� 2001-2006 by Shiloh
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Mistletoe also has pagan roots, in Norse mythology. *The myth goes that the sun god, Balder, was so revered by the other gods a spell was placed upon the forest so that no plant poison, wooden arrows or water could destroy him. However, his enemy Loki, the god of mischief and chaos, found a loophole. The mistletoe hanging underneath the boughs of an oak tree was sheltered from the spell; Loki tricked the blind god Hoder into shooting a mistletoe arrow at Balder, killing him. But Balder�s mother�s [Frigga] tears brought him back to life. Her tears formed white berries on the mistletoe.
Later in northern Europe, enemies would follow a tradition of laying down arms and observing a truce if they met under mistletoe, making the plant a symbol of friendship, which the Victorians took one step further, using it as an excuse for mild flirtation, which is continued today.
If you think about it, and are familiar with the story of the Holly King, his and Balder's story are similar. In fact, if you were interested and decided to look at different cultures through the ages around the world, you'd come up with similarities in the variations of myths important to each culture. And you know why? There's a grain of truth in the the most basic, essential thread in any story or legend. It all boils down to the one thing we have in common. Our descendance from Adam and Eve, who were the first to be taught in the ways of the Lord.
Take the Great Flood, for instance. The Sumerians had their own version of it, as did zee Babylonians. There are differences, of course, in the tellings, but they're overwhelmingly similar overall.
Whether it be Christ, the Holly King or Balder, in the end they are/were the major gods for each culture they rule(d). They have/had the same importance, the same role to play. The one truth in each belief is that a god died and was reborn or resurrected. The truth in actuality is that Christ is the one true God who did die and was resurrected.
It all ties in together somehow. All it takes is that one common grain of truth. I love mistletoe and I love most mythology. It's exciting, and reaffirms to me the validity and truth of the gospel when I come across such similarities in these myths and legends. And...if you think about the myth of the mistletoe in this light, you'll find Christmas magic here too.
*Source found at "Myths behind the mistletoe".
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My name isn't Elmo, but you can tickle me if u want!!
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