"Just One More Kiss"

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Mistletoe, Viscum album, is an epiphytic semi-parasite.

That’s a mouthful for a start! In other words, it lives on other trees and at least partly depends upon them for its source of nutrients. It has special roots, haustorias, which grow into the host tree and tap into the woody layer that lies beneath the bark .

I’m told that you are much more likely to see mistletoe in the wetter west of Britain than in the ‘drier’(?) east, as mistletoe requires quite plenty of water to flourish.

The biggest source of British mistletoe for the Christmas market comes from one giant sale in Tenbury Wells, on the Shropshire/Herefordshire border, to which all the local farmers bring great bundles of mistletoe to auction off as a nice little Christmas earner.

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Mistletoe's connection with Christmas, like so many seasonal traditions, originates in our pagan past. It was always known to have played an important part in the rituals of the Druids.

It was believed that a sprig of mistletoe protected the house from goblins and sorcery, which were most threatening at the time of the winter solstice – 21 December.

It was always considered unlucky to decorate the house with mistletoe before Christmas Eve, although I have heard that in the west of England the old bunch remains untouched until the new one is brought in to replace it.

Kissing under the mistletoe is peculiar to Britain but I have been unable to find out the origin of this custom. Maybe it is simply a remnant of fertility rites.

This following song is allegedly based on a true story.

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"The mistletoe hung in the castle hall,"

During the Wedding Feast of a young and beautiful girl to handsome nobleman, it was suddenly noticed that the bride was missing (the song suggests the guests were playing hide-and-seek).

"I'm weary of dancing now" she cried:

"Here tarry a moment I'll hide - I'll hide!"

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They sought her that night! and they sought her next day!

And they sought her in vain when a week passed away!

Years flew by until....

At length an oak chest, that had long lain hid,

Was found in the castle - they raised the lid -

And a skeleton form lay mouldering there,

In the bridal wreath of that lady fair!

It is claimed that in the vaults of a solicitor's office in Bristol, can still be found the remains of an old oak chest bearing the inscription...

" This is the Original Chest of the Song THE MISTLETOE BOUGH"

Just when you need Health & Safety, they are nowhere to be seen!

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