Willow

Symbolism

Within the Ogham, Saille is the lunar month, a Peasant, representing the letter S. Numerologically, it relates to the number 5. It is often the symbol for the Ovate Grade of Druidry, although other Trees are also used for this Grade.

Willow relates to Monday, the activity of bees and is often used as a honey Tree. The birds associated with Saille are the Hawk and the Thrush, the animals are the Hare and the Cat. Herbs most commonly associated are Moonwort, Primrose and Mistletoe. She is one of the Seven Sacred Irish Trees and is also a sacred Druid Tree.

Deities

Its wood, known as osier, and branches have had many historical uses and Willow has been a useful friend to us for centuries. Willow has a long and rich history and Her uses are many, however, let us first examine Her history in religious practices and Her relationship to the various deities throughout time.

In Jerusalem, the worship of Jehovah, the Feast of Tabernacles, was called the Day of the Willows. Willow branches were carried in processionals, used to roof the small temporary shelters during the festivities; the branches were later burned in the Temples.

In Sumer, 4000 BCE, Ishtars predecessor, Belili, was known as the Willow Mother. In the ancient Greek mythos, Willow is sacred to several Underworld Goddesses – Persephone, Circe, Hera and Hecate. Also in relation to this Tree are the Gods and Goddesses Artemis, Ceres, Mercury and Belenos. Again in Greek history, the Great Bear, Callisto, was also called Helice, meaning both that which turns and Willow branch. Helicon was the mountain home of the Nine Muses who inspire the arts and sciences.

[It may be interesting to note here the connection between the word, Willow, and the terms Wicce, Witchcraft, and wicker. Willow has long been associated with Witches and there is also the association of wicker with Druidry. Since Wicce actually means to bend it is not a far jump to make the connection between the two.]

Orpheus, the poet, was said to have received his Gift by touching the Willows in a grove sacred to Persephone. Groves have been used by many types of artisans to gain eloquence, inspiration, skills and the gift of prophecy. This Tree is held sacred, also, to Minerva and the ancient Great Goddess Whose bird, the Wryneck, nests only in the Willow. Cranes are also known to nest here and a grove of Willows with nesting cranes is a symbol of extremely happy domesticity.

The connotation of the letter S corresponds to the God, Semias, the master of wisdom and the original keeper of the Cauldron of Knowledge kept in Murias to the West. This Cauldron was then given to Dagda. The S is a reference, too, to Setanta, the childhood, or pre-initiate name of Cu Chulainn.

According to Druidic mysteries, two scarlet snake eggs were hidden within the Willow. The Universe was hatched from these two eggs, one containing the Sun, the other the Earth, relating to both cosmic birth and the birth of mankind. Traditionally, in spring rituals, these were replaced by hens’ eggs, coloured scarlet for the Sun and eaten at Beltane. This act transferred later to the Christian celebration of Easter.

Primrose and Mistletoe are associated with Saille in connection to Druidic practice. The Primrose was used in the initiation of the Bard; a draught of Vervain and Primrose imbibed in order to confer inspiration. Oil of Primrose was also used to cleanse and purify prior to ritual. Willow is also the more common host for Mistletoe, with this plant found growing on Willow and Poplar (a cousin) more often than on the traditional Oak.

The Celtic word Saille itself became the word sally, meaning a sudden outburst of action, expression or emotion. This word may also suggest an excursion or a jaunt as well as a retort but it can be used to describe a more violent action by troops. It is also derived from the Old French word, saille, meaning to rush out suddenly. These words all reflect the spirit of potential symbolized by the Willow.

Brigid has Her Fire festival, Imbolc, or Brigantia, during the Willow month.

Even the Seneca of North America seem to have had a lengthy relationship with this Tree, calling Her ‘The Whispering One’.

Saille has further connection to the Death Goddesses for the Celts. Morgan le Fay, Cailleach and the Morrighan are symbolized by Willow. These Goddesses represent the darker and misunderstood components of the psyche that require our greater understanding and recognition. The fearful aspects of the Death Goddesses challenge wisdom and strength, helping to overcome weaknesses brought about by fear. The transformational and magickal aspects of the darker aspect of the triplicity – Maiden, Mother, Crone – provide intuitive wisdom and insight into nature and its workings.

Funerary flints, shaped as Willow leaves, have been found in graves from the Old Stone Age, demonstrating clearly that Willow has been a part of our lives for a very, very long time. This Tree has been associated with death, grief and cemeteries, the leaves themselves symbolizing unrequited love or the loss of a lover. The leaf has also been worn as a charm to protect against jealousy.

