Advent Calendar 18th December 2007

yesterday's pic	Open the doors on our online Advent calendar every day and countdown to the Winter Solstice on December 22nd, the beginning of Yule and Christmas day on December 25th. Advent means 'the coming', and is a month full of anticipation for the festive celebrations	Advent calendar
Mistletoe As with other evergreens, like holly and ivy, mistletoe was thought to be a magical plant and was brought in at this time in the winter, to protect the home from evil. The Druids revered the plant and would gather sprigs of mistletoe with a golden sickle, never letting it touch the ground to maintain its power, believing it to be a potent charm. It was once called 'All Heal', and was thought to bring good luck and fertility, and to offer protection from witchcraft. Farmers would feed a tiny piece of mistletoe to any cow that calved at the New Year to ward off any bad luck. ( Please note : Mistletoe is highly poisonous). A good year for mistletoe meant an abundant farming year, and when mistletoe was scarce boughs of it were kept in the dairy. The old boughs were burnt on the winter solstice fire.
The ancient Scandinavians believed that if enemies met beneath a mistletoe they would 'kiss and make up', which is perhaps where the custom of kissing under mistletoe derives from. The Scandinavian goddess of love, Frigga, is also strongly associated with mistletoe, which provides another link to the custom.

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