Ivy/Gort
30th
September – 27th October
Month 11 of the Celtic Year
is Ivy. Though not technically a tree, because it is so connected to the Holly
and can live wrapped around a number of others, its place in the calendar is
extremely justified.
strength
- fidelity – fertility – protection – healing – good luck – resurrection –
positive ego strength – tenaciousness – healing – exorcism – co-operation –
binding – divination
Associations
Polarity: Feminine
Element: Water
Season: Autumn
Symbols: Fidelity, Fertility; Protection; Healing; Resurrection
Deities: Ariadne; Artemis; Arianrhod; Pasiphae; Dionysus; Bacchus;
Osiris; Jupiter
Planet: Moon; Saturn; Jupiter; Sun
Animals: Lark; Mute Swan; Swallow
Colour: Indigo; Blue
Gems: Opal; Yellow Serpentine
Day:
Medicinal & Herbal Uses:
POISONOUS – DO NOT INGES T!!!
As an astringent, it does have the ability to ease toothache
and menstrual flow.
Make a douche from ivy leaves to treat female
infections.
As a poultice, the leaves can also be utilised to
heal nerves, sinews, ulcers, and infections.
Ivy twigs, as they’re so tender, can be simmered in
salves to help heal sunburn.
Magickal Uses:
When carried by women (and especially brides), Ivy
is said to be good luck.
Protects from negativity when grown or strewn
around or over a property. However, if it dies or ‘falls off’ beware of
misfortune.
Used in charms of fidelity and love
Ivy can be used to make a charm, intended to
restrain fear and deal with emotions.
To use for divination: an ivy leaf that you place
in water on New Years Eve that is still fresh by Twelfth Night is said to
foretell a favourable year.
Other Information:
Paired with Holly for magickal union purposes such
as handfastings – worn as crowns for the ceremony and then hung together/intertwined
over the marital bed, is said to keep passion from waning.
The majority of Ivy varieties have a 5 pointed leaf
which is sacred to the Goddess.
Legend says that if Ivy will not grow on a grave,
it means that the soul is unhappy on the other side.
If Ivy flourishes on the grave of a young girl’s
grave, it means that she died of unrequited love.
The sacred spiral in which Ivy grows symbolises
reincarnation – lifetime to lifetime; minute to minute; day to day – therefore it
is a wonderful month for magick relating to rebirth.
Ivy's connection with the Winter Solstice makes it a popular Yuletide decoration.
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