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Article: Pucker up for mistletoe; Avoid this plant if you don't want to be kissed this holiday - or, find it, if you do!(THE HOME FORUM)
- Article from:
- The Christian Science Monitor
- Article date:
- December 19, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 The Christian Science Publishing Society. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Nancy Humphrey Case
At holiday parties, watch out for sprigs of mistletoe hanging overhead. According to a tradition that started in England in the early 1600s, if you're standing under a bunch of the thick-leaved plant, anyone is allowed to kiss you.
In ancient Scandinavia, people believed that mistletoe had special powers. They thought it would keep witches away, heal diseases, make peace between enemies, and ensure that a bride and groom would have plenty of children.
The druids, ancient Celtic priests, also prized mistletoe. In a yearly ceremony on the first day of winter, a druid priest climbed high in an oak tree to cut mistletoe ...