Thursday, February 17, 2011

Celtic Tree Lore - The Emotional Willow

This last month (January 24th – February 20th) Willow has been represented. I have a special love for the willow as we are blessed with many of them encircling our pond. Their gentle ways have always been a trait I love about them. They hang over the water in their sheltering way, swaying as the breeze blows through them. Such resilance they have, as I have witnessed it when the ice has covered them and pulled them towards the ground with its weight. Yes, there have been times when they have broke yet more often they have bounced back after the ice melted.

The Willow is the tree of enchantment and is ruled by the moon. This could be another reason why I am so attached to the willow as I also hold a dear fondness for the wonderful moon who will be in all her beauty in the next days. The willow tree is often found near water and thus is influenced by it. Legend says that the Moon Goddess gave rain to the willow as a gift because of her love for it.

Willow is an emotional tree, encouraging us to explore the range of all the emotions that may rise up within us. We should not hide our feelings but allow them to be expressed in a safe place. Healing will often come from this expression of emotions. Tears may also fall, once again exhibiting the connection with water.

There are times when we must allow ourselves to submit to the watery world of our emotions as well as our subconscious.This release will allow us to be carried to a fuller and deeper understanding of what is truly inside of us. In turn we will be more able to show our true self. We learn that with every loss there is the potential for a new beginning.


I spoke a couple days back about the many twigs and sticks that had fallen from my willow and my intention to gather them and put them to some use. As I gathered the sticks small and large, I realized the abundance that lay on the ground.  In turn I began to understand the emotional release that the Willow wants to give. Year after year I watch as the wind blows and sticks fall to the ground. I have often wondered why. If the Willow is so flexible and able to endure the winds and ice without breaking why does it lose so many small twigs and sticks? Then I realized the answer. The sticks are excess that is not needed. Loss of them does not hurt the tree to any extent that would cause serious injury. In fact, the subtle pruning allows the weaker twigs to fall and the stronger ones to remain. Just as we release the emotional excess that is not necessarily needed, the Willow does the same.

In honor of the beautiful Willow and her reign this last month as well as the coming Full Moon, I would like to share a little piece of my willows with you. From the sticks that I have gathered thus far, and a little of my imagination, I have created a few items.
A stalk of Willow Twigs entwined with jute, copper, and stone


A Willow Star entwined with copper


And lastly a set of Willow runes


Just leave a comment. Be sure that your profile if set to public and that your email is accessible. Otherwise just leave your email just in case you are chosen I want to be able to contact the winner. I will keep this open through the end of the month, choosing a winner February 28th

The Willow has many facets and many things to share with those who seek it as a friend. Next time you come upon a Willow tree, stop and pay homage. She is turn will bless you in a manner only the Willow can.


24 comments:

Unknown said...

I think I have told you before I have a willow friend that my husband and I chose when we built this house 14 years ago and I have watched her grow and flourish all these years. In the past few years she has done the most remarkable thing....she opens her branches to me. I know it may seem strange to say that but every time I am near a certian area it is as if she is inviting me in. As you know this year I began my new path and choose her to share it with. I love the all the treasures you made from yours especially the runes ( I don't know how to use them but they just look like they are calling my name)
Thanks again for this post it lifts my spirit.

Hugs

mxtodis123 said...

Wonderful post, my friend. I love the Willow. Don't get a chance to admire them in person anymore now that I am in the city.
Mary

Jen said...

The Willow has always been my favorite--since childhood! Such a wonderful, comforting and beautiful post. Your items are just as beautiful too!~

Mother Moon said...

There is a huge weeping willow that I met while visiting my daughter and grandkids in Tennessee... Although I know there will come a time when my son in law is reassigned to a new post and I may never make it back that way again, this Willow will forever be a tree I love.

Theresa MacNaughton said...

What a gorgeous post! I always adore your Celtic tree lore. I love willows - I don't have any near me. Your creations are amazing - so spiritual and heartfelt. I would love a chance to be gifted with any of these. Theresa
PS My eldest dog is named Willow. :)

ana lilia said...

i've never seen a willow, in person, as there are none in my area, so i don't know much about the tree. but, you've sparked an interest in me to learn more about the willow! your items look lovely! thank you!

hohoandbaba[at]gmail[dot]com

Faerie Sage said...

What a beautiful post, Willow is such an amazing tree.
Blessings

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Mother Moon....it has been a year since I said good bye to my dear Saint Bernard Willow, so named because of my love for a weeping one that was my best friend when I was a little girl. I would sit cross legged under that tree and talk to it for hours. I miss my darling furbaby and also my childhood friend the Willow tree. The Olde Bagg, Linda

Robin Larkspur said...

