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Holly - (Ilex aquifolium) - A symbol of the life force, vitality and immortality. It is considered a lucky tree to grow in the garden because it wards off negative energies. The shiny green leaves represent the vitality of life even in the coldest of times and is used in Yule for this reason. It is lucky to burn dried holly branches but not if their still green. The male holly tree the prickly one) and the female holly tree (the smooth variegated one) are inhabited by respectfully the holly man and the holly woman.
The Holly tree is a symbol of goodwill, peace, health and happiness is one of the sacred trees of Wicca/Witchcraft, but its most common association is as a Christmas seasonal decoration. In England Holly is an important native evergreen, as it is to most parts of central and southern Europe, but it is also grown in America, China and Japan. In the barren whiteness of winter against the frost and snow, Holly forms one of the most striking objects in the woodlands. Its glossy green leaves and clusters of scarlet/red berries, add a flash of colour to trees without leaves cheering the hearts of weary wonderers.
Folklore and Myths:
Holly is used as a Yule decoration, a custom said to be derived from the early Romans who used to send boughs of Holly accompanied with other gifts to their friends during Saturnalia (This was the Roman festival of Saturn held about the 17th of Dec, and was a celebration of the winter solstice with general feasting and revelry). The custom of decorating the home with Holly has also been credited to the Druids who decorated their huts with evergreens during winter as an abode for the sylvan spirits (spirits of the woodlands). The early Christians then adopted the custom from them.
In folklore the Holly is associated with the spirit of vegetation and the waning forces of nature, which are represented through the mythical figure of the Holly King. The Holly King rules nature during its decline from mid-summer through to mid-winter, when at the winter solstice he is defeated in ritual combat by his brother the Oak King, who then claims and rules the following seasons. The Holly King is often depicted as an old man dressed in winter clothing wearing a wreath of Holly on his head and walking with the aid of a staff made from a Holly branch. Traditionally at Christmas time a man was dressed up and covered in Holly branches and leaves, and a woman was likewise dressed in Ivy (the female counterpart of Holly). Together they would be paraded through the streets hand in hand leading the old year into the new. This is symbolic of the fertile interaction of the goddess and god during natures decline and the darkest time of the year, from which the new light of the sun-god springs forth encouraging fresh growth and renewed vegetation during the coming new year. Today the Holly King has been stylized by the figure of Santa Claus.
Pliny (Pliny the Elder AD 23-79, was a Roman naturalist, his Historia naturalis was an encyclopedic study of plants and animal life, and was for a long time a standard authority) tells us that if Holly is planted near a house or farm, it would repelled poison and defended it from lightning and witchcraft. Also that its flowers cause water to freeze and that its wood when thrown at an animal, even without touching it, had the property of compelling the animal to return and lie down beside it.
Medicinal Uses:
Holly leaves were formerly used as a diaphoretic and an infusion of them was given in catarrh, bronchitis, pneumonia, influenza, pleurisy and smallpox. They have also been used in intermittent fevers and rheumatism for their tonic properties. The juice of the fresh leaves has been used to advantage in jaundice, and when sniffed was said to stop a runny nose. When soaked in vinegar and left for a day and a night, it was used to cure corns. An old remedy for chilblains was to thrash them with a branch of Holly to chase the chills out, but this could also be painful.
The berries possess totally different qualities to the leaves, being violently emetic and purgative, a very few can cause excessive vomiting soon after they are swallowed. They have been used in dropsy, also in a powder as an astringent to check bleeding. Culpepper says the bark and leaves are good used as fomentations for broken bones and such members as are out of joint. He also considered the berries to be curative of colic. Care needs to be taken though, for the berries can be poisonous to children.
Birdlime used to catch birds and other insects is made from the bark when stripped off young shoots and fermented. The bark is stripped off during midsummer and steeped in clean water, then boiled till it separates into layers. When this happens the inner green portion is laid up in small heaps till fermentation begins. After about a fortnight it turns into a sticky gooey substance, which is then pounded into a paste, washed and laid by again to continue fermenting. When done it is mixed with an oily substance like goose-fat and is ready for use. Very little is now made in this country but of old in the Lake Districts of the north of England, Holly was so abundant that birdlime was made in large quantities and shipped to the East Indies for destroying insects.
