How mistletoe is venerated and what purposes it “serves” is interesting.  But…why was it originally regarded as “sacred”?  That, the etymology doesnt tell one.

Hi Newbie,

Mistletoe was thought by the Druids (Celtic priests) to have life-giving powers because it stayed green all year round. That is why it became sacred. See http://www.essortment.com/all/mistletoehistor_rljx.htm

Verbum

Too simple.  One has to look back much further.  Check Fraser, THE GOLDEN BOUGH…?  why sacrifice?  why gold sickle?  Even Druids are newcomers, it may well be…

Verbum - 30 December 2008 10:03 AM

Hi Newbie,

Mistletoe was thought by the Druids (Celtic priests) to have life-giving powers because it stayed green all year round. That is why it became sacred. See http://www.essortment.com/all/mistletoehistor_rljx.htm

Verbum

Hellow urim22 and wecome to the Agora.  It is good to have newcomers enter the conversation.  Sometimes it gets terribly
one-sided, especially when some ignore others, but that’s life.  We have many conversations many pages back on the
word of the day, that just simply stopped. Heaven knows why.  Hope you find enjoyment here.

And you are correct, the Druids are entirely too new on the pages of history. Thanks for the reference to essortment.
I love having a new reference to peruse.  Again, be welcome.

urim22 - 30 December 2008 01:07 PM

Too simple.  One has to look back much further.  Check Fraser, THE GOLDEN BOUGH…?  why sacrifice?  why gold sickle?  Even Druids are newcomers, it may well be…

Forgot to include this quote too:  Druids are newcomers.

you could also look at one of the word of the days called “Mistletoe.”