September 30 - October 27

Gort

Latin name: Hedera helix L

Celtic Symbol : The Butterfly

Other Symbols:The Mute Swan, The Boar

Zodiac Degrees : 7º00` Libra - 4º59` Scorpio

Ruling Planet : Persephone Veiled By The Moon (is said to exist just beyond Pluto)

Ancient Goddesses Associated With Persephone :

Greek : Persephone, Hecate, Ariadne

Celtic : Arianrhod, Rhiannon

Tarot Key: Stength

Properties: Progress and tenacity

Gender: Masculine

Moon of Buoyancy

Moon of Resilience

Herbal Magick Properties: Healing, protection, cooperation, exorcism

Alternate Names:  Gart, gwinwydden

The month of Gort begins on September 30th and ends on October 27th. This is a time of reconciliation and settlement (karma). It is connected to the Hunter's Moon, and female hunting animals - the wolf, the bear, the boar, and the lion. Symbolized by Brigid - goddess of fire, truth, smith-craft, and inspiration, whose symbol was the Wolf; as well as Garbh Ogh - the Huntress, symbolized by a boar. Also identified with the Greek Artemis (whose symbol was the bear), and the Egyptian lion godess Sakhmet, who represented both the healing and the destructive powers of the Sun. The Hindu goddess Durga rides on a tiger or lion, and is the mighty slayer of demons.

The ivy is not considered a tree, but depends on a host tree for support. It is a member of the Ginseng family (Araliaceae) and can be seen growing to 100 feet long in beech woods and around human habitations, where it is widely planted as a ground cover. Ivy produces greenish flowers before Samhain on short, vertical shrubby branches.The deep green and rather waxy leaves of these flowering branches lack the characteristic lobes of the leaves of the rest of the plant and it has thin tendrils that attach themselves to surfaces. These tendrils are strong enough to force their way into bricks, cracks, and plaster.

Like holly, ivy is evergreen, its dark green leaves striking in the bare forests of midwinter and it represents the perennial aspects of the human psyche. The ivy is respected as a magical plant protecting against evil spirits and symbolizing fidelity, loyalty and enduring friendships.

Ivy can grow in such abundance on a host tree that it smothers the tree and actually kills it. The Ivy was considered to be a very powerful tree to the Celts because of its ability to kill even the mightiest Oak tree. Because of its tendency to create dense, impenetrable thickets in the forest, it is seen as more powerful than the vine, and rather sinister in nature.

The Celts associate Ivy with their lunar goddess Arianrhod and their ritual to her marked the opening of the portal to the Otherworld.  Thus the dark side of the moon.  This door symbolizes an entrance to the world of the Faery People.  The Butterfly is the symbol of the Faery Faith. Thus Ivy represents the mysterious and the mystical.

Ivy berries can be used for medicinal purposes, but can be poisonous if taken In large quantities. In fact, the entire plant is poisonous and should be used with extreme caution, if at all. A broth of fresh leaves can be used to cleanse sores or wounds. A powder made from dried leaves and berries can be used to clear stuffy heads, and is also believed to be a cure for hangovers.

Celtic Astrology

Ivy characters have great personal stamina and abundant talents that can bring personal honors and public recognition. People born under this sign generally are colorful individuals with a unique style of their own. New moon people born during the first two weeks are quite radical thinkers, akin to the rowan tree character, but they have a more artistic temperament. They are, however, inclined to be rather indecisive and their success rate tends to swing between two extremes that will set the pattern of life accordingly. Full moon people radiate a successful image all the time despite suffering a reverse of fortunes. They are generous providers, but shrewd investors regarding their financial resources and income. They are also extremely manipulative people who tend to use their position or power quite ruthlessly. As a result they often become involved in disputes and litigations.

Celtic Tree Month of Ivy