What to do with consecrated new willow. Willow: healing properties, how to make a talisman

Every time before Palm Sunday, Orthodox Christians have a question: what to do with last year’s willow, which they kept all year? And when should you get rid of it? On the eve of the holiday or on Palm Sunday itself?

A consecrated willow is no longer just tree branches, but a real shrine. You can't just throw it in the trash. It is believed that willow retains its magical properties until next spring.

You can perform a small ritual on Palm Sunday itself, before it, or immediately after Palm Sunday.

There are several options for getting rid of willow:

Throw old willows along flowing water into any body of water.
Burn dried willow branches. In this case, the ashes need to be poured out in a place where they will not trample on them. You can pour the ashes into the river.
If willows sprouted in water, it is best to plant them in a forest or near a river.
Willows can be stored for several years. But at the same time, celebrate the holiday with fresh branches every year.
If someone dies in the coming days, then the willow is placed in the coffin.
Some older people collect willows to take to their graves.
With a lit willow branch you can cleanse the house and sanctify it by walking around the house with this branch and prayer.
Take them to the Church, where they are burned with prayer.
Take it to the forest and leave it there between the willow bushes.
If you have a stove in the house, you can use last year’s dried willow to light it for baking Easter cakes.

They symbolically sweep the corners of the house with old willow and then burn it, thanking them for their service.

MIRACULOUS PROPERTIES OF CONCEDED WILLOW:

Coming home from church, they lightly beat all household members with a blessed willow so that they are healthy. They don’t forget about all the cattle. All living things absorb the power of spring and renewal.
Willow protects the house from evil forces and spirits.
Willow is planted in the garden if there is a bride of marriageable age or a young guy in the house. As soon as the willow takes root, there will be a wedding.
On St. George's Day, willow is used to drive livestock out to the fields. Then he will be healthy and fruitful.
It is believed that willow can be used to ward off thunder, hail and clouds by tilting it towards the clouds.
Willow reduced the destructive power of fire by throwing it into the fire.
Willow buds were swallowed to get rid of fever, sore throat, and infertility.
Willows were used to line wells to prevent evil forces from getting into the water.

FOLK TRADITIONS RELATED TO PALM SUNDAY:

To this day, there are many signs and traditions associated with Palm Sunday. They are passed down from older to younger family members.

On the night of Palm Sunday, you can make spells for headaches. To do this, the hair from the comb was dipped into water and the willow was watered with this water. The water will go into the ground along with the headache.
On Palm Sunday, girls cast a love spell on a willow tree. When casting a spell, the willow was placed behind the icons. You cannot throw away charmed branches.
You can only “hit” with a willow on the back, wishing for health. If you are hit on the butt, this person wishes you illness and evil, and it may come true.
Willow branches could only be cut from young trees. It is important that the trunks are free of damage and mossy bark.
You cannot pluck branches from a willow tree if there is a hollow in it. You also cannot tear branches from a cemetery willow.
You cannot tear branches bending over the river. It is believed that mermaids sit on them at night.

Signs:

If it was frosty enough on Palm Sunday, then a fairly good harvest of spring grain was expected.
If there were frosts on the night of Verbnoye, there will be a good harvest of cabbage and cucumbers.
If there is a strong wind on Verbnoye, then the whole summer will be quite windy, there will be hurricanes and storms. And if the day is warm and quiet, it will be summer.
Whatever the wind is in Verbnoye, it will be like that all summer.
If the sun shines in Verbnoye, there will be a rich harvest of cereals and fruits.
Tap the willow on your body on Palm Sunday and you will be healthy all year.
Willow is the most durable tree. Stick a branch into the ground and a tree will grow. The tree gives the same vitality to humans.
If you eat a bud of a consecrated willow, any matter will be easily solved. Of course, you can use the “magical” properties of willow only in extreme cases.
Think about your loved one on Verbnoye, he will come to you.
If you plant a houseplant on Palm Sunday, you will be rich. But if the flower withers, you will live in poverty all your life.
The energy of Palm Sunday helps make all your desires come true.

WHAT TO DO WITH WILLOW?

How to collect willow?

Tear several branches from small young trees. Don't cut off all the branches from one bush. But you need enough branches to put several in each room, and in the livestock quarters too.

Willow branches blessed on the eve of Palm Sunday must be properly stored. Under no circumstances should they be thrown away. Indeed, in any form, even dry, willow branches have enormous power.

The willow branches that you bring from church on Saturday before Palm Sunday or on Sunday, the day of Palm Sunday, should be used immediately: lightly whip all family members with them and wish everyone good health. Remember that you cannot hit willow branches on the area below the back - it is believed that a person who does this does it with bad intentions, “bewitching” the disease.

