Herbal Alchemy Day 5

Hello, welcome to Day 5!

Today we've got a bit of a different herb to work with. Unlike the vibrant yellow flowers of the previous four days we're working with the beautiful bark of the White Willow Tree. Tree spirits are beautiful space holders, creating space and sanctuary from pain of the heart.

Day 5 - White Willow

Allows what needs to fall away in order to make space for new growth. Space holder, emotional transformation. Return to the flow of life.

Herbal Wisdom

White Willow is sometimes referred to as the tree of immortality for its ability to regrow from a broken branch. This tree reminds us that we must allow things to fall away in order for new growth to find its place. It’s bark imparts the strength & resiliency to rebuild yourself after setbacks.

It grows wildly where there is lots of water, as it has an innate ability to absorb and transform water into new growth. This is why White Willow is wonderful for rheumatoid arthritis, but also from an emotional perspective has the ability to draw out deep or undigested emotions and transform them into something that nourishes, whether that be insight, closure or a freedom.

Being a water lover, it is also able to hold space for grief, sadness and loss.

The limbs of the White Willow tree are highly flexible and when blown in the wind, sway with ease. White Willow imparts this wisdom of flexibility into the physical, emotional and spiritual body so it can reunite with the natural flow of life.

The Ceremony

Begin by playing this music or any 741HZ music

Then play this meditation audio & follow along.

Daylesford Apothecary · White Willow Activation

Or follow the script below

Begin with your hands on the soil, grounding yourself and thanking mother earth.

Then close down your eyes.

Call in the five elements.

The earth, the water, the fire, the air and the spirit

Acknowledge the past, present and future custodians of the land you’re on.

Rise up to stand, bring your hands to prayer at your heart.

Take a moment to set an intention for something you'd like to shift today.

Then turn toward the sun, and open your hands out to your side, palms facing forward. If there is no sun, visualise a golden light coming in through your third eye then down through the rest of the body and into the earth.

Taking in 8 beautiful deep breaths - 4 count inhale and 4 count exhale.

Now we take a moment to bring in the medicine of the magical White Willow tree.

Unique to White Willow is its loves for water. It thrives when it is growing in or near water. As a result it has an innate ability to hold space for deep emotions as well as draw them out to be transformed into something that nourishes, whether that be insight, closure or a freedom.

The limbs of the white willow tree are incredibly flexible and when blown in the wind, sway with ease. White Willow imparts this wisdom of flexibility into the physical, emotional and spiritual body so it can reunite with the natural flow of life

Take a few beautiful deep breaths.

Visualise yourself becoming the White Willow Tree. Feel roots going deep down and into the centre of the earth.

Begin to sway your body from right to left as if your branches are blowing in the wind.

Take deep breaths as you sway.

Notice that the more you're able to flow, the more strength you gain.

When the time comes and you feel ready, stand still. Reconnect with the roots coming out of the bottom of your feet an into the earth.

Take a deep breath, breathing from your roots all the way up to your throat chakra. Then ask the part of yourself that knows; is there anything you need to say to yourself or someone else?

Take a beautiful deep breath in... and out...

Now take a moment to focus on the branches of your tree. You may notice that there are some dead or dying branches.

What do these branches represent for you? What parts of your life, or yourself that are ready to drop. Try to notice without judgment.

Take as long as you need here, and when you're ready, visualise as these branches one at a time drop off and float down into the river below.

Trusting that new growth will come in its place.

A few beautiful deep breaths here.

When you're ready, bring your hands to prayer at your heart thanking yourself and your higher self for guiding you here today.

Take a few more breaths here. Open your eyes. You may like to free write about your experience, or use the journal prompts below.

Journal Prompts

What came up during this activation today?
Was there anything you needed to say or express? If so, what was this?
What dead branches were revealed to you?
Write a letter to the part of yourself that is grieving the loss of something you have to let go of.

Thank you for joining us on this magical journey. We look forward to sharing tomorrows herb and ceremony with you.