The Holly and the Ivy

The Holly and the Ivy!

Paintings are by Joanna Powell Colbert. Joanne is an artist, writer and teacher of Tarot and earth-centered spirituality. Her paintings and mixed media pieces combine her love of symbolic, archetypal art with the mysteries of the natural world. Her work has appeared in many publications since the mid-1980s. Above is ‘St Lucia’ and below ‘The Holly King’, Lucia Bride appears at the bottom of the page


http://clanofdanu.tripod.com/holly.html

Holly

Some stories tell that when winter came druids advised the people to take holly into their homes for it would shelter elves and fairies. There was a warning however to remove the holly entirely from the house before Imbolc eve because just one leaf in house would spell misfortune. The Holly always has been associated with mid winter festivals. Holly was given as gifts during the Roman Saturnila and later mixed with the Celtic traditions celebrating the sun gods birth a winter solstice. Scottish Traditions says that no branch should be cut from a holly tree, but rather pulled free in a method considered fit from sacred tree. It has always been unlucky to fell a holly tree or burn the green skinned holly. Yet luck was increased if a small branch kept from a Yule decoration was hung on the outside of the house where it would protect against lightening. Oddly enough, Holly does not grow in Western Scotland. The holly is associated with the Oak king, the Holly king, Gawain (in Arthurian legend) and Christ.

Ivy

The ivy has been a symbol of fidelity, friendship and affection. Celtic druids considered it a symbol of determination and strength. The Celts also associated ivy with the lunar goddess, Arianrhod, and held it as a portent of death and spiritual rebirth. Ivy has also been associated with the Christian holiday Christmas.

The Holly and The Ivy

The version of ‘’the Holly and the Ivy’’ we are all familiar with was first published by Cecil Sharp. (Cecil James Sharp B 22 November 1859 D 23 June 1924 was the founding father of the folklore revival in England in the early 20th century, and many of England's traditional dances and music owe their continuing existence to his work in recording and publishing them.) It is thought to have Pagan origins dating back over 1000 years and for a pagan song to survive intact for such a long time is very unusual. Rather than eradicate this pre-Christian song the church seems to have kept it, embraced it and then adapted it. Holly and Ivy have always been taken indoors during the winter, originally it was hoped the presence of these ever green plants indoors would enable the occupants to survive the harsh winters just as these plants did. Holly and Ivy grow and thrive outside amid the cold, ice, wind and snow. Their leaves retain their colour while other plants lose their leaves, the ability of these plants to thrive in harsh conditions must have seemed almost magical. The plants were brought indoors to share their special ‘magical’ powers of survival with the occupants of the home. It was hoped having Holly and ivy indoors would protect people from the hardships of the winter months; hopefully these plants would share their apparent magical ability to survive the difficult conditions of the forest.
 

The Holly and the Ivy
Lyrics.

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir