As a tree branch parasite mistletoe is, technically, rootless. But it has other roots, historical roots, from traditions. Those are mostly considered pagan in origin, as indeed is any midwinter celebration of the return of lighter days, using evergreen plants. Fir trees, holly, ivy, yew, mistletoe – all are used as symbols of ongoing life through the winter. The Christian celebration of Christmas coincides, not necessarily by chance, with this older tradition and it utilises much of the same symbolism – including those evergreens. Except mistletoe.
Mistletoe, with its fertility symbolism and kissing traditions, has long been viewed by the church as a bit ‘too’ pagan, and therefore unsuitable to be used, within the church itself, at Christmas. Exceptions exist, but those often have different roots. such as the tradition at York Minster of having tradition at the High Altar each Christmas. That is due to the symbolism of mistletoe as a plant of peace and forgiveness, not of fertility and kisses.
This reluctance to use mistletoe in church has always struck me as a bit contradictory, as all the other evergreens are accepted and much of their symbolism is based on similar roots. And, as I’ve often remarked, in the main m
istletoe areas of England mistletoe is often found within the church boundary – i.e. the churchyard – even if frowned upon in the church itself. Graveyards, with their specimen trees, spaced out from each other, are perfect mistletoe habitat. As shown in the picture above, taken a couple of days ago, of the churchyard at Frampton, in the middle of the Severn Vale mistletoe-filled countryside of Gloucestershire.
Interestingly, at this church, we found there was mistletoe within the building too – a big bunch hanging in the porch. So perhaps it is accepted here, or perhaps it is banished to just the porch.