Medicinal Uses

If you are interested in using Willow in your herbal practice, the bark is collected in the Spring. Soak one to three teaspoons in one cup of cold water for two to five hours; then simmer lightly for twenty minutes. For indigestion and as a tonic, take one cup per day, taken by the teaspoon. For skin eruptions and similar complaints, such as bleeding gums and sore throats, use a stronger solution. A poultice for gangrene and ulcers is made by simmering the powered bark in cream. You can also use many mediums such as olive oil, almond oil and other natural bases in order to utilize this as an astringent salve.

Willow can additionally be useful in cases of hysteria and nervousness and as a Quinine substitute (although this is used only when Quinine is unavailable). Willow can be used to loosen tightness in the chest produced by pneumonia, whooping cough and other respiratory infections.

In the Bach Flower Remedies, Willow Flower Essence is used as a remedy for bitterness and resentment; people who are stuck in a position of blaming others (or circumstances) for their problems, who have an experience of being a victim or being treated unfairly by life, would benefit from this essence (there are many books available on Bach Flower Remedies).

Magickal uses are extensive. The Besom, the Witches Broom, is traditionally made from three Trees. The stave is made from Ash, for protection; Birch twigs are used for the broom itself to expel evil spirits. The Besom is bound with Willow to honour Hecate.

Willow branches are said to be the best for divining Water, channelling Earth energy and to find lost objects.

Saille should be used whenever you wish to strengthen your dreaming Gifts and to boost your ability to intuit your dreams and confer lucidity when in the Dreamtime. Willow can confer seer-ship, often through night visions, scrying ability (especially when using water for viewing) and to restore balance to an individual’s female/male energies. Shavings of the wood, pieces of bark and whole leaves can be placed in a Dream Pillow or placed in a small bag, either under your pillow or under the bed itself. This same package can be used to assuage feelings of powerlessness, an unreasoned fear of death and panic attacks, and to assist you in nurturing yourself emotionally. It is suggested that Willow be used in the same way when experiencing grief and to aid in this healing process.

Willow has been used in the Sacred Pipes and the tobacco blends of many Native Americans because it is thought that it is most effective in carrying messages to the Great Spirit. Willow is also planted by Sacred Wells so that She can help to pull Earth energies into the Water and hold them there for magickal draughts.

The leaves, bark and wood add energy to any healing magick. Willow bark, when used in conjunction with sandalwood and during the Waning Moon, can be most effective in contacting the spirits of ancestors and loved ones.

Symbolism

In divination, when Saille comes up in a throw (or if you dream of Willow), it reveals your feminine side which, when combined equally with male energy, gives balance to life. There may be an indication to pay attention to your feminine nature, showing a spiritual imbalance or conflict. This may be the beginning of a period of unfolding and growth of psychic or clairvoyant powers and includes the gift of cunning which is, in actuality, the skilful use of mental powers. There is an indication toward intuition, imagination and, occasionally, self-deception. Usually the appearance of Willow means the awakening of dormant abilities and heralds a time of enchantment. New currents are flowing under the surface; you need the flexibility to adapt to the coming changes. Remember that the loss of intuition can create rigidity.

When She comes to you there may be unforeseen dangers to yourself or loved ones, coming in the form of lessons from a yet-unknown person, probably a woman. The lesson might be difficult or unpleasant but will be of great benefit and is typical of the Crone aspects of Saille.

It may be time to seek out the hidden forces in your life and the challenge is the tendency to ignore the unconscious, the anima, forces and feelings that may remain hidden. You may be asked to use your intuition, your hunches, instead of logic in order to get a clear view of events.

Yes, Willow seems to be a favoured Tree. Her appearance, Her graceful elegance has always beckoned to us. She gives Her wood for our uses, contributes medicine for our healing, sends us the Gifts of intuition and knowledge and assists in the inner workings of magick.

It is true that a sense of friendship, love and joy can be experienced when standing beneath the canopy of Saille. She speaks to us of a graceful love with Her branches that sweep away our tears of grief. The entire structure of this Tree is symbolic of a wellspring. The branches and leaves rise up like a fountain, pulling up energy from deep within the Earth, bubbling up and over the sides. A casual and effortless peace spreads out from the limbs, confers calm, with the canopy providing a feeling of safety and cover, a wall of protection. The sweeping fronds return the energy to the Earth, replenishing it.

It might serve us best to go to Her for serenity and comfort, for the gentle nurturance of solitude. Imagine spending the day up in the branches of a Willow, listening to the gentle and whispering voice of Saille saying, Rest, dear one.