VINE

Blood of the Earth
Fruit of the Vine
Abundance and Health
Bring in the Wine

According to the Celtic tree calendar, vine is the "tree" for September 2 to September 29.  This is usually interpreted to be grape vine.  The best count that I've seen is that there are 79 species of Vitis (grape vine) worldwide.  The domestic grape that is grown in most of Europe originated in Mesopotamia, where it has been cultivated for 6000 years.   There are roughly 25 species that are native to North America with the fox grape and riverbank grape being the most common.  Grape is so plentiful in North America that the east coast of Canada and northern United States is Leif Erikson's "Vineland".

After the Romans perfected the art of European wine making, grapes became associated with wealth and abundance.  An abundant grape harvest meant lots of wine that could be sold and traded.  This wine was often safer to drink than the water and was a good carrier for herbal medicines.  Wine became associated with health, vitality and prevention of disease.  The wood has long been used for tools, baskets, and furniture.

Everywhere grape vine is found, it has been used for food, medicine, tools, and magic.  Painting grapes on the garden wall or kitchen wall is thought to encourage fertility.  Growing grapes around the perimeter of the garden is believed to bring abundance.  Training grape vine up the door of the house brings prosperity and fertility to the household.  Another way to bring fertility and abundance to a household is with a pentacle made from grape vine.  The Greeks considered grape vine to be the blood of the earth and the fruit of the vine to enhance fertility and fidelity.  Some who work with grape vine use the leaves, grapes, and vine on the alter to enhance prosperity spells.  An offering of wine shows grace and gratitude.  Some Native Americans saw grape vine as a gift from the sky spirit and grape vine is one of the plants used to create dream catchers.

Whether grape vine is used for food, drink, baskets, tools, medicine, or ceremony, this plant makes a worthy vessel for the transmission of energy.  Grape vine perfectly symbolizes this time of year in the northern hemisphere.  Most of the uses of grape are available in this season and the beautiful grape helps us get through the lean times coming.