Unraveling the Mystique of Mistletoe: The Christmas Kiss that Brings Luck and Banishes Bad Spirits!
White mistletoe has intrigued people since ancient times – its magical properties were revered by various cultures, including the Slavs, Celts, and Germans. Even the Romans held mistletoe in great regard. They were all amazed that the green twigs could be found on both coniferous and broad-leaved trees during the cold winter months, and despite the harsh conditions, these branches still bore fruits. Eventually, it was realized that mistletoe leaves could also be used for their healing powers. Today, the plant is utilized in medications for atherosclerosis. It contains substances that lower blood pressure and help widen blood vessels. Moreover, the Celts believed it could also assist with infertility, so having mistletoe in the home was thought to enhance the chances of having a child. This belief likely led to the current tradition of kissing beneath the mistletoe. In ancient times, mistletoe was revered to such an extent that it was harvested with a gold sickle. This respect is why today mistletoe is associated with the color gold. People ceremonially cut it during New Year festivities.
The early peoples of Europe would often hang mistletoe in their homes because it was believed to protect against evil spirits and keep witches away. It was also thought to shield people from suffocation and illness, and the plant was generally believed to have “fallen from the sky”.
Its spread, however, is facilitated by birds that eat its berries, especially the thrush, chickadee, and mockingbird. As Christianity spread, the old traditions were integrated into the new faith. According to priests, mistletoe represented the tree from which Joseph carved the cradle for baby Jesus. Thirty-three years later, Romans reportedly cut down this tree to make the cross for Christ. The story goes that the tree withered into a small shrub, which now wants to share its blessings with people who walk beneath it. Just like believers draw life from the body of Christ, mistletoe draws nourishment from the trees on which it grows.
Traditionally, during Advent, mistletoe is often displayed, sometimes decorated with gold or silver paint. Folklore suggests that mistletoe should be given as a gift, not bought, to truly bring good fortune. Many families keep mistletoe hanging all year long, replacing it with a fresh one the next Christmas.
Why mistletoe thrives on coniferous and deciduous trees
Botanically speaking, mistletoe is a fascinating plant. It is a semi-parasitic herb from the sandalwood family that attaches itself to the trunks of trees, growing into spherical clusters that can reach about a meter in size. Mistletoe draws water and nutrients from its host tree, but it can also sustain itself through photosynthesis. Interestingly, the characteristics of mistletoe differ depending on the tree it grows on; for instance, mistletoe on poplar trees is highly toxic, while mistletoe on conifers lacks the leafy appearance of other varieties. On different trees, it takes on various appearances and has unique features. The mistletoe on linden trees is often flat and has small leaves, while on poplars it forms large, round clusters. It grows well on pines and fruit trees such as apples and apricots. However, one consistent fact remains: the seeds are highly toxic. Only the mistletoe from poplar trees is toxic in its entirety and isn’t used in medicine. By the way, mistletoe harvested in November, December, and March is known to contain the highest levels of active ingredients.
It’s also noteworthy that mistletoe can only be picked from trees when temperatures are above minus four degrees. If it freezes, mistletoe becomes very brittle and breaks into tiny bits upon falling to the ground. Furthermore, frost causes it to change color, turning from dark green to black. To retain its freshness, mistletoe should be displayed without water, whether hung up or placed in a vase.
How the Celts and Slavs celebrated the solstice at ancient forts
Are you interested in exploring the ancient sites of Celtic fortresses and settlements? If you visit them, you would likely find magical mistletoe adorning their homes and sacred spaces during this time of year, as our ancient ancestors celebrated Solstice festivals in a similar manner. Roman, Celtic, Germanic, and Slavic festivities were centered around the theme of light’s rebirth. These were typically held around December 21, marking the Sun’s lowest point in its annual journey. People would decorate their homes, barns, and stables with mistletoe, ivy, and holly (plants that stay green throughout winter). It was believed that a good spirit would offer shelter to a well-decorated house from the cold. Let’s peek inside the lives of families or communities from these ancient cultures.
Slavs and the birth of Dazhbog
Slavs celebrated the sun god Dažbog, who was believed to be born as a child at the winter solstice, maturing through spring, gaining strength during the summer solstice, then gradually aging and dying around All Souls’ Day, before descending to the underworld only to be reborn again. They crafted brooms from mistletoe, which they referred to as “brooms of the spirits”, using them to repel illnesses, thieves, and evil forces, also to ward off fire hazards. They would hang these sprigs above the front door to keep malevolent spirits and witchcraft at bay. Fire played an important role during this time, ignited at sunset and kept burning until morning. Following the lighting of the festive fire, a feast was held. During the toast, those present remembered the souls of their deceased ancestors. Traditional foods that were served included non-meat dishes, apples (symbolizing health), nuts (representing abundance), and garlic (known for its protective qualities). The first light of dawn the next day, along with the crowing of the rooster, marked Dazhbog’s rebirth.
