The Willow Has Spoken - And the Winner is

Well it is time... Time to let a winner be chosen for my Emotional Willow giveaway... As many of you know, I love giving little things away and although I will start off with some things, it always grows to more.

 

So many of you left wonderful comments. Some of you even shared some of your own doings with the willow. A few I have already tucked away in my goodie book for later use. Thanks for sharing.

 

The person chosen as the winner is definitely the one who is suppose to be blessed by the willow items. First I used a number generator and she was the one chosen but I am not too keen on number generators and like to handwrite the names and pick a winner at random. Lo and behold the same name was chosen again... I took this as a sign that the fates had spoken.

 So without further ado... the winner of the Emotional Willow giveaway is Faerie Sage over at Faerie Sage Kitchen. And she is even a Pisces.... so a happy birthday to you dear, there will be a few extras tucked inside to celebrate the grand occasion. Please drop me an email when you can with your mailing info and I will shoot your box out to you in the next few days.... Congrats and I hope you enjoy all your goodies.

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.

Celtic Tree Month - The Astrology of Willow

hose born under the sign of the Willow are ruled by the Moon. They hold many of the mystical aspects of the lunar realm. They are highly creative, intuitive, and intelligent. Many times they have a high psychic ability. They have a clear sense of cycles and the manner that each situation has a season. They tend to possess a more realistic perspective and are usually more patient than other tree signs. Because of the intelligent aspect, Willow signs often have the ability to retain knowledge and then regurgitate strictly by memory. They often are filled with potential yet have a tendency to hold themselves back for fear of coming off as too arrogant or overindulgent. It will be their powers of perception that will ultimately allow their true nature to shine through. This will lead to their success in life.

Willows must be careful of the rhythm of their moods. Paying close attention to their dreams can help tremendously in this. Willow signs are best suited with Birch and/or Ivy signs.

Celtic Tree Month - The Magical Attributes of Willow

agic is strong in the willow tree. The wood of a willow is an exceptional choice for wands or runes, especially if its purpose is for any form of moon magic. In fact Harry Potter's mother Lily possessed a wand which was crafted of Willow.  Just as you would place your divination tools (such as tarot, runes, crystal ball, etc) under the full moon to charge with its positive energy, you can likewise ask the willow to do the same during the month of the willow tree.

Simply place the object you wish to charge in a willow basket. This is best done on a Monday eve. Take the basket outside and place it beneath the willow. Just as you imagine the energy of the full moon coming down to enter and charge your items likewise imagine the willow doing the same filling your item with the power of the moon. When you retrieve your item from beneath the tree be sure and thank the tree for its gift and likewise leave a gift.

Willow is known as a guardian tree and possesses a healing aura. It is said to bless all who touch it. It is often used in love spells and rituals for raising moon energy. It is said to be useful in attempts to call the faeries as they are always said to be near the willows. Carry a small piece of willow with you to help aid in trusting your intuition.

Celtic Tree Month - Herbal uses of the Willow

ater is the element which represents the Willow tree. She is water seeking, thriving from her preference to reside next to lakes and streams as well as along low lying water meadows. Willow aids in maintaining healthy riverbanks by circumventing erosion. Water and the tidal movements are controlled by the pull of the moon. So it is no surprise that Willow is also connected strongly with the Moon…for it is the moon goddess that controls all waters.



In regards to the herbal uses of willow, Black Willow bark is used to treat gonorrhea and ovarian pain. The white willow contains salicin. This is the active ingredient found in aspirin. White willow bark is used for such things as arthritis, headaches, rheumatic complaints as well as fever. To make willow tea, steep three teaspoons of the bark in one cup of cold water for two to five hours. Boil for one minute and stain. Willow is also available as a powder. In this case, the dose is one teaspoon, three times a day in tea. Willow bark is usually harvested in the spring.

Celtic Tree Month - The Emotional Willow

he month of willow begins this week on April 15th and continues until May 12th. The Willow tree is deep with emotions and is known for its intense powers of divination. Its branches have great resilience and are capable of bending without breakage far more than most trees. The willow spreads its branches in a graceful manner, draping them towards the ground. As the winds blow, they sway to and fro in an almost melodic sense. It is said to sit beneath the branches of a willow tree helps to calm one’s energy. I can believe this as willows encircle the pond which sits near my back porch. Nothing is more soothing then to sit with a soft breeze and watch them as they slowly sway. They sing with a voice that only the willow has.

Willow has often been used as a symbol for forsaken love. If you see one wearing a sprig of willow, it is a sign they are nursing a heartache. The willow has also been associated with sadness and darkness. Willows were planted near Roman burial sites and also used as a motif for gravestones in Victorian England and America. Because of its lightness, Willow is often used in the making of artificial limbs. 

Befriending a willow and tending to its needs is said to give one a friend for life. They in turn will give to you. Willow is one of the nine sacred woods for a sabbat fire, in which it represents death. Willow is also used to secure the birch twigs to the ash handle of a traditional witch’s broom. Another name for the willow is Tree of Enchancement.

The Astrology of the Ash Tree

or those born under the sign of the Ash (February 18 - March 17) many of the same attributes that are associated with the sign of Pisces apply.  Imaginative, intuitive, and naturally artistic, as well as withdrawn and moody at times.  Such people are said to be in constant touch with their inner muse and are easily inspired by the nature around them.  Often called the Enchanter because of their inspirational personality, people are comfortable in their presence and actually seek them out.  People born under this tree may at times be thought of as recluse and hermit like however this is usually not so.  It is just a result of their deep immersion into their creative vision and development.  Such people are usually in a constant state of self renewal and put little if any value into what others may think of them.  Ash signs are said to partner welll with those born under the Willow and the Reed. 

