A week or two ago I saw someone who had found a weeping pussy willow tree. It caught my attention immediately as I just adore pussy willows. When I was little my Grandmother would collect them and I always thought they were so magical. They would show up in the early Spring and I have fond memories of balancing over snow and water to try to collect them as they love wetlands.
They earned their name from those little silver buds that you see that look a bit like cat paws If you’ve ever had a chance to touch them the little buds that you see are so soft! They honestly feel like you are petting a kitten. It’s really incredible and it’s no doubt one of the things that I found so captivating about them as a child. Eventually, those buds will turn into flowers.
The pussy willow is a bit of a shrub variety of the willow tree and is found through a lot of North America. If you’ve seen the buds of the Willow tree in early spring you will find that they look similar but they aren’t as soft.
In order to create the Tree of Enchantment as they have named it, or the Weeping Pussy Willow, they hand grafted the pussy willow with a small willow tree creating the tree that you see above. Willows are amazing trees to graft with as they grow incredibly fast. Like the Willow the Weeping Pussy Willow would love to be in an area that has a lot of water. We have a little stream that runs in the back of our yard that we are going to put it next to. From what I have read it should grow to be about 6 feet tall. Above is the picture on the tag. This is the story that came with it:
The Story of the Tree of Enchantment – Salix Caprea Pendula
The weeping pussy willow is among the most graceful of trees. It is connected with all that is feminine-dreaming, intuition, emotion, enchantment, healing and revitalization. The willow has long since been recognized as a sacred tree by poets, philosophers and religious leaders because of the flexibility of its twigs. The willow’s flexibility symbolizes resilience and inspires us to move with life rather than resist what we are feeling.
Legend has it that willow is bestowed with maglcal power capable of fulfilling wishes. For a ‘Nish to be granted,-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, return and untie the knot. Remember to thank the willow for your gift.
I just loved that description and wanted to include it for you.I found mine at Home Depot so if you are looking for one you may have some luck with them. You may also want to try a local nursery. They can be planted in spring after the risk of frost has gone by. Be sure to check out the care instructions for the area that you live in if you find one.
I hope that you have a magickal day!
Much Love and Many Blessings,
Jasmeine Moonsong