From the long ago mistletoe wasone of the most magical, mysterious, and sacred plant in European folklore. ,which was was considered to enhence life and fertility; a protection from poison; and an aphrodisiac. The mistletoe of the sacred oak was especially sacred to the ancient Celtic Druids. On the sixth night of the moon white-robed Druid priests would cut the oak mistletoe with a golden sickle. Two white bulls would be sacrificed amid prayers that the recipients of the mistletoe would prosper. Later, the ritual of cutting the mistletoe from the oak came to symbolize the emasculation of the old King by his successor. Mistletoe was long regarded as both a sexual symbol and the "soul" of the oak. The Greeks also thought that it had mystical powers In the Middle Ages and later, branches of mistletoe were hung from ceilings to ward off evil spirits. In Europe they were placed over house and stable doors to prevent the entrance of witches. The traditions were transferred to the similar American plant with the process of immigration and settlement.
One story is associated with the Goddess Frigga. Mistletoe was the sacred plant of Frigga, goddess of love and the mother of Balder, the god of the sun. Balder had a dream that he should die, all life on earth would end. In an attempt to escape fromthis, Frigga went to air, fire, water, earth, and every animal and plant seeking a promise that no harm would come to her son. But Balder had one enemy, Loki, god of evil and he knew of one plant that Frigga had overlooked in her quest to keep her son safe. It grew on apple and oak trees. It was mistletoe. So Loki made an arrow tip of the mistletoe, gave to god of winter, Hoder, who shot it , striking Balder dead. For three days each element tried to bring Balder back to life. He was finally restored by Frigga,. It is said the tears she shed for her son turned into the pearly white berries on the mistletoe plant and in her joy Frigga kissed everyone . It is thought that who will stand under mistletoe, no harm should should come to him, only a kiss, a token of love. this old myth for Christian is the emblem of that Love which conquers Death.
Kissing under the mistletoe is first found associated with the Greek festival of Saturnalia and later with primitive marriage rites. They probably originated from two beliefs. One belief was that it has power to bestow fertility. It was also believed that the dung from which the mistletoe would also possess "life-giving" power.
In Scandinavia, mistletoe was considered a plant of peace, under which enemies could declare a truce or warring spouses kiss and make-up. Later, the eighteenth-century English credited with a certain magical appeal called a kissing ball. Such a kiss could mean deep romance or lasting friendship and goodwill. If the girl remained unkissed, she cannot expect not to marry the following year. if a couple in love exchange a kiss under the mistletoe, it is interpreted as a promise to marry, as well as a prediction of happiness and long life.