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Holy Tree
Holly
Mon, 01/07/2008 - 21:14 — kitchenwitchBotanical Name:
Ilex spp
Zones:
5-8
Other Names:
Christ Thorn, Holy Tree, Hulver, Holme, Holme Chase, bats wings, Aquifolium, Tinne, Black drink plant
Holly is a broad leaved evergreen tree native to Europe. It is most commonly known for its glossy green foliage and bright red berries.
Propagation:
Holly should be planted in a sheltered area in well-drained, fertile soil. It can tolerate some shade, but the more sun it gets, the thicker the foliage will be. It should be planted in early spring and mulched well around the roots. Do not transplant if you can help it. It doesn't like to be transplanted and when you do it may lose its leaves. If you are patient, it may grow back just fine.
Holly bears male and female flowers on different plants. You will need one of each if you want berries and they should be no more than 100 feet apart.
Fertilizing and pruning should be done in the spring. Keep it moist through the summer months, but do not water in the fall and winter. Do not over water. The roots to not appreciate saturation.
Holly planted from seeds take two years to germinate.
History and Folklore:
Romans sent boughs of holly and gifts to their friends during Saturnalia.
Druids decorated their homes with holly in the winter to invite nature spirits to shelter there.
An edict of the Church of Bracara once forbid Christians to decorate their homes with holly, as it was a Pagan practice.
One legend says that holly first sprang from the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Its thorns and red berries represent his suffering and blood.
Holy planted near a home is said to repel poison and protect from witchcraft and lightening. The wood has the power to tame animals and the flowers to freeze water.
In NeoPagan lore, the Holly King rules the dark half of the year, often accompanied by a female Ivy figure. Some believe this figure to be the modern image of Santa Clause.
Harvesting & Storage:
Cut holly as needed. It dries very nicely when hung in a well ventilated area.
Household Use:
Holly wood is hard, and very white. It has a good grain for use in a lathe and makes excellent wands. It takes a stain very well. It should be well dried and seasoned before use to prevent warping.
Magical Attributes:
Holly is masculine in nature and is associated with Mars, or Saturn and the element of fire.
Holly can be used in consecrationi and in spells for material gain, physical revenge, beauty, protection (esp. against lightening), luck and dream magic.
Holly can also be utilized in any rituali relating to death and rebirth, and seasonal mysteries. Because holly burns very hot, it is suitable for any fire festival.
Holly wood makes very good wands which can be used to banishi unwanted entities, and command evoked spirits.
Herbal water made with holly has protective properties.
Planting holly around the house, or decorating the house with holly boughs will protect the household from spells cast by unfriendly witches.
Holly brought into the home at Yule invites the faerie folk to shelter with you in the cold of winter, but these greens must be burned on Imbolc in order to ensure they don't stick around causing trouble all year. But a small branch should be retained and hung outside the house to protect it from lightening.
Healing Attributes:
Holly berries will quickly cause violent vomiting if eaten. The dried, powdered berries can be used as a styptic.
The juice of the fresh leaves is useful for jaundice and in fighting high fevers.
Culinary Use:
Although birds like holly berries, they are not healthy for humans or pets.
Holly shoots are good winter fodder for cattle.
Holly sticks are good for rabbits to gnaw, having a tonic and appetite stimulating affect.
Teai is made from the leaves of Ilex Paraguayensis, I. Gongonha and I. Theezans. These act as a blood purifier and diuretic.
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