Celtic Astrology: The Month of Willow
April 27, 2009
Willow Ogham
“The willow tree in Celtic myth was sacred to the triune gpddess and associated with the “Old Veiled One”, the Cailleach (old woman in Gaelic). She was the ‘crone” aspect of the triple lunar goddess who represent the darker force of the moon, and who later became identified with witchcraft. The Cailleach was, however, the ancient spirit of wisdom, who sometimes manifested in the grotesque specter of the Morrigan, another fearful aspect of the goddess, in order to challenge the strength and wisdom of the Celtic leaders. Such confrontations helped them to overcome their hidden fears and weaknesses . . .”
And:
” the moon was regarded as the primeval mother of creation in the deeper mysteries of life, and had the power either to preserve or destroy life in the esoteric sense.”
Celtic portrayals of the moon were complex, the result of successive overlays of different mythologies. Though the Celts originally regarded the Moon as male, eventually it became associated with the feminine life force, revealed in the monthly cycles as the triune goddess of Maiden, Mother and Crone. Because the Crone was representative of accumulated wisdom and knowledge it became associated with magic and eventually witchcraft
In the creation myths of the Druids, the universe was hatched from two sacred serpent (dragon) eggs that contained the sun and the earth. In the recreation of this myth two hen eggs colored scarlet were placed in a willow tree to be found and were symbolically eaten at the feast of Beltane, the official start of summer in the Celtic calendar. This was the origin of the Christian Easter egg.
The bark of the willow was used as an astringent, but also as an analgesic, the basis of what we know as salicylic acid or aspirin. Rods of willow are used in the art of dowsing for water, and was one of the nine sacred woods used in the making of the Beltane fire.
People born under the sign of the willow are naturally in tune with the mystic undercurrents of life. It is said their life is full of odd experiences and strange impressions which may explain their sudden mood changes. Though “mercurial” is a word that would characterize their sudden urges to change residences or their frequent inability to settle into a career, the Neptunian character of the Willow personality is clearly evident. With their imagination working overtime, they fret unduly about their health. However, their natural maternal instincts make them protective and resourceful. They are said to make wise parents and counsellors.
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