Magick of the Moon and Mistletoe

Simi Ninati shares an incense ritual for dreams and protection

Image by Simi Ninati.

November’s full moon and total lunar eclipse bring strong lunar energies.
This can support and highlight our ability for transformation. The mistletoe is astrologically assigned to the moon and Saturn and is a helpful ally for transformation on all energetic levels. Popularly known as “druid’s foot”, it was particularly sacred to the Celts and was used by the druids for medicinal and ritual purposes. Mistletoe is considered magick because it grows in all four directions and is therefore a mediator between the worlds. Metals, especially gold, are said to have strong healing powers and the golden colour of dried mistletoe was also associated with healing. Mistletoe gained notoriety from the popular Asterix comics: there it is ritually harvested with a golden sickle by a druid — most likely, the druid’s sickle was made of gilded iron or bronze. In the form of a crescent, the sickle was also an attribute of the power of the moon.

“With some luck and permission, you can harvest mistletoe and mistletoe berries from trees after a storm”

Mistletoe is a semi-parasite on trees like maple, beech, oak, apple and, more rarely, on conifers. It may be picked only if the tree is not damaged in the process. With some luck and permission, you can harvest mistletoe and mistletoe berries from trees after a storm, when parts of the mistletoe often detach from the branches of the tree. Twigs keep their green color for a while — after a longer drying period they will turn golden yellow. The fresh berries need several more months drying time. In Bavaria, mistletoe is traditionally used for for protection, happiness, blessings and is part of the “Nine Kinds of Sticks” — a bundle of nine different twigs placed in front of the entrance door. There is also the well known custom of hanging a mistletoe wreath or mistletoe over a door in the house around the festive season — for luck, blessings and to give lovers the opportunity to kiss underneath. Something to look forward to!

Mistletoe Incense
Use dried mistletoe for incense, it can aid decoding of dream images, oracles and is helpful with transformational dream work. Burn mistletoe for protection magick and to connect with Celtic ancestors.

Simone Meentzen aka Simi Ninati is an artist and herbalist from Germany. She founded Fiber&Heart® in 2015 with nature studies and handmade textiles, teaching workshops and setting up her online shop. Find out more about her herbal incenses, natural and artistic offerings on her website.