Photo by Morgane Le Breton on Unsplash
We bring shrubbery into our homes at this time of year. Why? I don’t know all the traditions behind it, but I do know that shrubbery is a good mood lifter in the bleak mid-winter. It brightens up our homes a little bit, smells good and reminds us of the greenness that will one day return when the snow has melted.
Little sprigs of holly on the dining table and placed around the serving dishes is my favorite Christmas greenery go-to.
Holly has a long association with Christmas. According to treesforlife.com, in parts of Britain, holly was referred to simply as “Christmas.”
In folklore from all around the world, holly was believed to protect against evil, believing the prickly leaves would catch the evil thoughts or spirits and on a more practical level, the prickly leaves would lend protection from animals.
In the Bach Flower Essences, Holly embodies love and is known to help relieve temporary strong, angry emotions and jealousy; very negative and aggressive feelings directed at others — hatred, suspicion, envy and spite.
Someone in need of Holly is in a state lacking in love. Using this flower essence encourages our generosity of spirit and an openness toward others. You know who could have benefited from some drops of Bach Holly in their water bottle? Mr. Scrooge, that’s who.
Holly’s unhappiness comes from within themselves — there is no real outside cause for their unhappiness. (It can be said that all unhappiness comes from within, but that’s a whole other conversation for another day.)
If you or your loved ones are feeling a little prickly — if there’s a little extra sibling rivalry happening in your house right about now … Bach Holly may help to add a little peace on earth and goodwill toward others.
Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath
#wellnessawaits