The druidic mistletoe tradition in Britain is well known. The druidic priesthood valued mistletoe both as a peace symbol and in medicine. They harvested it with a golden sickle, never letting it touch the ground.

Mistletoe on oak, the druids sacred tree, was especially valued. But is this tradition fact or fiction?

 

 

Most of the druidic tradition is based on the writings of Pliny, and there seem to be few collaborations from other sources. Though he might have embellished his account, or got it second-hand, it has become generally accepted, partly through it’s re-discovery and interpretation in the 18th century by William Stukeley and others.

 

 

Modern druid groups take an active interest in mistletoe, particularly mistletoe oaks. In 2004 a new Druid initiative - the Mistletoe Foundation was established. For information on this, see their website and take a look at the 2004 Mistletoe Blog.

More on modern druids, with pictures of the Druidic blesssing at the 2005 Mistletoe Festival to follow soon.

 

 

 

Fictional druids also still use mistletoe, with Getafix, the druid of the Asterix cartoons, relying on mistletoe to make his superhuman-strength-giving magic potion. He must harvest it with his golden sickle...

Here's Obelix helping out with the harvest...