. . . and The Ivy

The Ivy gets raw deal when it comes to the written word celebrating its existence. Although part of the song title "The Holly and the Ivy" its presence in the song is very minor while the Holly gets all the glory. However, going back to before the Christian over-taking of the song there was a previous version called "The Battle of the Holly and the Ivy.", which was represented centuries ago by rites that included a "battle" between boys carrying Holly and girls carrying Ivy. It is recognised that the Ivy represents the feminine spirit and is associated with the White Goddess, Cerridwen, Saturn and Bacchus. Taking Ivy as a metaphor for life it can be seen as a tenacious spirit that has in its grasp both life and death. Like Holly it has poison berry and is also evergreen. It can been seen as represnting a stong binding and symbolises the those who chose a path of seeking and reaching for the light to climb out of a personal darkness. It is seen as representative of opposing themes such as dark and light and binding and freeing. There are various medicinal and magickal uses for ivy, which are best described at the very useful site Rowan's Remedies. However, we can't really get away from the image that springs into most people's mind when Ivy is mentioned and that is it's union with Holly and a really jolly song at Christmas . . . Enjoy Yule ;)

The Holly . . .

Holly has long been associated with winter and the symbolism that a green plant carries when it shows life throughout the colder and darker months. It is thought in some circles that the first Christmas Tree was a Holly Tree but this most likely to be due to its associations with the pagan and Celtic festivals relating to the Winter Solstice and Yule. Holly is seen as protective, most likely due to its thorny leaves and poisonous berries. It is thought to protect elves and faeries during winter and druids and others would bring a holly bough into their homes to assist the fae folk. However, the holly bough had to be removed before the next Sabbat to avoid bad luck. It is also associated with the masculine again likely due to its perceived protective nature, this is where it also complements Ivy, the feminine. Another reason for the masculine link is the Holly King who rules from Midsummer to Midwinter. At each turning of the year he battles with the Oak King for the favour of the Goddess. Although these Kings are cast as fierce rivals they are, as are many magickal icons, two side of the same coin, one cannot exist without the other. The symbolism of Holly is deeply rooted in the King's short annual life, he mates with the Goddess, dies in her arms and is reborn, or resurrected. His colours reflect Holly and its berries, green and red, as well as gold and black. This is quite reminiscent of Santa Claus! Next up will be Ivy.