Celtic Tree Lore - The Astrology of Holly

ften known as the Ruler, those born under the sign of Holly are those born between July 8th and August 4th. Such people can be found easily taking on roles of leadership and power. Challenges are often sought out and welcomed by one born under the sign of Holly. Skill and tact are helpful in accomplishing such challenges yet it is a Holly’s vigilance that is their strongest point. If a setback is encountered, efforts are simply redoubled until the goal is accomplished. Defeat is not something that is even considered. It is these qualities that draw others to the Holly sign and their leadership skills.

Those born under the Holly sign are often competitive and ambitious even if the setting is somewhat subdued. Such behavior can at times be mistaken for arrogance yet actually it is just a sign of confidence in their abilities. Those who take the time to get to know them will experience generosity, kindness, and affection.

Often those born at this time are highly intelligent which help them to easily get through things which others may find difficult. The only downfall to this is that because things seem to come to one so easily, they may have a tendency to not put much effort into their attempts. Which in turn can lead to an unhealthy and/or lazy lifestyle, less than what is truly capable.

Holly signs balance best with Ash and Elder signs

Celtic Tree Lore - The Uses of Holly

edicinally the Holly can be used to fight fevers and also to ward off jaundice. This being so it is more a preventative than a cure. The berries as mentioned earlier are poisonous so they are not used in any medicinal manner.

Holly berries can however be used for deviation to predict the winter weather to come. It the Holly bore berries profusely, a hard winter was said to be in store. The reason for this was that the multitudes of berries were provided by Mother Nature as a means to provide for the birds and other animals who sought them out as food. A small number of berries meant that the weather would be mild enough for the wildlife to find food elsewhere.

Holly is one of the nine sacred woods for a sabbat fire in which it represents justice. The power or attributes it gives are courage, death, divinity, guidance, healing, intelligence, luck, protection, rebirth, and unity. It is often used in any work which attracts good luck, dream work (especially divination through dreams), and protection spells.

Celtic Tree Lore - The Holly King

hen most trees have shed their green coats of summer for a more drab coat of brown, the Holly is still green with color and brightly ornamented with bright scarlet berries. The Holly berry are said to represent blood and the life it gives each of us.

Holly was thought at one time to be as powerful as the mighty oak. Holly was often referred to as the Holly King. While the year was divided into months and seasons it is also split into 2 halves; the light half or warmer months and the dark half or colder months. Holly is the guardian of the waning of each year or the dark half. This time begins just after the summer solstice when we start to head toward shorter days until after Yule when we once again head toward light and longer days.

 

This representation can be seen in other things. A couple examples are the Christian church and placing the birthdays of John the Baptist during summer solstice or dark side and Jesus during winter solstice or light side. The story of Oak and Holly can also be found in the Arthurian legend in the story of Gawain (oak) and the Green Knight (Holly).

Celtic Tree Lore - The Holly

he Celtic Tree month of Holly begins July 8th and continues through August 4th. As a small bush or shrub the Holly is a slow growing. Even in its full size it seldom gets above 50 feet in height. Its characteristic of being an evergreen lends it a deep rich green color with bright colored red berries. The berries while are quite favored by birds and animals are poisonous to humans.

The wood of the Holly is hard and close grained. When first cut the wood is slightly greenish in color yet will soon become perfectly white. Because the wood has the ability to be buffed to a high polish, it is often used as an imitation for ivory or stained and used as an imitation for ebony. It often is used in the making of fancy walking sticks.

The leaves of the Holly have leather like texture and are thick and glossy. They are also edged with prickles which alternately point upwards and downwards around the perimeter of each leaf. The leaves have no taste or odor and often stay attached to the trees for several years before falling off. Even when they finally fall to the ground, it takes a long time before they eventually decay.

The Holly bears its flowers which are pale pink on the outside and white on the inside, during the month of May. The female flowers have a liquid which is released which smells similar to honey. Bees and other insects are quite attracted to this smell and help to pollinate as needed. Later the flower will produce the red berries which the Holly is known for. In most cases if a Holly produces a good crop of berries one year, it will rest the next year before producing again.