July 7th- Celtic Tree Month of Holly

Planet: Mars and Saturn

Element: Fire

Symbolism: The Sword of Truth, Unconditional love, sacrifice, reincarnation

Stone: Ruby

Bloodstone

Powers: Protection, Anti-Lightning, Luck, Dream Magick

Birds: Cardinal

Starling

Color: Red

Deity: Lugh, Tannus, Thor

Sabbat: Lughnasa, Celtic festival of the Sun God Lugh, Lammas

Death of the God of the Waxing year (Oak King) and Birth of the God of the Waning year (Holly King)

Folk Names: Aquifolius, Bat’s Wings, Christ’s Thorn, Holy Tree, Holm Chaste, Hulm, Hulver Bush

Medicinal properties: The powdered leaves were brewed into a healing tea for measles, and the ashes from burning the leaves in a drink soothed whooping cough. Hot compresses made from the leaves and bark helped ease the pain of broken bones and dislocations. 

Magickal properties: A “par excellence” protective herb, it protects against lightning, poison, and evil spirits. When thrown at wild animals it makes them lie down quietly and leave you alone.  Sprinkle an infusion made with Holly on newborn babies to protect them. Holly is considered the male counterpart to the female Ivy. Even though Holly’s Yule festival greens are traditionally burned at Imbolg, a small sprig us kept for luck and to keep evil away throughout the year.

• Holly reminds us of the need to calm our emotions, if we are to reach wise decisions about our situation. The often painful consequences of our actions are brought to the surface for examination, and calm acceptance of our responsibility is required. We are reminded of the need to view ourselves, as well as others, in the light of compassion and unconditional love. Like the Hanged Man of the Tarot, holly represents personal sacrifice in order to gain something of greater value.

• Holly wood was used by the ancients in the construction of spear shafts, and as the spiny leaves show, it is well prepared for battle. A symbol of firmness and masculine energy, the holly endows those born under its sign with an equally well-prepared nature. You have a strong connection to the earth, amazing physical strength, and the ability to direct your energy in a balanced even flow. This stability gives you a generosity of spirit ad a very matter-of-fact solidness that others will respect, admire, and rely on. Before you engage in any battle, look inside for understanding and respect for your opponents.

• Dreaming of Holly means you should be mindful of what is troubling you, and picking holly in your dreams means you will have a long life. 

• After midnight, on a Friday, without making a sound, gather nine Holly leaves. Wrap these up in a white cloth using nine knots to tie the ends together. Place this beneath your pillow and your dreams will come true.
• Holly berries were used to predict winter weather. If there were a profusion of berries, that meant it would be a hard winter, because the Goddess was providing extra berries for the birds.

• Holly is one of the three timbers in the Chariot Wheel.

• It represents personal sacrifice in order to gain something of greater value.

• Use Holly berries with your favorite spell for female fertility and sexuality:

• Red Holly Berries symbolize the life-giving blood of the Mother Goddess. Gather three berries (or a multiple of three) and carry them in your hand to a body of water. As you say your incantation, drop the berries into the water. Visualize a circle of light surrounding you as you go through your spell.

CAUTION: Holly Berries are purgative and often cause nausea and vomiting. They are poisonous to children. DO NOT CONSUME HOLLY BERRIES