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The Story of Mistletoe
and the Oak Tree
Mistletoe growing on the Oak tree was sacred to them and anything else that grow on it was sent from the gods, However, mistletoe
is rarely found on oak trees and when it is it is gathered with great ceremony especially on the sixth day of the new moon
which signaled the start of there months and years. They called the moon “the one who cures all”.
As the story goes they would solemnly prepared a sacrifice and feast under the tree they bring forward two white bulls, whose
horns have firs been garlanded. The priest, dressed in a white robe, climbs the tree, cuts down the mistletoe with a golden
sickle, and catches it in his white cloak. Then they sacrifice the victims, Animals to the lesser gods but for more important
gods they sacrificed virgins and some times babies, by doing this they were giving something back to mother earth for her
bounty she had given. If there had been wars then it was the prisoners that were sacrificed. Praying that the god will make
their gift propitious for those on whose behalf it has been offered. They consider that by drinking the juice of the mistletoe
berries fertility may be given to infertile animals, and that it is a cure for all poisons: so great is the prevalent superstition
of these peoples regarding trivial matters.
 
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