Holly-
Ilex, sp.
Night has fallen over the world. Sunrise comes later and the day darkens
earlier. The land, which was rich in life just a few short weeks ago, slumbers
in a gray veil that is only lightened by snow not warmed.
Then there is a change and the daylight gradually begins to return. We
know this event as the winter solstice. For many millennium, this day has been a
cause for celebration and the origin of many of the enduring holidays throughout
the world. The fascination regarding the long, dark night predates 3000 BCE
where the prehistoric peoples of Europe built reliable and impressive indicators
such as Stonehenge in England and Newgrange in Ireland. As the Romans conquered much of Europe, these beliefs were
adopted and modified culminating in the festival of Saturnalia who was a
“Golden King” and represented peace and prosperity. It is believed by
scholars that the early Christians being persecuted by the Romans moved the
celebration of the birth of Christ to the winter solstice since it allowed them
to gather in larger groups unnoticed. Christmas has continued to be celebrated
during the solstice since this time.
Modern
day Christmas has been strongly influenced by another solstice holiday of
Norse/Germanic origin, Yule or the season of merrymaking and feasting. An
enduring symbol considered sacred by those peoples and still used to this date
is the Yule wreath. Then it was made of iron and decorated in evergreens with a
candle placed in the center to represent the returning sun. The use Holly and
Christmas trees also stems from these celebrations.
So
what exactly is the Winter Solstice and why are the evergreens so important? The
planet Earth is actually at an angle of 23o to the sun and as it
rotates, the rays of the sun do not strike the Earth’s surface at the same
angle. At the exact moment when the surface of the Earth is tilted furthest away
at a perpendicular angle, is when the Winter Solstice occurs. The seasons occur
as a result of the variation of light in relation to the sun on the Earth’s
surface. It is important to note
that the reason why leaves turn color in the fall is not completely related to
the coming of cold, but to the lessening of light so necessary to the production
of chlorophyll, a food component that also helps the leaves appear green. The
chlorophyll dying and the increasing darkness are a cue for dormancy for many
deciduous plant and trees. This is not the case for the evergreens that
developed a different strategy for survival by remaining green year round and
therefore not competing for light (the equivalent of food) with other plants at
least half the year. Many of the ancient’s celebrating the Winter Solstice
felt that the evergreen plants and trees were sacred and revered since the other
life around appeared dead. These evergreens offered hope and the promise of better
times. Two good examples stemming from these times and enduring today are Holly
and mistletoe.
Holly-
Ilex, sp.
There are many species of Holly throughout the world both evergreen and
deciduous. Two species commonly found in this area are Winterberry, Ilex
verticillata and the American Holly, Ilex opaca, which are identified as
follows:
Winterberry
is a deciduous (losing its leaves in fall) Holly shrub with bright showy red
berries that develop in autumn and remain attached to the tree through winter.
There are male and female trees within the species that flower in the leaf
axils; with only the female developing berries and only if there is male
winterberry in the vicinity. Winterberry can be found in swamps, damp thickets
and pond margins.
American
Holly is an evergreen tree with a narrow, rounded, and dense crown of spiny
leaves, small white flowers and bright red berries. The bark is light gray and
the fruits also mature in autumn remaining attached through winter. Like
Winterberry, there are male and female trees with only the female developing
fruit. American Holly is commonly found in moist or well-drained soil like flood
plains and in mixed hardwood forests. This tree most closely resembles the
European variety, sp. aquifolium and is used during the holiday season in the
same fashion.
Holly
has long been viewed as an herb of protection. Boughs of Holly or wreaths were
placed over doorways to grant peace, protection and prosperity to the homes it
adorned. This practice, which was adopted by Christians, dates back to the
Druids. The common name of “Christ’s Thorne” was said to have come from
the legend that Holly sprang up from the footsteps of Christ as he walked to His
crucifixion, the thorny leaves representing His crown of thorns and the berries
droplets of His blood. The leaves
of Holly were used medicinally to treat a variety of disorders including fevers,
pleurisy and worms. The fruit although considered poisonous to humans is a food
source for a variety of birds and mammals in this area including Black Duck,
Mourning Dove, Turkey, Flicker, Blue Jay, Mockingbird, White-throated Sparrow,
Towhee, White-footed Mouse, Squirrel, Fox, Raccoon, Skunk and Deer.
Mistletoe-
Phoradendron leucarpum.
Mistletoe is an
evergreen, semi-parasitic shrub with short, interrupted, axillary clusters of
tiny yellow flowers on smooth, green jointed stems. The leaves are long,
opposite, thick and leathery. The fruit is white, berry-like and small measuring
less that ¼ inch in diameter. Mistletoe is found primarily on deciduous trees
exposed to sun. The genus name derives form the Greek phor “a thief” and
dendron “a tree” referring to this plant getting part of its nourishment
from the trees on which it grows. The species found in the North America is not
the European variety that would turn gold as it dried as one of the enduring
common names “Golden Bough” suggests. The American species can be found as
far north as New Jersey but it prefers warmer, southern climates.
Mistletoe
was a sacred herb to the Druids and the Norse possessing magical qualities in
the areas of healing, protection and dreams. It is the Norse symbolism that may
be origin of the “kissing” tradition still evident today. The Norse believed
that men who met in battle under the mistletoe would stop their fighting,
forgive each other their differences and kiss to honor the peace now established
between them. The Druids believed that mistletoe cut from the oak tree was a
powerful talisman against evil and “ill will” when worn on the body. Twigs
with berries were hung in doorways to indicated past grievances and hatreds were
forgiven. Mistletoe was used medicinally to treat like convulsions, delirium and
heart disorders. It was especially favored for epilepsy. Birds like Cedar
Waxwing, Crow, Hermit Thrush, Robin and Bluebird favor the berries of Mistletoe.
The berry is poisonous to humans and should be kept out of the reach of young
children.
May
this holiday season be filled with joy, peace and prosperity for you and all
those you cherish.