Ogham Tuesday: Holly

Holly is a tree that surprises me all the time, and not just because of the sharp points. Did you know the leaves only grow like that lower on the tree? Deer are less likely to nibble away at the foliage when it’s sharp and unfriendly, but the leaves are much less pointy when you get further up the tree. And the right environment matters! It was amazing to see my first Holly TREE (about 40 feet high!) when it’s more common to see it as a shrub or hedge plant here in the US. After all, it’s a king tree – the Holly King and the Oak King trade off at the solstices, when each is at the height of their powers. 

In the landscape, the foliage provides cover for birds and small creatures. Bees and other pollinators love the flowers, which are small and sweet-smelling. After the frost, when many other food sources die out, the bright red berries become valuable nutrition for wild birds of all sizes (though they’re tricky for humans if you're not a trained herbalist). I found it interesting to learn that Holly trees will only produce fruit if they’re planted in groups of four or more, for cross-pollination. There’s probably some kind of metaphor in that.  

In myth, Holly is referenced in the “Cattle Raid of Cooley,” as wheel shafts for chariots and spears thrown in battle. Cuchulain also stepped on a piece of split Holly and it went right through his foot. In order to use Holly in our progress, it’s important to make sure we’ve cleared obstacles or unwanted burdens from our path. 

When I see Holly in a reading, it brings up issues of precision and discernment. It’s a scalpel, to be used as a tool that carefully shaves away what’s unimportant or harmful. It asks for clarity in our thoughts, balanced consideration of options, a decision that doesn’t hesitate, and full ownership of the outcome. 

The Ogham Tuesday series started in 2023 and focused first on introducing each of the standard ogham alphabet in order. We're moving those posts to the blog now, so they can be more easily searched.

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