Willow Trees hold deep and diverse meaning and significance across cultures around the world. The Willow has long been connected to themes of grief and mourning and is often referred to as a Weeping Willow. This name was inspired by raindrops running down its delicate leaves giving Willows’ the appearance of crying. Willow bark has also been used for thousands of years for its healing properties and as a source of pain relief. Stories and folklore speak of the Willow Tree as a symbol of rebirth, wisdom, healing, and vitality.

The long, sweeping branches of a willow suggest flexibility and adaptation that invite us to remember our capacity to bend without breaking. The expansive and interconnected roots of a willow are often noted to be resilient, with a determination to live that can symbolize the strength and wisdom we need to guide and ground us as we navigate life and relationships. Its intertwining branches are associated with friendship in some cultures and directs us to the importance of safe and meaningful connection with others. Like all trees, its growth over time and through seasons reflects the process of learning and change throughout life as it unfolds.

The symbolism embodied by the Willow calls us to remember our inherent capacity to hold both grief and vitality, resilience and rebirth, growth and rest simultaneously. Here at Willow Counseling Collective, we are guided by these principles and the wisdom that exists within and around us all.