Mistletoe
Sitting under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
One last candle burning low,
All the sleepy dancers gone,
Just one candle burning on,
Shadows lurking everywhere:
Some one came, and kissed me there.
Tired I was; my head would go
Nodding under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
No footsteps came, no voice, but only,
Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely,
Stooped in the still and shadowy air
Lips unseen—and kissed me there.
(Walter de la Mare 1913)
Lovely tradition that...kissing underneath the mistletoe.
But did you know it originated with a Norse myth? One telling of this myth states that the
Goddess Frigg, queen of Asgard and wife of Odin bore a son named Baldr, known
as ‘The Beautiful.’ Baldr reigned over vegetation, sunshine, and summer. Because
Odin sensed an unknown danger that threatened the life of his son, Frigg
visited all living things on earth and made them each promise to refrain from
harming her son. For if something happened to Baldr, all life on earth would end.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZzqW_pXCgs86wIVCfn1C5UpNhIbL4qNES0efZKJassb4-l6c3bkiGhRCBx0bV8DVs-Qlad8xVwTCoh7IoE0cd7XkGhWh_y1vD9ZL_mJyrjDMBHaql-o3x0H-0VSnKj2l_QtAPdMr1Qc/s320/414px-Baldur,_A_Book_of_Myths.jpg)
Mistletoe
is considered a plant of peace in Scandinavia.
Under its boughs enemies could call a truce and warring couples could
sweep away their petty arguments and with a passionate kiss, begin their
relationship anew. As time passed and traditions evolved, a “kissing ball” made
of up mistletoe, evergreens, ribbons and ornaments was created. At Christmas
time the young ladies who stood beneath it could not refuse a kiss that sometimes had some very interesting and romantic consequences...
And I for one, am glad this lovely Christmas tradition has survived...
Wow! What a neat blog about kisses and mistletoe. Thanks for sharing!
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