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December 26, 2009
Under the influence: Mistletoe and the Druids.
For centuries, starting around the 21st of the month (which fell earlier this week), Druids liked to leave the house, get wild and "put on the dog". Both warriors and mystics, Druid fighters in the woods of northern Europe came at you painted, naked, screaming, chanting and, well, quite rowdy. Even the Romans were a little afraid of them--especially in what is now northern Wales.
But except for celebrations of solstice and equinox four time a year, Druids are pretty quiet these days. Could a Christmas-season plant with a mythical calming influence be the reason? Well, here's a Steamboat Today (Steamboat Springs, Colorado) piece that links mistletoe to Druids.
The Druids felt the plant could protect against poisons, illness and witchcraft spells. In their time, if enemies met under mistletoe in the forest, they were required to be peaceful until the next day. This may be the origin of the custom of kissing under a ball of mistletoe as a sign of goodwill.
Isle of Anglesey: The Druids' island in northwest Wales
Posted by Holden Oliver (Kitzbühel Desk) at December 26, 2009 11:59 PM
Comments
It's not that far off base, I suppose.
Posted by: Joe Marchelewski at December 26, 2009 01:08 PM