Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 142, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1903 — MISTLETOE. [ARTICLE]

MISTLETOE.

Alw»j» Sought by Druids During the Full Moon. The Druids always sought the mistletoe by the full moon, and When they found it rejoiced and worshiped. After cutting off its twigs with a golden sickle they sacrificed two milk-white bulls beneath the tree. The sacred shrub was then immersed in water, and the resulting concoction became their remedy for all diseases. The early Christians would not permit the use of the mistletoe in their churches because of its heathenish origin. Consequently it was hung only within the private abode, and usually in the kitchen. Any maid caught standing beneath a branch had to forfeit a kiss to the gallant eagerly awaiting his opportunity. With each kiss a berry was plucked, and when all of the berries disappeared the bare branch was useless to (he young man who wished to daim the privilege of thus saluting the fair damsel thereafter. The mistletoe was said to have been the original magical shrub or forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden.