The Celtic Year - Ivy

Ivy/Gort

30^th September – 27^th 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 INGEST!!!

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.