Although many sources say that kissing under the mistletoe is an English custom, there's another explanation for its origin. In Norse mythology there is a story of a loving, if overprotective, mother.
Frigga was mother to the Norse god Balder, the best loved of all the gods. Frigga was the goddess of love and beauty and she loved her son. To ensure no harm would come to him, she went through the world securing promises from everything that sprang from the four elements--fire, water, air, and earth--that they would not harm her beloved Balder.
Leave it to Loki, a mischievous spirit, to find the loophole. Mistletoe and an arrow made from its wood. To make the prank even nastier, he took the arrow to Hoder, Balder's brother, who was blind. Guiding Holder's hand, Loki directed the arrow at Balder's heart and Balder fell dead.
Frigga's tears became the mistletoe's white berries. In the version of the story with a happy ending, Balder is restored to life and Frigga is so grateful that she reverses the murderous reputation of Mistletoe, making it a symbol of love and promising to bestow a kiss upon anyone who passes under it.
So hang some mistletoe and pucker up!
Information gleaned from numerous online searches for mistletoe lore.
*previously posted on other blogs
http://kyannwaters.com/
9 comments:
YES for the alternate ending where he's brought back to life!! Enjoyable post. Thanks for this wonderful tale :)
Given our writing genre, the happy ending is required! It is strange that a parasitic plant that's poisonous (the European variety) should be equated with love and kisses.
I didn't know that about mistletoe. Kinda cool and weird at the same time. :)
Great post about mistletoe! Enjoyed learning more about this seasonal custom.
Nice fable about mistletoe. Sweet.
I've always loved the idea that mistletoe could magically inspire love. Maybe that's the connection with Frigga--the magic of it all. Charming post!
I'm glad there was an HEA version!
I agree with M.S. Spencer - I'm very happy for the HEA version. Thanks for sharing.
Sorry I'm late to reading all the wonderful Christmas posts. Lovely tale, will remind me of the magic of this every time I see mistletoe now. Thanks.
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