Sacred Plants of Winter Solstice

by Selena Fox

This was first published for a workshop at the 1994 Circle Sanctuary Community Yule Festival

Evergreens

Symbolizing: Continuity of Life, Protection, Prosperity. Types: Pine, Fir, Cedar, Juniper, other evergreens. Forms: boughs, wreaths, garlands, trees. Divinities: Green Goddesses & Gods; Hertha; Cybele, Attis, Dionysius (Pine); Woodland Spirits. Traditions: Roman, Celtic, Teutonic, Christian

Holly

Symbolizing: Old Solar Year; Waning Sun; Protection; Good Luck. Forms: boughs over portals, wreaths. Divinities: Holly King; Old Nick; Saturn; Bacchus; Wood Spirits; Holly Boys. Traditions: Roman, Celtic, English, Christian

Oak

Symbolizing: New Solar Year; Waxing Sun; Endurance, Strength, Triumph, Protection, Good Luck. Forms: Yule log, acorns, wood for sacred fires. Divinities: Oak King; Oak Spirit; Sky Gods including Thor, Jupiter, Zeus. Traditions: Teutonic, Celtic, Christian

Mistletoe

Symbolizing: Peace, Prosperity, Healing, Wellness, Fertility, Rest, Protection. Forms: boughs, amulet sprigs above doorways, kissing balls. Divinities: Oak Spirit; Frigga and Balder. Traditions: Celtic, Teutonic

Ivy

Symbolizing: Fidelity, Protection, Healing, Marriage, Victory, Honor, Good Luck forms: crowns, wreaths, garlands. Divinities: Dionysius; Bacchus; Great Goddess; Ivy Girls. Traditions: Greek, Roman, English, Christian.

Frankincense

Symbolizing: Sun, Purification, Consecration, Protection, Spiritual Illumination. Forms: incense, oils divinities: Sun Gods, Ra at Dawn, Bel. Traditions: Babalyonian, Assyrian, Egyptian, Jewish, Greek, Roman, Christian

Myrrh

Symbolizing: Healing, Death and Afterlife, Purification, Inner Peace. Forms: incense, oils. Divinities: Isis, Ra at Midday. Traditions: Egyptian, Jewish, Christian

Wheat

Symbolizing: Sustenance, Abundance, Fertility, Good Luck. Forms: grain, straw figures and symbols, cookies, cakes, breads. Divinities: Earth Goddesses; Saturn & Ops; Goat Spirit; Fairy Folk. Traditions: Roman, Celtic, Scots, Teutonic, Swedish, Christian

Celtic Tree Calendar's Sacred Trees of Winter Solstice

Yew: Last Day of Solar Year; Death. Silver Fir: Winter Solstice Day; Birth. Birch: Month following Winter Solstice; Beginnings.