THROWBACK THURSDAY – The Ancient History Behind the Magic of Mistletoe

Throwback Thursday features a few holiday themed segments every year during
this special season. This week, we look back at the history of mistletoe, one of the
season’s oldest plant decorations associated with superstitions and romance.
According to the History Channel, mistletoe’s story dates back to the ancients. In
ancient Greece, mistletoe was a medicinal plant known for its great healing powers.
Greeks claimed used it to cure muscle cramps and spleen disorders. Fast forward to
the ancient Romans, who expanded on mistletoe’s healing uses. Naturalist Pliny the
Elder wrote that it could also be used against epilepsy, poisons, and ulcers.
During the first century, the Celtic Druids, who lived in modern day Ireland and
Scotland, were most likely the ones who first associated mistletoe with anything
romantic or sentimental. This plant could grow during the frozen winter months of
their climate, and they viewed it as a symbol of vivacity and fertility. The Druids
were known for using mistletoe for both human and animal attempts at fertility.
In ancient Norse myths, a prophecy was foretold that the great god Odin’s son,
named Baldur, was going to die. Baldur’s mother, Frigg, was the goddess of love. She
approached all the plants and animals of the natural world asking that they do him
no harm. Legend says Frigg didn’t speak with mistletoe, and the god Loki made an
arrow out of it, using the arrow to kill Baldur. Frigg then made mistletoe vow never
to hurt or kill anyone ever again, declaring it a plant of love and demanding a kiss be
planted by all those who pass under it.
The kissing under the mistletoe seemed to be made famous by English servants
sometime between the Middle Ages and Age of Enlightenment. They say refusing a
kiss under mistletoe will bring bad luck.