The Magic and Mystery of Mistletoe
We all know what mistletoe is: that sprig of foliage people hang in conspicuous places, hoping to avoid Uncle Ernie’s hearty laugh as he asks for his smooch. It’s a long-held tradition that people either love or hate, hope to be caught under or strive to avoid, and either hang with enthusiasm or refuse to have in their homes.
But what exactly is mistletoe, and why do we insist on hanging it in doorways? Mistletoe is not just a single plant but a variety of plants, any of which can be used for this tradition. It is a parasitic plant, drawing nutrients from its host, usually trees, often leading to the host’s demise. While mistletoe can grow independently, it prefers to siphon resources from a host plant.
Numerous varieties of mistletoe grow in the United States, from Florida up the coastline to New Jersey. The type commonly used for Christmas decoration and kissing is a hybrid of the American and European varieties.
In European countries, mistletoe is popular as a treatment for circulatory and respiratory issues and is an integral part of cancer treatment. The United States, however, does not permit mistletoe for medical use, though other countries report success with it.
Mythology and Symbolism
In Celtic and Druid mythology, mistletoe was once considered an antidote to poisons, though some mistletoe berries are now known to be toxic. The Druids’ ancient knowledge of the plant’s uses has largely been lost, and today, mistletoe is often regarded simply as a plant with poisonous berries.
In Romania, mistletoe is seen as a source of good fortune and prosperity, while in most English-speaking countries, it symbolizes virility. The tradition of kissing under mistletoe stems from the belief that it enhances fertility and virility. Though modern medicine has replaced such beliefs, a hint of superstition lingers, prompting many to hang mistletoe in doorways to encourage a festive kiss.
Like the holly bush, mistletoe bears fruit in winter, reinforcing its association with fertility. Most mistletoe produces fruit around the winter solstice, and the fruit’s inner contents resemble semen, a detail that fueled Pagan beliefs in its ability to enhance sexual and reproductive prowess. This made mistletoe a significant symbol in Pagan traditions.
In some cultures, such as Norwegian and Scandinavian traditions, couples took mistletoe fruit to bed as a hopeful sign of conceiving a child. The plant was believed to lose its potency when the last fruit was plucked, halting lovemaking until fresh mistletoe was obtained. Mistletoe is thus considered a “soul” plant, believed to foster love, lust, and fertility while sapping the “soul” of its host, particularly the oak tree.
This powerful plant is also used to ward off evil spirits and keep witches at bay when hung in doorways. Its unique and positive “soul” is thought to offer limitless possibilities for bringing about wonderment.
The kiss under the mistletoe, now a charming Christmas tradition, likely originated as a custom to initiate marital bliss. Used in Greek festivals like Saturnalia, it later became part of newlywed traditions, especially when marriage was expected to produce many children.
In Scandinavian culture, mistletoe is a plant of peace, under which truces were called between nations, spouses, or loved ones, offering a chance to kiss and reconcile. English tradition places a heavier emphasis on mistletoe’s power: a young woman standing under it without receiving a kiss may not marry that year. Similarly, in English tradition, the Christmas mistletoe is burned on the twelfth night of Christmas to ensure that those who kissed beneath it do not marry, as kissing without marital intent was considered improper.
In France, mistletoe is associated with the New Year rather than Christmas, believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and fertility. Today, mistletoe is primarily a fun decoration that inspires Christmas cheer and encourages affection during the holiday season.
