I Still Believe In Magic

Glowing wand-like in a shaft of light that pierced through to the depths of forgotten Dingle in a Shropshire woodland, I caught sight of this solitary flower. Fooled by the false spring or climate change this pussy willow did it best to entice absent pollinator. In the depths of the Dingle with a burbling brook glistening in contrast to the iridescent lime green of the mosses and lichen cling to all surfaces, stone and wood alike.

Here, I believe in Magic with ease and listen to natures gift to cherish the living energy of the land.

Lichen growing on Willow

Enchanted Woods

Poem by Eve Estelle

The tales tell of the strangest things,

But I hear only the soothing sounds –

Bewitched by the songs the forest sings,

I’ve crossed onto its hallowed grounds.

Caressed by the whispers,

The rustling leaves;

The clinking cones among the pines,

The scent of the forest upon the breeze;

But pass the barrier of in-between,

And strange things happen –

A change of scene…

Pussy willow or goat willow (Salix caprea)

Much maligned by gardeners the goat willow as called in Shropshire, makes haste to grow in any open ground producing a sturdy whip more than a foot high in a year.
But did you Know? Pussy willow can grow into a beautiful specimen tree especially attractive if it coppiced to produce multi stems it can live for over 300 years.

Value to wildlife

“Goat willow foliage is eaten by the caterpillars of several moths, including the sallow kitten, sallow clearwing, dusky clearwing and lunar hornet clearwing. It is also the main food plant for the purple emperor butterfly. Catkins provide an important early source of pollen and nectar for bees and other insects, and birds use goat willow to forage for caterpillars and insects.”

With thanks from the woodland trust 

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/goat-willow/

Goat Willow (Salix caprea)

Enchanted Wood continued…

“Fireflies of gold – they hover and drift,

Creatures emerge, they shimmer and shift;

Resembling the old, but so different and bold,

The forest reveals its gift…”

Knock on Wood

This old saying originated from the ancient belief of knockin on a willow tree to avert evil and bring good luck. I still practice this regularly as it makes me feel less assuming of assured success and keeps my ego in check!  

Interestingly willows preferring to grow in moist conditions have long been known to protect from ailments of the damp like rheumatism. 

The tree contains salicylic acid, the source of aspirin a well know painkiller.

Travellers and gipsies have used the bark to make a tonic to ward off headaches and colds which I know to be very impressive but not to overdo!

I little gipsies tale I learnt from Corinne Boyer ‘Under The Witching Tree’.

If a Romney girl is in love and can find the footprint of her intended, collecting some dirt from the imprint, Buring it under the willow tree Saying “Many Earths on earth there be, whom I love my own shall be, Grow grow Willow tree! Sorrow none unto me! He the Axe I the helve, He the Cock, I the Hen, This, this be as I will”

Enchanted Wood Continued…

Distant pools of brilliant blue water

Glisten serenely under trees that glow;

Surrounded by greenery with food to offer,

Welcome to the woods where magic grows.

The magic indeed cast in me when treated to the gifts of nature, perhaps bring a little enchantment into your garden and let a pussy Willow Grow!

Good luck 

Floyd 

ARealGardener

“Enchanted Wood” was reproduced by kind permission 

of Poet Eve Estelle’

More of her Beautiful poems found here.

https://eveofnight.blogspot.com/

More enchanting herblore Corinne Boyer, a wonderfully Knowledgable Folk herbalist, found here.

http://maplemistwood.com/

More to explorer

A Druids Tale

In the hedgerow now take a close Look! A Druids TaleNine hazel trees grew around a sacred pool, dropping nuts into the

Gorse

Furze – Ulex Europaeus, Ulex Galli, Ulex Minor Already in flower now, ablaze upon the moorland. One of my favourite wild reminders

Magical Lichen

British soldiers lichen (Cladonia cristatella). Found this flowing lichen today on a walk in the Ellan valley growing with the Moss on

1 thought on “I Still Believe In Magic”

  1. Wonderful little article, Floyd! Great information and insight into the value and beauty of willows. I love the image of the growing lichen — that is really quite neat. Even the simplest things in life can be explored and found to be magical! Thank you for taking the time to research, discover, and share these tidbits with us.

    Thank you again for reaching out to me — I’m glad you got some use out of my poem, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to check out your beautiful space here.

    Keep up the fantastic work, for as long as you love doing so. Best wishes to you.

    Eve

Leave a Reply to Eve Estelle Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *