Mistletoe cut (Phoradendron flavescens)

A green bough thriving in winter, rooted in no soil and growing high in the branches of another tree: it is no wonder mistletoe was thought to be charged with power.

Origin & Traditional Use

Phoradendron is the native mistletoe of North America, a semi-parasitic evergreen that grows on oaks and other hardwoods and bears white berries in winter.

Gathered for Christmas decoration, it took over the doorway customs settlers brought with them from Europe, where they knew the related Viscum album.

Uses by Tradition

Witchcraft & Folk Magick

• Threshold charm: hang a sprig over the main door at midwinter to guard the household through the year.
• Love: the kissing bough is folk love magick in plain sight; a sprig carried or kept over the bed is used to draw and keep love.
• Banishing: herbals of magick record burning mistletoe to drive off harmful spirits.

A Simple Working

• Gather a sprig of mistletoe, a bay leaf, a sprig of rosemary and a length of red thread.
• At the winter solstice or New Year, bind them together with the thread.
• Hold the bundle and speak the protection you want over the house.
• Hang it above the main door.
• Leave it in place for the year.
• When you hang the new bundle, burn the old one.

Pairs Well With

• Holly: the other great midwinter guardian.
• Bay leaf: for protection and blessing.
• Rosemary: for household protection.
• Juniper berries: for midwinter saining smoke.
• Oak bark: honours the tree mistletoe was most prized on.

Lore & History

Pliny the Elder described Gaulish druids cutting mistletoe from an oak on the sixth day of the moon with a golden sickle, catching it in a white cloak and sacrificing two white bulls.

In Norse myth the god Baldr, unharmed by every other thing, was killed by a dart of mistletoe. Both tales concern the European plant, whose lore passed to its American cousin.

What You Receive

Cut dried American mistletoe (Phoradendron), available in 1 oz, 2 oz and 1 lb.