Oh my Gosh, I did not realize you were having a giveaway...I thought you were just sharing photos with us of your creative shaping of Willow magic! So beautiful. I would so love to have a willow in my yard, but the yard is too small, sadly. You are so blessed to have your willows! And your giveaway is beautiful!! Thanks for sharing the lore of the willow. Robin.

Kat said...

Ohhh how lovely, count me in :)

Great look on the blog. <3

Pheonix_Dawn said...

I thought the same that u were just sharing pics Wow what beautiful craftsmanship lovely I have two willows in my yard that I use for meditation Its lovely to sit beneath one in spring just as mother nature is awakening What a beautiful post thanks for sharing my email is prillam2@hotmail.com Just in case LOL

Aine O'Brien said...

I have loved willows since I was a child. I remember playing under one while my mom had her done in "Milly's" beautyshop! Thank you for posting so much information about this beautiful tree.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post. I love the Willow. So peaceful and inspiring.

Wendy said...

I've long loved the Willow tree and especially have become closer to her energy ever since I started attending N. American sweat lodges where they use the Willow for her ability to end and the nurturing strength she has. Your giveaway is lovely. Hand made items are so nice to have. If I was more creative with my hands, I'd be making some, I'm just not creative that way. So, please do enter me for your giveaway, Mother Moon :)

Sarah said...

I love the willows that hang over the lake here. I used to swing in them as a child. I also used to love to hide in them.
Your work is beautiful.

Emi Brade said...

What wonderful things have sprung from what seems so simple at first glance. What started as discarded winter twigs has turned into so much more, Great Post!

JenX said...

The willow has always been a special tree for me. Astrologically, my moon and sun are both in water elements, which may make me as weepy as the willow! Seriously, though, I have made two wands out of curly willow and use them for moon magic. Being a gardener, I am often working with trees and find it very soothing. Love your blog and your crafty spirit!

Unknown said...

I have a willow of my own in our back yard. She is old and I fear won't be with us much longer, but i do love spending time with her.

Brianne said...

How wonderful to have the Willows sing to you. In my part of Florida, it is too hard for the Willows; I think it is because of the salt in the air. I use woods according to Celtic and other ancesteral lore in my crafts and I am currently working on a Dancing Moons series that tries to match the woods with the moons every month. These are on etsy if you want to check them out through my blog. So, to acquire another's craft that is so intuned with this "beat," would be exciting. My contact email is oasis1085@bellsouth.net. Peace. Brianne

Anonymous said...

Hi,
the willow is very special to me too. Here in The Netherlands we use the branches (the curly ones) to decorate around Ostara / Easter. We decorate them with eggs, chicks, birds, hares etc.
I love the tree as a whole too, especially the weeping ones. I used to call them "sad trees" when I was a little girl.
I would love to enter in the give away.
Have a wonderful weekend.

audrey said...

Hello Janie.
What a beautiful post about the most beautiful tree. When I was a young girl, we lived with my grandfather and he had the biggest beautiful willow tree in his yard. I LOVED that tree for many years, spending much time beneath its branches. That is when my love of willows began. I just planted a willow tree in my back yard last Spring. It is doing well and I am so happy with it.
Thank you for this lovely post.
♥ audrey

Shelby Demona said...

Willows are indeed amazing trees. As my mother (Kristen) said, our own willow has done amazing things. Growing up with her, I remember her great doorway that she made (and makes) each spring. I loved laying under her branches. Although, there was one time when I was picking up her fallen branches and she slapped me. LOL Gotta love them though. <3
Your words are lovely and so are your creations! <3

~Shelby

~ Jayne ~ said...

The leaves and bark of the healing Willow are ancient remedies for pain,fever,and other ailments.A natural rooting stimulant can be made with it to help cuttings of roses,shrubs,and perennials flourish : Snip pencil-thin willow whips(budding,if possible)into one-inch lengths.Put two cups of the snipped wands into a half-gallon jar,fill it with boiling water,steep overnight,and then strain.Soak the lower stems of the cuttings overnight in the willow infusion,and then pot or plant as usual.Whenever I pass a Willow tree,I look over its branches in the hope of finding one that is knotted;as it is regarded to be a gypsy charm for love.

Jayne said...

Beatiful - I loved reading this post and shared it on my FB page. Will be popping back to read more :)