#holy tree

June 2010 KTM　Kathmandu  Nepal

© KOJI ARAKI Art Works

‘The “holy” tree rules the waxing half of the year from the Winter Solstice. It was thought to hold the power of eternity as it was evergreen, & to ward off evil with its prickles. Before cutting a holly branch an offering must be made.’

I got this scenario from a dream I recently had, a weird dream. The kind I like to explore more. Not sure what it meant though. Had to get this out and I hope you like it, it’s not quite the hero vs villain I normally do. It’s still nice and interesting.

Enjoy my friends. The forest was peaceful and villain entered the empty field with much to hope for. Hero was the key to secure the fall of the tyrant king, who tortured people for nothing or for personal gain. 

At the center of the field was a circle of stone and at the center of that and old holy tree. A place for prayers and truth, the perfect place for this kind of meeting. With respect, villain greeted the gods who guarded this place. “Today will either end in victory or bloodshed. I pray for victory, I stand in your mercy.”

Villain aimed an arrow to a hooded someone, “show yourself!” The stranger knelt before the tree and mumbled something before they showed their face. “Sidekick, how did you find me?”

“I know you and I know your attachment to this place. Even if I don’t fully understand it.” To hear sidekick’s voice and joyous laugh, it made villain less worried.

“I don’t expect you to fully understand, friend. Just respect my faith.”

“You put too much faith in hero.” Villain put back the arrow on their quiver, but the bow always was close by. “I have come with a warning, friend.”

Villain turned from sidekick to see if hero was even close. “Spill it, I’m not sure hero will show with you here”. Sidekick didn’t take it as an insult, which it wasn’t. “It took a lot for them to even meet with me.”

Everything went quiet, too quiet. “Of course they won’t. Trust is earned and as fragile as glass”.  Villain couldn’t agree more, “friend, we have a traitor among us.”

This wasn’t news to them, rumors like that had been around for some time now.

Villain had been careful, told only their closest friends about the meeting. “Do you know who?” They shrugged and nodded, “who?”  Villain felt an arrow pierce through their skin, they stumbled to sidekick. But they only meet a knife at their throat. “You?”

Their laugh was wicked and yet so relaxing. “Yes, I am so tired of faking loyalty to people so weak.”  They set fire to the tree and the stone circle around them, except one entrance. Where soldiers waited, the kings men. 

Sidekick’s crime against the gods made things clear, “time is almost up, friend. His highness is tired of this rebellion”. Villain tried to gather strength to get away, couldn’t, and was surrounded by enemies. “I’m sorry about this, but you won’t give up.” 

“Sidekick…” As soldiers stripped them of their weapons and everything else they groaned. Every movement hurt, so did their carelessness. “Why do you do this?” 

“Captain, is this villain?” A soldier wondered and everything was clear to villain now. The famous captain, sidekick nodded with a smirk. The soldiers were excited, “does this mean you will come back?”

“No, I have to stay behind. If I leave now they know I’m a spy.”

Villain tried to fight sidekick the best they could, “sidekick! Why do you do this?!”

They leaned closer to villain, whispered in their ear, and pushed the arrow in. While villain whimpered, sidekick hissed. “I won’t lower myself to a mere sidekick. Not when I am a captain and about to be promoted to officer”.

“Oh…” Villain was left on the ground and someone tied villains hands behind their back. “I’ll never give in to tyranny!” Everybody laughs at every little try to get free or hurt any of them, the only one who wasn’t properly protected was themselves and sidekick. But for that, they needed to get by at least two men. 

“I know.” Sidekick whispered something to someone, maybe an order. “Villain, be nice and give his highness my love. Maybe you’ll see that they can be merciful.” 

Villain scuffed, “they don’t an empathetic bone in their body.” 

“Well… I can’t change your mind, what I will do is destroy the rest of your little rebellion.” Villain fought with any agonizing energy they had left, but in the end, they were left defeated.      

Someone took the arrow out with force, villains scream made a few of them cover their ears. For villain, they rarely felt that kind of pain. The little pain they were used to, also was too painful.   

“I pray for justice… and promise in truth, even if... it’s only one of us left. There will always be someone fighting.” One last time they watched the holy tree, the fire spread. Sorrow and guilt of what they had brought to this peaceful place ripped them apart. 

The holy tree was restored, still on fire. But not the same kind of fire, “this is ridiculous” sidekick sighed. Probably saw the hope in villains eyes, “let’s move on. His highness waiting for you, villain. I have a rebellion to crush.”

A quiet soldier made sure villain wouldn’t lose to much blood. As they were forced to walk behind the soldiers, each and everyone on a horse. If they were really tired they could ride on their own horse for a bit, but never for long.

(c) Peter Schillinger

(Ilex aquifolium or I. opaca) May cause nausea or vomiting.

Folk Names: Aquifolius, Bat's Wings, Christ's Thorn, Holy Tree, Holm Chaste, Hulm, Hulver Bush, Tinne Gender: Masculine Planet: Mars Element: Fire Powers: Protection, Anti-Lightning, Luck, Dream Magic

Magical Uses: A par excellence protective herb, holly guards against lightning, poison and evil spirits. Planted around the home it protects it and its inhabitants from mischievous sorcerers. When thrown at wild animals, holly makes them lie down quietly and leave you alone, even if you don't hit them with the plant. Holly water (infused or distilled) is sprinkled on newborn babies to protect them. Holly is also carried to promote good luck, especially by men, since the holly is a "male" plant. (Ivy is the corresponding plant for women.) It is also hung around the house for good luck at Yule. After midnight on a Friday, without making a sound, gather nine holly leaves, preferably from a non-spiny plant (one that has smooth leaves). Wrap these up in a white cloth using nine knots to tie the ends together. Place this beneath your pillow, and your dreams will come true.

June 2010 KTM　Kathmandu  Nepal

© KOJI ARAKI Art Works