Ivy (Gort)   Although not a tree, ivy is so resilient and strong that it is used as a binding catalyst in most magical systems. On the Celtic Tree Calendar, it is the "tree" for those born under the time period of  30 September–27 October. Ivies of all kinds are ruled by Saturn. They are protective as well as decorative, especially when trained to grow outside on house walls, posts or fences. Ivy brought indoors drives evil and negativity from the dwelling place. Ivy may be used to exorcise that which we wish to banish or to unite like-minded people. If used to banish, burn ivy to the ground following the ritual to dispel any energies of discord it may have absorbed while helping you. Ground ivy, Hedera, is sacred to Bacchus, the Latin God of Wine, and is sacred to his revels. There is great wisdom in ivy, and it is one of the plants most sacred to the Goddess; and places where ivy grows in abundance are filled with dark, enthralling mystery. Winter Solstice traditions also include Robin Redbreast, who lives in the birch, and captures the Wren, who lives in the holly (or in some traditions in ivy), on Dec. 26, Wren's Day. See December. Poison ivy and poison sumach also are often considered ivies. Early American colonists used these plants to create a yellow dye for clothing!   Sources: Cunningham, S and Harrington, D. The Magical Household: Spells & Rituals for the Home. Llewellyn Worldwide, 2003. Llewellyn Witches’ Datebook 2003, ed. KM Brielmaier, Llewellyn Worldwide, 2002. Lonigan, PR. The Druids: Priests of the Ancient Celts, Greenwood Press, 1996. Morrison, D. The Craft, Llewellyn Worldwide, 2002. Personal knowledge / traditions. Smith, A.W. The Gardener's Handbook of Plant Names: Their Meanings and Origins. Dover Publications, 1997. For more about flowers, plants and herbs, see Ireland's OWN Myths and Magic Page last updated: 5 Aug 2006 Flowers & Herbs  logo by Míchealín Daugherty   Copyright © 2006 Ireland's OWN. All Rights Reserved.