Celtic Tree Compendium IV
Ivy (Araliaceae)
Ivy
Ifig (Old English) Eidhneán (Irish) Eidheann (Scottish Gaelic) Eiddew (Welsh) Hibbin (Manx) Idhyow (Cornish)
Ivy Elf, Nott Atelier
gender: feminine
associated deities: Dionysus, Bacchus
planet: Saturn
body: sinews
therapeutic: limitation
affliction: trespass
eponymous compounds: α-hederine
embodied state: Divine Madness
magical properties: binding, consecration, triumph, coercion, cursing, protection, good luck (when carried and worn by woman), fidelity
uses: treatment of burns, ulcers, corns, wounds, boils, dandruff and skin irritations
spirit retinue: Wantonness, Incursion, Ligature, Intemperance, Constriction, Soulful Elegy, Somber Beauty, Knotted Restraint, Ravaged Sanity, Dwindling Vitality, Crumbling, Artifice, Creeping Irruption, and Ruinous Splendor.
Ivy Crown, Adam Oehlers
Ivy, of nectar abundant and scentless leaves sprung from a hard and contorted wood most suitable for carving figures amongst other subjects.
By most, considered a funerary plant and often found extending over churchyards depicting its protective and binding nature.
Through the dark half of the year it becomes an essential source of food for wildlife, whilst providing asylum for insects, birds and small mammals.
Its berries are honed by a toxic flesh containing ahederine, a poison so fowl that it manifests through burns and blisters of the throat and mouth, nausea, prolific spewing and diarrhoea, a shallowness of breath and least of all your concerns, skin irritation.
reference
A tincture of the leaves in vinegar is know to treat corns.
By simmering the leaves in water a wash occurs, most ideal for ulcers, wounds, burns, boils, dandruff and skin irritations.
The leaves can be added to burn salves and taken before drinking wine, the berries seemingly prevent one’s intoxication.
Ivy Fairy, Cicely Mary Barker
To dream of Ivy is seen as favourable due to its correspondence with friendship, happiness, good fortune, honour and success.
“In certain areas of the British Isles, a wreath of Ivy, Blackberry, and Rowan when worn was believed to repel malevolent spirits.” 1
In the Celtic Tree Zodiac, Ivy represents those who are born between September 30th and October 27th and the following is said about them:
“Your friendship bonds are legendary, and much admired by those outside your embrace. While it is true that you rely on others for much of your life, you particularly come into your own in later life. Your tenacity and determination to survive, even during the darkest of times, means that sometimes you can come into conflict with Bramble. Yet among friends, you are hospitable and reliable.”
References 2
The Green Mysteries, Daniel A. Shulcke
Ibid
Plant Lore, Legends and Lyrics
The Tree Almanac, Dr Gabriel Hemery
The Witch’s Cabinet, Corinne Boyer
Breverton’s Complete Herbal, Terry Breverton
Scottish Herbs and Fairy Lore, Ellen Evert Hopman
Cunningham’s Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham