Did You Survive

For those of you who didn’t know, yesterday was Blue Monday.  Yes it was suppose to be the most depressing day of the year. 

 

Why you might ask? Well they say it falls right about the time when those who make new year resolutions fall off the wagon .  Exactly the reason I do not make any.  It is hard enough trying to stay up day to day with myself.  I do not need any added feats or hoops to jump through, especially those that I may put there for not really good reason.  Next it is also about the time that many are starting to receive all those reminders of the monies owed due to their Christmas spending.  Exactly the reason that I try and spread my shopping out through out the year.  In fact believe it or not I have already purchased a couple for this coming Christmas.  I also believe in home made gifts for Christmas. Something I also have major plans for this coming year.   And lastly, because it is a time when most of us have been stuck inside due to frigid temperatures and/or never ending inches of snow.  Something we have yet to see here around me this year. 

 

Needless to say I am not one who believes in Blue Monday.  I think ones day is exactly what one makes of it.  Yes there can always be trials and such that are staring us smack in the face.  Things that we can not avoid no matter how far under our covers we crawl or how many shots of tequila we consume.  Yet even with muck up to my ears I know that contentment is possible.  No I am not saying that I enjoy it 24/7 but I do know that one can make a situation lots worse simply with an attitude.  Like wise one can make it so much better simply with an attitude.  That being said I hope that this is the first you have heard about the dreaded blue Monday and that yesterday was a wonderful day.  And if by chance it wasn’t, there is always today to make it better. 

 

Have a blessed day.

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.