In my area, someone decorated three willow trees (near a stream) out of the five that are standing there. They have been decorated with ribbons and scarves, and it was about the time of the full moon in September.
I keep going past them and forgetting to ask so here goes - would this have been some ceremony at the full moon?
Dear LavenderRose,
We live in Avalon Somerset, the home of willows. I hope this may shed some light in the dressing of her local willow trees, it still remains on the following ocasions on our moors by followers.The Willow tree is dedicated to the Moon and the Greek Goddess Hecate, who is the Goddess of the Underworld and linked to Witchcraft or Wicca, this can be alarming if one does not understand that this is a benevolent and ancient form of helping people, it was only demonised by the early Roman Church to get people leave their Spiritual and Pagan ways. The Willow Tree is one’s Spiritual guide and is a great help to the Healer and as the sex of the Moon is female, and associated to the Menstrual Cycle, the willow is a great help and guide to Wise Women, and is also intuitive to our pets and animals. I think you may be correct in the celebration of the full moon.The sight of the Harvest Moon over the Willows and the Mists is a wonderous site. I wouldlike to hear from other members about their local customs and history.
Peter
Many ancient Goddesses are associated with the Willow. Peresphone and Circe are two that come to mind for the Harvest Moon rituals that bring in the Autumn...
Willow is a guardian of rivers. Of streams and wells....and of our emotions. That is why it is known as the weeping willow. This is a time of the Crone...Of wisdom and knowledge.
Hecate was the most powerful willow and moon goddess and was thought to have sent out demons and phantoms that haunted crossroads and tombs. Her totem animal was the dog and is seen on the tarot card howling at the moon....She is a mighty divinity of the underworld.
The harvest moon is the full moon nearest to the autumn equinox and is the time covens gather to celebrate the second harvest....
Tying clouties on the branches of the tree was,and still is a way of connecting to the goddess and asking for her help.... tie a cloutie and make your wish.....
HTH
Thanks for the reply, Oakapple! Great stuff there which answered my question :-))
Hi LR.......here's a link that explains the folklore and healing of the willow.
Now is a good time to make a willow wand here is a link to Glennie kindred's site.........true feminist magic 🙂 IMO
Hi LR....
When I first studied the Gods and Goddesses one inparticular stuck with me and in my daily morning ritual I always ask Goddess Brigid for protection and guidance.....A celtic goddess of hearth and home and of water and well.
Here is a link...
It was believe she was a guardian of the sacred wells. In our ancient past it was believed we entered the otherword through sacred wells, ponds and rivers.