As proud parents, we have decided to start this new grove of indigenous trees in the Scottish Highlands to celebrate the birth of our first child, Willow Eira, in January 2020, in line with our pagan affinities.

 

We hope you will join us in celebration by adding trees to our family grove, which we trust will grow as part of Willow's legacy.

 

 

Who is both the tree, and the lightning that strikes it?      -      The Song of Amergin

 

Aspen (January tree)

We keep to ourselves, mostly / where our ashen trunks blend / and our barren branches cling / to icy white glitter. // As the breath of winter ebbs / we watch the crystal spring run-off / growing ever greener with envy / of how it races down the hill; babbling. / We whisper this to one another / in the crisp mountain air, solemn / as we keep watch. // We behold fully the majestic sun / revering at dusk how it paints the sky. / Your kind we watch most carefully. / If you look close, you will see / from our thousand dark eyes / we always look closely back at you. - Grahamburglar (adapted)

 

Rowan (March tree)

Guardian, gate-keeper, path-protector, / stream-sentinel, rock-bound, / above a clefted torrent. / In the glens, your red fruits / beckon blackbirds, thrushes. / The barren seek your boughs / to bed beneath assured conception. / Your power, enchantress, is in your leafy shield; / a berried blessing, sanguine, steadfast. / Stand so for us, for all your green hands shade. - Colin Will (adapted)

 

Willow (April tree)

Sing willow, slender willow, / leaning willow / that brings a feel of smooth flow, / that sways with songs of sweet sadness; / sing willow, so gentle in the morning air, / so graceful in the wind’s route; / sing willow, dance gentle now, / with such ease / for us who have come by to see you, / and to feel you breathing. - Raj Arumugam (adapted)