Sacred Plants of Winter Solstice
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, Sweedish,
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.