The Power of Ivy-to
Cling and Blind
The Ivy
The power of the Ivy lies in its ability
To cling and blind, making it a potent symbol of determination and strength to
The Druids . Ivy has been known to strangle trees and was once a portent of
Death and spiritual growth. Being evergreen in nature. The Ivy represented the
Perennial in aspects of the human psyche. The Celts associated Ivy with Lunar Goddess, Arianrhod and their ritual to this deity marked the opening of
The portal to the Other World...or the Dark Side of the Moon.
This door symbolized an entrance to the
Realm of Fairy and thus, the Ivy were representative of the mysterious and the
Mystical. Ivy was once carried by women for good luck and used to aid in
Fertility. When used correctly, it was said to heal headaches, muscle cramps
And assist in the art of prophecy. Ivy was symbolic of the journey of the soul
And the spiral toward the self. It encouraged assistance to others in
Their search so that they, in turn, might offer assistance. Considered to be
Powerful indeed by the Celts because of its ability to kill even the mightiest
The oak, the Ivy has a tendency to create dense, impenetrable thickets in the
Forest. It was regarded to be much more powerful than the Vine and rougher
Sinister in nature.
Ivy can grow, spread and flourish under
Many conditions...cultivated land and wasteland...light or near
Darkness...fertile soil or upon rubble and stones.
It will push its way through tiny cracks
And crevices to reach the light and is strong and difficult to destroy. Since
Ancient times, the Vine has been regarded as enemies. If the Vine, through
Intoxication, released prophetic powers, then the Ivy, in contrast, was a mean of communication with inner resources, bestowing upon an individual the ability to see through the eyes of the soul and beyond the everyday world.
The ancients held the Ivy in high
Esteem. Its leaves formed the poet's crown as well as the wreths of Bacchus
(Roman God of Wine), to whom the plant was dedicated...possibly because it was
Once believed that to blind the brow with Ivy leaves prevented intoxication.
Not botanically considered to be a tree
But rather a form of the Vine, the Ivy must depend upon a host for support. The
The plant is an evergreen and bears leaves which are dark green and somewhat waxy in
Texture. It can grow to be 100 feet long in Beech woods and around human
Habitations, where it is widely planted as ground cover. The Ivy has thinned
Tendrils that attach themselves to surfaces and are strong enough to penetrate
Bricks and plaster. Its greenish flowers appear on short, vertical, shrubby
Branches. A member of the Ginseng family, The Ivy can grow in such profusion
Upon its host that the host tree smothers and dies.
The berries of the Ivy can be used for
Medicinal purposes, but are poisonous if taken in large quantities powder made
From the dried leaves and berries can be used to clear a stuffy head and was
Once believed to be a curative for a hangover. Roman agriculturists once
Recommended Ivy leaves as cattle food, but they are not relished by
Cows...although Sheep and Deer will sometimes eat them during the Winter. The
Broad evergreen leaves of this plant afford shelter to Birds during the cold
Months and many species choose to build their nests in Ivy, preferring it to
Other shrubs. Ivy is extremely hardy and can live to be a great age. Its
one~time medicinal virtues are not very highly regarded today, but it is much
Valued in the modern world as an ornamental covering for unsightly buildings. Ivy
Is said to be the only plant which will not make walls damp.
There are two distinct types of Ivy
Individuals (a division which relates to all Celtic Tree Signs). The "new
Moon" character is associated with the first two weeks of a sign and the
"Full moon" character is associated with the last two weeks.
The "new moon" Ivy individual
Is a rather radical thinker... Something akin to the Rowan individual...but
With a more artistic temperament. Such people, however, do have a tendency to
Be somewhat indecisive and their success rate has a propensity to swing between
Two extremes which will set the pattern of life accordingly. The "full
Moon" Ivy individual radiates a successful image all the time, even while
Suffering a reverse of fortune.
These people are generous providers, but
Can be shrewd when it comes to their financial resources and income. The
"Full moon" Ivy individual can also be extremely manipulative and
Liable to use any position of power in a ruthless manner. As a result, this
The individual often becomes involved in disputes and litigations.
In general, Ivy individuals have great
Personal stamina and a wealth of talents that can bring personal honors and
Public recognition. Such people are generally colorful characters with a unique
A style which is all their own.
Restless by inclination, Ivy people are
Nonetheless sociable and good-natured. Cheerful, expansive and magnetic, they
To easily win friends and dislike offending others. Although frequently
Indecisive, Ivy individuals are far from weak - willed and will tackle
Difficult tasks with infectious optimism.
They also possess a sharp intellect
Which is matched only by their sense of humor...however, their personal doubts
And fears can manifest into strange dreams and personal encounters. Blessed
With profound artistic flair, Ivy people tend to be greatly valued as friends.
On the more serious side, Ivy people
Have a quiet type of faith and a belief in the natural balance of things.
Extremely loyal, they are capable of accepting responsibility for their own
Actions. They tend to attract people who have little or no morals and should
Keep that in mind when making new friends. Ivy individuals usually make for
Poor students...they simply are not "book learners" and garner
Knowledge better by way of experience. They also have a propensity to not be
Very lucky people. Romantically, the Ivy person is very sensitive but seems to
Fall in and out of love at the drop of a hat. When in love, Ivy individuals
Lean strongly toward being the "clingy" type, but they make generous
And caring parents. It is important that Ivy individuals don't get too caught up
In the problems to others they are prone to suffer disappointment and
Betrayal.
Physical Goal: To link to
Others.
Mental Goal: To recognize that the group unconscious does have an
Influence...to absorb go inward and learn about the self.
Spiritual Goal: To enter into
The group mind with joy and assist others in their spiritual journey so that
They will, in turn, offer assistance.. To learn that all is intertwined.
Amergin Verse: "I am a
Ruthless Boar"
Ogham Association: Gort
Polarity: Masculine
Color: Sky Blue
Class: Chieftain
Letter Character: "G"
Month: September...eleventh month in the Celtic Ogham. September is said
To have originated from the word "Septem, "which means
"Seven," being the seventh month in the old Roman calendar. It is
The first month of Autumn's rule and a time when the Druids celebrated their
Festival of Alban Elued... Bidding the Sun God farewell, while thanking him for
The harvest.
Alias: "Moon of Buoyancy" and "Moon of Resilience"
Magical Properties: Healing,
Protection, Cooperation and Exorcism
Some Famous Ivy People: Hilary Clinton,
Mahatma Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, Sigourney Weaver, Oscar Wilde and Kate
Winslett
SYMBOLS
Gemstones: The Ivy gemstone is the semi-precious Opal, also known as the
"Queen of Gem of Hope. " A member of the Quartz family with a very
High water content, it is a brittle, heat-sensitive, silicon oxide stone which
Often shatters or cracks when it is cut or polished. If given as a lucky of
Love stone, such shattering was once considered to be a sign of extreme bad
Fortune. The flashes of color come from natural silica spheres which create
Light interference.
Due to its delicate nature, Opals are
Usually worn only as pendants and earrings. The modern name of the gem is
Derived from three ancient sources: the Sanskrit upala (which means "too
See a color change"). It is unique in the world of jewels, having little
The color of its own, yet shining with the radiance of all the other gems. In the
Nineteenth Century, the Opal became to be considered a stone of bad
Luck...especially if worn by those not born in the month of October. The only
An exception to this was the Black Opal, which has always been believed to bring
Its owner good fortune. The origin of the unlucky superstition is unknown.
Early races credited the Opal with magical qualities and traditionally, the
Opal was said to aid its wearer in seeing possibilities. It was believed to
Clarify by amplifying and mirroring feelings, buried emotions and desires. It
Was also thinking to lessen inhibitions and promote spontaneity.
The Opal is an historically treasured
Gem and 6,000 year old Opal artifacts have been found in Kenyan caves. However,
Most are believed to be approximately 60 million years old (or more) and
Generally date back to the Cretaceous period when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
The early Greeks believed the Opal bestowed powers of foresight and prophecy
Upon its owner while in Arabian folklore, it is said that the stone fell from
Heaven in flashes of lightning. To the Romans, it was considered to be a token
Of hope and purity.
