Chris2041
This is my first post on this site and I would like to say thank you to all of the postings on this study group. I'm not sure if ivy has been discussed before but here goes.
My thoughts around ivy are summarised as follows:
Grows spirally therefore relates to the goddess energy, the cyclic rhythms of the universe, life/death/rebirth. The spiral of the self and the search for the self. Its power lies in its ability to cling and bind: determination and strength. Being evergreen it symbolises the perennial nature of life. Symbolic of the journey of the soul and the spiral towards the self but encourages us to offer assitance to others on this journey so that they in turn can assist us.
Ivy is related to the goddess Arianrhod a lunar goddess who opens the portal to the otherworld, the darkside of the moon.
Known as the poets crown and the wreath of Baccus where it was believed to protect against the delusions of alcoholic intoxication. Therefore has a protective function. Also associated with Dionysus (god of fertility, vegitation and ecstacy, perhaps a version of Cernnunos?)
Medicinal uses, although poisonous it was believed to aid in the bringing on of menstuation and a treatment for headaches.
Lessons of Ivy: Reminds us of the movement of the heavens and how this is reflected on Earth. Can bind all things together but where there is life there is also death. Shows the wandering of the soul in its search for growth. But be warned, be sure of the direction of your desires to avoid being ensnared by them.
Before the ascent into spirit can commence the descent into matter must be complete.
(above inspired from the following works: Wisdom of the trees by Jane Gifford, The celtic tree oracle by Liz & Colin Murray, http://www.novareinna.com/constellation/ivy.html)
Looking through this deck I can find Ivy on the following 5 cards:
Princess of Pentacles: I see a symbolic connection with the meaning of this card. To me she stands on a threshold and contemplates her current life and the choices she has to make, but she has direct access to the wisdom of the ancients and from her own past life/lives (I see a skull in the tree, the Tomb, spirals) ? menstrual blood on floor (transition) Ivy used to aid onset of menstruation.
From this I see the ivy as symbolic of the cyclic nature of life as shown in this card. The ivy gives determination and perseverence to her choices. How do thers see the relevence of ivy to this card?
Death: Ivy above cauldron reinforces image of the cyclic nature of the universe. Life/death/rebirth.
Rebirth: Ivy in foreground symbolic of rebirth and awakening to the light of the Sun. Spirals reinforce this cyclic nature.
The Lovers: Ivy symbolic of binding them in union? although the crown of ivy could be alluding to the protective nature of ivy. Warning of the need to be wary of the intoxication of life, love and union? The choice to surrender has been made but has the potential to become destructive.
Cernnunos: As in the lovers the male aspect wears the crown of ivy, Warning of the risks of obsession with the intoxication of life.
The Lovers and Cernnunos seem to be invoking the protective or warning aspects of ivy wearas the other cards seen to use ivy in its cyclical life/death/rebirth aspect.
Any thoughts?
My thoughts around ivy are summarised as follows:
Grows spirally therefore relates to the goddess energy, the cyclic rhythms of the universe, life/death/rebirth. The spiral of the self and the search for the self. Its power lies in its ability to cling and bind: determination and strength. Being evergreen it symbolises the perennial nature of life. Symbolic of the journey of the soul and the spiral towards the self but encourages us to offer assitance to others on this journey so that they in turn can assist us.
Ivy is related to the goddess Arianrhod a lunar goddess who opens the portal to the otherworld, the darkside of the moon.
Known as the poets crown and the wreath of Baccus where it was believed to protect against the delusions of alcoholic intoxication. Therefore has a protective function. Also associated with Dionysus (god of fertility, vegitation and ecstacy, perhaps a version of Cernnunos?)
Medicinal uses, although poisonous it was believed to aid in the bringing on of menstuation and a treatment for headaches.
Lessons of Ivy: Reminds us of the movement of the heavens and how this is reflected on Earth. Can bind all things together but where there is life there is also death. Shows the wandering of the soul in its search for growth. But be warned, be sure of the direction of your desires to avoid being ensnared by them.
Before the ascent into spirit can commence the descent into matter must be complete.
(above inspired from the following works: Wisdom of the trees by Jane Gifford, The celtic tree oracle by Liz & Colin Murray, http://www.novareinna.com/constellation/ivy.html)
Looking through this deck I can find Ivy on the following 5 cards:
Princess of Pentacles: I see a symbolic connection with the meaning of this card. To me she stands on a threshold and contemplates her current life and the choices she has to make, but she has direct access to the wisdom of the ancients and from her own past life/lives (I see a skull in the tree, the Tomb, spirals) ? menstrual blood on floor (transition) Ivy used to aid onset of menstruation.
From this I see the ivy as symbolic of the cyclic nature of life as shown in this card. The ivy gives determination and perseverence to her choices. How do thers see the relevence of ivy to this card?
Death: Ivy above cauldron reinforces image of the cyclic nature of the universe. Life/death/rebirth.
Rebirth: Ivy in foreground symbolic of rebirth and awakening to the light of the Sun. Spirals reinforce this cyclic nature.
The Lovers: Ivy symbolic of binding them in union? although the crown of ivy could be alluding to the protective nature of ivy. Warning of the need to be wary of the intoxication of life, love and union? The choice to surrender has been made but has the potential to become destructive.
Cernnunos: As in the lovers the male aspect wears the crown of ivy, Warning of the risks of obsession with the intoxication of life.
The Lovers and Cernnunos seem to be invoking the protective or warning aspects of ivy wearas the other cards seen to use ivy in its cyclical life/death/rebirth aspect.
Any thoughts?