Decking the Halls With Holly?
- Linda Crider
- Dec 18
- 3 min read
Do you ever stop and wonder about how and why HOLLY became one of the most popular evergreen winter decorations? Whether you celebrate Christmas or just enjoy the foliage of the season, those red berries of the Holly tree can make any mantle or centerpiece pop. But it's not only about festive colors that signal holiday cheer.
If you're fortunate enough to find live Holly to decorate with all the better! Plant medicine healers agree that simply having plants in your home or office can elevate the mood of those who share their space simply by the plant just being there and quietly radiating positive vibes along with cleansing the air. From what I have learned about plant spirit healing, I'm confident that the overarching spirit of the Holly tree/ bush feels honored and appreciated as well as happy to offer this service!
Holly is another plant that Dr. Edward Bach included in his 38 Flower Essence healing system as an energetic remedy for emotional imbalances. In this case, the essence of Holly can help those who harbor anger and hurt from emotional wounds that usually stem from childhood. This caused them to develop a thorny exterior as protection against further pain.
When you look closely at the formation and texture of the leaves,
they are visibly spiky, so it's easy to see how they might correspond to repelling the connective touch of others on physical, emotional and energetic levels. Using the Holly, remedy can evoke a sense of community and unconditional love.
Bach wrote that the vibratory essence of Holly “opens the heart and unites us with divine love.” If you are familiar with Victorian English literature, consider the character of Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dicken's novel A Christmas Carol who evolved from crusty to convivial. Bach would have considered Scrooge as the quintessential Holly "type."
As with all the remedies in his healing system, Bach was led to Holly intuitively, but perhaps he was also responding to the revered place this plant holds in Celtic mythology in both Christian and Pagan traditions. The Celts recognized the protective, loving quality of this winter evergreen. Its hardy, white wood was used to create weaponry, and like many other plants, Holly was often grown near a home or hung over doorways to ward off evil spirits. In light of its ongoing connection to the Christmas season, "Once a holly sprig was brought inside, it was never to be taken out again until after the Women's Little Christmas on the 6th of January."
It wouldn't hurt to err on the side of caution and remember this warning from ancient plant wisdom when removing any live "boughs of Holly" that you might have decked your halls with!
If you've been reading my more recent posts, lately I seem to be drawn to trees and other plants that were included in the Celtic Ogham alphabet. Holly (Tinne) is included in this ancient code as it was among the trees revered by the Druids.
The Celts recognized the protective and nurturing quality of the Holly Tree for its natural ability to offer food and shelter for birds seeking refuge from predators.
"When the Holly tree is allowed to grow tall its branches will bend downwards, and as the tips of the branches become thinner they swoop down and almost touch the ground. Behind the curtain of Holly a peaceful sphere of energy appears to form, creating a sacred space of protective peace and comfort."
And, of course "joy"... let's not forget joy!
As always, thanks for letting me share my thoughts and journey with you. I welcome your input, so if you want to submit a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post. If you are interested in booking a personal session, you can do this here:
You can also contact me via email at: my.plant.allies@gmail.com
For now, here's wishing you wellness, wisdom and bloomin' vibes!
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