Robert hart

Naming Willow – Excerpt from Twice Born

Today Sapphire came to me and said, “Let us not talk of time, space, God and spirits, Thomas. Let us talk awhile about your life here, now, about your family, your granddaughter, for example.”

“Willow?”

“Yes, do you like her name?”

“I thought it was a bit New Age, at first, but now I think it suits her.”

“It should. We gave it to her.”

“What? How? Er…” I bumbled.

Sapphire smiled. “Remember this?”

She took me back in memory, eleven years to Christmas, when Roland and Gemma were staying with us. Gemma was four months pregnant, and they knew it was a girl. Naomi was so excited.

When Naomi called them for breakfast, the children came down all smiley and smug and said they’d decided on a name. They made Naomi and me guess for ten painful minutes and then said in unison.

“Her name is… roll of drums… Willow!”

Naomi asked, “When did you decide.”

Gemma said, “It came to me in the night. The moon woke me up about three. I shook Rolly and said, ‘I’ve got her name. It’s Willow.’ He snorted, rolled over and said, ‘It’s perfect.’”

After silently absorbing this little miracle, I asked Sapphire, “Why Willow?”

“We suggested Willow after a fine elegant and playful tree that loves to dance in the breeze. 

“Well, that’s her, always dancing,” I said.

“But do not be fooled. Willow is the strongest tree in the forest. The wildest winds will tear an oak from the ground, but the willow is indestructible. Life will bend her, but it cannot break her.”

“Our Willow can be pretty stubborn.”

“More than that. The willow is immortal. She is not here just once. Chop her down and she will grow back one hundred-fold. If just one willow twig breaks and falls to the moist soil, it will sprout into a whole new tree.”

“Thomas, your grandchild was born on a special day for us, Mayday, and so she was born under the Sign of the Willow.”

“I thought she was a Taurus. Stubborn as a bull,” I said.

“I refer to the Celtic star signs: the Rowan, the Ash, Alder, Willow, Hawthorne, Oak, Holly, Hazel, Vine, Ivy, Reed, Elder, and the Birch. Your granddaughter was born on the first of May, which is between 15th April and 12th May, so, under the Sign of The Willow. Like the willow tree, she is ruled by the Moon. That is why she is so creative and intuitive. That is why she sparkles. Have you noticed she can see in the dark?”

“Can’t say I have.”

“The Moon gave her the Seeing. Remember, she could see me on her first visit to our village, yet it took you many days before you could see us. You had to drink from the spring. She did not need to.”

“That’s true.”

“And from the Moon Willow knows that all life has its seasons. Everything, good or bad, will wax and wane like the Moon. Nothing is forever and she knows it. That is why she is so strong. She knows there will always be light after the dark. She knows every flower will die, and every storm will pass and both will come again.”

I thought for a while and said, “How did you know her birthday? I don’t think I’ve ever told you that?”

“We chose it.”