Magic in the real world
Salix Caprea Pendula!
No, these aren’t the words to a magic spell, but they are the botanical name for one of my Valentine gifts from my hubby, “The Tree of Enchantment” (that’s what the little light blue tag reads).
The Weeping Pussy Willow is among the most graceful of trees and is connected with all that is feminine – dreaming, intuition, emotion, enchantment, healing and revitalization. We could all enjoy that.
“Right up your alley?” he uttered with a smile.
Yes, thank you, honey, it’s the perfect gift, and I can’t wait to plant it and watch it grow. There’s just nothing like it as it seems these trees we plant become parts of our souls.
My grandfather-in-law had a beautiful one in his yard, and we have been looking for one, so this tree will certainly make us think of him.
As corny as it sounds, I like to bestow upon them names. Our land, Pomona (named after the Roman goddess of fruit), is covered with our seedlings. To me, when you give what’s alive a name, it becomes more personal and real; we form to it an attachment and extra care is taken to sustain its brilliance.
Of course my girls love anything magic, too, and in the spring and summer months lure winged beauties by building tiny houses and gardens in our yard.
It seems the willow has long been recognized as a sacred tree by poets, philosophers and religious leaders because of the flexibility of its twigs. This litheness symbolizes resilience and inspires us to move with life rather than resist what we are feeling.
I guess we can all learn from that.
And it gets even better because legend has it that the willow is enchanted and carries with it “magical” powers capable of fulfilling wishes. Fun, right? Don’t ya want to run out and find one?
We girls just love making wishes, ever since we were running around in pigtails and gazing at our first star.
All you need to do for a wish to be granted is ask permission of the willow explaining your desire, select a pliable shoot and tie a loose knot in it expressing your wish. When your wish is fulfilled, simply return, untie the knot and don’t forget to thank the willow for your gift.
Even as grown women, I’m sure we have a wish or two we wouldn’t mind expressing. Look at those goals you set for yourself, the man you have your eye on or the relationship you wish for, cosmic sex and that new wardrobe you picture in your walk-in closet.
We wish to take away the sadness brought on by the friend or family member who’s ill. How about peace on Earth and the rise of our economy?
Right now, the tree stands about 20 inches tall, so I won’t be tying any knot in the little thing, but perhaps someday.
Can’t we all use these bits of magic in life? It seems magic is all around us if we look for it.
It’s in the first buds of spring to the first breath of a newborn, it’s in the love of a man and a woman to the love we have for our children and for animals and nature, it’s in our first star to the clarity of coins in a fountain.
And it’s realizing these wonderful truths that make our lives certainly more interesting for sure. So go ahead and believe in the magic of every day, see its many gifts, breathe them in and don’t be afraid to grasp onto them for whatever reason you desire. I hope all of your wishes come true…
Ciao Bella
Posted by Janel M. Harrison
on February 21, 2013. Filed under Columns,Girl-2-Girl,Opinion.
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