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Eighth Century Mistletoe History:  Balder, the Viking God of the Summer Sun, had a dream that he would die. His mother, Frigga, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, was agitated when she was told about his dream. She proclaimed that if Balder died that everything on Earth would also die. To make sure that he would not die, Frigga went to all the elements of earth and asked them not to kill Balder. The people now thought that Balder was immune from harm because of his mother's request. The children heckled, teased and often threw objects at Balder since he could not be harmed. Select to see the American Mistletoe The Plant.Balder's rivals, Loki, found a loophole in Balder's mother's request. The logic is that since the mistletoe plant attaches itself on trees and has no ground roots it was not affected by Frigga's request from the elements. Loki then planned a deadly plot and talked Balder's brother Hoder, who was blind, to shoot an arrow for him. The arrow struck Balder and killed him. After hearing of Balder's death all the elements tried to bring him back to life. In Frigga's grief she cried and her tears dropped on the red mistletoe berries turning them white. Balder rose from the dead since the white berries were a symbol of life. Frigga was overjoyed and kissed everyone who walked underneath the mistletoe plant. Click to see one of our Christmas Mistletoe Ball. Select to view all of our wonderful Christmas Decorations Ideas for the holidays. Mistletoe Miracle Worker Myth:  The Druids in Britain believed that miracles could be performed with the mistletoe. Five days after the winter solstice the Druids would cut mistletoe off oak trees in a special ceremony. The Druids believed that if mistletoe touched the ground it would be contaminated. They used a special stretched out white cloth to catch the falling mistletoe. The mistletoe growing on the sacred oaks was cut with a golden bladed knife. After the mistletoe was harvested, the priest would say a series of prayers over the mistletoe. At the end of the ceremony the leaves were given out. The people believed the mistletoe would keep them safe from storms, heal diseases, provide fertility and protect them from evil spirits. To see our Christmas Mistletoe Balls select the following link. Mistletoe, Christmas Greenery, Christmas Picks Labels: Christmas Blog, Christmas Mistletoe Ball, Mistletoe Folklore, Mistletoe Kiss Ball, Mistletoe The Plant, The Mistletoe Plant
Mistletoe and the Christmas Celebration:Mistletoe has become a symbol for kissing during the Christmas season. This tradition could have come from an ancient belief that mistletoe was related to fertility. The Viking associated the plant with Frigga, the goddess of love. Another explanation is the festival of Saturnalia, a popular mid-December celebration in early Roman times. Just for fun check out this 4 Inch Under The Mistletoe Kiss Ball for your holiday party.  Early European people used mistletoe as a ceremonial plant which may have resulted in the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. A person caught standing under a mistletoe plant must forfeit a kiss. Hanging a mistletoe plant over a doorway is now a tradition celebrated around the world. Select to view our favorate Christmas Mistletoe Ball. Mistletoe Myths:Mistletoe is widely viewed as a symbol of love and fertility. The most popular myths used today is when a couple kisses underneath the mistletoe they will have good luck in the coming year. A couple that is to shy or neglects to perform the kissing ritual will have bad luck for a year. A couple kissing under the mistletoe ensures a good marriage and a long, happy life. Another myth is that if an unmarried woman is not kissed under the mistletoe they will remain single for the following year. It is also believed that if a lady places mistletoe under their pillow at night they can dream of their Prince Charming. Select if you would like to see all our Christmas Decorations Ideas. If mistletoe is burned and it burns steadily it prophesies a healthy marriage but if a flame ficklers, it may doom a woman in the marriage or be a sign of an ill-suited partner. Mistletoe also is a representative of goodwill and peace. It has been told that ancient enemies who encounter each other underneath trees bearing mistletoe embraced, lay down their arms, and agree to a truce for today and tomorrow. Select to see real American Mistletoe The Plant. Never Ingest Mistletoe! If you use mistletoe in your house over the holiday season, make sure that you place it where children and pets cannot get to it. The ingesting of mistletoe by small children and pets can cause severe stomach cramps and diarrhea. It has even been fatal in some cases but it is rare. To be safe always call for medical assistance immediately. To see our Christmas Mistletoe Balls select the following link. Mistletoe, Christmas Greenery, Christmas PicksTo read additional Mistletoe trivia select Christmas Mistletoe The Plant, Mistletoe History and also Fresh Mistletoe Products.Labels: Christmas Mistletoe Ball, Mistletoe Folklore, Mistletoe Kiss Ball, Mistletoe The Plant
