Holly

“I am a battle waging spear”

Tinne

(CHIN-yuh), Holly

The Letter T

The Eighth Consonant

The First Joint of the Middle Finger

Stone - Smoky Quartz

Color - Dark Gray

Bird - Starling

Of this moon Amergin sings, "I am a battle waging spear." There now comes a rapid change in the energy of the year. W can see that suddenly the bounteous, blossoming growth light of the sun has turned into a vengeful, destructive force, laying waste to the vegetation of the land, for once more the dying energy reasserts itself. Until now we have working in partnership. Placing our energy toward growth, but now we become aware that we must reap and sow quickly as the heat of the sun bears down upon us before all is lost. We now have different needs and we must direct our energy in other life affirming ways. The Sun now threatens our crops; weeds flourish, as do all other creatures of nature creating a threat to the harvest lest we fail to begin to take care of our needs. This conflict in the reversal of energies lead mythologically to a battle that is known as the "War Among the Gods."

The prime symbol of this battle for the Harvest is the Spear. It is said that whoever held it was certain of victory. Here it becomes a way of "fighting fire with fire," for it turns into the thunderbolt, the messenger of the rains that dispel the summer heat.

The Spear has its own message for our inner life. Where before it was enough for us to accumulate and experience in the waxing power of the year, now we must use our energy creatively, shaping it into something that can be shared with others, and that will continue independently of us. We must begin to set limits in order to avoid wasting the energy we have. And here we can see that Fire, which provided inspiration for us, is something we must now focus and shape like artists. The fiery water of becoming is now creative life when the Spear touches it.

As the moon waxes we see the shape of the Spear, feeling its aura of reversal and unbalance, but at the same time feel a sense of adventure that comes with anticipated change. We prepare ourselves to accept that change. On the Full Moon the Spear reaches us with its thunderbolt-power, and we accept the guidance offered us. The thundering fall of the Spear releases the cooling, shaping water; and with the moon's waning we begin to focus the energy we have stored, surveying those areas within ourselves that must be prepared for the Harvest.

I AM AN AVENGING SPEAR

I who heal may also hex,
The good enhance, the evil vex;
I am an avenging spear.

The rich and powerful know no fear,
Though the seasons change throughout the year;

But I'll speak up and make them hear;
I am an avenging spear.

For peace and love we ever yearn,
But some do wrong and never learn;
This time it won't be us that'll burn;
I am an avenging spear.

I'm tired of promises, tired of the lie
Of a better life after I die,
We take what's ours and touch the sky;
I am an avenging spear

What goes up must soon come down,
So wipe your tears and mend your frown
Their time is up, go claim your crown,
I am an avenging spear

On the earth, in the air, Through the fire, by the water,
I am VENGEANCE, the eighth month's daughter

© Chris Carol 1979. © 1948, 1966 by International Authors N.Y.

Holly is the Eighth Tree of the year. It flowers in July. Tinne a Celtic word meaning sacred tree. It is thought that perhaps it was not really Holly but the evergreen Oak that was being referenced. (White Goddess)

Symbol of the consistent possibility of creativity. Often revered above the oak. It's red berries are seen as the red blood of the dying Oak King. (Fruits of the Moon Tree)

Magical: Mars, element - fire, powers - protection, anti-lightning, luck and dream magic. Thrown at wild animals will make them lie down quietly and leave you alone. Would you try that??? (Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs)

Tinne is a sign of revenge or vengeance taken for wrongs done to someone. As a sign of perfect balance, it is that force which will right a wrong. The holly is the sign for justice. The T indicates a directed balance and a capacity to unify both sides of a question. You are to be steadfast in adversity, remaining green and vital during the coldness of winter. There may be legal or money matters in the offing. The challenge of the holly is that there is a lack of direction. There is a need for more knowledge, perhaps, but certainly the need to communicate your ideas well and effectively.

Botanical Information

The holly is a shrub which can grow up to 35 feet in open woodlands and along clearings in forests. They are evergreen, and their shiny leaves and red berries make them stand out in winter among the bare branches of the deciduous forest trees that surround them. They form their red berries before Samhain which last until the birds have finished eating them, often after Imbolc. The typical “holly leaf” is found on smaller plants, but toward the tops of taller plants the leaves have fewer spiny teeth.

Many experts think that the original tinne was not the holly, but rather the holm oak, or holly oak. This is an evergreen oak of southern Europe that grows as a shrub, or as a tree to 80 feet. Like the holly, the holly oak has spiny-edged leaves on young growth. It does not have red berries, but it does have red leaf “galls” caused by an insect.