Holly, Yew and Box 



been used for church decoration is highly valuable, 

 as the keeping of a berried sprig ensures the 

 owner a lucky year. 



The same work informs us that in Derbyshire 

 the opinion prevails that " according as to whether 

 smooth or rough leaved Holly is taken into a 

 house at Christmas, so will the wife or husband 

 be master for the year." 



The superstitious legends pertaining to the 

 Holly are not confined to its use at Christmas 

 time, for many have been recorded relating to 

 quite different affairs. Young men and maidens 

 have not been forgotten, for the Holly is credited 

 with having the power, if used in the proper 

 manner, of giving love-sick girls and youths 

 glimpses of their future partners. For instance, 

 in Johnstons Botany of the Eastern Borders the 

 following tale, culled from the Border Tale 

 Book, Vol. VIII. p. 245, is related : 



" In the north of Northumberland the Holly is 

 divided into two kinds, the He and the She. 

 The former is distinguished by having prickly 

 leaves, while in the latter they are unarmed or 

 nearly so. When gathered in the proper manner, 

 and at the fit hour, the She- Holly engenders 

 dreams concerning that all absorbing subject a 

 husband or wife. To ensure success the leaves 

 must be pulled upon a Friday night at midnight, 

 by parties who, from their setting out until next 

 day at dawn, must preserve unbroken silence. 



50 



