Forgiveness and mistletoe

Let us end the year with  focusing on forgiveness and the virtues of the parasitic plant mistletoe.  But before we begin let me 1^st of all congratulate and thank you for your support.  We have reached the final hormone inspiration for 2021 which means you have supported your hormonal health by introducing around 36 changes over the past 12 months to support your wellbeing!

 

 

 

 

 

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So let me begin by discussing the beautiful forgiveness prayer  card 34 “Loving Kindness” from the Creation Fertility Oracle cards. 

It is easy to blame yourself and others for past hurts in your life so let us use this forgiveness prayer to  sit in a higher vibration.  The forgiveness prayer goes like this

I am sorry

Please forgive me

Thank you

I love you

Please watch my video below to find out how to do it and then repeat daily.  It only takes about 15 minutes

 

Forgiveness and mistletoe. (viscum album)

Key words:  the past, Spiritual Mother, opening the heart, brings the energy of forgiveness

You have probably seen mistletoe hanging from trees- usually Oak or apple trees.

Did you know there are 1,300 mistletoe species worldwide and 20 species are endangered?

All mistletoes grow as parasites on the branches of trees and shrubs. When a mistletoe seed lands on a tree host it sends out roots that penetrate the tree.  Put simply, it’ a tree thief!  As it matures it grows into thick,  rounded masses of that look like baskets which are  sometimes called “witches’ brooms.  Unfortunately trees infested with mistletoe die early because of the parasitic growth but on the positive they also provide a lovely home for for nesting birds and mammals.

It came by its name because Ancient Anglo-Saxons noticed that mistletoe grew where birds left droppings – In Anglo-Saxon, “mistel” means “dung” and “tan” means “twig,” hence, “dung-on-a-twig.”

Part used: Whole herb (leaves & branches) Contraindications: Pregnancy

Toxicity: Berries are highly poisonous and you should seek expert advice before using Mistletoe in any form.

Physical Attributes

Mistletoe makes masses of chlorophyll

Nervous System It’s a sedative so great for depression – anxiety & panic attacks,  sadness, nervous tension during times of hormonal changes.  Insomnia – especially if influenced around the full moon and improves concentration.

Great for the reproductive system: it’s an anti-spasmodic and helps relieve constipation (stimulates the gall bladder) before menstrual flow, chronic infections of the genital tract including  vaginal herpes , hot flushes  (from feet to head) during peri-menopause, pain in the left ovary, reduces pain in the sacrum and pelvis, reduces clots in heavy menstrual flow.  It also reduces water retention and cervical dysplasia and fibro cystic breasts – especially related to the left breast.

Inflammatory health – Tinnitus, Epilepsy –  used for seizures and epilepsy,1 “St. Vitus’s dance,” motor twitching, spasm, and nerve hyperactivity and arthritis

Blood sugar support – diabetes – has been shown to help stimulate insulin secretion from pancreas cells and improve carbohydrate metabolism

Antihypertensive and vascular /Cardiovascular: used as an alternative to beta blockers and helps  reduce symptoms of high blood pressure, particularly headaches and dizziness, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, cardiac weakness, atherosclerosis, vascular inflammation. As a vagal nerve tonic it may help strengthen weak pulse, slow tachyarrhythmia, or enliven bradycardia, angina, shortness of breath,  oedema, palpitation with exertion, inability to lie down.

Great for the lymphatic system and known to as an “anti-cancer” plant:  in cancer treatment clinical trials have found that subcutaneous injections of mistletoe extracts can help treat precancerous diseases and cancer of various organs. Scientific research on Viscum has led to the development of parenteral drugs, including Iscador and Helixor, both of which are used to treat leukaemia and lymphoma. It has also been shown to reduce side effects of chemo and radiotherapy due to its  phagocytic and cytotoxic functions, neutrophil production, NK cell activity, IL-1, IL-6 &TNF induction

Emotionally and Spagyric energetic medicine

Mistletoe represents the promise of new life – a plant for the heart. The breath of life.

It is linked with the left side – the Mother – so often given when there has been lack of mother’s love or when someone has been unable to mourn the mother and then get on with life.

