As we celebrate the holidays rather we call it Christmas or Yule, most of our decorations consist of Holly. The Holly was used back in the ol' country during these holidays, as well. What was so special about the Holly?
The Holly was known by different names. In Norfolk it was called Hulver. Devon, Holme and in Dartmoor, it was called Holme Chase. It was also known by Christ's Thorn, Hulver bush, Bat's Wings, Tinne and Holy Tree. There are over 400 species of the holly tree.
The early Romans would send boughs of Holly along with other gifts to their friends and family when they celebrated the holiday of Saturnalia. It was the Roman festival of Saturn held around the 17th of Dec.

The Holly tree deities were: Lugh, Tannus, Taranis, Thor, Tailiu, Habondea and Tina Etruscan. The planetary ruler of the Holly is Mars. The Holly was thought to be a male plant and also associated with the element fire. The charcoal from burning the wood of the Holly was favored by the smiths. The charcoal would burn strong and for a long time. Charcoal from the Holly was used mostly for forging the swords, knives and tools that were necessary for survival and protection.
Like many other beliefs, the Druids also favored the Holly tree. There were strong taboos about cutting down a whole tree. Even the Duke of Argyll had a road rerouted to avoid cutting down a distinctive old Holly in 1861.
The Holly tree was known for many ritualistic purposes and symbolic meanings: life, death, re-birth, holiness, consecration, material gain, physical revenge, beauty, immortality, peace, goodwill and health. The tree was thought to be very magickal since during the winter months when most of the trees had lost their leaves and looked so bare, the Holly tree kept it's greenery and it's red berries were very noticeable against the snow covered ground.
Druids would take Holly water ( not holy water, but I'm sure there is a connection somewhere.. lol ) and sprinkle it on newborn babies to protect them. Sounds familiar.... hmmmmm something else stolen by the Christian religion from our pagan ancestors.

In the Black Forest area, the leaves of the Holly tree were sometimes used as a substitute for tea, but I wouldn't suggest it. Any parts of the Holly tree esp. the berries can be deadly.... the berries are poisonous to us humans. If you're think of using any remedies like this, I would suggest seek out the advise of a Herbalist who knows what they are doing.
Animals could eat the berries and nothing would happen to them. Folklore suggested that the wood had a power to tame animals. Horse carts or coaches were made from the wood of the Holly tree. Sometimes when the food for the cattle was running low during the winter, people would gather up young stems of the Holly tree and use it as cattle feed.
Looms in the 1800s used Holly for the spinning rod because Holly wood is dense and can be sanded down real smooth. The threads wouldn't get snagged on the spinning rod. The white chess pieces were also made out of wood for the Holly tree.
As I said, the Druids consider the Holly tree to be sacred. In the Celtic tree calendar the Holly represents the 8th month of the year ( July 8t through Aug. 4th) which includes the Celtic festival of Lughnassadh or Lammas. In Celtic mythology, the Holly King was said to rule over the half of the year from Summer to Winter Solstice then him and his brother, the Oak King, would battle. The Oak King would win and rule until the Summer Solstice.

So when you use the Holly, rather it be real or plastic, for decorations this holiday season, you will have a great conversation piece for when you and your family have that moment of awkwardness. LOL
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