Herbs of Winter Solstice
Herbs of Winter Solstice
Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year; it is the shortest day. This is the day that the North Pole is tilted furthest from the sun. This year we acknowledge December 22nd as Winter Solstice. Ancient traditions honored the changes in seasons as they were welded to the earth- bonded to the life, birth, and death of plants. Awareness during Winter Solstice tells us that rays of light pierce the dark- preparing for the gestation of seeds lying fallow beneath a blanket of cold. Customs honored plants as the Yule Log was brought to hearth. Kindled with a piece from last year’s fire; it was allowed to burn for twelve days before being extinguished.
Hence; “Twelfth Night.”
Evergreens, Holly, Ivy, and Mistletoe each had their place over doorways and mantles. Evergreens represented the cycle of life… immortality. Children carried oranges and apples studded with cloves to honor neighbors; and baskets of wheat stalks to represent harvest- acknowledging the triumph of light over darkness.
Herbs of Winter Solstice are Cedar, Ash, Bay, Blessed Thistle, Chamomile, Frankincense, Holly, Juniper, Mistletoe, and Pine. Belief in magic was an integral part of spiritual beliefs- as it still is in many places today.
Cedar was placed strategically about the hearth and home- its scent allays grief.
It was also taken as a tea for cough and weakness of the heart.
Ash wood made the traditional Yule Log.
Ash bark and leaf as a tea was used for fevers.
Bay brought the light of summer into the darkest days.
Bay leaf and berry was made into salves for healing and into teas for bathing.
Blessed Thistle was used for protection.
As utilized today, Blessed Thistle was then a liver tonic.
Chamomile Flowers brought the power of the sun.
Chamomile tea soothed digestive and nervous disorders.
Frankincense “tears” -the resinous drops from the Boswellia tree- was burned as protection and purification.
Frankincense- powdered and in tea- was used for fevers, vomiting and dysentery.
Holly- brought into the home as an evergreen- was an Herb of protection.
Holly in tea was used for fever, bronchitis, and gout.
Juniper was used to purify and protect.
Diuretic effects of Juniper berry- in tea, jam, or syrup- helped with digestion and inflammation.
Mistletoe was hung in the home at Yule with those passing under it exchanging a kiss of peace. Mistletoe was carried for protection.
Today Mistletoe is utilized in anti-tumor medicines.
Pine boughs festooned the doors, halls and hearth. Evergreen, the Pine was the “tree of peace.” High in vitamin C, Pine syrup was used for respiratory problems and scurvy. Pine oil was used to massage painful joints and for chest colds.
[Paraphrased from A DRUID’S HERBAL by Ellen Evert Hopman]
[See my note about mysterious Mistletoe on Facebook]
Warmth of Hearth and Heart,
Suzan
Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year; it is the shortest day. This is the day that the North Pole is tilted furthest from the sun. This year we acknowledge December 22nd as Winter Solstice. Ancient traditions honored the changes in seasons as they were welded to the earth- bonded to the life, birth, and death of plants. Awareness during Winter Solstice tells us that rays of light pierce the dark- preparing for the gestation of seeds lying fallow beneath a blanket of cold. Customs honored plants as the Yule Log was brought to hearth. Kindled with a piece from last year’s fire; it was allowed to burn for twelve days before being extinguished.
Hence; “Twelfth Night.”
Evergreens, Holly, Ivy, and Mistletoe each had their place over doorways and mantles. Evergreens represented the cycle of life… immortality. Children carried oranges and apples studded with cloves to honor neighbors; and baskets of wheat stalks to represent harvest- acknowledging the triumph of light over darkness.
Herbs of Winter Solstice are Cedar, Ash, Bay, Blessed Thistle, Chamomile, Frankincense, Holly, Juniper, Mistletoe, and Pine. Belief in magic was an integral part of spiritual beliefs- as it still is in many places today.
Cedar was placed strategically about the hearth and home- its scent allays grief.
It was also taken as a tea for cough and weakness of the heart.
Ash wood made the traditional Yule Log.
Ash bark and leaf as a tea was used for fevers.
Bay brought the light of summer into the darkest days.
Bay leaf and berry was made into salves for healing and into teas for bathing.
Blessed Thistle was used for protection.
As utilized today, Blessed Thistle was then a liver tonic.
Chamomile Flowers brought the power of the sun.
Chamomile tea soothed digestive and nervous disorders.
Frankincense “tears” -the resinous drops from the Boswellia tree- was burned as protection and purification.
Frankincense- powdered and in tea- was used for fevers, vomiting and dysentery.
Holly- brought into the home as an evergreen- was an Herb of protection.
Holly in tea was used for fever, bronchitis, and gout.
Juniper was used to purify and protect.
Diuretic effects of Juniper berry- in tea, jam, or syrup- helped with digestion and inflammation.
Mistletoe was hung in the home at Yule with those passing under it exchanging a kiss of peace. Mistletoe was carried for protection.
Today Mistletoe is utilized in anti-tumor medicines.
Pine boughs festooned the doors, halls and hearth. Evergreen, the Pine was the “tree of peace.” High in vitamin C, Pine syrup was used for respiratory problems and scurvy. Pine oil was used to massage painful joints and for chest colds.
[Paraphrased from A DRUID’S HERBAL by Ellen Evert Hopman]
[See my note about mysterious Mistletoe on Facebook]
Warmth of Hearth and Heart,
Suzan