Mistletoe helps us find the sacred feminine in ourselves and reactivate feminine energy in our culture.  It represents the moon – the lunar panel and softness

Works like a transformer and guides us during times of inner transformation and vibrational change (very apt!).  It helps us question past teachings to help new understanding and adaption and understand our divine part.  It helps transmute the past and gives us strength to overcome hardship.

It is the plant of the heart – helps us purify the past and allows us to live in peace and harmony.  Activates the 4^th chakra and see with love and the energy of forgiveness

Helps us link heaven and earth, male and female and align with the Tree of Life.

Relieves symptoms associated with damp and water to promote osmosis

Sign of Cancer and the energy of Monday

Mistletoe folklore and Druidism:

Mistletoe is surrounded by  myths and legends. The Druids revered Mistletoe as the holiest of holies.

Mistletoe is the sacred herb of the winter solstice that signifies transformation, regeneration and rebirth. It is the shamanic key to both, the heavens above as well as the underworld.

Mistletoe was a plant of peace in antiquity. If enemies met by chance beneath it in a forest, they laid down their arms and maintained a truce until the next day. This is thought to be the origin of the ancient custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging kisses under it as a sign of love, friendship and goodwill.

The tradition of decorating halls and doorways with garlands of mistletoe goes back many centuries.  Leaving it in place for the coming year was widely believed to prevent the house being struck by lightning, to keep witches from the door, and to ensure that the household would have sufficient food.  If a couple in love exchange a kiss under the mistletoe it is interpreted as a promise to marry as well as a prediction of happiness and long life. According to the Anglo-Saxons, kissing under the mistletoe was connected to the legend of Freya, goddess of love, beauty and fertility

Mistletoe is the feminine counterpart to the oak and there is a theory that it represents freedom due to its unusual habit of growth.  It is also a protective plant that bestows good fortune, health, wealth and fertility.

In folk-magic amulets made from mistletoe wood were thought effective in warding off epileptic attacks.

The Druids are thought to have believed that the berries of the mistletoe represented the sperm of the Gods. When pressed, a semen like substance issues from the white berries and so mistletoe was considered a magical aphrodisiac.  So, if a woman wished to conceive a child she would tie a sprig of mistletoe to her wrist or her waist.

In Greek mythology mistletoe was also associated with the Underworld. It presented the key to allow the living to enter the Underworld and return unharmed.  The story goes that Aeneas, a young hero, entered the underworld by the power of a bough of mistletoe & a guide. He was searching for  his father as he needed his guidance and advice. When he found him he received his teachings relating to the cycles of life and death and returned safely to the  living world. It is said that the mistletoe  provided him with the key to his destiny and opened the gates to the transformational powers of the underworld.

The winter solstice, called ‘Alban Arthan’ by the Druids, was according to Bardic Tradition the time when the Chief Druid would cut the sacred mistletoe from the Oak. The mistletoe was cut using a golden sickle on the sixth night of the new moon after the winter solstice. A cloth held by the other members of the order caught the mistletoe as  it fell.   The Chief druid then divided the branches into sprigs and distributed them to the people who hung them over doorways as protection against thunder, lightning and evil.

When it grew on a fruit tree – such as an apple tree it was believed to  protect the crop.

In parts of Herefordshire a mistletoe bough was traditionally cut and hung up inside the house as the clock struck twelve on New Year’s Eve. At this point the old bough which had remained in place for the past year was destroyed in a practice called ‘Burning the Bush’.

If you have enjoyed this article you may wish to read:

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Justine Evans ND is a Registered Naturopath and  Nutritional Therapist integrating Western science with Eastern philosophy, the moon, seasons and cycles.  Call Justine  on 07747 133170 to make  an appointment or email  contact@justineevans.co.uk

Disclaimer: This article has been written as personal opinion and guidance only and should not be construed as medical advice.  I am not a medical doctor.

 

 

 

References:

https://restorativemedicine.org/library/monographs/mistletoe/

https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/herbs/v-z/viscum-album-2/

https://blog.nwf.org/2012/12/12-things-to-know-about-mistletoe/

http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/articles/mythology_folklore/mistletoe.asp

MISTLETOE

https://www.thehazeltree.co.uk/2019/12/08/remembering-the-magic-of-mistletoe/

Phylak Spagyric medicine training notes – James Naidu