Celtic Tree Calendar: Willow Tree

Willow, also called sallows and osiers, are a group of around 400 types of deciduous trees and shrubs. They are mainly found in moist soils and cold zones in the Northern Hemisphere. What makes each species different depends on its leaves. Broader-leaved species are called sallows, while narrow-leaved species are called osiers. Willow trees look a bit like someone with unkempt hair. The look and curvature of the branches create a space underneath the tree where those who love nature can sit and relax. The shrouded spots are peak points for willow magick to take shape. Any Witch can settle underneath a willow tree and take comfort in the magick that it offers. It does not take much to use willow magick, but you need to understand what the willow tree stands for before trying to use it. But there is no need to worry—you will know everything about the willow tree and the magick that it can offer by the end of this article.

Willow and the Celtic Tree Calendar

The Willow Tree Moon is the fifth month of the Celtic Tree Calendar, falling between April 15th and May 12th. It is a tree of enchantment and Witcheries, most likely due to the magickal appearance the tree naturally has. The willow tree seeks water no matter where it comes from. Because of this determination, the tree is associated with the moon and its phases. The willow tree connects our ever-changing feelings as time passes and our ability to adapt as changes come. Watch how your mood shifts, and be careful not to teeter too far in one direction. They also bring resonance and harmony, so they are ideal for spells trying to connect people who have had an argument or are struggling to find a middle ground. Willow trees are also called the saugh tree, white willow, witches’ aspirin, and pussy willow.

The Celts called the willow moon saille, the fifth consonant of the Ogham alphabet. They associated the tree with healing and growth since it was able to proliferate best in rainy climates. Planting a willow tree by your home will ward away danger, especially those triggered by natural disasters. They also offer protection from malevolent spirits, which is why they are often planted near cemeteries. It is best to work on rituals revolving around healing, growth, knowledge, and emotional development during the Willow Moon month.

Willow Correspondences

Willow tree correspondences help boost the magickal power a willow tree offers. If you are not able to get near a willow tree, a combination of at least five correspondences can still offer willow tree magick, albeit not as strong were you able to perform your spell under a proper willow tree. Take the following correspondences into consideration when performing magick with the willow tree.

Planet: Moon

Element: Water

Stone: moonstone

Bird(s): hawk, snowy owl

Color: silver

Deity(ies): Persephone, Hecate, Artemis, Luna, Diana, Brigit

Sabbat: Beltane

Willow Medicine

Please note that while the willow tree can offer medicinal aid, it is not a replacement for medical input from your doctor. Consider the medicinal properties of the willow tree to help treat what you already have in place. And if you start to have an adverse reaction to the willow tree, stop using it immediately and seek out your doctor if needed.

Willow bark contains salicylic acid, which is used when making aspirin. Infusions of the bark can be used like aspirin to treat fevers and rheumatism. The bark and leaves can be boiled into a strong decoction and rubbed into the scalp to help remove dandruff. Willow can also be used as a diuretic, made into a tea to gargle for sore throats and hums, and used externally to treat sores, burns, and skin problems.

While white willow is the most used for its medicinal properties, other variants of the willow tree have unique uses. Purple willow is even more effective than white willow in lowering fevers. Black willow can be used to treat gonorrhea and can relieve ovarian pain. Sallow willow can ease indigestion and whooping cough, and it is used as a disinfectant for bandages. But all variants of the willow tree can be used as an eyewash and digestive tonic.

Willow Magick

Willow trees have a large number of magickal uses. It is best used for magick dealing with creativity, growth, and emotions, specifically love. Love spells are especially powerful when using branches of the willow tree. The combination of different positive emotions that the willow tree brings can ensure that, so long as your intentions are pure, you should be able to attract the attention of the person you have fallen for. It will not force the person to love you back, but it will make them see you more, and then you can work on your merit to gain their

affection.

Willow trees are beacons of feminine energy, and they set the scene for romance. If a young girl whispers her desires under a willow tree, her hopes and dreams will enter the tree’s leaves, making it likely that her dreams will come true and help other women reach their goals.

Willow trees are also known as the tree of immortality because they can re-grow just by a branch falling on moist ground.

Willow is very useful when made into Witchy tools. A wand made of willow wood can help you have vivid dreams if you sleep with it. It can draw in the moon for night spells and protect you from spirits traveling from the underworld.

Willow Folklore

There are several folklores and legends surrounding the willow tree. Here are a few to consider and think about were you to honor the willow tree and its lore this Sabbat.

The Willow Wife

Legend speaks of a man named Heitaro who loved the willow tree that grew close to his home. He didn’t have riches; just the tree was enough for him. One day, the villagers came to chop down the willow tree to build a bridge. He worked for the villagers by spending night and day finding different wood for them to use to keep his willow tree safe. One night, he stumbled upon a woman by the willow tree, who he thought was waiting for her lover. But each night, she was there, and he realized she was waiting for him, a gift from the gods for saving the willow tree. They married and had a daughter. A day came when the emperor wished for a temple of Kwannon to be built using the willow tree’s wood. The man was upset, but he had something else to treasure with his new family. But as they cut the willow tree, his wife screamed and thrashed, blocking invisible attacks. When the last cut on the willow tree was made, his wife fell, and he was alone with his daughter. This story shows that the man indeed had everything he wanted, but without realizing it, he gave up what gave him his gift, thus throwing his life into a serious depression. Be wary of gifts and how you ended up with them should they be taken suddenly.

Knock on Wood

The phrase “knock on wood” is used to ward off bad omens. In Europe, people believed that knocking on willow wood would cast away bad luck. And if you whisper your dreams into the wood, it will keep your secrets forever.

Willow Faeries

Willow trees have somewhat finicky faeries connected to them. The faeries are said to follow travelers at night, whispering and mumbling. The whispering scared many travelers, but those who stopped and listened were often given well-needed advice.

The willow tree may look like an odd, creepy, and droopy tree from a distance, like that of a horror film, but it is far from that. It is a bringer of magick and serenity. Any Witch can sit under the willow tree and meditate to find answers, gather magick, or simply relax after a stressful time. If you are lucky to live near a willow tree, it’s a good idea to make it a prime spot to practice magick or cast spells. If you perform spells that the willow tree corresponds to, you will have a higher success rate, especially if you add its correspondences to your spell. You want to remember to thank the willow tree and leave it an offering of thanks to recharge its energy anytime you perform spells using its magick. The more time you spend under the willow tree, the more you should see a change in your mood, energy, and more. Step forth and borrow the magick of the willow tree so that you, too, can have a boost of magick and mood.