Celtic dictionary: Mistletoe

December 23

Although many of the characteristics of those born under this sign resemble those of the Elder, the people born on December 23 do have some particular traits. This day was known by the Celts as 'The Nameless Day', or 'The Secret of the Unhewn Stone', connoting the quality of potential in all things. Mistletoe individuals are extremely fascinating, capable of being very successful on a personal level, even though they would rather spend their lives helping others. They are enigmatic characters and are not too keen on getting too intimate with other people. Even in close relationships, they tend to give a lot of thought to the situation before venturing in anything more serious.

The lucky gemstone of the ones born under this sign is the Black Pearl, a rare and very valued version of the normal White Pearl. Not an actual gem, the Pearl is an organic product secreted by certain mollusks. The most looked-for Pearls have the shape of a sphere or of a teardrop. Traditionally, the Pearls are the embodiment of purity and innocence.

The flower of the Mistletoe is... the Mistletoe itself. The plant was regarded by the Druids as the triumph of life over death and was intensely used during the Festival of Winter Solstice. The plant is aerial, has no roots of its own and depends upon its host to survive. In the mythology of the Celts, the Mistletoe is usually associated with the Oak. Sprigs from the Mistletoes were once put in the cradles of babies to protect them from Faerie abduction and a sprig given to the first cow calving after the New Year was supposed to ensure the protection of the entire herd for the year to come. Mistletoe was also the soul-keeper of the host tree.

There are also other lesser influences for each sign of the Celtic zodiac. These influences can be traced by the specific date of birth within the major sign. In the case of the individual born under the sign of the Mistletoe, there is one influence, similar to the 'ascendant' in the European zodiac, mainly The Apple.

The approximate equivalent of the Mistletoe sign in the Western/European zodiac is the Capricorn (December 22 - January 19).