Mistletoe Meaning
Keeping in-theme with renewal and the promise of illumination re-entering our awareness, it's not surprising to learn mistletoe is a representative of an illumined life. Neither shrub, nor tree and suspended in the air - Mistletoe is a powerful symbol of freedom. It is limitless in its capacity for growth, and indeed, it chooses the Chieftain of the forest, the Oak as its home. This intensifies Mistletoe symbolism as the Oak is vastly powerful to the Druidic arboreal realms of wisdom. Mistletoe is considered female (the Oak is male) and so conveys a message of fertility and renewal born from a partnership of solidity and strength - especially during the winter solstice. Mistletoe was considered to have tremendous healing properties, largely because of its association with the Oak. Why do we kiss beneath the Mistletoe? It's a sacred plant of peace, so anytime it was spotted in the forests, honor was paid to it. This was done by warriors too. Ancient Europeans and warring Celtic clans dropped their weapons if Mistletoe was spotted in the forests where they fought. Peace was called at that moment. In a way, Mistletoe served as a "white flag" of surrender to warring clans. This peace-loving behavior is carried out today by kissing beneath the Mistletoe.