Holly and Oak
The Wheel of the Year soon turns, commencing the folklorical battle between the Holly King and the Oak King!
Welcome Yule!
The thousands year old magical mid-winter celebration begins December 21 and continues
until January 1.
Such a wonderous time to rejoice and aspire!
A time to look to the winter solstice
(the longest night and shortest day of the year)
and await the return of the Sun’s bringing of
longer days of light once again.
During this time the Holly King blankets all in glittering hues of reds, greens, whites, silver and gold as he revels in his final glorious moments of his seasonal reign!
Fore, by the glow of the last flickering Yule log and smoldering bonfire a great battle of kings will have been had and the Oak King will once again take his seasonal reign until Midsummer!
Nature based festivities, feasts, and “Merry Yuletides” will reverberate!
Treats of nuts, berries, fruit, cookies, caraway cakes and shortbreads will be relished.
Warm spiced ciders, herbal teas and customary wassail
will pour!
Sacred herbs will burn softly alongside yule logs of cherry, birch, spruce, fir, and, of course, oak!
And, naturally, traditional decorations will bedeck all that is!
Trees will be thoughtfully adorned with safe to eat “ornaments” to gift the woodland animals outside.
The addition of string lights will be applied to those trees having been brought indoors.
Evergreens grace both outdoors and in,
representing enduring life despite the
darkest time of year.
Wreaths placed upon doors
to celebrate and hail the Sun’s return.
Pinecones, berries, ivy, mistletoe and boughs of (you got it) holly!
Holly (Ilex)
Holly (Ilex) is an evergreen flowering plant with over 500 species that have glossy prickly leaves and turn out beautiful berries (be aware the berries are known to be poisonous and should not be consumed by people or pets). (Note that there is also an allergen mention for the leaves and as such should be kept in mind when dealing with this plant.)
Like the Holly King’s crown, it is not uncommon to find boughs of holly embellishing one's hair. As, spiritually, holly is a luck viewed plant believed to ward off evil spirits.
It’s considered magical to some, constituting the passing solar year, resilience, eternal life, amity and goodwill.
Despite its tough exterior, the leaves are regarded as sacred, and some are believed to have health benefits! (Ilex American, Yaupon and European Holly species) Known uses are making the leaves and bark (of specific, not all, holly plants) into a tea for its vitamin and antioxidant properties or using topically for helping skin related issues. Some species are believed to help with coughs, fever and joints.
Oak
Oak is a fruit (acorn) bearing member of the beech family that can be a shrub or a tree.
As a towering and deep-rooted strong plant, it is unsurprising that, spiritually, it’s looked to for protection and sought for strength and fortitude. That same height, deep root system, along with its veins and overall water content has also helped the Oak gain notoriety for being highly conducive of lightning and to be unfailing come wind or storm.
Which makes sense perfect, the oak leaf crown, such as the mighty Oak King wears, being also symbolic of merit and heroism.
For Yule, oak is ritually used for yule logs and bonfires. Oak’s stout and long-burning qualities provide for enchanting sky reaching blazes where all can gather round to sing and dance as they have for centuries to drive away the darkness and encourage the light to return. While indoors oak bestows its wonder, warmth and light upon many a hearth.
Oak wields a scroll of believed medicinal uses as well! With a species counting upward to 500, this potent plant has a variety to choose from for different beneficial purposes. Some oaks are known for their use in possibly helping teeth, indigestion and arthritis, even a helpful burn agent just to name a few. Some are known to be used as a possible styptic and some have readily edible acorns, and some are believed to help coughs, and inflammation.
At last, the Wheel is starting to turn... the war-horn is beginning to blow...
Yule is upon us! Time to set alight the fires. To poise for celebration, tradition, folklore, festivities, magic and rebirth!
Fore, when the glow of the last flickering Yule log
and smoldering bonfire fades, we shall have a new King!
-Elise's Adventures In Herbaland
A Winter Solstice Blessing
May you find peace in the promise of the solstice night, that each day forward is blessed with more light. That the cycle of nature, unbroken and true, Brings faith to your soul and well-being to you. Rejoice in the darkness, in the silence find rest, and may the days that follow be abundantly blessed.
-Author Unknown
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