~Willow Trees~

Merry Meet all!

So i decided i should write an article on willow trees seeing as hardly anyone here knows much about them. I have done my research but do let me know if i get something wrong. Anyways, here it is and i hope you find it helpful :)

~Willow Trees~

Salix Alba

Fifth month of the Celtic Tree calendar,April 15th - May 12thand fifth consonant of theOgham alphabet Saille, Willow trees are known to be the trees of enchantment, witchery, the Goddess, moon, water, dreaming, inspiration, and all things feminine. The willow tree is also said to be the Alder Trees (Also known as the king of the waters) Queen. Willow trees symbolically belong to the beginning of spring. It is also said that the words Witch, Wicca and Wicked have derived from the word Willow.

Herbal/Magickal Properties:

Greatly known for its pain-relieving qualities, willow has been used by healers for over 2000 years. Willow contains salicin which is converted to salicylic acid in the body. Salicylic acid is closely related to aspirin, the synthetic drug that has displaced willow bark from popular use. Willow bark can, if made into a decoction, be used to treat inflamed gums and tonsils and also as a footbath as a remedy for sweaty feet. It is always best to take the willows bark in the spring time- but only take what you need; if you take too much, the tree will die. Willow wood is also said to help with the following- new moon magick, creativity, fertility, female rites of passage, inspiration, emotion, binding. Love, Love divination, protection, healing. Burning willow or using willow incense will protect your house and fill it with the love and peace of the goddess, and bring out the feminine side to all those within the house. Willow wands are best used whenever there is a need to connect with intuition, dreams, visions and poetically inspired writings and images.

Okay so theres my post on Willow trees, I absolutely adore them and I really connect with them hence the reason why I found the name Willow. And I hope you all enjoyed JLet me know if I left something out and what you think.

Bright Blessings,

Willow )O(

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Well done! I like the part about Salicin and Salicylic Acid.

I enjoyed the information! :)

Thanks *blush*

Thank You for that information , very helpful :D
My favourite tree is a Willow , I would love to grow one now

This was a very good post, Pur.

Thanks :) wowzers, i've never recieved so many thanks! I must be getting better at this :D

Thanks for the good info. I grew up with willow trees on our property and always loved them, definitely one of my favorite trees.

Excellent post!

White oak bark is also very good topically.

To prepare any medicinal bark, you should grind it into small pieces (powder if possible) and simmer it on low heat covered (to keep the good stuff from escaping through steam) for 20-30min. If the water becomes low, you can add a little more water and continue to simmer.

With bark decoction for topical use, I like to add slippery elm bark into the batch to make it "stick" and create a sort of ointment.

Always look up dosage, contraindications and toxicity before attempting any internal herbal medicine (including simple teas).

A very good post. You should be a contributer by now. I ask, could I put this into my Book of Shadows as a reference? It is okay if you say no, I understand.

~Amora

Sure thing! Wow, this is so amazing! I never expected to get such an enthusiastic respeonse, ever! And By all means add it into your BOS just please make note of me writing it :) i.e By Willow at the end or something :)