Mistletoe

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Mistletoe is the common name for a number of parasitic plants in the order Santalales. Its most famous species, Viscum album, is native to Europe, where it features in many myths and legends, such as in Norse mythology, where it is usually considered a symbol of hope and renewal.

Mythology

In Norse myth, the goddess Freyja went about the world, extracting a promise from every plant and animal that they would do her son, Baldr, no harm, all except the mistletoe, making the god invulnerable to everything but the small plant. In a telling of the Norse myth detailing Baldr's travels before being captured by the Muspels, he revealed his weakness to Loki, who later collected the mistle-berries and bake a cake with them, gifting it to Baldr while disguised as Eysa, princess of the Muspels. Though aware of Loki's treachery, Baldr still ate the cake and was captured by Surtr.

Legacy

In Eivor Varinsdottir's visions of Odin's time at Svartálfaheimr, the god and Freyja found a room in a building in Eitri which housed a table covered with mistletoe and nearby a note saying that only the plant would harm Baldr, which Odin suspected had been written by Loki. Calder and Sinmara used many drafts made with the plant to torture Baldr.

History

In 9th century East Anglia, a sprig of mistletoe was part of a recipe for a charm meant to bless the harvest, called the "Charm of Crop Blóm". In Ireland, mistle berries were given to the fae as offerings, alongside yarrow root and morning dew.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (mentioned only)
  • Wrath of the Druids (mentioned only)
  • Dawn of Ragnarök (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Forgotten Myths