The Holly Moon...

The Full Moon approaches...Tommorrow actually. The full moon tommorrow is what is known as a Blue Moon... You know the old phrase it only happens once in a blue moon, meaning it doesn't happen very often... hence tommorrow is a very special and powerful time...This blue moon happens to fall within the Holly Tree Month.

Eighth month of the Celtic Tree calendar, July 8th - August 4th Eighth consonant of the Ogham alphabet - Tinne
Planet: Mars and Saturn Element: Fire Symbolism: The Sword of Truth, Unconditional love, sacrifice, reincarnation Stone: Ruby, Bloodstone Powers: Protection, Anti-Lightning, Luck, Dream Magick Birds: Cardinal, Starling Color: Red Deity: Lugh, Tannus, Thor Sabbat: Lughnasa, Celtic festival of the Sun God Lugh, Lammas Death of the God of the Waxing year (Oak King) Birth of the God of the Waning year (Holly King) Folk Names: Aquifolius, Bat's Wings, Christ's Thorn, Holy Tree, Holm Chaste, Hulm, Hulver Bush Medicinal properties: The powdered leaves were brewed into a healing tea for measles, and the ashes from burning the leaves in a drink soothed whooping cough. Hot compresses made from the leaves and bark helped ease the pain of broken bones and dislocations. Magickal properties: A "par excellence" protective herb, it protects against lightning, poison, and evil spirits. When thrown at wild animals it makes them lie down quietly and leave you alone. Sprinkle an infusion made with Holly on newborn babies to protect them. Holly is considered the male counterpart to the female Ivy. Even though Holly's Yule festival greens are traditionally burned at Imbolg, a small sprig us kept for luck and to keep evil away throughout the year.
CAUTION: Holly Berries are purgative and often cause nausea and vomiting. They are poisonous to children.
	Use Holly berries with your favorite spell for female fertility and sexuality: Red Holly Berries symbolize the life-giving blood of the Mother Goddess. Gather three berries (or a multiple of three) and carry them in your hand to a body of water. As you say your incantation, drop the berries into the water. Visualize a circle of light surrounding you as you go through your spell. adapted from Whispers from the Woods, by Sandra Kynes
Lammas Lammas is the ancient Celtic festival at the beginning of harvest time. Lughnasad is the Irish name for this festival; it was a time of fairs, trading and celebration. Now, when the days grow visibly shorter and the sun seems to decline, the crops ripen. So too, when we work for justice, when we have expended huge energies to bring about change, the results often come only when the tides of enthusiasm and urgency seem to be ebbing. When the marching and the shouting die away, public opinion quietly shifts. Lammas means "loaf-mass" the festival when we honor and celebrate the grain and the food that sustains our life. In a just world, no one would go hungry. All people would have access to good quality food - organic, fresh, local, and truly nourishing. The grain stands golden in the fields, but has not yet been gathered in. We stand poised between hope and fear. Lammas is a time of consequence, when we reap what we have sown. Globally, we are now reaping the consequences of decades of injustice, of neglect and exploitation of the earth. Will we make the change, in time to avert disaster? Will we reap destruction, or harvest a new world based on harmony, balance and love? Our choices and actions will tip the scales. Starhawk 2007 and We'Moon '08
Tree Magick by Gillian Kemp Like the Evergreen Holly tree, or "holy tree" you have divine talents at the root and heart of your being. Your whole world can grow "evergreen" from it. Like the berries or the smooth or prickly leaves on a male of female tree, your life will take shape around its essential nature. The thorny leaves and red berries represent suffering. When the fruits are discovered by patience, what is possibly a test now will prove a credit to you. This is a fresh start, a second chance, or time of renewal and permanence, promising a fortified heart and a happier life. Parties and reunions lie ahead, just as the Holly tree enjoys Winter while anticipating the Spring.
Holly berries were used to predict winter weather. If there were a profusion of berries, that meant it would be a hard winter, because the Goddess was providing extra berries for the birds. Holly is one of the three timbers in the Chariot Wheel. It represents personal sacrifice in order to gain something of greater value.
LESSON OF THE Holly from The Wisdom of Trees by Jane Gifford Holly reminds us of the need to calm our emotions, if we are to reach wise decisions about our situation. The often painful consequences of our actions are brought to the surface for examination, and calm acceptance of our responsibility is required. We are reminded of the need to view ourselves, as well as others, in the light of compassion and unconditional love. Like the Hanged Man of the Tarot, holly represents personal sacrifice in order to gain something of greater value.

As the days shorten after summer solstice and the Moon grows in power, focus on putting bad situations behind you.

The eighth Celtic Moon month ushers in the shortening of days. The power of the Sun is transferred to Earth, highlighting our practical needs and desires. The Celtic fire festival of Lammas begins the harvest on August 1, so the month of the Holly Moon is a time to give thanks for the good things in your life. Focus on your own “harvest” during the month of Holly – on what you wish to achieve and why.

Share Your Successes

Traditionally, the first gain harvested was baked into a loaf that represented the spirit of the crop, or “John Barleycorn” as it is called in England. This bread was shared in a ceremony to ensure the wealth of community.
Use this month to celebrate your successes with family and friends and to consider sharing your good fortune with others.

PROTECTION AND RENEWAL

The holly is magically imbued with powers of protection. In England, it was believed to protect against witchcraft and to guard homes against being struck by lightning. Its evergreen leaves symbolize renewal and recovery during the dark half of the year and ward against envy and the misuse of power.

Restoration

The planetary rule of holly is Mars, which bestows upon the tree the ability to restore direction in your life, to rebalance and align energy, and to help you gain a sense of purpose.
In Pagan tradition, men carry sachets of holly leaves and berries, which will enhance their masculinity due to the tree’s restorative and energizing powers.

Harvest of Friends

Celebrate the harvest of the season and of the things that enrich your life during the Holly Moon by inviting friends to dinner.

Meals to Share

Ask everybody to bring a dish that they have prepared, and cover the table with a gold cloth to signify the wealth in your life. For the centerpiece, place an arrangement of holly and wheat around a candle to represent the harvest spirit.

Harvest Blessings

Once your guests have arrived, give thanks to Mother Earth for the food that She has provided: “Let us eat that none shall know hunger. Let us drink that none shall know thirst.” During this meal, discuss what it is that you wish to harvest in your life.