Willow
Willows which by water stand
Salix alba Tree of Enchantment, Tree of Witcheries Fifth month of the Celtic Tree calendar, April 15th - May 12th Fifth consonant of the Ogham alphabet - Saille
|
||
|
Planet: Moon Element: Water Symbolism: Resonance and Harmony Stone: Moonstone Birds: Hawk, Snowy Owl Color: Silver Deity: Persephone, Hecate, Cerridwen, Artemis, Selene, Luna, Diana, Brigit Sabbat: Beltane |
"I am a willow of the wilderness, Loving the wind that bent me." Ralph Waldo Emerson |
|
|
Folk names: Osier, Pussy Willow, Saille, Salicyn Willow, Saugh Tree, White Willow, Witches Aspirin, Withe, Withy
Medicinal properties: Willow bark contains salicin, or Salicylic acid, used to make aspirin. Infusions from the bark have long been used as a remedy for cholls, rheumatism, and fevers. Willow sap applied to the skin can remedy acne, and a strong decoction of boiling the bark and leaves in water can be rubbed into the scalp for dandruff.
Magickal properties: New Moon magick, creativity, fertility, female rights of passage, inspiration, emotion, binding. Love, Love divination, protection, healing.
Also known as the tree of immortality because of its ability to re grow from a fallen branch in moist ground.
A wand made from Willow wood has many uses: sleep with it and have more vivid dreams, use it to draw down the moon, protection for underworld journeying
Magickal Brooms, witch's brooms are traditionally bound with a willow's branch.
There once was a Willow, and he was very old, And all his leaves fell off from him, and left him in the cold; But ere the rude winter could buffet him with snow, There grew upon his hoary head a crop of mistletoe. All wrinkled and furrowed was this old Willow's skin, His taper finger trembled, and his arms were very thin; Two round eyes and hollow, that stared but did not see; And sprawling feet that never walked, had this most ancient tree. ~Julianna Horatia Ewing, "The Willow Man"
|
||
The Faces of WomanSpirit A Celtic Oracle of Avalon by Katherine Torres, Ph.D.
Trust All is here and now. Know it. Connect with the Hand of Goddess. Let Divine Mother Transform you. Be an Example in the World.
Willow asks you to bend with her into the path of retrieval. Follow the labyrinth trail, connect with the power of wisdom and the rhythm of your soul, and return to your ordinary world strengthened. You will find that your awareness of your purpose is stronger and your intent cannot be broken by the spell of someone else's desire. |
||
|
Alone with myself
Spell for Love: Take three long supple branches of willow, braid them together and then fasten it into a circle with pink, red or white ribbon. Place a picture or the name of the person you love in the center and then put it next to your bed. Whispers from the Woods, by Sandra Kynes
|
||
THE CELTIC TREE ORACLE by Liz and Colin Murray The Willow in the tree alphabet stands for the female and lunar rhythms of life. She is water-seeking, thriving from preference on the damp margins of lakes and streams or across the low-lying water meadows. Water and the tidal movements of the sea are governed by the pull of the moon. The moon in its monthly rhythms is female, contrasting with the male sun's daily and yearly turnings. In several ways, the Celts held women in higher regard than we do today. On the material level, women were property owners, and whoever controlled the property controlled the marriage. Women of all types and appeared in the Celtic pantheon, the spiritual strength and life-giving qualities given by both female and male recognized equally. There were many colleges of Druidesses - learned women and teachers - respected especially for their gifts of seer-ship, often expressed through dreams, or night visions. |
||
|
Willow Wife
Heitaro loved the willow tree that grew close to his hut. As the world judged riches he had none, but the tree was treasure and temple and company enough for him, and each new season of the year seemed more beautiful than the last. When the wind blew through its branches, no music was finer.
One day the villagers came with their choppers, claiming they needed the wood to build a bridge. Heitaro offered to find them some other wood, if they promised not to touch the Willow. He scoured the land and returned with some wood, and the villagers left, leaving the Willow unharmed.
That night as the moonlight shimmered on its leaves he stood beneath the willow branches and gave his thanks to the gods that the tree had been spared. As he prayed, he saw something move in the shadows. He turned for a closer look and saw a beautiful young woman standing there. He bowed and apologized for disturbing her, backing away, believing she was there waiting for her lover.
Each night after she was there, waiting for her lover, and Heitaro at last realized that is was he himself she came to be with. They were married, and a child soon followed. Every night they prayed together by the willow tree.
One day, the emperor To-Ba ordered that a temple to Kwannon, the goddess of mercy, be built for the villagers. They wanted the wood of the willow tree, and this time they would not be convinced otherwise. This made Heitaro very sad, however he realized how blessed he was with his wife and daughter, that he believed he could endure the loss of his willow tree. The villagers began to cut down the willow tree.
The willow wife cried out "Husband, the room is growing dark!" She fell to the ground and covered her face with her hands. Heitaro saw her limbs twisting and turning as though to avoid blows. He found he could do nothing to help her. He and his daughter watched as the willow wife lay dying. When the last blow on the tree was struck, he was alone with his daughter.
Adapted from "Myths of the Sacred Tree" by Moyra Caldecott. Based on a Japanese folktale, retold by Iyanaga Mitsuyo, and quoted in Meinrad Craighead, The Sign of the Tree: Meditations in Images and Words.
|
||
|
by Gillian Kemp
Your fertile inner strength, like that of the Willow, is your inexhaustible flexibility to bend around obstacles. Your desires can be woven into shape, as the Willow's pliable shoots are used to make baskets. Magic wands are made from Willow, so what you have in mind has all the magical ingredients for success. You can tell your secret to a Willow and make wishes. The male and female catkins, which grow on separate trees, signify a lovers' meeting for you. The bright-green leaves of Spring forecast celebrations, fresh opportunities, and speedy growth. The honey-bearing catkins symbolize the wisdom of spiritual self-improvement, and sweet things for you.
|
||
|
Willow Fairy
Cicely Mary Barker
The Fairy Bible by Teresa Moorey
The willow fairy can be grumpy and tricky. The Hobbits in The Lord of the Rings were lulled to sleep and almost killed by Old Man Willow, and while fairies are rarely so ill- intentioned, the willow fairy is not always kindly.
The willow fairy may leave the tree at night and follow travelers, muttering and mumbling, which can be rather frightening to those who do not understand.
Willow has profound wisdom to offer, which humans rarely appreciate. It is deeply mystical and in tune with the music of the waters, all around the globe. Salicylic acid, which is used to make aspirin, comes from the willow, and the willow elves are associated with knowledge of medicinal herbs and healing.
Approached with respect, willow is a wonderful teacher and will whisper to us if we listen. It is important to be still, and to understand that human perceptions are shallow. Imagine the questing roots of willow, seeking the underground streams that flow to and from the earth-girdling oceans. Nighttime is best to commune with this spirit in meaningful dreams. |
||
The Leaf on the Water by Ouan Tsi (1007-1072)
The wind tears a leaf from the willow tree; it falls lightly upon the water, and the waves carry it away. Time has gradually effaced a memory from my heart, and I watch the willow leaf drifting away on the waves. Since I have forgotten her whom I loved, I dream the day through in sadness, lying at the water's edge.
But the willow leaf floated back under the tree, and it seemed to me that the memory could never be effaced from my heart. |
|
|
|
Willow Knot Spell from Herb Magic for Beginners by Ellen Dugan
To have your spell wish granted, you are to stand under the graceful branches of the willow on the night of a full moon. Blow a kiss to the moon and state your wish out loud, as you gently tie a loose knot in one of the supple branches. Then, while gazing up at the rising moon, repeat this verse:
Under the Lady's moon, shining so bright, Willow tree, hear my request on this night. In this willow tree, I now leave a marker, Grant me love and happiness, and bring much laughter.
Close the spell with these standard Craft lines: By all the power of three times three, And as I will it, so mote it be. |
||
|
The Great Goddess
Her name means "plant life" because of her connection to the plants, especially blossoming flowers in Spring, which
are also symbolic of the human spirit that respects and appreciates beauty itself. the pleasure we can evoke in one another, and the love that we can kindle. The Goddess blesses all forms of love, all the different modes of attraction and deep connection - sexual love of all persuasions, friendship, the love of parent and child, love of trees and flowers and flowing water, love of truth, beauty and justice. The twining ribbons of many colors remind us of the many aspects of love.
|
||
|
The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree, Sing all a green willow. Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee, Sing willow, willow, willow. ~William Shakespeare, Othello
|
||
|
|
LESSON OF THE WILLOW
from The Wisdom of Trees by Jane Gifford
The watery willow encourages
the expression of deeply buried feelings, easing sadness through tears and
grieving, and teaching the consequences
of love and loss in matters of the heart. The willow reminds us of
|
|
|
Celtic Moon sign - Willow Moon
The willow seeks out water, and is often found near streams or above natural underground wells. Like no other, this tree is associated with the Moon, in all her phases - and so symbolizes the change of our feelings and "moods" as time passes.
Born under the sign of the willow, you are an instinctive creature - in fact, you often react primarily from your "gut response" rather than on intellectual information. Watch the rhythm of your moods carefully and pay attention to your dreams. Their symbolism will help you navigate throughout life. Written by Kim Rogers-Gallagher, and Llewellyn's Witches' Datebook 2000
Weeping Willow, The Melancholy
|
||
|
Little breezes dusk and shiver. ~Alfred, Lord Tennyson The Lady of Shalott
I release that which no longer serves me. I am at one with my environment. I honor the energy of willow for the lunar rhythms within me as a woman. I will recognize and heed my own body's cycles. So mote it be.
|
||
|
Pray Peace
|
||
