Name: Ilex aquifolium
Toxicity: considered toxic
Common Name: Holly
Continent: Eurasia
Habitat: I
Applicable Plant Components: herb, bark, root, fruit, wood, cambium
Sanctificational: herb, bark
Invitatory: fruit
Convocational: herb
Desistant: fruit
Harmonical: herb
Pacificatory: root, herb, fruit
Reconciliatory: root, herb, fruit
Reversional: bark, herb
Theurgical: bark
Amoristic: herb
Protectant: wood
Vulnerary: bark, herb
Plenitudinal: fruit
Plenarial: wood, root
Ensurant: wood
Ecstatic: bark
Divinatory: bark
Affixal: bark, wood
Affirmational: bark, herb, cambium
Resurgent: fruit, herb
Anecdotal: Ilex is associated with balancing direct action with sound judgement. It is linked to accepting reality while affording energy and direction for problems hovering on the horizon, creating power in the moment. As a wisdom keeper, Ilex promotes concepts of freedom and equality based on patient teaching and not authoritarian intimidation. It is believed that Ilex grows in the footsteps of sacrificial sons. Long wed to the ritual of winter solstice and divine marriage holly represents female cyclical blood and birth, balancing the mistletoe (Viscum album) as the male agent of semen and death. Powerful wands, spears and shafts can be rendered from its wood. Ilex berries are Bird Medicine and the leaves are Deer, Bull and Ram Medicine. It affords inordinate protection against lightning and malevolent spirits. As an agent of divination Ilex directly pertains to the profoundly difficult challenges in life that require courage and vigor to achieve success. A violent toxin Ilex is never the less used in sanctifying rituals that include attaining the potency and drive needed in hunts for personal medicine. Relevant areas might be self-expression, personal shields of protection, strength and seeking visions or direction from ancestors or benevolent spirits. Ilex is an agent of ecstasy and solitude, believed capable of forging bonds between individuals including mothers and children. It is impossible to know how long Ilex has been brought into homes for its astounding spiritual attributes now relegated to seasonal decorations, no longer remembered as one of the pillars of winter solstice and an amazing diverse spirit.