Holly

Ilex aquifolium

Cancer, Leo

Balance, Protection 

Holly is some 600 species of evergreen trees and shrubs that like to grow in tropical and warm areas worldwide. The plants like sun to part sun and well-drained soil. Some varieties can live to 100 years old. 

Historically, Holly has been gathered as a Christmas decoration and has been associated with the crown of thorns on Christ's head due to the spiky leaves. 

Holly plants are best known for their bright red berries that remain on the plants for up to 6 months and are an important source of food for birds in winter. Small mammals also eat the berries and leaves. Different varieties of holly produce berries in pink, blue, orange and white. Holly berries are poisonous to people and pets. 

Most Holly plants are dioecious, meaning they produce either male or female flowers. Female plants rely on nearby male plants to be pollinated, otherwise they will not produce berries. Only female plants produce berries. Male plants need to be within 50 feet of a female holly plant.

Holly is symbolic of balance - it takes a male and female plant for berries to be produced. The concept of male and female, each put on the end of a balanced scale, with provide balance with the concepts of the masculine and feminine in life. The plants have spiky leaves, which keep animals away, and they have berries that nourish birds and small animals. Again, we have concepts that when put on either side of a scale, plant protection and small mammal and bird nourishment, balance out. Holly can remind us to look at each side of an issue and to look at the balance that can be often found in the whole. And also the idea that some people can be prickly on the outside but, in balance, can be compassionate on the inside. 

Most Hollies keep their leaves through the winter which offer protection for nesting birds. As food sources become scarce in winter, Holly is a steady food source for birds and small mammals.  

The energetic concepts of balance and protection lend themselves to providing a solid foundation for meditation for our daily lives. Holly can be used as the base or as a starting point for a journey or meditation if you're interested in bringing a strong concept from nature into your spiritual practice. If you feel an affinity to Holly or are in a place where you feel the need for protection or of feeling safe, you can call on the spiritual energy of holly to surround you with its spiky leaves and protective energy, not allowing in anything that doesn't serve your highest good. While nestled in the protection of the branches, you can use the image of the nesting bird to spread your wings (your imagination) to reach into the higher realms. 

Planting Holly near your home can bring the properties of balance and protection to your living space. 

Holly can be propagated through seeds and cuttings.

• English Holly (Ilex aquifolium) is native to Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. Plants grow 15 to 50 feet tall and up to 15 feet wide and have dark green spiny leaves. Small white flowers produce  red, yellow or orange berries.
  
• American Holly (Ilex opaca) is native to Eastern and South Central United States. Plants grow 25 to 50 feet tall, with some up to 70 feet. Plants have dark green spiny leaves that have been used to make tea to treat colds. 
  
• Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is native to eastern North America. Plants grow up to 12 feet and  produce clusters of bright red berries. Also known as Michigan Holly and Black Alder. 
• Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta) is native to China and Korea and grows from 15-25 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It has dark green leaves and produces red berries. Plants will grow in hot and humid conditions and are drought tolerant. Also known as Horned Holly. 
• Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) grows up to 10 feet tall and is native to Eastern Asia. Plants grow less than 6 inches per year.