privilege ended.
The Romans, Celts and Greeks believed Mistletoe had magical qualities, often placing it in water to ensure the fertility of cattle. Yet the kissing custom originates from a Norse myth, concerning the goddess Frigg and her love for her son Balder.
It appears Frigg was an overprotective mother, and from her fear that harm would come to her son, she secured promises from everything in the world that they would never harm her son. Everything, except a little mistletoe bush which she deemed too young to make such a pledge.
Loki, a trickster, discovered this loophole and fashioned an arrow from a mistletoe branch which he gave to Hod, Balder’s sightless brother. Loki then guided Hod’s bow hand and the arrow pierced Balder’s heart, killing him.
The distraught and outraged Frigg banished mistletoe to the tree tops. The gods duly brought Balder back to life and Frigg was so overjoyed that she made mistletoe the symbol of love.
Meanwhile the Druids believed that mistletoe fell from heaven and grew onto a tree that sprang from Earth. It therefore signified a connection between heaven and Earth and God’s reconciliation with humanity. A kiss under mistletoe thereby symbolized acceptance and reconciliation.
Christmas Ham
The Christmas Ham is again thought to have come from a Norse pagan tradition of yuletide celebration. The sacrifice of a boar in Freyr’s honour was hoped to bring his favour for the new year. Freyr was often associated with weather, fertility and agriculture.
Mince Pies and Christmas Pudding
Recipes for Christmas pudding can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Pheasant, rabbit, poultry and partridge were common