Sacred Plants of Winter Solstice

by Selena Fox

Evergreens

• symbolizing: Continuity of Life, Protection, Prosperity
• types: Pine, Fir, Cedar, Juniper, other evergreens
• forms: boughs, wreaths, garlands, trees
• divinities: Green Goddesses & Gods; Hertha; Cybele, Attis, Dionysius (Pine); Woodland Spirits traditions: Roman, Celtic, Teutonic, Christian

Holly

• symbolizing: Old Solar Year; Waning Sun; Protection; Good Luck
• forms: boughs over portals, wreaths
• divinities: Holly King; Old Nick; Saturn; Bacchus; Wood Spirits; Holly Boys
• traditions: Roman, Celtic, English, Christian

Oak

• symbolizing: New Solar Year; Waxing Sun; Endurance, Strength, Triumph, Protection, Good Luck
• forms: Yule log, acorns, wood for sacred fires
• divinities: Oak King; Oak Spirit; Sky Gods including Thor, Jupiter, Zeus
• traditions: Teutonic, Celtic, Christian

Mistletoe

• symbolizing: Peace, Prosperity, Healing, Wellness, Fertility, Rest, Protection
• forms: boughs, amulet sprigs above doorways, kissing balls
• divinities: Oak Spirit; Frigga and Balder
• traditions: Celtic, Teutonic

Ivy

• symbolizing: Fidelity, Protection, Healing, Marriage, Victory, Honor, Good Luck
• forms: crowns, wreaths, garlands
• divinities: Dionysius; Bacchus; Great Goddess; Ivy Girls
• traditions: Greek, Roman, English, Christian

Frankincense

• symbolizing: Sun, Purification, Consecration, Protection, Spiritual Illumination
• forms: incense, oils
• divinities: Sun Gods, Ra at Dawn, Bel
• traditions: Babalyonian, Assyrian, Egyptian, Jewish, Greek, Roman, Christian

Myrrh

• symbolizing: Healing, Death and Afterlife, Purification, Inner Peace
• forms: incense, oils
• divinities: Isis, Ra at Midday
• traditions: Egyptian, Jewish, Christian

Wheat

• symbolizing: Sustenance, Abundance, Fertility, Good Luck
• forms: grain, straw figures and symbols, cookies, cakes, breads
• divinities: Earth Goddesses; Saturn & Ops; Goat Spirit; Fairy Folk
• traditions: Roman, Celtic, Scots, Teutonic, Swedish, Christian

Celtic Tree Calendar's Sacred Trees of Winter Solstice

• Yew: Last Day of Solar Year; Death. 
• Silver Fir: Winter Solstice Day; Birth. 
• Birch: Month following Winter Solstice; Beginnings.