The Norse story of Mistletoe

The Tragedy of Mistletoe

Have you ever wondered why we kiss under the mistletoe? Why we hang it up? and why it's berries are white? The answer is far sadder than you would ever expect. In fact, its a tragic story of love, loss and betrayal.

This story is about a Norse God named Balder. Balder was the most cherished and beloved second son of Odin and Frigg. He was a kind and just God with a loving wife and a promising young son. His only blight was his nightmares. He had terrible dreams of the end of all things and of his own death. Frightened, he took these nightmares to the other Gods. Hearing his son's fears, his Father set out on a quest to find the cause of these terrible visions. He traveled far to a wise woman's grave and summoned her back for her insight. He wasn't pleased to hear her response. She told him that they were making ready for Balder to join the dead soon and that Ragnarok or the end of days was inevitable.

Shaken, Odin took these discoveries home to his wife, Frigg. Frigg, being a practical Goddess, refused to believe that they couldn't change her lovely son's fate. She walked the world and required an oath from every living and nonliving thing and creature that she encountered. She made them swear to never harm her sacred Balder. She ensured that they adhered to their oath by bonding them with her magic.

Nothing was too small for her to ask, except for mistletoe. A creeping plant that lives off of other trees. It couldn't even survive on it's own and was deemed too insignificant and she passed right by it. Finally, she returned to Asgard and told the other Gods that Balder was safe and untouchable.

Everyone including Balder rejoiced over the news. For a while, everything went well. The Gods fell to throwing weapons or shooting arrows at Balder to prove that he was safe and to cure their boredom. No matter what they used, Balder remained untouched.

Loki, the trickster God who was always jealous of Balder, frowned deep in thought as he watched the other Gods and Balder. He watched and he listened. Then he overheard Frigg admit to another God that she had not bothered to require an oath from mistletoe. At this, Loki smiled.

Hodur was a brother of Balder. He was a blind God that was largely ignored by the other God and Goddesses. This hurt him deeply and he would do anything to be included. Unfortunately, Loki used this longing to his advantage by giving Hodur a dart made out of mistletoe. Loki instructed  Hodur to join in the merriment by throwing the dart at Balder. Loki even set up the shot for Hodur. When Loki told him to, Hodur threw the dart in the direction Loki had positioned him to. Hodur prepared to hear cheers of merriment but instead he was greeted with gasps and cries of sorrow.

Balder laid dead from the mistletoe dart. All things and creatures mourned the death of Balder except, of course, for Loki. Balder's wife died moments later of a broken heart, unable to even think of a life without her beloved. Almost immediately, brave Gods and Goddesses were dispatched to journey to see Hel, the Goddess of the death, to persuade her to allow Balder to return to them. She agreed with the condition that all things and creatures must weep for loss of Balder.

The Gods and Goddesses were filled with hope and sent messengers all over the world to ask all things they encountered to weep for the lost Balder so that he could be freed from death. Everything wept for Balder and the Gods and Goddesses rejoiced for the upcoming reunion with him. In the height of their excitement, a giantess named Thokk approached them and inquired about their delight. After explaining the situation, Thokk declined to weep for poor Balder saying that the God had never done anything for her. She immediately hurried away, never to be seen again. The Gods and Goddesses lamented as Thor realized that Thokk was really Loki in disguise. Thor went to take his revenge on Loki only to find that he was nowhere to be found. Alas, the Gods and Goddesses were left to mourn the loss of the fair and loved Balder.

Frigg, brokenhearted at the loss of her dearest son, declared that mistletoe would never again harm anyone and was to be a symbol of love in honor of the beautiful Balder and the love that all felt for him.She imbued her magic into the plant so that it would bring love, peace, friendship, good luck and fertility to all near it. When Frigg was done, she was so distraught that her tears fell onto the plant. As  a reminder of her loss, she turned the tears into the white berries that mistletoe now bears. She blessed the plant and promised a kiss to anyone who passed beneath it from that day forward.

Because of Frigg's efforts, Mistletoe is now believed by many to bring love, peace and friendship. The Druids would decorate their homes with the plant during the long dark days of winter to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck all while ensuring that those within the home loved and cared for one another.

It was customary to kiss under the mistletoe in ancient Greece during the festival of Saturnalia and later in marriage ceremonies due to the plants association with fertility and love. The Romans would meet under the plant to reconcile with warring enemies since it promoted peace.

That is why we kiss under the mistletoe. Whenever you spot this plant hanging in the eves of a house or building or even on a tree in the forest, be sure to spare a kiss or at least blow one to whoever is near in honor of the beloved and beautiful Balder.