Happy Holidays!!
First of all, I don't know if any of you remember this post I wrote about Mistletoe a few years back (June 2011 to be exact) but I've been rather perplexed about what started the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. I enjoy it in all of its ridiculous splendor. There was that time I bought mistletoe to hide in Jackie Warner Johnson's boyfriends car while they were still dating to encourage the relationship (they have a baby now so I guess that was a pranking success). I also really enjoy this video from the Cougar Eat.
But as fun as the tradition is, mistletoe is still a poisonous, parasitic plant, which really doesn't sound very romantic. I needed to make sense of things. Then last night I learned the legend and thought I'd share.
The Legend
The mystical power of mistletoe, and the tradition of kissing under this plant, owes its origin to the legend of Goddess Frigga and her son Balder. Frigga was the Goddess of Love and her son, Balder, was the God of the Summer Sun. Once, Balder dreamt of his death. He was obviously worried and told his mother about the strange dream. Frigga was worried not only for the life of her son but also for the life on Earth because she knew that without Balder, all life on Earth would come to an end. Thus, she did her utmost to avoid such a mishap by going everywhere and appealing to every being in air, water, fire and earth, to promise her that they would never harm her son. She was promised the safety of her son by every animal and plant under and above the Earth.
However, Loki, the God of Evil, who was an enemy of Balder and always had evil designs in his mind, was aware that there was one plant that Frigga had overlooked. It grew on apple and oak trees and was known as Mistletoe. Thus, Loki made an arrow and placed a sprig of this plant at its tip. He then beguiled Hoder, the blind brother of Balder and the God of Winter, and made him shoot this arrow at Balder. Balder immediately died and everybody was worried as the Earth turned cold and life became dreary. For the next three days, every creature tried to bring Balder back to life but he was revived only by Frigga and with the help of mistletoe. Her tears on the plant became pearly white berries and she blessed it such that anyone who stands under the mistletoe would never be harmed and would be entitled to a kiss as a token of love.
The mystical power of mistletoe, and the tradition of kissing under this plant, owes its origin to the legend of Goddess Frigga and her son Balder. Frigga was the Goddess of Love and her son, Balder, was the God of the Summer Sun. Once, Balder dreamt of his death. He was obviously worried and told his mother about the strange dream. Frigga was worried not only for the life of her son but also for the life on Earth because she knew that without Balder, all life on Earth would come to an end. Thus, she did her utmost to avoid such a mishap by going everywhere and appealing to every being in air, water, fire and earth, to promise her that they would never harm her son. She was promised the safety of her son by every animal and plant under and above the Earth.
However, Loki, the God of Evil, who was an enemy of Balder and always had evil designs in his mind, was aware that there was one plant that Frigga had overlooked. It grew on apple and oak trees and was known as Mistletoe. Thus, Loki made an arrow and placed a sprig of this plant at its tip. He then beguiled Hoder, the blind brother of Balder and the God of Winter, and made him shoot this arrow at Balder. Balder immediately died and everybody was worried as the Earth turned cold and life became dreary. For the next three days, every creature tried to bring Balder back to life but he was revived only by Frigga and with the help of mistletoe. Her tears on the plant became pearly white berries and she blessed it such that anyone who stands under the mistletoe would never be harmed and would be entitled to a kiss as a token of love.
I hope we all remember that Balder didn't die next time we smooch somebody under the festive parasitic plant this year. Hey, its an excuse to kiss someone you think is cute so you won't find me complaining.
Next item of business, I don't remember if I posted this yet but... here ya go!
Finally, I enjoyed the Hobbit quite a bit.
I'm going to talk about it now so if you haven't seen it, stop reading. I don't want anyone disappointed about how I ruined the movie and told you how...
Bilbo destroys the Death Star and then Dumbledore dies.
I enjoyed it. They took some liberties, but that was to be expected. I don't know why it needs to be made into three films instead of two (two is a stretch as is) but I suppose if it wasn't going to have three films we'd miss out on this treasure from the Silmarillion.
Finally, I just love LOTR quotes. This one isn't from the book but I still thought it was great.
"Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps because I am afraid, and he gives me courage." -Gandalf
You can take this one as well if you need something straight from the mouth of Tolkien/Thorin.
...I have come to know, if more of us valued your ways - food and cheer above hoarded gold - it would be a merrier world..." -- Thorin Oakenshield
But sad or merry I must leave.... this post to finish a painting of a pandacorn!!! TTFN.
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