-Further to your message Kath. If you pick the willow card from a
tree pack, it can mean that you are able to adapt to your
environment, to go as the flow as it were, that you are very flexible
and can withstand strong forces but not break under them.-- In
sentrycircle@..., "Kath Hazel" <darkladydreaming@y...>
wrote:
>
> Willow is one of my favourite trees to work with, so here is some
> info on it :)
>
> Normally found in wet areas and along river banks, these water
> loving trees can grow to a height of 60 feet. The trees bear
catkins
> in early spring, the male catkins appearing slightly before the
> female on separate trees. It is fast growing and actually benefits
> from coppicingor pollarding, the long straight shoots or wands are
> generally refered to as withies and are used traditionaly like
hazel
> for hurdles, but also for basketry and other weaving. Larger oieces
> of the wood can be used for furniture making, but is more well know
> for its use in cricket bats, being strong but supple enough not to
> shatter under force.
>
> The celts used the wood to make wattle and daub walls for their
> houses and because of the amount of wood this required, they had a
> good harvesting system in place to supply the necessary materials.
>
> Medicinally the wood, bark and leaves of the Willow have a variety
> of uses, most famously as a source of aspirin (from the bark).
> preparations can be made to treat catarrh, as an eye lotion and to
> treat spermatorrhea. It is an effective treatment for dandruff,
> flaking skin, spots and blemishes. It can also stem minor bleeding.
>
> The willows celtic description 'colour of a lifeless one' is
> probably a reference to its spiritual nature. It is seen as
> exhisting between this world and the next. It is a foundation from
> which to go forward into the unknown with courage and confidence.It
> is also indicative of the ability to accept your place in the
> universe. As the willow was used to make the frame of the coracle,
> it also teaches us to set ourselves afloat on the sea of
> inspiration, knowledge and magic with confidence in our abilities.
>
> Willow is also a fond favourite of lovers, partly as it is a
fertile
> tree which apparently resurects itself, but I think also because it
> formed a natural bower.
>
> So there you go Jos...a wee bit about Willow for you ;)
>