Holly Moon: Celtic Tree Calendar
The eighth Celtic Moon month sees in the start of the waning of the days. The power of the Sun is transferred to the Earth, highlighting our practical needs and desires. The Celtic fire festival of Lammas begins the harvest on 1st August. Thus, the month of the Holly Moon is a time to give thanks for what you have and to appreciate the good things in your life. Focus on your own ‘harvest’ during the month of Holly – on what you wish to achieve and why.
Share your successes
Traditionally the first grain harvested was baked into a loaf that represented the spirit of the crop, or ‘John Barleycorn’ as it is called in England. This bread was then shared in a ceremony to ensure the wealth of the entire community.
This month is still a time to celebrate your successes with family and friends and to consider sharing your good fortunes with others.
Protection and renewal
The holly is magically imbued with powers of protection. In England, it was believed to protect against witchcraft and said to guard homes against being struck by lightening. Its evergreen leaves symbolise renewal and recovery during the dark half of the year, and ward against envy and the misuse of power.
Restoration
The planetary ruler of holly is Mars, which bestows upon the tree certain qualities. The ability to restore direction in your life. To re-balance and align energy. And, to help you achieve a sense of purpose.
In pagan tradition, men carry sachets of holly leaves and berries, which will enhance their masculinity due to the trees restorative and energising powers.
Holly Moon energy
Use the energetic blessings of the Holly Moon to celebrate and share the good things in your life and to increase your future fortune and success.
Holly harvest loaf
During the Holly Moon month, invite the blessings of John Barleycorn into your home by baking your own harvest loaf. Simply follow these steps.
- Prepare some bread dough from flour, yeast, oil, honey, water and salt and leave it to rise in a warm place for an hour.
- sprinkle seeds and nuts on top of the dough to symbolise each blessing in your life such as a comfortable home or supportive family. Focus on these positive things as you knead the dough.
- Shape the dough into a roundish loaf and place on a baking sheet.
- Before baking, place your hands on the bread and try to visualise golden light channelling into the dough.
- The say, “John Barleycorn I give you thanks for all I have received. Blessed Be.”
- When the bread is baked, bury the first slice in the ground and whisper your wishes for the future.
- Share the rest of the loaf with your friends and celebrate your abundance.
Harvest of friends
Celebrate the harvest of the season and the things that enrich your life during the Holly Moon by inviting friends for supper.
Ask everybody to bring a dish that they have prepared and cover the table with a gold cloth to signify the wealth in your life. For the centrepiece, place an arrangement of corn and holly around a candle to represent the harvest spirit.
Once your guests have arrived, give thanks to Moth Earth for the food that she has provided. “Let is eat that none shall know hunger. Let us drink so that none shall know thirst.” During the meal, discuss what it is that you wish to harvest in your life.
Time to re-energise
The spirit of renewal in the month of the Holly Moon makes it an excellent time to re-energise your life.
- Tune into the energies of your environment by eating energy-rich seasonal foods, preferable foods that are produced locally.
- Use Holly’s influence to rise to physical challenges and overhaul your personal fitness by joining a gym or taking up martial arts.
Holly money energy
On the full Moon hold up a note of money to the moonlight and recite the words,
“lady bright, lade bright, harvest abundant dreams tonight. Three times three times three times three, prosperity return to me.”
Give the money to charity and in return the positive energy of holly will provide you with the funds you need in the coming months.
