Amanda Frayer artisan // illustrator // designer

Holly is native to every continent except Antarctica. It is the whitest wood you’ll ever see, and a good alternative to ivory. Dyed black, it can replace ebony. Most people steer away from elephant ivory without question, while ebony is still in use. Fortunately, holly is a fine substitute for both. Hard, fine-grained holly is used to make chess pieces, piano keys, bagpipes and other musical instruments. The leaves and twigs of a species native to South America are used to brew Yerba Mate, a hot caffeinated beverage. Also, holly berries are an important food source for birds and wild animals.

A couple years ago, there was a major snowstorm in my area. A holly tree fell near my house and I collected a large limb from it. It has been seasoning since then and is now ready for use.

Holly has a rich and compelling history of use in medicine, science, magic and superstition. Some of the more interesting lore involves the Druid priests of ancient Britain. They first decorated their dwellings with holly (the thorny plants were believed to repel all evil spirits), then the Christians followed their example.

In Christian legend the berries of holly were stained red from the wounds of Christ. Superstitions later claimed if a holly outside a home was smooth, it was a she-holly and the woman ran the house. If it was prickly, it was a he-holly and the man was in charge. Another superstition held that it was decidedly unlucky to leave holly decorations up after New Year’s Day.

For another alternative to ivory, see also tagua nut.

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Believed to bring the wearer: courage, divinity, guidance, healing, intelligence, protection, rebirth, unity

Other associations: dream magic, hearth and home, attracting good luck

Spirit animals: cardinal, starling, wild turkey, quail, mockingbird, robin, bluebird