The first meal of the day would be a pancake, symbolizing the swaddling clothes of the newborn god. A pig was roasted for lunch, and its bones were believed to possess magical properties—when a young man touched his beloved with them, she could not help but be charmed. If you want to step into the past and experience Slavic traditions, you can visit one of the Slavic hillforts, such as those in the Czech Mounds, Prague Butovice or Šarka, Tetín, Kouřim, Branišovice near Římov, or the area in Mikulčice. The mythical Slavic Wogatisburg was believed to be located atop Rubín, while the grand city of Veligrad was thought to stand on Náklo.
Germanic people and a tree to honor Wotan
Germans honored Wotan (known as Odin) as the sun god. To pay tribute to him, they would gather branches or saplings, adorning them with spearheads that symbolized Gungnir, Odin’s magical spear. They would then hang a tree or branch, representing Yggdrasil (the tree that connects all nine worlds), and decorate it with various offerings to their gods. A favorite tradition involved setting fire to a wheel made from branches and rolling it downhill. On solstice day, they would leave their windows open to invite the spirits of their ancestors into their warm homes. Delicious foods like pies, nuts, and more were prepared. They would first offer food to the spirits of the dead before allowing the living to feast. Mead was a must-have during this festive time. Among the Germanic tribes that settled in the territory of our state were the Marcomans. You can explore a genuine Marcomannic dwelling on the Dobřichov nature trail, which takes you to the Pichhora archaeological site, once a place for rituals, where members of Marobud’s retinue were laid to rest.
Celts and the lucky boar
The Celts also celebrated the return of light during the winter solstice. This was the day they believed the sun god Belen, son of the goddess and the horned god Cernunnos, was born anew. On this day, priests would venture into the forest, and one, dressed in a white robe, would cut a bunch of mistletoe with a golden sickle. The others would catch the falling white cloth to prevent it from touching the ground. They offered gifts to Mother Nature and left them under the trees. The boar was considered a sacred animal – anyone lucky enough to spot one would be blessed with fortune, health, and abundance.
During this winter solstice time, the Celts enjoyed yellow dishes – various pancakes, porridge, or perhaps eggs. The ceremonial dish was fish, again, caught by a man on solstice day. To ensure a bountiful harvest in the coming year, they would prepare a large log covered in tufts and ribbons, dust it with flour, and pour beer, brandy, or holy water over it. They would then burn it in their fireplace for 12 nights (until today’s Three Kings Day), and after that, its ashes were spread over the fields to promote a good harvest. To connect with your Celtic ancestors, you can head to the oppidum at Třísov, once home to the Boii tribe. They named their village Magdunum, and its streets were paved. Zbraslav is another notable Celtic site, along with fortresses located under Blaník or near Stradonice. The Giant’s Castle served as a significant cult location for the Celts.
Roman Saturnalia and soldiers in Palava
In the region of the Roman Empire, the Saturnalia festival was celebrated for sixteen days leading up to January (from around December 17). Saturn’s festival was designated as a “dies festus,” which was a special non-working holiday in honor of the deity. Over time, other deities joined the festivities, including Ops (Saturn’s wife on December 19) and Dies Iuvenalis (December 21). This time marked a joyful period when social hierarchies were disregarded, and everything was plentiful, with everyone treated equally. It was a phase of unrestrained joy and celebration. Hostilities and punishments were temporarily set aside, allowing people to visit and exchange gifts, even the emperors would celebrate with them. Public gambling was also permitted. Significant sacrifices, including little pigs, were made, and slaves dined together with their masters at the same table; slaves could recline on couches and converse with their masters.
People would pass around candles (a representation of light, hope, and happiness). In ancient times, human skulls were displayed since human sacrifices were once part of the Saturnalia celebrations; eventually, these were replaced by masks, which were then substituted by small statues made of baked clay, and finally, by round ornaments. How did Roman soldiers in Southern Moravia celebrate Saturnalia? The Romans had their central base at Hradisko u Pasohlávek, near the Novomlýnské reservoirs. This Roman military camp covered about thirty hectares and remains the only site in the Czech Republic featuring remnants of ancient brick structures. The Gateway to the Roman Empire trail commemorates the time Roman soldiers spent here. In the summer of 2001, archaeologists discovered the remnants of a Roman military camp in Olomouc.
