew in to my teen years. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe was adopted by Christians but originated within multiple myths and pagan rituals.
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From Viking mythology, the story starts with Frigga, goddess of love, and mother to the god of the summer sun, Halder. Halder had told Frigga he had a premonition that he would die. Frigga, in an attempt to prevent Halder from being killed, went to the elements of earth, wind, water and fire to create a pact to preserve her son. Which they did because without the god of the summer sun the world wouldn't survive.
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Unfortunately she had not considered the Mistletoe because it needs neither earth, wind, water or fire. Loki, the god of evil, took advantage of this mistake and used the poison from the plant to tip arrows that he gave to Hoder the god of winter. Of course the god of winter would happily get rid of the god of the summer sun and he killed Halder with the poisoned tipped arrow.
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Frigga was heartbroken and the natural world and the sky tried to revive Halder for three days with no success. Frigga's tears fell on the Mistletoe and they became the white berries. When Frigga seen the white berries she knew that this was a sign of Halder's rebirth. She was so overjoyed by this sign she kissed everyone who stood under the Mistletoe.
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Mistletoe is an unusual plant in that it is parasite that feeds off the sap of other trees. I primarily burrows its roots deep into apple trees but will attached to others. Rarely it implants itself in the oak tree. In the times of the Druids this rare symbiotic relationship was actually worshiped and celebrated. They believe that the Oak Mistletoe carried magical powers and would protect them. In the days leading to the winter solstice the carried out rites which included a ceremonious harvest of the sacred mistletoe.
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The Romans associated the Mistletoe with their god of fertility and harvest, Saturn. The Mistletoe was regarded it as sacred and it was a part of their celebration of Saturnalia. The Christian tradition says if a couple kisses under the Mistletoe their love will last for an eternity. It is amazing how many of our Christian customs have roots found in mythology and pagan ritual.
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The information for this post was found on:
https://travelfranceonline.com/mistletoe-christmas-plants-symbolism/