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The first thing I need to tell you is VERY IMPORTANT. In case you didn't know, mistletoe is poisonous! Both the leaves and berries can make you very sick. If enough are eaten, they can kill you. Pregnant or nursing women should not take mistletoe in any form.
Now that that's out of the way, let's go back in time and trace the history of mistletoe. It has been used by plant-wise healers for thousands of years. The ancient Celts did not write down any of their history themselves, but the first century Roman naturalist and author Pliny the Elder passed on to us a description of the druids' mistletoe rituals. He observed that mistletoe was harvested from oak trees with golden sickles during the waxing moon, and fed to animals to encourage their fertility. A pair of white bulls was sacrificed as part of these rituals for the prosperity of the local people. The ancient Romans celebrated the Winter Solstice with a festival they called Saturnalia. Mistletoe was a part of their fertility rites, which is probably how the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe got started. In the early days of Christianity, a legend started that Jesus was crucified on a cross of mistletoe. According to the tale, mistletoe was a tree before the crucifixion. Afterwards, as punishment, mistletoe was made into a parasite that could never grow on the earth but only grow on another plant, usually an oak or ash which were considered "good" trees. During medieval times, people hung mistletoe over their doors to keep demons away. It was put up in barns and stables to keep the animals safe from enchantments. The ancient tradition of mistletoe for fertility continued, as it was a popular charm among women who wanted to have children, as well as a cure for any problems of reproduction. These beliefs probably came about because of the mystery surrounding the mistletoe's growth. How could it flourish like a plant but with no soil? It must have some magic in it. How does mistletoe grow anyway? It has no roots. It attaches itself to its host by tiny suckers called holdfasts by which it feeds off living trees. Mistletoe can be male or female. Only the female plant has the beautiful white (but very toxic!) berriers. If you want to grow your own mistletoe, don't try it from the sprigs that are sold around Yule. The mistletoe must be started from ripe berries, which are found in the springtime. If you find some, you'll need to start your mistletoe on a healthy and mature tree similar to the one on which the berries were found. Make a few small cuts in the bark, as high as possible on the branch so that the mistletoe can get a lot of sunshine. Remove the skin from the berries and plant the seeds firmly into the cut bark. Be sure to cover them well, or the birds will find them and you'll have no mistletoe. Plant as much as you can because only ten percent of seeds will take to the tree. And it takes both male and female for the plant to grow. It also take patience, because once the plants start growing, it will be about five years before berries form. Other names of Mistletoe are All Heal, Birdlime, Devil's Fuge, Donnerbesn, Golden Bough, Holy Wood, Lignam sanctae crucis, Misseltoe, Thunderbesem, Witches' Broom and Wood of the Cross. It is a Sun-ruled herb and is of the element of Air. Although mistletoe can be male or female, for magical purposes it is considered male in essence. The word "mistletoe" comes from an Anglo-Saxon word "mistel" meaning "dung" because in the old times people observed that it would often sprout on a branch where there were bird droppings. Here are a few mythical or magical uses for mistletoe: A good charm for healing, especially for wounds, is to carry mistletoe leaves in a pouch. (never apply directly to a wound) Also a ring made of mistletoe woods helps ward off sickness. To attract love, prosperity or friendly nature spirits, hang mistletoe over the door. A sachet of the leaves may help a woman who wants to have a child. The Norse laid down their weapons if they met under mistletoe, so it could be a useful part of spells that work for peace. Cut a sprig of mistletoe on the morning of Winter Solstice and recite the following incantation three times for good luck, then hang the mistletoe over your front door. It will draw love, prosperity, or friendly nature spirits to your home. "Golden Bough and Witch's Broom, Thy sacred names are spoken, By dagger's blade I conjure thee To see all bad luck broken. Harming none, this spell be done - So mote it be!" Wearing or carrying mistletoe may bring good luck in hunting. For restful sleep and beautiful dreams, hang mistletoe on your bedroom door, keep it under your pillow or hang it from the headboard of the bed. You can find out even more about Mistletoe at our herb booth in Airmid's Well Night Market. May all your Winter dreams be sweet! Merry Solstice! |
Courtyard
~ Table of Contents ~
Feverfew
Lavender Ladybugs Thyme Bay Laurel Mint Answers to Spring Equinox Quix Dandelion for Spring Tonic Fiddleheads Nettles for Spring Daffodil Quiz Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: THE SACRED OAK Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: VERVAIN Beltaine Treasure Hunt '08: MARIGOLDS AND MAIDENS Beltaine Treasure Hunt '08: THE CHARM OF IVY Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: GREEN WHEAT EARS Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: FLAX BLOSSOMS Beltaine Treasure Hunt '08 - GARLIC Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: EGLANTINE Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: Magical Fern Seeds Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: BOX SPRIGS Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: APPLE Holly Crocus Brighid's Imbolc Garden Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: Hawthorn Cure for Fairy Stroke Cure for ElfShot Cure for Flea Infestation Cure for Giggling Fits Hemorrhoid Remedy Flatulence Itching Love Spell Cure Warts & Carbuncles |