Definition:The word "Mistletoe" has its origins from two Anglo-Saxon words "tan" (twig) and "mistel" (dung). Another definition derives from the Celtic word for all-heal. Yet another is an Old English version of the word "Mistletoe" is, (misteltan). The common name of various parasitic plants which the mistletoe plant is classified in the family Loranthaceae. There are two basic types of Christmas Mistletoe The Plant. United States Mistletoe: The United States has a variety of mistletoe which is similar to the European variety. Its common name is Phoradendron Flavescens. American Mistletoe The Plant grows in both subtropical and tropical regions from Texas to Florida and North along the Eastern states. It grows on what is known as deciduous trees. It thrives best on Elm and Red Maple trees. The American mistletoe produces more leaves and berries. It also has small yellow, red or green flowers which can bloom in February and March. Select to see all of our Christmas Decorations Ideas. European Mistletoe:The European mistletoe was named Viscum Album and grows on a variety of trees such as, juniper and apple. The body or base of the European Mistletoe that attaches to a hoist tree branch has dark green stick like stems. Branching outward from the base stem are several pairs of green pointy shaped leaves growing in clusters. The European evergreen shrub variety also produces small green flowers. Young mistletoe plants do not flower until they have matured in about five years. At the intersection of the stems, red or white waxy berries grow in dense clusters. Just for fun check out this 4 Inch Under The Mistletoe Kiss Ball for your holiday party. Mistletoe Folklore:One of the early beliefs was that mistletoe grew when birds landed on tree branches. The small white berry clusters are often eaten by birds. The bird droppings are left on tree branches and begin to seed. The juices in these white seeds are sticky so they stick too the tree branches. After eating mistletoe seed, birds often wipe their beaks on tree branches to remove the sticky remains. The mistletoe takes about six weeks to start growing. Select to see our Christmas Mistletoe Ball.How Does The Mistletoe Plant Live?Mistletoe is a parasitic plant. Tree branches are used as a host plant. As the mistletoe grows it grows roots that penetrate the soft tree bark. These new roots absorb the trees nutrients. The mistletoe is easy to spot in the winter because its leaves stay green all year long. To see our Christmas Mistletoe Balls select the following link. Mistletoe, Christmas Greenery, Christmas Picks. To read additional Mistletoe trivia select Christmas Mistletoe The Plant, Mistletoe History and also Fresh Mistletoe Products.Labels: Christmas Mistletoe Ball, Mistletoe Folklore, Mistletoe Kiss Ball, Mistletoe The Plant, The Mistletoe Plant
Mistletoe Beginnings.Most everyone in America is familiar with the Christmas mistletoe ball tradition. Hang it up, and whoever is standing underneath has to kiss each other. This is a popular custom that is shared throughout many homes. But where did this custom originate? It can surely be traced back to the 17th century, but there are many different legends from different cultures depicting this curious plant. Also, it is most intriguing because the mistletoe plant is poisonous. Click for more Christmas Decorations Ideas. Mistletoe Facts.  Many do not know, but mistletoe is actually a partial parasitic plant. Partial because it can survive on its own through photosynthesis. It grows on trees and will grow roots into the trees, taking nutrients. Mistletoe can live on its own, but it most commonly found living off other trees. There are two different species of mistletoe. Phoradendron flavescens is the type found in North America which is used as Christmas decoration. There is also viscum album, which grows in Europe. In many cultures, mistletoe is thought to be a mystical plant that can heal, protect and help with fertility. Mistletoe will stay green and alive throughout winter, while its host will not. Since mistletoe does stay green throughout the cold winter, it is not a stretch to see why people in history thought it to be a magical plant. Click to see our unique Mistletoe, Christmas Greenery, Christmas Picks. Kissing Under the Mistletoe.
The kissing under the mistletoe myth comes from Norse mythology. Baldurs mother, Frigga, went to all plants and animals asking them to protect her son and cause him no harm. She overlooked one, mistletoe. Loki, God of evil, found this out and got another to kill Baldur with a spear laced with mistletoe. Baldur was eventually brought back to life. Frigga cried tears of little white berries like the ones on mistletoe. Out of admiration, Frigga vowed to kiss anyone who walked under the mistletoe, so beginning the kissing under the mistletoe myth. See our other Unique Christmas Ribbon. Labels: Christmas Mistletoe Ball, Mistletoe Folklore, Mistletoe Kiss Ball, Mistletoe The Plant, The Mistletoe Plant
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