Celtic Tree Lore - The Astrology of Ivy

urvival – Those born under the sign of ivy or those born between September 30 and October 27th, are known for their ability to overcome all odds. They have a sharp intellect, yet it is their compassion and loyalty to others that is more obvious. Those born Ivy have a giving nature and are always willing to be there and lend a hand for those in need. Because you were born during the time of the waning sun, there are probably going to be times that are difficult for you. Even when you do not feel that you have done something that may have caused such trials, they still may come which may at times seem unfair.

Still you continue to endure with silent perseverance and soulful grace. Ivy signs tend to be deeply spiritual people because of this walk. They cling deep to a deep rooted faith that seems to be their strength through adversity. You are soft spoken but have a keen wit about you. One born as Ivy is charming, charismatic and can effectively hold your own in most social settings. Ivy signs are attracted and blend best with those born under the sign of the Oak and Ash.

Celtic Tree Lore - Ivy Mythology and Folklore

t was the ivy leaves which formed the poet’s crown so of course it was important to the ancients. Ivy was dedicated to the Greek God Dionysus, the god of intoxication. He is often seen with a wreath of Ivy on his head and holding a thyrsus or wand which is entwined with ivy and vine leaves.

Ivy leaves were thought to prevent intoxication and the binding of the brow with ivy was seen as a counterbalance to the vine. It was thought that the effects of wine could be removed by a handful of ivy leaves which have been gently bruised and boiled in wine and drank.

Ivy is also associated with the Egyptian god Osiris, god of the sun, agriculture and health. In legend Osiris had an evil brother, Seth who was the god of the desert. Seth was jealous of his brother because he ruled the fertile lands while he had to rule the barren desert land. He convinced Osiris to get into a large chest or sarcophagus which he then closed and threw into the Nile River. The coffin floated down the river and into the Mediterranean Sea. Yet the coffin was carried to the port of Byblos where his wife Isis recovered his body. Isis was overjoyed for it was a general belief that there could be no life after death without a physical body.

Once again Seth retaliated and re-seized the coffin and cut the corpse of Osiris up into 14 pieces and scattered them throughout Egypt. Once again, Isis searched for her husband, finding each piece except for his genitals which were said to have been devoured by fishes. As a reborn god, Osiris didn’t return to earth but instead stayed in the Underworld. In this story we see the association with ivy as a plant of life, death, and re-newal and also equated with fertility.

Celtic Tree Lore - The Medical and Magical Uses of Ivy

vy is associate with the Goddess because it grows in a spiral, which is one of her symbols. In winter we follow the spiral of energy down and within, and in the spring we follow it back up to the light, therefore it is also a good symbol for ones journey through the Wheel of the year.

Women were known to carry ivy as a means to aid in fertility as well as bring one luck. They also carried it to ensure fidelity. This is where the custom of the bride carrying ivy came from. It is said if ivy grows near where you live it guards one against negativity and disaster. Wands used in nature or fertility rituals were often entwined with ivy.

Dreaming of ivy is said to foretell of a broken engagement. If ivy is growing on a tree in your dream, grief may be in your future. If ivy is growing on a house, you will have wealth. It ivy is growing on a friend’s house it means that they will have good health. And lastly if you dream of ivy as a potted plant, you will have happiness.

Medicinally there are few remedies to be found as most ivy is poisonous. Yet there are some that claim to remove sunburn it is recommended to smear the affected area with tender ivy twigs which have been boiled in butter. It has also been used for toothaches, as an astringent , and as an aid to bring on menstruation. It also calms the nerves.

In regards to poison ivy, although it is quite irritable to humans, it serves a useful purpose. The small berries found on poison ivy fees a number of birds and small animals. They also use the tangles which the ivy form as shelter and for building nests. The oil found in poison ivy does not affect most animals yet to humans it can cause an irritating rash. It is so potent that an amount the size of a pinhead could make 500 people miserable.

This oil is not a water based fluid and therefore does not evaporate and can linger for as long as a year. Because it is an oil if it is burned it will vaporize and to those who are sensitive to it, they can get the rash simply by the smoke which would come from the vapors.

Celtic Tree Lore - The Month of Ivy

eginning September 30th through October 27th we celebrate the Celtic Tree month of Ivy.  Although Ivy is not what most consider a tree, it still holds its place among the others in Celtic Tree Lore.  Its uses and importance are just as strong as that of the Oak or Hazel. In the coming weeks we will examine a few of these important traits. 

Ivy is a wild evergreen climbing vine that attaches itself to other trees as well as stone walls and other surfaces. It climbs such surfaces by fibers that grow our from every part of the stem. These fibers resembles roots and have small disks at the end by which it attaches itself to the roughness of the tree or wall it is climbing. If by chance the ivy finds soil or a deep crack the fibers will then become roots. These roots act as a means to obtain nourishment for the stem as it climbs. When this is done to another tree, the ivy can actually injure the tree it is attached to by taking of the trees life resources to aid itself.

Ivy only produces flowers when the branches get above their support. The flowering branches are bushy and come out from the climbing stem with flowers at the end of each shoot. Usually an ivy will flower during Autumn if there is enough sunlight. They appear as small clusters of greenish white or yellow . They can continue to bloom until late December. There bloom is scentless yet still they are a good source of food for birds, and insects during the cooler months when there is usually no other food source.

The fruit or berry of the ivy do not ripen until the following spring . Although this is true they still are a good source of food through the winter for birds and other wildlife. . When the berry does finally ripen it is likened to the size of a pea and are black or deep purple in color. They are not pleasant to taste and have a slightly resinous smell.

Although the ornamental covering that Ivy lends to the objects it climbs, left untended, it can become an aggressive invader. It can not only harm the tree it is connected to but alto others. Growing untended in the woods its dense growth and abundant leaves form a thick canopy that can keep the sunlight from reaching other plants below.

In early times ivy leaves were often given to cattle for food yet it was not something that they enjoyed eating. Likewise deer and other wildlife will eat them during winter only when there is nothing else. The wood that comes from Ivy is very soft and was seldom used. The wood is very porous and it was thought that it had the property of separating wine from water by filtration. Yet this was soon realized that the wood absorbed its color and the wine lost some of its flavor so it did not catch on.