Wednesday, December 9, 2015

KISS ME UNDER THE MISTLETOE

 
 
One of my FAVORITE traditions I say!!! I also like to decorate with natural elements, and mistletoe can be hung like a ball, or just a sprig, and it still looks nice. But where did the ritual of kissing under the mistletoe at Christmas time come from and what's so special about it ?
 
   
Before there were any Christmas trees, the custom to kiss beneath it most likely originated in pre-Christian Europe where it was believed that mistletoe possessed life bestowing properties and was associated with fertility. Along this line of thinking, mistletoe was also used as an aphrodisiac and, if that were not enough, it was used as an antidote to poison and to witchcraft as well.  Hence, the custom of hanging mistletoe over a doorway to ward off evil spirits from crossing your threshold.
 
So where did the tradition of kissing under a parasitic  twig come from? The mistletoe has been considered a prized plant throughout history going all the way back to the Ancient Greeks, Celts, the Babylonians, and Scandinavians. According to Ancient Babylonian legend, they had the closest thing to our current tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. At that time, single women looking for a mate supposedly would stand outside of the temple of the goddess of love. Mistletoe was hung over the entrance to the temple and when a potential suitor would approach one of the ladies, they were supposed to bond with him. They did not kiss, however, as kissing wasn’t a way to show affection at that time in the Babylonian empire.
 
As for a more direct root of our kissing tradition, Norseman had many traditions and legends concerning the mistletoe. One tradition was that mistletoe was a plant of peace and so that when enemies met under the mistletoe they were obliged to stop fighting for at least a day. Eventually, this spawned a tradition to hang mistletoe over the doorway of one’s home for peace and good luck.
Mistletoe became associated with Christmas from this tradition of hanging mistletoe in one’s home to bring good luck and peace to those within the house. The mistletoe would be hung around the New Year and the previous year’s mistletoe would be taken down, with its powers apparently tapped. The new plant would then provide this luck throughout the year.
 
 
By the 18th century in Britain, this evolved into the kissing tradition we have today. At this time, it became popular to create a ball of mistletoe that would be hung as a Christmas decoration. If a couple was found standing under the mistletoe, they were then obliged to kiss if the mistletoe ball still had berries. For each kiss, one berry would be taken from the ball. Once all the berries were gone, all the “luck” in love and marriage was considered to be drained out of the mistletoe and it was now considered bad luck to kiss beneath it, instead of good luck as before.
 
But I can tell you this. If I find myself standing under it with a sexy gentleman, I'm planting a big one!!!!

33 comments:

  1. I think mistletoe is a fun tradition, and could be a great ice breaker at a party. Never knew the backstory.

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  2. And where exactly do you hang your mistletoe Mistress? I may kiss you!

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  3. It's more fun to hang the mistletoe around your waist, Mistress.

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    1. you must have been at the casa before.

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    2. Debs, I like the way you think! Should be popular at the store party!

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  4. I love mistletoe. Every year a like to make the balls to hang. Never knew the part about the kiss and once all the berries were gone, all the “luck” in love and marriage was considered to be drained out of the mistletoe. Interesting.

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  5. Cool post. I just bet your ceiling above the bed is covered in mistletoe!

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  6. ANY excuse to kiss for you...do you kiss and tell?

    and I don't think mistletoe is related to camel toe...

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  7. Well, it'd be rude not to...

    ::puckers up::

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    1. Ahhhh, wasn't that nice!!! Can I have another......

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  8. And just where is that mistletoe being hung again? Is that what your calling it these days?

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    Replies
    1. In a lovely bouquet of mistletoe and holly.....

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  9. " you know, mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it. But a kiss under it can be deadlier if you mean it."

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  10. I love mistletoe.its one of those sweet little plants that make me happy when I see it.

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  11. Wet, sloppy Smoooooooch!

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  12. I was not expecting a history lesson this morning, but what a wonderful surprise! XOXOXO

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  13. As Johnny Carson used to say, "I did not know that!"

    Despite the fact I am not physically there, here's a heartfelt kiss to you along with a big warm hug!

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    1. Oh, and BTW, if I ever decide to begin classes - I shall call on you to be instructor and model!

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    2. Um, my mouth is up here......

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  14. While I celebrate Hanukah, more as the kids left, I do enjoy hanging mistletoe around. I love the look of it for winter.

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    1. Hang the greens from the menorah I say!

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  15. What a nice post. Interesting background about mistletoe. Never knew, but I love having it. I have to keep it from my cats though.

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  16. This makes me want to go out and get some. Mistletoe that is.

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  17. I have always found mistletoe a great way to meet guys at holiday parties, or get foreplay started!!!

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  18. You must be popular at parties if your hanging mistletoe from that cock of yours?!!!!

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!