In other news, I shall continue my monthly saga of the Celtic tree months. Today begins the month of Willow, called Saille (
Sahl-yeh) by the Celts. The Willow belongs to the genus Salix (from Latin sal-, meaning near, and -lis, meaning water), which includes approximately 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs. They grow in moist soil, are found primarily in the northern hemisphere, and are extremely cross fertile, meaning that both natural and cultivated hybrids are common. The most popular example of such is the
Weeping Willow, which is a cross between the Peking Willow from China and the White Willow from Europe. All Willows have sap heavily charged with salicylic acid (similar to the active ingredient in aspirin, and used in many acne treatments), and the roots are typically stoloniferous, or runner-producing. Indeed, the roots of the willow are extremely tough, and in some varieties will happily grow even from parts of the plant well above the ground. With regard to flowers, the willow produces catkins that are both male and female, and are generally purple or orange.
The Willow is prevalent in mythology and legend from across the globe. In Japan, the tree is
associated with ghosts, and the Japanese believe that wherever one grows, a ghost may appear. Similarly, the Willow is frequently planted in or near European graveyards, and in China, the branches of the Willow are employed during the Qingming, or "tomb-sweeping", festival. At this time, the god of the underworld allows the dead to return temporarily, and as these spirits may not always be welcome, the Willow is said to ward them off. Some Christian churches in northern Europe use Willow branches instead of palms on Palm Sunday, and in Wicca, the Willow is mentioned in the Rede as being one of the Nine Sacred Woods, and is used to guide the dead to the Summerland. It is also common in rites of fertility. In ancient Greece, for example, willow leaves were placed in the beds of infertile women, which was believed to call mystical snakes from the underworld to cure them. In later times, the association was switched, and willow was used to drive snakes away. Today, a pregnant woman may place an article of clothing under a willow tree, and if that night even a single leaf falls on the cloth, the woman will be granted an easy childbirth by the spirit of the Willow. The tree is also sacred to poets, as the wind whistling through the branches is said to inspire the mind.
Because of its connection to the dead, Willow is commonly associated with the element Spirit. Burn Willow to help ease the spirit of the deceased, and use it to bring new energy to the elderly or sick. Since the tree deals with the cycles of life, change, and will, it can be employed in magick dealing with those things. It is also associated with the element Water, and is an excellent wood to use in making a water-dowsing rod. Further, it is tied to feminine energy, and can be employed in love spells, or spells to aid in womanly matters. According to tradition, willow bark is to be used to bind sacred and/or magickal objects together. A besom, for instance, will traditionally have an Ash handle and Birch twigs for the broom, bound with Willow. It is also a popular wood in carving wands and talismans.
Willow bark is edible, and is frequently made into teas to reduce rheumatism, indigestion, and whooping cough. To make a willow decoction, useful for soothing inflamed tonsils or gums, soak three teaspoons of willow bark in cold water for two to five hours, before boiling. Then strain, and drink a glass daily.