And So It Begins

I awoke early this morning to the sound of rain falling.  Earlier the night before the weather men assured us that it would be a dry morning and that the majority of the storm to come would not be here until noon today... As usual they were wrong.  It was barely light outside yet as I glanced out the back door the porch appeared to be only wet.  As I made the morning coffee I could hear the rain continue.  The picture to the left is  only the beginning of what I know is to come as the day continues.  Even since I took the picture the ice has accumulated more.   Already there are reports of loss of power.  The rain is to continue throughout the day, not turning to sleet or snow until after dark.  For any of you who have encountered an ice storm, you know what this means.... There is a very good possibility for significant ice accumulation.  It will be a true miracle if we don't lose our power.  It is just a question of when it will happen and how long it will remain out.  Last storm like this it was a total of 4 days.  However this was nothing compared to others who were without power for close to 2 weeks.  Yet enough about this..... We will deal with it as it comes and with whatever it decides to give to us.  As we all know there is no stopping Mother Nature when she wants to do something. 

In some ways I am sort of eager for the cold and ice.  Strange isn't it.  I say this because I know that next week is Imbolc, the turning point of winter.  A day of welcoming the sun back and saying goodbye to the cold clutches of winter.  Although I know that winter can still take hold even after February 2nd, especially here in Oklahoma, I can not help but feel that it is symbolic of the beginning of the end.  One last hurrah...

Yesterday was a beautiful spring like day.  Temperatures in the mid 60s, fluffy white clouds with hues of grey and the brillant blue sky.  It was a day that you could not help but be outdoors doing something just so that you could enjoy it.  What a contrast from the weather we have today.  Cold blusterly winds, freezing rain, ice coating everything and anything that it lands on.  I told Vincent, it was likened to the day before giving birth.... You have all this energy and feel wonderful, then labor begins and hard stuff begins.... It was a blessing however, as it allowed so many, including ourselves to prepare for what was to come.

It seemed as if everything was active yesterday.

The birds yesterday played throughout the yard and trees yesterday as if themselves enjoying the warmth, knowing that today would not be as nice. Even the honey bees were out yesterday trying to eat from my bird feeders.  I knew that the weather to come would be bad as they were busily trying to eat anything they could to prepare.

Today  the birds  huddled around the bird feeders at first light,  scurrying to eat all they could before the frozen ice covered their access to their nourishment.   I always keep an bucket of seed in the house at times like these.  I am sure to toss some out occasionally across the back porch so that they will have something when the weather is inclement.  The wind blows them sliding across the wood as they try to eat the seeds that land near them.  They often huddled on the south side of the porch just under the window to where I write.  I am sure they will be there again today as the weather continues.

Although there is sorrow in the weather to come as I know that there will be trees that will suffer because of the weight of the ice they will bear.  I also know that it is  a time of cleansing.  When last our willows endured such a storm, I was heartbroken at the devastation they encountered.  From tall standing stately trees, that swayed so softly in the breeze, they were reduced to heavy laden trees whose arms now hung to the ground.  Some could not take the strain and gave in to the pain.  Others remained strong and as the ice melted rose once more to their stature.... This event however enabled us to take the weaker parts from the trees which in turn made them stronger.  I know that we will more than likely still lose some this time also, yet I am hopeful that they will not be as burdened as before.

As before I stated that there are others that this storm will effect, as this runs from New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee and beyond... Some will get rain, some snow, others ice... To all of you, stay warm yet above all stay safe... blessings

November Giveaway - Willow Moon Runes

I am blessed to have a truly beautiful place to live.  A small but adequate pond sits just to the south of my house and each time I sit at my computer it is the site I see.  It is truly a peaceful place.  Not just because I say so, but because all who visit agree.  We are blessed with an abundance of birds, wild animals, flowers, trees and more.  I like to think of it as my secret garden. 

Encircling my pond is a grove of Willow trees.  The stand guard over the enchanted garden, silently watching all who come and go.  There heads bent in homage, they sway in the breeze lulling any who watch into a melodic trance. 

Last winter, ice ventured its way to our pond and to our willows.  Although they bent under the strain and many were able to survive the trauma, some sucumbed to the tragedy and we had to cut them down and trim them back extensively.  I very much did not just want to throw the wood away as if it meant nothing.  I knew that there had to be some use for it.  Recently Vincent and I came to an admirable conclusion.  We decided to make homemade runes.  In studying the process I began to see the details of this endeavor. 

One could easily cut and sand and brand the wood.  Then finish with the appropriate stain or varnish.  Yet I wanted to give the willow the respect that it deserved.  Yes I am one of those tree huggers.... Really a bit more than that.. This is the 3rd set of runes I have made.  The first was mine of course... a rough set that is natural and sits on my alter.... the second I gave to my oldest sons fiance for her birthday a few days ago.  My third set I want to give in my next giveaway.  Vincent was sweet enough to cut the runes and do the initial sanding & wood burning.  I then sand and finish them as well as perform the dedication rites.  I like to think of them as Willow Moon Runes.  As willow is often used for moon magic. 

The recipient will receive a full set of hand made runes as well as a handmade box and bag.  The runes have been dedicated as well as charged by the November Full Moon (this eve to be exact).  The box will be personalized for whomever is chosen.  As this box is my tarot card box.  All are welcome to enter as I am willing to send them wherever need be as I feel that whomever is chosen is the one who is to receive them.  All you have to do is be a follower of Mother Moons Message and leave a comment with your email.  If you would like an extra entry you can grab the picture and post it to your site with a link.  Just be sure and leave me the info in your comment  so I can give you credit for it.  The recipient will be chosen Monday, November 30th.  I am excited about this as it is something that means a great deal to me.  Good luck....