Guest Author - Deanna Joseph

Ivy, though actually a vine, has a very popular and extensive history in tree lore. It’s the tree for the month of October and the vine of the Greek god Dionysus, who was known to wear a crown of ivy leaves. It is said that at a celebration honoring Dionysus, a young maiden, Cissos, who overdid the dancing and celebrating, died of exhaustion, so Dionysus turned her into an ivy plant.

It is also the plant of the Roman god, Saturn, and was used as decoration in Saturnalia festivals.

In ancient Egyptian folklore it was said that to become a priestess of the goddess Nepthys, the woman must be born after the autumnal equinox (or the month of the Ivy – October) when the power of Nepthys was growing in power.

To place an ivy leaf under your pillow will cause you to dream of your lover, however if you dream of an ivy plant it may foretell of a breakup soon to come. Known to embody the attributes of fertility, love and fidelity, Ivy was frequently used in spells for love magic (though it should definately NOT be ingested).

In the ogam, (the Celtic alphabet that is the magical equivalent of the runes), the Ivy is known as Gort, and represents ruthlessness and achievement.

A tenacious plant by nature (it is actually a parasite), the Ivy symbolizes adaptability and a powerful survival instinct. When you look at the Ivy plant you can even see in its leaves the face of a wolf (also known for its adaptability and powerful survival instincts).

Though the Ivy can sometimes be a persistent plant that ventures into places in our yard where it may be uninvited, it is a reminder of the power we all have to overcome obstacles and break down barriers of our own.