by
wensum24
@ 09/01/2006 - 12:20:27
The Vine needed a great deal of care in the cool Celtic climate, enabling it to bear any fruit, which gave symbolic and sacred knowledge, together with spiritual initiation, and the association with sensuality and emotions.
In the Ogham alphabet, the GrapeVine is depicted as sacred to deities, and grapes to this day are used for wine, which was always believed to bring out the truth, and dissapation of inhibitions from those who indulged in it's beverage. Indeed, such fruit as this wine, was used by seers to simulate prophecy, who delved deep within themselves, intuition their guide.
The Vine, obviously, is a far more cultivated three/shrub, and records show that in the British Isles, it has been propagated for a great many centuries. Bronze Age artifacts show the Vine leaves, and distinct foliage, a hardy and long-lived plant. The Ogham quotes the "Weaver" as reference to the Vine, for it's entwining and linking tendencies, something that the Celts nurtured in the need to appreciate the significance and importance of respect towards others.
The Vine is tenacious and frequently found in very awkward places, leaving a lovely path in it's wake. The fruit of the Vine has been prized for a long time, as a fruit to loosen tongues and release inhibitions, and lead to more freeflowing speech at it's harvest.
Though records reveal the intoxicating nature of the Vine, Noah the biblical patriarch, planted a vineyard on Mount Ararat after floodwaters receded, and became heady after drinking some of the fermented beverage.
We can find some evidence in history, showing the possibility of the Vine excisting before humans appeared, with initial cultivation on Vines for winemaking, appearing in Sicily around 2000 B.C.
The name has origins in the word, viere, meaning "to twist" with some Vines recorded as living over 600 years. It once graced woodlands and forest edges, but today is typically cultivated with it's simple leaves and greenish flowers. Indeed, it's cultivation is a big business, drawing in much devotion and protection. The wild variety has unisexual flowers that require pollination by insects, though only the female produces fruit, which becomes the raisin when ripened and dried.
In the Celtic tree signs, the two distinct characters fall in the first two weeks of the sign, ('new moon') and the last two weeks, ('full moon').
The new moon character has a tendency to express quite openly their opinions, though encounters difficulty in dealing with certain things. Enthusiastic by nature, and supportive as a partner. The full moon has a great gift of forgiveness, but a little more difficult to pinpoint as a person than the new moon, who are more likely to over-induldge.
Overall Vines are discriminating, set a high-tone, are authoritative, appearing calm and collected, even detached, are nonetheless secret romantics and prone to being self-critical, allowing an air of vulnerability.
They are distinctly perceptive, with a keen eye for detail and refined aesthetic taste, though a dual personality may exist, they are cheerful, exuberant, party-happy, one moment, followed by a burst of sudden tears. With the Vine, emotions run high on the inside, concealed by the outter calm which they show against dangers. They can be found in the public service sector with such qualities.
Kind, gentle, creative, sociable are all given to Vine individuals, who adore theater and music, though over-indulgence is frequently a danger. There is a necessity for reassuring physical and mental influences.
Not overly ambitious, Vines do posses the strong survival instinct, though they need to balance both sides of life....sowing and reaping.
They also may become lost in worries and negativities, which can hinder decisions and progress, though they are given to a sensuous nature, with a reserved spirit and create harmony and stability. They make passionated lovers, though can become relient on others good-nature. Their earthy nature has great appeal, though others may find this hard to handle.
Humour is their positive point, (away from the Vines tendency to earthy humour), they are easily hurt from inconsiderate attentions of others, they lead the field of constingency and historically as one of the Celtic Zodiac's instinctive organisers of life. The Vine should and must never be underestimated!
by lauren6
Gemstone: The Vine gemstone is the Emerald, a sparkling-green precious stone of the Beryl group, its color caused by small amounts of chromium and enhanced by traces of iron. One of the most expensive jewels.
Flower: The flower of the Vine is the Valerian, also known as the common or garden Heliotrope and often referred to in modern times as an "herbal valium."
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Colour: Green, white and orange
Music: U2: Please
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Inclement weather, commencing on Christmas day, continued through the whole of a month, when the Thames was frozen over, so that numbers of people walked upon it.
-Universal Chronicle, January 9th, 1740
