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THE HOLLY

IRISH/GAELIC	Tinne
OGHAM
RUNIC
RULING PLANET	Mars
ABILITIES	Strong protective herb. Clear wisdom and courage. Dream magic. To do with the element of Fire.
SEASON	Midwinter
HOLLY	Ilex aquifolium. Evergreen. POISONOUS (berries).

The holly is an evergreen shrub or small tree which gains heights of 30–40 feet (9–12 metres). It often branches from the top to the bottom of its trunk and needs little sun, for its leaves reflect light like a mirror. Holly is a native of Britain and central and southern Europe where it once helped form the great primeval forests.

Holly leaves are tough, leathery and heavily lobed, with each lobe ending in a very sharp spine. At heights above 12 feet (3½ metres) the leaves become less prickly and are often unlobed with just one sharp point at the end, for at this height the tree need not protect itself.

The holly blooms in May and most often the male and female flowers are on separate trees. Only the female flower changes into the holly berry and this can only happen if there is a male tree nearby from which pollen can be transferred. Pollination is encouraged by insects such as wild bees which are drawn to the flowers by the smell of the honey liquid released from their bases.

CUSTOM & LEGEND

The evergreen leaves of holly have represented immortality to mystics of all ages. To the druids the holly was especially sacred. When winter descended they advised people to take it into their homes, for then it would shelter the elves and faeries who could at this time join mortals without causing injury to them.

Since early times holly has been regarded as a plant of good omen, for its evergreen qualities make it appear invulnerable to the passage of time as the seasons change. It therefore symbolizes the tenacity of life even when surrounded by death, which it keeps at bay with strong protective powers.

Gifts of holly were given during the five-day Roman festival of Saturnalia, which celebrated the birth of the sun-god and culminated at the Winter Solstice. The power of these pagan celebrations on or about 22 December and their effect on the people were well recognized by the Church, and so they closely aligned the birth of Christ, 25 December, to the pagan date.

One of the strongest legendary images we have of holly is that of the holly king, symbolized by a giant man covered in holly branches, who carried a holly bush as his club. He is twinned with the oak king, and they become dual counterparts of the Nature god in his earth-protecting cycle and role. So powerful was the ancient symbology expressed by these concepts that the Church could not eradicate it from the minds of the people. Even though ritual enactment of pagan concepts was banned, mummers’ plays evolved, using festive characters to veil sacred lore. Within these plays it was customary for the oak and holly kings to tussle for the hand of a fair maiden (the goddess). At midsummer the oak king was defeated by the holly king, at midwinter the oak king overpowered the holly king, expressing the seasonal tides.

Holly is especially lucky for men, and if they carry a leaf or berry it is said they quickly become attractive to women. In the north of Britain prickly holly leaves are called ‘he-holly’ and the smooth ones ‘she-holly’. An old country saying states that if smooth-leaved holly is brought into the house first at yuletide the wife will rule the household the coming year, and if prickly holly enters first, the husband will rule.

HEALING

Warning: holly berries purge, but often cause nausea and vomiting. They are poisonous to children.

Most of holly’s healing qualities are on the subtle planes, where by its presence or by taking its remedies it helps us transform our ‘prickly’ bits and improves our reaction to the world.

The Bach Flower Remedies use holly to treat oversensitivity, hatred, anger and aggressive behaviour.

An infusion of fresh or dried holly leaves is used to treat catarrhal coughs and bronchitis, pneumonia, influenza, rheumatism and fevers. In earlier days holly leaves were soaked in vinegar and put on corn for a day and a night in order to cure them. Chilblains were thrashed with a holly branch in order to ‘chase the chill out’.

To enable wise decisions to be made before a course of action, holly can be used to meditate with or upon, to calm the mind and body of emotions.

MAGIC & INSPIRATION

On magical levels holly was regarded as an excellent herb of protection, specifically guarding against evil spirits, poisons, short-tempered or angry elementals, and thunder and lightning. The protection against lightning has been verified, for it has been shown that the spikes of holly leaves act like miniature lightning conductors, giving the trees immunity.

In the Irish/Gaelic ogham alphabet holly is called Tinne, a word believed to have originally meant ‘fire’. From this was derived the word ‘tinder’, which Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary describes as ‘dry inflammable matter used for kindling fire from a spark’. This association of holly and fire has been known since ancient days when charcoal made from holly wood was used by armourers to forge swords and axe-heads. In continuation of this, holly is still used today as an incense in the ritual consecration of magical knives.

One of our best-known Christmas carols is ‘The Holly and the Ivy’. Yet few people realize that it has its roots in paganism, where the holly and ivy represent the male and female principles of life. These were traditionally celebrated at the four quarters of the year, namely midwinter, the Spring Equinox, midsummer and the Autumn Equinox. At Yule it was the custom to dress a boy in the foliage of prickly holly and a girl in entwining ivy. Then, to lead the old solar year into the new, the holly-boy and ivy-girl paraded hand in hand throughout the community. This symbolized the god and goddess taking the evergreen quality of Nature through the darkest time of the year, encouraging the sun and the growth of vegetation.

‘Of all the trees that are in the wood the holly bears the crown’ reveals not only the importance of the tree, but also of the solar and lunar cycles and their reflection on earth. It also refers to the guardian qualities of holly, wherein it guides the precious energies of life. Royal work indeed!

PHYSICAL USES

Holly wood is ivory white and close-grained, and was prized in earlier days for its ability to take colour through staining, especially blue, green and red. When stained black it was styled the poor man’s ebony. It was used extensively to inlay furniture with marquetry. The natural whiteness of the wood allowed it to be used for knife handles that resemble ivory. It was also traditionally valued for safeguarding door sills and handles. Holly was also used to make wooden spear shafts which gave balance and a good sense of direction. It is said that ancient chariot wheels contained holly wood, and it was used in much the same way in cart and coach wheels in later times.

Rabbits love to eat holly bark and it can be used as a tonic for rabbits kept in hutches. If you gather it yourself, ensure that only a little bark is taken from each tree and do not ring the tree (by removing bark all the way round) for it will die.