Celtic Astrology for Lughnasad by Carmen Reyes

If You were born July 8 – August 4

Your Tree Sign is

Holly

Ilex

Botanical Information

Ilex aquifolium , the English Holly, grows wild and is cultivated in Europe and the U.S. Holly has glossy, prickly leaves, is usually evergreen, and can be found as a tree or a shrub. The trees and shrubs will withstand the most severe winters; they can grow in any kind of soil and will tolerate shade. The red berries are only found on the female tree. Not all hollies are evergreen; one deciduous holly is the mountain winterberry, I. montana, a shrub which may reach small tree size. Its leaves are saw-toothed, oval and olive green and its berries are orange-red.  Holly was once used to make axes, swords and charcoal.

Tree Name

The word holly in Old English means either “holen” or “holegn”, “the holly tree”. The French word “houx”, means “shrub”.

Tree Goddess

Holle

A northern European Triple Goddess, maiden, mother and crone, who is seen as a woman from the front and as a tree from the back, Holle is known as a Goddess of the Forest. She is similar to Baba Yaga who lives in a cottage deep in the forest.  As the crone of the winter, Holle, known as the Goddess Holda, makes snow by “shaking out her feather cover”. She may be an older form of Hel, Goddess of the underground.

Tree Attributes

Throughout history, holly has been considered a plant of protection.

Holly's protective powers are especially useful during the dark winter months of the year; they are a sign of faith that the apparent death of the green world is temporary.

Holly is also a sign of revenge in the name of justice.  As a battle waging spear, Holly is a force which will right a wrong.

Tree Personality

Holly protects itself with its spiny leaves so too the holly personality. They can be overly sensitive, spiteful, vindictive, bitter and somewhat irritable. They are known for their unreasonable expectations although they can be examples of drive and steadfastness as the holly braves the long winters still fresh and green, they too can find refreshment from their inner resources, replacing hopelessness with joy.

Tree Craft

A sprig of Holly can be used to invoke a warrior spirit. During a waxing moon invite Eris, the sister of Mars, or perhaps the Goddess Boudica to champion your cause and bring you victory.

Tree Essence

The English Holly, Ilex aquifolium, is known as the “opener of the heart”, used whenever there are agitated states, aggression, jealousy or possibly hatred. Holly encourages forgiveness, universal love and a sense of belonging to all humanity.

Tree Message

Lady of the Fighting Spirit rises from fiery flames clothed with armor. She is a sign of focused will, mastery and victory, remaining green and vital during the coldness of winter, providing the fire of inspiration which shapes our destiny.

Tree Affirmation

“I am victorious”

Bibliography

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Dugan, Ellen. Herb Magic for Beginners: Down to Earth Enchantments. Woodbury, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, 2008

Fergus, Charles. Trees of New England. Guilford, Connecticut: The Globe Pequot Press, 2005

Graham, Mark, and Heather Buchan. The Celtic Tree Ogham. Milverton, Somerset: Capall Bann, 2006

Hagender, Fred. The Meaning of Trees. San Francisco, California: Chronicle Books LLC, 2005

Hopman, Evert Ellen. A Druid’s Herbal for the Sacred Year. Rochester, Vermont: Destiny Books, 1995

Hopman, Evert Ellen. A Druid’s Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine. Rochester, Vermont: Destiny Books, 2008

Kerr, Linda. The Hazel Nut, Volume 1, Issue 3. Auburn, Alabama: Faerie Faith Tradition, 1993

Laurie, Erynn Rowan. Ogham Weaving Word Wisdom. Stafford, UK: Megalithica Books, 2007

Moorey, Teresa. The Magic and Mystery of the Trees. Milverton, Somerset: Capall Bann, 2006

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