​Willow Tree - Saille

Bruce Clifton

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​Willow Tree - Saille

​Pronunciation: (Sahl ay)
Lunar:  4th Moon of celtic calendar (February to March) Aquarius to Pisces
Moon Phase: Full Moon/Waning Gibbous
Moon Name: Moon of winds, Chaste, Witches moon 
Letter: S
Title: Peasant
Height: (mature) up to 25ft 5mtr
Influence: Feminine
Age: Will live to see your great grandchildren.
Legend:  Walk in Beauty, Sit in Power, Dreamtime.
Arch-Angel: Raphael
Element: Air 
Chakra's: The Sacral Chakra 
Aura's: Green
Medicinal Qualities: All water or damp caused diseases, the bark should be grated and steamed before using for an elixir. The fresh leaves and flowers should be placed inside a pillow or mattress. The flowers once picked and still fresh will help with menstrual cramps and pains. This tree provides the base of aspirin such is the versatility of it's use as homeopathic, herbal or natural and now conventional medicines.
Totem Entities: The Swan, The Butterfly.

The spiritual meaning of the willow is emotion, divine femininty. If you hear her in your dreams she whispers sweet nothings, she symbolises all that is feminine, a seductress and master of the feminine wiles. Her presence is non-judgemental and will bring calm to any situation.

The Magik of the Willow is known by the few, the spiritual meaning of the Willow is one of emotion and secrets. The willow tree is magnificent for spell casting love and fertility, dreams will come true, emotions will settle.

The White Willow and more recently the Weeping Willow are very understated trees. Sisters to the Birch but they will seldom be seen together, the willow comes into her own once she reaches two generations about 50 years of age. From the age of 50 to about 200 she will blossom and share her secrets with anyone who cares to listen, like the Birch it is the full moon that brings her into her glory she will call out into the light of the moon and bring forward the joys of spring. Her long branches creating a haven and providing shade for many a heated soul by day and by night encouraging the fae and all elementals to dance with her to take her branches and dance with the serenity of a swan and the poise of an angel.

This tree was so highly revered by the druid/ess, the village wise woman for its healing qualities that it became known as the witches tree and as such led to its fall from popularity and its reputation for magick.

A willows branches have long been used for baskets, small boats, lobster pots, dyes or tanning. With a long history of being an enchanted tree and one to welcome into your fold more recent times have seen it surrounded in a darker and more sinister reputation. The mature willow that survived the floods remained on the river bank, knarled, hollowed and in shadow was seen as a witches tree. This was interpreted as the cause of bad luck, instead of a survivor and the creator of new life. A cutting from willow will grow easily in most conditions living up to 300 years they will flourish in most places constantly reseeding and growing. Hecate had a grove of willows, Hecate being a goddess of death with Persephone also having a grove of Poplar with ancient willow, this did nothing to enhance the reputation of this goddess among trees.

Always growing in or near water she is known to glory with the moon, also the ebb and flow of the tides controlled by the moon enhance her image of being a female amongst females. Like the Birch she whispers into the night, a keeper of secrets and a seducer of many a poet and medic. Orpheus being one of the more celebrated of ancient Greek poets is said to have carried willow branches to enable him to travel to other worlds and thus share his eloquence. Hipokrate's was also an ancient greek who created the foundations for investigating the medicinal qualities of the willow.

Used for making magical harps to woo or seduce a new love, to carry willow flowers or branches to encourage love, the willow is known as a potent bringer of magic and is suspected of uprooting and following wanderers muttering enchantments as they walk. A waning moon to encourage spirits to help cast off old ways and a waxing moon leading to new love and new beginnings the willow will encourage spirit to work with you and provide the protection needed for spells to work as they should. Many a witches wand has been made with the permission of the willow and many a harp for enchanting new love. It is written if a fair maidens shoe is caught by the willow then marriage is sure to follow.

Ogham Tree Lore

Bruce Clifton

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