WILLOW

The Willow offers ancient wisdom for
       those who but listen
To the quiet voice, finely tuned
       to the water as it glistens
With the heartbeat of the living earth
       come the healing and the knowing
From the teacher of the swamp
       please be still and listen

The beautiful willow is a group of some 400 species of the Salix genus that range from shrubby trees to majestic and graceful trees.  They are found in many parts of the world where they find the swampy to moist conditions that they like.  You can be certain that where you find a happy willow, water will not be far away.

The willow has a long history of use by people who live near them, from tools and medicine, to musical instruments and baskets.  All parts of this tree have been used for the mundane, spiritual, magical, and symbolic practices.  Some species, if cut at or near the ground level, regrow in a dense thicket of fine flexible shoots.  These are ideal basketry, wicker work, furniture, and construction.

The tendency and tenacity of this tree for regrowth and easy rooting, gives this tree a sense of immortality.  Because it grows near water and springs forth with life, willow is seen as feminine and is associated with the cycle of life and the moon.  Her branches are strong, flexible, and relatively light weight lending to the idea of strength through flexibility.

I have always had a willow of some sort close to where I lived.  We cut pussy willow for spring flower arrangements, used weeping willow for toys, and swamp willow for crafts, brooms, and furniture.  It has been a long love affair with this symbol of spring

Like the season it represents, willow symbolizes the resilience and renewal of life, vitality, and fertility.  Because of its ability to regrow, it brings immortality.  Growing near water symbolizes the cycle of life and new beginnings.  A basket of willow is symbolic of containing the prayers of wisdom and healing.  When we work with willow, we work with the ancient wisdom and knowledge of our ancestral grandmothers to heal, inspire, cleanse, and nurture life.  We are reminded to follow our intuition and heart to create and sustain the life that follows us.