The Celtic Tree Month of Vine or Muin runs from September 2nd to September 29th
I dreamed this mortal part of mine
Was metamorphosed to a vine,
Which, crawling one and every way…
from Robert Herrick’s “The Vine”
The month of Vine is the bridge between the Autumn Equinox and the dark time of the year that begins at Samhain. Muin is an Ogham word that means highest of beauty and strongest of effort and the Irish word Muine means thicket.
Vine symbolizes emotion and sensuality and represents the clinging aspirations of artists and of poets. Vine refers to specifically to the Grape Vines. In mythology, the grapevine is personified in the God Dionysus or Bacchus, who brought the art of winemaking to mankind. Carvings of this god show him with an ivy wreath upon his head and his body covered with grapes and leaves. As such he resembles the GreenMan of the Celtic traditions. In Pagan/Wiccan traditions the five-pointed leaves are sacred to the Goddess as is the spiral growing pattern of the vines themselves.
This is not a tree but more like a shrub and is probably the oldest cultivated plant in the world. It is a long-lived plant and scientists have found fossilized grape leaves that date back 40 million years! These vines have large lobed leaves and produce small whitish flowers, that in turn produce grapes. Vine can grow up to 115 feet in length and live to a recorded life span of 600 years. The stem of very old grape vines has been known to produce “planks” 15 inches wide when cut. This vine has no uses other than winemaking.
In healing, the vine is known for its restorative and regenerative powers. It can help with fever, the leaves and seeds were used to stop hemorrhaging, bleeding, and inflammation. Grapes are rich in iron, and vitamins and provide an excellent source of instant energy. They are also a laxative and a diuretic. Blackberries were used by the ancient Greeks to treat gout. In England, the leaves were used to treat burns while berries were used to treat bug bites, loose teeth, and sore throats. The bark and roots are known for their astringent properties and are still used today.
VINE IN MAGICK
Vine is female and is ruled by the moon. It can be used to promote prosperity, fertility, and mental powers and can be used in garden magick. Ritual uses include celebrations, grounding and faery magick. Use the leaves of this plant to enhance your own goals and ambitions. Vine is also one of the nine sacred woods burned at Beltane as a symbol of joy.
Vines’ properties are as follows:
Thistle: Protection, strength, exorcism, hex breaking
Blueberry: Spirituality, protection, and dream magick
Grape: Garden magick fertility, prosperity/money, and binding
Blackberry: Protection, healing, and prosperity
To dream of grapes/blackberries is a sign of abundance, if the leaves are green then success is coming your way and if you are harvesting the berries your income will be a good one. To dream of walking through a vineyard foretells of prosperity.
Here is a recipe for Vine Moon Tea (good for use in Earth magic, sex magic, and overcoming difficulties):
1 part blackberry
1 part dandelion
splash of currant wine or Grape juice
pinch of hibiscus
Vine people have high personal standards and tend to be natural socializers and well-organized. They also have well-developed instincts and an eye for detail however this can become an issue as they can be highly self-critical. They are also secretly romantic and sensitive. Vine people have a dual personality and can be happy one minute and down the next. It is important for Vine people to learn the importance of balance between giving and receiving.
To choose Vine as a magickal name can indicate that you are a climber and have great potential. You are willing to work hard to achieve what you want.
Deities: Dionysus, Osirus, Branwen,Brigid, Danu, Freya , Hathor, Bacchus, Dagd, Etain.
Animals: White swan, eagle, lizard, hound
Sacred Stones: Blue beryl and emerald
written by CatSister 2010
The New Book of Magical Names by Phoenix McFarland
Cunninghams Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs
Whispers from the Woods by Sandra Kynes