Mistletoe Magic In
The Dark Ages
By Sharon Bradshaw
I write the 8th century Durstan series about a Monk on Iona.
My characters are influenced by the history of their time, tradition, and folk
memory. Some converted to Christianity during the early Medieval period in the
British Isles (410AD to 1066AD), whilst others continued to follow the Old Gods
of their Ancestors. Magic was an everyday occurrence. As was belief in the
Otherworld, Elves, and Dragons.
Christmas and Yule Celebrations
Ancient monuments, like Stonehenge, recognised the return of
the Sun at Yule. The sarsen stones aligned to the first light of dawn at the
winter solstice. Jesus also said in the New Testament of the Bible, that His
disciples and Himself were the Light of the World. All were trying to survive
the cold and dark of winter, as they waited for the Sun’s rebirth on the 20th
to 23rd December, or the 25th for Christ’s birthday. Everyone loved to feast,
and listen to a tale next to the fire. Evergreen foliage was gathered from the
forest to decorate the Halls, and Churches. Sacred Holly (ilex aquifolium), and
Ivy (hedera helix). Holly leaves evoked a memory of the crown of thorns placed
on Christ’s head at the crucifixion. Its scarlet berries, His blood. Red was
thought to be a charm against evil, so the berries gave protection from the
malevolence of the winter season when so many other plants lay dormant or dead.
The Influence of Folk Memory
Stories about the Romans who occupied parts of the British
Isles, from 43 to 410AD, may well have survived in folk memory during the early
Medieval period. Mithra came with them. He was another God who was born when
the Romans celebrated Saturnalia at the winter solstice. A servant was crowned
Lord of Misrule, and was known to hold a wild court. They gave a sprig of Holly
as a sign of friendship, whilst the Celtic Druids believed it represented the
blood of the Goddess. Perhaps there was a tale about a young man who had
suffered a violent death at Black Lake? The ancient name for Lindow Moss. He
could have died at Beltane, or Yule. Both were linked to fertility, but was he
murdered or sacrificed by the Ancestors? No one would have been surprised if he
had been Druid, and used the magic of Mistletoe (Viscum Album). Its pollen was
part of his last meal.
People believed that Mistletoe could cure epilepsy, give
protection from witchcraft, and its milk white berries turn into a fertility
potion or aphrodisiac. The Roman Pliny (62-113AD) said in his Natural History,
that the Druids thought it was “all healing.” They would cut Mistletoe only at
night on the sixth day of the waxing Moon. “First they held a sacred meal under
the oak tree, then led forward two white bulls whose horns had never before
been bound. A Druid dressed in white climbed the tree and cut the Mistletoe
with a golden sickle, letting the sacred plant fall onto a white cloak.” The
bulls were sacrificed, and the Mistletoe brewed into a drink to restore
fertility.
Someone Kissed Me There
It is still one of our Christmas traditions to kiss under
the Mistletoe. A sprig usually hung above a door, and a berry removed with each
kiss. “Sitting under the Mistletoe (pale green fairy mistletoe)... Someone came
and kissed me there.” This lovely poem by Walter De La Mare (1873-1956) may be
linked to the revival of interest in Druidism during the 18th century, or
possibly the fertility magic of the Dark Ages at Yule which had survived in
folk memory.
Alcuin of York (732-804AD) wrote to the King of Northumbria
to complain of debauchery in the Halls, after the Vikings had raided
Lindisfarne in 793AD. He attributed God’s anger to it, and the desecration of
the monasteries. Nevertheless the celebrations must have differed from Hall to
Hall. The same as the God or Gods who were honoured for the return of the
light. It would have been an opportunity to eat well again. To have fun, in
what for most was a precarious and frightening world.
The characters in my novel are about to celebrate Christmas
and Yule in this extract from The Monk Who Cast A Spell. Like the other men and
women of their time... They love to feast!
The Monk Who Cast a
Spell
By Sharon Bradshaw
Durstan, a young Monk, falls in love with
Ailan in 794AD. She disappears after their sexual awakening at Beltane. He is
shocked and confused when he meets her again, several months later. Beth
believes that she can obtain the protection of the Christian Church by
manipulating Durstan’s emotions, and he is drawn to her.
Their story unfolds against the beautiful
scenery of Scotland’s Hebridean islands. People cross the sea in coracles from
Iona to Mull. They walk through ancient forest to Lord Duncan’s Hall inside its
timber enclosure. The seasons change from Spring to mid-Winter when the Old
Gods are in the magic of the firelight, and the shadows at Yule.
The early Christian Church continues to be
challenged by tradition, and the Druids. Charms, amulets, and spells are
prevalent. Life at the monastery is harsh, and Durstan is involved in the
Viking raids. He doubts his religious beliefs in a society which is dominated
by fear of violence, being outcast, or enslaved. Men and women in the 8th
century are seeking protection from the most powerful God; Lord, or Abbot.
And Durstan’s quest? To regain Ailan’s love.
Excerpt
“It was snowing heavily, and the Yule feast was in progress.
Everyone at the enclosure had left their own hearth to celebrate the solstice
with Lord Duncan. A huge log had been brought in yesterday from the forest. It
was burning in the fire pit at the centre of the Hall, and the flames cast a
cheerful glow all around.
Mora felt a sense of pride when she saw the number of people
at the gathering, but this was quickly followed by disgust at how badly some of
her husband’s people were behaving. Kisses and more were being exchanged
freely. It was the fault of little else to do in winter, and too much feasting.
After this there would soon be Beltane, when the Gods allowed them again to be
with anyone they chose. No wonder handfasting didn’t last long. Mora stroked
the fine cloth on the sleeve of her tunic. She was fortunate to be married to
the Lord...
She had celebrated Beltane with the others only once since
her marriage. Duncan said afterwards that it wasn’t for her as the Lord’s Lady.
It gave too many men the opportunity of getting closer to him so he forbade it.
Her heart died a little every year when he went with the women into the forest,
to celebrate the fertility of the earth...
She sipped her wine appreciatively. The women had tried
their best to look festive for the feast. A few had saved new tunics made
during the summer weaving. They had died them burnt gold, and leaf green. The
Hall looked beautiful, with half the forest seemingly brought in by the men in
fragrant branches of pine and holly…. Mora was proud to have the finest clothes
at the enclosure.”
Pick up your copy of
The Monk Who Cast a
Spell
Sharon Bradshaw
Sharon Bradshaw is a Historical Fiction Author, Storyteller,
and Poet. She loves reading archaeology books, and delving into the 8th century
to write the Durstan series. The Monk Who Cast a Spell, available now on Amazon is set in the real Middle Earth we called the
Dark Ages. Subscribers to The Storyteller’s
Newsletter
receive a free short story from her every month.
Sharon also enjoys speaking about her novels, and how all
this came about. She lives with her family and a large collection of books,
near Warwick Castle, in the UK.
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See you on your next coffee break!
Take Care,
Mary Anne xxx