Mistletoe

[bluefedish]

Mistletoe - Folk Names: All Heal, Birdlime, Devil's Fuge, Donnerbesen, European Mistletoe, Golden Bough, Holy Wood, Lignam sanctae crucis, Misseltoe, Thunderbesem, Witches Broom, & Wood of the Cross. Druides revered the mistletoe,especially when found growing on an oak. It was (and still is) cut on Midsummer's Day, or else when the Moon is 6 days old. One stroke of a gold sickle was used to cut the herb, & it wasn't allowed to touch the ground. Long used for protection against lightning, disease, misfortune of every kind, fires, etc. It's carried or placed in an appropriate spot for these uses. The leaves & berries are used. Mistletoe is placed in cradles to protect children from being stolen by fairies & replaced with changelings. A ring carved of mistletoe wood will ward off sicknesses when worn, & the plant will cure fresh wounds quickly when carried (do not apply to the wound). Mistletoe is also carried or worn for good luck in hunting, & women carry the herb to aid in conception. It's also been utilized in spells designed to capture that elusive state of immortality, & to open locks. If it's laid near the bedroom door, it will give restful sleep & beautiful dreams, as it does when placed beneath the pillow or hung at the headboard. Kiss your love beneath the mistletoe & you'll stay in love. If it's burned, it banishes evil. Mistletoe is an all-purpose herb.
Gender is Masculine, Planet is Sun, Element is Air, Deities are Apollo, Freya, Frigga, Venus, & Odin.

Selected Sources:
Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs
www.flickr.com/photos/parker0104/314066545/