The Willow

-Botanical

Latin name:
Latix

The willow is a kind of tree and shrub. It does exist around 350 different species, all around the world, principally in temperate and humid areas of North Hemisphere. With the birch, the willow is the first tree to colonize a waste land, most of time rivers banks. Indeed, water is essential for the good development of the willow.
Most of the willows have in autumn a kind of white wax in their trunk, which allow them to be protected against the cold during winter. This property protects the tree against dehydration during winter, and makes its breathing easier.
It can grow until 25 meters high, and live until 120 years old.

-Customs, Legends and Mythology

-Gaelic name: Saille

-Month: February
-Color: Listed only as bright
-Letter in the Ogham: S
-Magical properties: Gaining balance in your life

The willow is the tree dedicated to the Woman, the Moon and the Water.
In Christian and Eastern cultures, the willow is a symbol of immortality. In Lhassa, Tibet, the main sanctuary is in the middle of a wood of willows. This tree is the Life Tree. We know that Lao Tseu used to meditate under its leaves, where he founded Taoism, on the 5^th century.
For Jewish people, the willow is the Yahweh's tree.
In Brittany, people could know in advance the date of their dead, thanks to two branches of willow, putted down on the water. If the branches floated, death was next.

-Healing

The willow is known since the Antiquity for its curative properties. Hippocrate recommended realizing a medication with the bark to cure fevers and grieves.
It's proving today that the willow has soothing properties, that's why it's very useful as a sedative medication. And the aspirin is created thanks to its active principles.
Gypsies make a bitter drink from willow bark for easing rheumatism and headaches.

-Physical uses

The wood, flexible but strong, is particularly used in the fabrication of cricket's bats.
Branches are also used for the basket-making.
Willow wood was used in the past for the construction of fast-sailing naval boats.