Happy Winter Solstice.
In the previous blog for this month, I wrote about the realm of hidden magic, those gifts inside of us have not been fully welcomed and are biding their time, perhaps in an atmosphere not conducive to their flowering. This was in the context of the Goddess, or feminine force, known as Malinalli. In considering herbs to explore for this month, it occurred to me that the first step towards healing the unconscious influence of generations of suppression and danger surrounding magic will be to address the fear, resentment, and rage that comes from the denial of something essential that has not been allowed full expression. Just as feeling safe is critical to the acceptance of healing. Cleansing ourselves from the poison of betrayal, fear, limiting self-beliefs, and resentment is needed in order to find and wield our inner power, and to tap into the boundless magical energies of the green world. There are many plants that would align themselves to this purpose, but a few that are particularly harmonious with the season come to mind. I was looking into Ivy, as the name Malinalli means Healing Ivy, or alternately Twisted Ivy, although there is much debate about what plant the name actually refers to and whether it is an Ivy at all. The best theory I’ve heard is that the plant her name references had many magical and healing uses and was harvested to extinction. Some say it was a form of Ayahuasca, or another psychoactive, others that it was an algae. Still, the name of Ivy remains.
Ivy
Ivy has a rich Pagan history, being associated with Dionysus/Bacchus, as the Bacchanals would become intoxicated from consuming it, seeking both visions and frenzy. Ivy has the magical capacity to both bring about intoxication and trance, if consumed, and to potentially help prevent these effects, when worn as a crown or carved into goblets as a symbol, according to the lore. It was also sacred to the Druids. At Yule, it can be used for divinatory sight. As a result of these associations, it was removed by the Christian Church from its proper place within the rituals of Yule or Christmas, because of fear of magic. Its later use became as a protection against witches, planted to grow along houses and on walls, so that witches could not enter. This comes from the idea that Ivy protects against negativity (as well as lightening). Ivy was used in spells for divining health and love, for communicating with spirits, in love binding spells, in protection magic, in luck charms, and in bringing death to something, as well as in other forms of cursing. Yet, today it is known as a commonplace invasive or ornamental plant. I’m feeling the parallel with the story of Malinalli. Ivy tends to send its roots down into the earth wherever it is able to touch the ground, and as most know it has the uncanny ability to climb and persevere in many settings. This all makes a kind of poetic sense, especially as the plant who gave its name to the original sorceress and keeper of earth based magical knowledge
As I read more into Ivy, I found an interesting detail. According to folkloric knowledge, Ivy is magically paired with Holly, even considered the corresponding good luck plant for women that Holly can be for men. Holly and Ivy appear together in wreaths that are hung on doors and in homes during Yule, and in Pagan European myth concerning a battle between the Holly King and the Oak King, also known as the Ivy King, which has something to do with the binding of the last sheaf of harvest with Ivy, and a practice of foretelling luck on Yuletide morning. I can’t help but notice that there is much magical lore about Holly and Mistletoe, both sacred Druidic herbs, involved in what became common holiday traditions. Holly was perceived to be more chaste, than dream-inducing Mistletoe, and thus was more embraced by the church, even with its power for magical cleansing and bringing luck, but Ivy, the feminine counterpart, was mostly forgotten in holiday rituals. Hmm. Perhaps an appropriate magical act for empowering the Green Magic and Divine Feminine Mysteries of seeing, dreaming, shapeshifting, and spellcraft, in honor of Malinalli and the parts of ourselves that have not been fully allowed to shine in the light of day, is simply to bring Ivy back into the ritual celebrations of the Yuletide season. Below are some of the traditional uses of Ivy during Winter Solstice and the following holidays.
Making Magic with Ivy:
Plant or scatter Ivy wherever you need protection from negativity.
Carry Ivy for luck, or as part of a bridal crown, a practice that is especially lucky for the female identified.
Make a wreath of Ground Ivy vines and hang it on your front door to bless your home with love, abundance, and magic Add Holly for color, extra protection, luck, and to increase your wise visioning and prophetic dreaming. Since the two are paired magically, when together they create a stronger effect, as two opposite forces joining together create with power. Add something to symbolize what you are hoping to bring into your life this New Year. Holly also has an affinity for transforming hostility, bitterness, envy, and aggression, so add it with the intent to heal any of these heavy emotions that may hang over your most magical self, and invite that aspect of you out of the shadows. Ometeotl.
Perhaps offer yourself or your wreath spell some Holly flower essence to soften the hard walls we build around us when the world feels more hostile to us than it is.
On the Solstice, Yule, or New Year’s Eve add fresh Ivy and Holly leaves to a hot bath by candlelight. (Don’t include the berries, though, as they are toxic.) This will help to cleanse old emotional wounds and the resentments they leave behind, related to all the times you were told to hide your true nature, as Malinalli was. Then make a crown of Ivy, and celebrate the subtle parts of yourself that have been waiting to be seen. Pretend it’s your birthday and the world is excited for your arrival.
Place a single leaf of Ivy and Holly under your pillow to bring dreams of future love.
Aquamarine
In all of this consideration about aligning ever more deeply with The Divine Feminine, and healing past suppressions of the intuitive on personal and collective levels, one stone brought itself instantly forward to my awareness. Beautiful, blue-green, soothing Aquamarine is a gentle, yet powerful ally for communing with The Goddess, and embracing her gifts both inside and outside of ourselves. For those who have trouble expressing the truth of one’s emotions and sense of inner knowing, Aquamarine can increase access to and trust in the intuitive level, allowing one to the gain courage to self-express.
When we are not used to feeling trust in our own sense of truth and intuition, or when others shut us down for expressing on this level, it is easy to become afraid and resentful. Allowing that kind of harm to continue for long can lead to emotional numbness, as well as bitterness, vindictiveness, and passive aggressive expressions of anger. These emotions can show us important imbalances in our lives, but they also poison the psyche, making the world seem smaller and meaner than it has to be. When attachment to harmful states of mind, ways of living, people, and things seems insurmountable, Aquamarine can provide a sense of calm relief, a doorway to one’s own deeper consciousness, insight, clear voice, and ability to weather life changes.
Aquamarine is perfect for healing the heavy emotions and stifling of the throat chakra that can accompany past experiences of emotional, verbal, and physical forms of abuse. It is cooling and soothing, and gently but insistently calls us home from experiences of dissociation because of trauma. When we have succumbed to unhealthy patterns as either the victim or the perpetrator of psychic aggression, Aquamarine reminds us to soften and receive the support of the Divine Feminine. By encouraging the acknowledgement and release of self-limiting or abusive patterns in our histories, and empowering our ability to express our innate sense of truth, Aquamarine assists us in flowing with empowerment. Power can be carried gently and with confidence, as is exhibited by water, which gracefully moves through the earth, carving a path where it needs to, in pursuit of its innate purpose.
Aquamarine offers an opportunity for deep emotional cleansing and rebalancing, a perfect partner for Winter Solstice. When something sensitive and innate within us has been wounded, when we have had to hide, as Malinalli did, we must be sure not to perpetuate the harm by changing our own nature, or becoming lost in retaliation. Instead, find that which will help cleanse what has been collected, and practice bringing the idiosyncratic nuances of your heart, your voice, and your soul forward to sparkle like the gem that you are.
Wear your Aquamarine jewelry close to your throat chakra and your heart. Let it remind you and support you, as you begin the journey to shine each day with more of your divine, magical light, just as the Sun of this New Year begins its return to full strength and presence.
With deepest love and respect for the bold and subtle parts of you,
the eleventh house
-This blog was written by Melusina Gomez. You can learn more about her work and healing practices at www.metzmecatl.com