SYMBOLIC HERBS AND GREENERY


According to the book A DRUID'S HERBAL, plants are brought into the house at
the time of the Winter Solstice to assure the Woodland Spirits that they can
Find safe refuge with us during this period of darkness and cold. Plants
that were, and often still are, brought in at this time, include:



1. Yellow Cedar (Arborvitae) for cleansing and purity.

2. Ash, considered an herb of the sun, for protection.

3. Bay Laurel, to bring the light of the sun into the house and ward off
illness.

4. Blessed Thistle, an herb still used to cleanse the blood, for protection,
joy, and prosperity.

5. Chamomile, an herb still used for its ability to soothe and cleanse, for
love and purification.

6. Frankincense, an antiseptic herb, used symbolically to bring purification
and protection.

7. Holly, for protection and to symbolize the co-existence of human and
plant spirit and life.

8. Juniper, for love and protection.

9. Mistletoe, for healing, peace, and beautiful dreams.

10. Pine, for peace, healing, and joy.



The Altar can be a low table or a bridge table. It does not have to be fancy. It can be a board on the floor or a windowsill. It can be the floor itself. It can, of course, be the earth. If you are re-creating a Medicine Wheel on the floor to do your Ceremony (more on that at a later date), you might want to place the Altar within it, in the North section of the room.