The leaves of the Holly were used in the Black Forest as a substitute for tea. In Brazil Paraguay Tea is made from the dried leaves and young shoots of another species of Holly called (Ilex Paraguayensis), which grows in South America. Other types used to make tea are (Ilex Gongonha) and (Ilex Theezans), which like the (Ilex Paraguayensis), were also valuable diuretics and diaphoretics. The leaves of (Ilex Paraguayensis) and several others are also used by dyers, as are the unripe fruits of (Ilex Macoucoua) for they contain tannin. Acting something like galls when bruised in a ferruginous mud, they were used in dyeing cotton.
Magickal Uses:
As with most other trees the Holly was revered for its protective qualities. The Holly guards against lightening, poisoning and mischievous spirits, and when planted around the home it protects the inhabitants from evil sorcerers. When confronted by wild animals throwing a stick of Holly at them would make them lie down and leave you alone. A piece of Holly carried on your person is said to promote good luck, particularly in men for the Holly is a male plant (the Ivy its corresponding female). Holly leaves wrapped in an appropriately coloured cloth to protect against its needles, placed under your pillow will make your dreams come true.
Some old stories tell us that when winter came the old druids advised the people to take Holly into their homes to shelter the elves and fairies who could join mortals at this time without causing them harm, but these stories also tell of a warning, to make sure and remove the Holly entirely before the eve of Imbolc, for to leave just one leaf in the house would cause misfortune. An old Scottish traditions says that no branch should be cut from a Holly tree, but rather that it be pulled free in a method considered fit from sacred tree. It was also considered unlucky to fell a Holly tree or burn the green skinned Holly. Yet luck was increased if a small branch was kept from a Yule decoration and hung on the outside of the house where it would protect against lightening.
In ritual uses, Holly is associated with the death and rebirth symbolism of winter. Holly also symbolizes holiness, consecration, material gain, physical revenge, beauty, and immortality, as well as peace, goodwill and health. It can be used ritually to aid and help with a persons ability to cope with death, and to ease their sleep with peaceful dreams. The Holly has always been associated with mid winter festivals and was used in old Celtic traditions for celebrating the sun gods birth at the winter solstice. It promotes peace and reassurance.
The wood of the Holly tree burns very hot and its charcoal was used to forge the swords, knives and tools necessary for survival and protection. The old smithies and weapon-makers were considered to be great magicians for their ability to use the elements of fire and earth to create these tools. For this reason the druids associated Holly with the element of fire. In the ogham alphabet they called the Holly Tinne, which is thought to mean fire derived from the word tinder, in association with the Hollys timber used in the fires of the old smithies. In todays rituals, Holly is used for magick associated with the element of fire and Holly incense is used to consecrate the magickal knife (athame).
The Holly tree is known by several folk names: Hulm, Holme, Holme chase, Christs thorn, Hulver bush, Bats wings, Tinne and Holy tree. Its deity associations are Tannus, Taranis and Thor. Its gender type is Masculine. Its planetary ruler is Mars and its associated element is Fire. Holly is used to attract the powers needed for: Protection, Healing, Peace, Goodwill, Luck and anything to do with the element Fire.
Astrologically Holly people (i.e. those people born in the month of June) are often very religious. They come alive at winter and delight in the cold that most people dislike. Holly people are very balanced in a fight if the cause is just. They are bearers of truth and demand truth from their friends and associates. Holly people are honest, hardworking and very tolerant of situations. They tend to see both sides in an argument but will choose a side if they have to. They tend to be spiritually advanced and yet may be clueless to being that way. They can also be showy at times and seek attention.
This holly was respectfully hand gathered from our own Holly Tree. There is a limited quantity available. There are 3 springs to each package.
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