The Mystic Mistletoe.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19762, 18 December 1935, Page 17 (Supplement)

The Mystic Mistletoe.

THE mystic mistletoe lacks the beauty of most of our other Christmas decorations, but in legendary and historical interest it surpasses all of them. For centuries its reputation has been a sanctified one. In the eyes of the Druids it was sacred, and used to be cut with great religious ceremonies, especially when found growing on the oak. The apple mistletoe was of less significance. Amongst the Druids the number 3 was peculiarly revered, and the fact of the mistletoe berries and leaves growing in triads was sufficient to proclaim it a holy plant. No sacrifices were ever made without the use of its leaves and branches. One of the great solemnities of the Druidical year was the month of Blarch, when the mistletoe of the oak was gathered and consecrated. On the 6th of the March moon, the Druids went in stately procession into the forest, headed by the Arch Druid, clad in white. There they raised an altar of grass beneath the finest mistletoebearing oak they could find. They bound two milk-white unyoked bulls to the tree while the high priest ascended the oak, and, with a golden bill removed the sacred parasite. The inferior priests, also clad in white, stood beneath with a white cloth, into which the plant was carefully dropped, for woe to the land if a portion of the mistletoe touched it. The bulls were then sacrificed amidst much mirth. The mistletoe was dipped in cold water and distributed among the people. It was supposed to 'be an antidote against poison, a protection against witchcraft, and a remedy for sterility. Custom in the Highlands. In the Highlands, a further custom was observed towards the full of the March moon. Then the Highlanders cut withes of mistletoe and juniper, which they twisted into a circular wreath and preserved until the following Blarch. When children were troubled with fever or consumption they were made to pass through these circles thrice. Cattle were also treated in the same way for certain ailments. The mistletoe plays an important part in the folklore of Europe. It was venerated by the Greeks for its supposed medicinal properties. Ovid and Virgil placed great faith in it, and Pliny referred to it as a cure-all. In Scandinavia it was dedicated to Friga, the Goddess of Love. Some of its supernatural attributes lingered about it down to a comparatively modern period. In the Middle Ages, and even later, it was believed to be a cure for epilepsy. Remarkable cures are reported to have been effected by it in the 17th century, and medical writers (Continued in' previous column.)