wonderous willow

Willow is a large group of graceful trees and shrubs that usually have slender branches and narrow leaves. There are about 300 species, and about 80 of them are native to North America. Willows usually grow near water. Sometimes they are planted in damp regions so that their roots take up water and dry the soil. The roots interlace to form a tough network that holds the soil together and prevents soil erosion. Willows are planted to provide shade and to protect fields from winds.

The Willow is the tree most associated with the moon, water, the Goddess and all that is feminine. It is the tree of dreaming, intuition and deep emotions. Symbolically it belongs to the beginning of spring, when all of life is stirring once again. This is the underlying energy of the willow,

They weep like women after too much wine and not enough love.

Thirsty as drunks, they’ll sink into a sewer with their roots.

and the key to understanding the powerful spirit of this beautiful tree.

Culpeper says in his Complete Herbal "The moon owns the willow" and it was known as the witches' tree and the tree of enchantment. Robert Graves suggests that witch, wicker and wicked are all derived from willow. Willow rods are certainly used for binding magical and sacred objects and the popular witches' broom is traditionally made with an ash handle and birch twigs bound with willow.

On an herbal level, willow bark has been used for its pain-relieving qualities for at least 2,000 years. The Salix alba (white willow) contains salicin, which is converted to salicylic acid in the body. Salicylic acid is closely related to aspirin, the synthetic drug that has shifted willow bark from popular use. Willow bark reduces fever and relieves rheumatism, a common ailment in these damp isles. A decoction can be used for gum and tonsil inflammations and as a footbath for sweaty feet according to Kindred.

Some topics in this essay:
Willow Tree, America Willows, Robert Graves, Truckee Tahoe, Wondrous Willow, Tree Willows, Kindred Black, Complete Herbal, AE Stallings, Las Vegas, willow tree, weeping willow, weeping willow tree, willow bark, white willow, salicylic acid, tree dreaming, trees special, healing willow, willow trees, deep emotional, planted provide shade,