Mistletoe (Post 12 Part 2)

Where did Kissing under the Mistletoe come from?

Well, it's pretty much all about sex!
So what is Mistletoe. Mistletoe is a parasitic plant which perches on a tree branch and absorbs nutrients from the trunk. Mistletoe produce small white berries, each containing one sticky seed inside.

So where did this romantic idea come from with the so-called Kissing Plant. It's believed to have started with the Celtic Druids of the 1st century A.D. Because mistletoe could not only withstand, but blossom during the frozen winter, the Druids came to view it as sacred. It's said that they administered it to humans and animals alike in the hope of restoring fertility.

However the white berries can be toxic to humans. Certain types can lead to illness or even death, yet other types have healing powers, that are believed to heal diseases and promote fertility. Mistletoe has a large mythological background across many cultures.

Among other pre-Christian cultures, mistletoe was believed to carry the male essence, romance, fertility, and vitality. These cultures also regarded the white berries as symbols of male fertility, with the seeds resembling semen.

In the Middle Ages and later, branches of mistletoe were hung from ceilings to ward off evil spirits. In Europe they were placed over house and stable doors to prevent the entrance of witches.

According to the tradition, it’s bad luck to refuse a kiss beneath the mistletoe. After the kiss, the couple is to pluck one of the white berries from the plant. Once all the berries are gone, the bough no longer has the power to command kisses.

When you take a look at all the Christmas customs, most of them involved sex, feasting and drinking. They have just all been Christianized and passed down to the next generation.

Much love!