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
Strong cultural customs do tend to survive, even through periods of radical change. 
