Willow trees have always fascinated me. The first one I ever saw was on the way to our cabin at the river. It was like a playground to me that led into another world. The branches would dip down and veil you from the real world, letting you escape into the branches and bark of the willow.
There was never a willow on the farm when I grew up, so when I was exploring in the forest where we live now, I was excited to see the 3 willows at the waters edge.
Willow bark has been used for thousands of years and dates back to the time of Hippocrates (400 BC) when patients were advised to chew on the bark to reduce fever and inflammation. Willow bark was also used for migraines and head aches, so naturally when I saw the willow in our forest I wanted to peel back some bark.
Folk names: Osier, Pussy Willow, Saille, Salicyn Willow, Saugh Tree, White Willow,
Witches Aspirin, Withe, Withy
Magickal properties: New Moon magick, creativity, fertility, female rights of passage, inspiration, emotion, binding. Love, Love divination, protection, healing.
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Symbolism: Resonance and Harmony
Stone: Moonstone
Birds: Hawk, Snowy Owl
Color: Silver
Deity: Persephone, Hecate, Cerridwen,
Artemis, Selene, Luna, Diana, Brigit
Sabbat: Beltane
Unfortunately there was a patch of poison ivy in between me and tree. But I was able to get a bit of a branch that was hanging over my head. Immediately I felt the spirit of the tree speak to me. It was like it was giving me its wisdom through the leaves I held in my hand. I walked the trail back to our porch studying the leaves and trying to memorize their feeling between my fingers.
I ended up using that treasure as an offering and scattered it outside just off our porch. You can use willow for many things, one of the common uses in magic is for knot spell prayer work. Ellen Dugan has a great Willow Knot Spell in her book Herb Magic for Beginners.
Willow Knot Spell
To have your spell wish granted, you are to stand under the graceful branches of the willow on the night of a full moon. Blow a kiss to the moon and state your wish out loud, as you gently tie a loose knot in one of the supple branches. Then, while gazing up at the rising moon, repeat this verse:
Under the Lady’s moon, shining so bright,
Willow tree, hear my request on this night.
In this willow tree, I now leave a marker,
Grant me love and happiness, and bring much laughter.
Close the spell with these standard Craft lines:
By all the power of three times three,
And as I will it, so mote it be.
