Mistletoe fruits were considered the seeds of life, and that the plant
decended from the sky (possibly via lighting strike) onto the tree groves
(not so incorrect considering the propogation is naturally via birds).
Mistletoe is never cut only lopped; to maintain its power, it should not
touch the earth when harvested but caught in a blanket or cloak as it
falls from the tree, some sources say this has to be over 30 years old.
Remains of mistletoe in conjunction with oak branches have been found
in a Bronze Age tree-coffin burial at Gristhorpe near Scarborough in Yorkshire.
(Graves 1961)
Reverence for mistletoe was translated into the Christian ritual of hanging
mistletoe over doorways at Christmas, the custom of kissing under the
mistletoe may be a remnant of a fertility or marriage ritual.
All growths that did not owe their origin to seed or root were regarded
as miraculous and endowed with magical power.
This plant [Graves, pp. 280, 281] is called by the Welsh Pren
Awyr, or merry tree, Pren Uchelvar, or tree
of the high summit, and Pren Puraur, or tree of pure
knowledge.
One superstition states that if mistletoe be found on an ash or hazel,
a snake , with a jewelled head, would be found beneath the tree with a
special treasure (the tree of life and knowledge).
A sprig of mistletoe brings good luck for the ensuing year to its possessor.
If an unmarried woman placed a sprig of mistletoe under her pillow, she
would dream of her future husband or of omens. Mistletoe is accepted as
an emblem of love.
Abundance of the mistletoe, indicated an abundant farming year and farmers
used to say, when mistletoe was scarce: "No mistletoe, no luck."
So mistletoe boughs were kept in the dairy.
The old years boughs went onto the winter solstice fire and the new boughs
kept throughout the season. In rites of passage mistletoe wreaths are
burned in the summer solstice rituals