Legend states that one Roman Emperor
Offered to trade one-third of his vast kingdom for a single Opal and that the
Roman Senator Nonius chose exile rather than surrender a large Opal to Marc Antony.
It has been said that the beauty of the Opal is the combination of the beauty
Of all other gems. In the Middle Ages, the Opal was known as the 'Eye stone'
Due to a belief that it was beneficial to eyesight and blonde women were known
To wear necklaces of Opal in order to protect their hair from losing its color.
Some cultures thought the effect of the Opal on sight could render the wearer
Invisible.
Needless to say, it was thus a popular
Item among thieves. Opals were set in the crown jewels of France and Napoleon
Gave Josephine a beautiful example of this stone containing brilliant red
Flashes which were called 'The burning of Troy. ' It was a favored gem of Queen
Victoria who often gave them as wedding presents. The opal is the Patron stone
Of actors and performers.
FLOWER:
The flower of the Ivy is the Woody
Nightshade, a vine-like plant also known as Bittersweet, Felonwart (meaning
'The Felon's Plant"). Scarlet Berry, Violet Bloom, Mad Dog's Berries, Blue
Aversion and Blue Hate. It belongs to the Solanaceae, an immense family of
Plants which includes Belladonna, Hensbane, Potato, Totato, Peppers and
Tobacco. Its generic name Solanum is derived from solar which means " I
Ease. "
The leaves of the Woody Nightshade bear
A certain resemblance to those of the Belladonna, being purple... But it's
Berries are red instead of black (as are those of the Belladonna). This
Perennial. Shrubby plant with its woody base is native to Europe and Asia,
Being commonly found in almost every English hedgerow. The flowers, usually
Bluish - purple in color, bloom all Summer in loose, drooping clusters on short
Stalks. The plant was so named by the ancient herbalists in order to
Distinguish it from the Deadly Nightshade.
Shepherds once hung Woody Nightshade
Around the necks of their flocks as a charm against the "evil eye''. And a
A necklace of its berries was found in the tomb of Tutankhamen, the Boy
-King. Tradition dictated that if placed on the body, Woody Nightshade would
Dispel the memories of old loves and former sweethearts. There are few ailments
For which Woody Nightshade has not been recommended at one time or another,
Including a remedy for rheumatism, fever and inflammatory diseases of every
Nature. To a certain degree, its berries have proven to be poisonous to children
Both seem to be thoroughly enjoyed by birds with no ill effects.
CELESTIAL BODY:
The celestial body associated with the
Ivy is the "Moon Veiling Persephone" or the planet Persephone it
Self, which is believed by some astronomers to exist just beyond Pluto. In
Greek mythology. Persephone was the wife of Hades, Lord of the UnderWorld.
DEITY:
The Ivy deity is Arianrhod whose name
Means "Silver Circle". She is also as the "Star Goddess,"
"Full Moon Goddess" and "Virgin Goddess of Reincarnation, "
Among others. Her palace was called "Caer Arianrhod," otherwise known
As the Aurora Borealis. She was Keeper of the Silver Wheel of Stars... A symbol
Of time and / or karma. This wheel was also known as the "Oar Wheel,"
A ship which carried the dead warriors to Emania, The Moon Land. Arianrhod is
Sometime depicted as a weaver, linking her to lose the myths of creation and
magickal practices. Daughter of the great Welsh Goddess Don, Arianrhod is said
To be useful in helping females find their own feminine power.
A second deity associated with the Ivy
Is Rhiannon, the "Great Queen" who was the Goddess of Birds and Horses,
As well as Enchantments, Fertility and the Underworld. Unjustly accused of
Destroying her newborn son (who had been kidnapped by a nameless friend) Rhiannon
Is compelled to assume the shape of a Horse until her son is unexpected
Returned to her. In her role as a Death Goddess, Rhiannon would sing sweetly
Enough to lure all those within hearing to their doom. Another legend suggests
That Rhiannon was the mistress of three marvelous Birds whose song could wake
The dead and lull the living to sleep. Because of her association with Horses
She first appears in myth mounted upon a White horse, Rhiannon is often equated
To Epona, the Roman - Gaulish Horse - Goddess.
