Willows are fast growing trees with a bitter and astringent bark that can grow to 25m tall. Their roots spread far and wide in the quest for moisture and they are often found along ponds, streams, rivers, wetlands and marshes. In Celtic Europe harps were made from willow wood and historically, infusions made from the bark of willow were used to treat fevers. The salicylic acid this contains was eventually synthesised in aspirin.
In the Enchanted Forest different trees have their own personalities and characteristics. Spend some time around trees and nature, visit parks. Sit under a tree or quietly stand with you back against its trunk and enjoy being in its presence. Notice how different trees make you feel. Try to determine its inner character and spirit.
Meaning of Willow
The main messages of willow are to be flexible (the willow is one of the few trees that can bend in outrageous poses without snapping), to look for connections and to trust our inner visions. Willow is a magical and healing tree and stimulates healing on many levels.
Willows are said to awaken clairaudience, the hearing of spirit. In Europe there are tales of travellers being frightened at night while walking through the woods. They made claims of willow tree spirits following behind them, muttering in their ears.
Due to its strong connection with water willow makes one of the best dowsing tools, and just carrying a piece in your pocket can make you more sensitive. When you are near water you will feel that piece of willow, maybe it will vibrate, or get warm or cool....
When worked with in meditation willow helps us to realise the intimate link between our thoughts and external events in our lives. Willow also helps to stimulate great dream activity and her message always involves learning to trust our inner visions.
Meaning of Ibis
Ibis teaches sociability, communication and working cooperatively in a group. Legend also has it that the Ibis was one of the first birds Noah released from the Ark, as a symbol of fertility.
The Ibis is also associated with the Egyptian deity Thoth who is often depicted as an Ibis headed man. Thoth is a moon god and the beak of the ibis is curved, or crescent-shaped; a shape which is symbolic of the Moon. Thoth is recognised for bestowing all arts and sciences unto mankind. This includes art, music, writing, speech, communication, words, symbols, numbers, mathematics, geometry, counting, measuring, land surveying, astronomy, astrology, science, logic, medicine, magic and the mystical arts.