Plant Witchery: Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants - Juliet Diaz 2020

Ivy
A Compendium of Plants

ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES

new beginnings

The reason you frequently see ivy featured in the sign above a pub is because it was once believed to relieve drunkenness . . . which it does not do. On the contrary, a brew made with ivy was consumed by the followers of Dionysus, the Greek god of revelry and, well, drunkenness.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Ivy can be used to treat whooping cough, as she has a mild antispasmodic effect. For that reason, she may also help with bronchitis, and a poultice made of her leaves may bring down swelling. Be careful with her, though, as some people have a bad reaction to ivy, whether used internally or externally.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES

Ivy is considered a pest by some because of her ability to grow on literally anything—upward or sideways. But she sets an example for us in this way, and inspires us to persevere and to try, even when we think a situation is impossible. She reminds us of the things we have been through—all the falls, fails, and obstacles we have experienced—and that we not only survived, but that we became stronger and better able to face whatever comes our way.

PLANT WISDOM

Ivy teaches us that change isn’t always a bad thing. Change can mean changing paths, habits, relationships . . . anything, really. She wants you to know that change is nothing to fear, as you are always guided by your ancestors. If you are feeling unsafe when going through a transition, ivy can bring you peace of mind. She is the queen of journeying, as she climbs, twirls, reaches—basically, she goes wherever her spirit leads her! This trust in the universe is something we should all bring into our lives.