What to do then with the consecrated willow branches? They can be dried and kept at home as a talisman against all evil: it is believed that consecrated willow branches are able to ward off evil spirits. And translated into the language of bioenergetics - bad, evil, negative energy.

Willow branches can be placed in water. And watch them: if, standing in the water. The willow branches still die and do not sprout roots, which means that there was too much negative energy in your house and the willow branches did a very good job of cleaning your home. Such branches should be taken away from the house and burned with prayer. This is best done in an open field. Is there a problem with this in the city? Choose a place that is spacious, with a draft that will disperse what will not be burned in the fire. The main thing is to never throw willow branches into the garbage chute: this is simply an act of vandalism towards a plant that has worked so well for your benefit.

If the willow branches take root, They definitely need to be planted in the soil. Willow grows well in the shade and with plenty of water (or in places that are well-moistened naturally). If possible, visit your willow and talk to it. She will absorb all the bad thoughts, all the bad energy. And he will let you go with a lighter heart.

Willow branches can be dried. The buds of the consecrated willow, if brewed as a drink, give a woman who has not been able to get pregnant for a long time the happiness of motherhood.
For many centuries, the people used branches of the blessed willow as a remedy for headaches. It was enough to put a bunch of dry willow branches under the pillow to leave a woman with obsessive headaches. Dry willow branches, which will be stored in a secluded place in the house, will ward off diseases and other troubles.

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WHERE TO GO THE WILLOW AFTER PALM RESURRECTION? Every time before Palm Sunday, Orthodox Christians have a question: what to do with last year’s willow, which they kept all year? And when should you get rid of it? On the eve of the holiday or on Palm Sunday itself?

A few words about the holiday Palm Sunday itself - a holiday dedicated to the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. This is one of the last events during the life of Christ. And it happened a week before Easter - Bright Resurrection. Why Palm Sunday? As Jesus entered the Holy City, people covered his path with freshly cut palm branches. This tradition was adopted in the East during meetings of important persons. In Russia, in the absence of palm trees, willow is used. But on this day, not only willow and palm trees are blessed in the church, but also olive, boxwood, and laurel branches.

There is a tradition of decorating large branches with sweets and fruits, as well as colored ribbons. Lighted branches were installed at the head of the house, near crucifixes, near fireplaces and stove hearths, as well as in animal stalls and other places. They can be installed simply in dry places or placed in a vase with water. Branches protect the house from the elements, diseases, and quarrels. So, a year has passed, today is Palm Sunday again, we blessed fresh willows. What should we do with the old ones from last year? And when should you get rid of them? A consecrated willow is no longer just tree branches, but a real shrine. You can't just throw it in the trash. .

You can perform a small ritual on Palm Sunday itself, before it, or immediately after Palm Sunday. There are several options for getting rid of willow. Throw old willows along flowing water into any body of water. Burn dried willow branches. In this case, the ashes need to be poured out in a place where they will not trample on them. You can pour the ashes into the river. If willows sprouted in water, it is best to plant them in a forest or near a river. Willows can be stored for several years. But at the same time, celebrate the holiday with fresh branches every year. If someone dies in the coming days, then the willow is placed in the coffin. Some older people collect willows to take to their graves. With a lit willow branch you can cleanse the house and sanctify it by walking around the house with this branch and prayer. Take them to the Church, where they are burned with prayer. Take it to the forest and leave it there between the willow bushes. If you have a stove in the house, you can use last year’s dried willow to light it for baking Easter cakes. They symbolically sweep the corners of the house with old willow and then burn it, thanking them for their service. The miraculous properties of the consecrated willow: Coming home from church, they lightly beat all household members with the consecrated willow so that they are healthy. They don’t forget about all the cattle. All living things absorb the power of spring and renewal. Willow protects the house from evil forces and spirits. Willow is planted in the garden if there is a bride of marriageable age or a young guy in the house. As soon as the willow takes root, there will be a wedding.

Orthodox Christians collect willow branches every year before Palm Sunday, but not all of them know why they should be blessed in the church, how to store them correctly and where to put them after the holiday ends. And what to do with last year's willow?

These and other questions really deserve attention when we are talking about such a serious holiday in the Christian calendar.

Why do you need to illuminate willow branches?

With the onset of spring, the first thing that buds begin to appear is on the willow.

Since ancient times, people have attributed almost magical properties and magical powers to this tree.

It was believed that willow contributed to the fertility of the land, increased harvests, and endowed both livestock and people with good health and sexual strength.

Also, according to believers, willow can protect a person from various diseases and cleanse him from unclean, evil forces.

Often, people who wanted to ward off various misfortunes from their home used willow trees that were lit before the holiday.

But the willow not only protects from evil forces. Its illuminated branches were also credited with the ability to protect a believer’s house from hail and fires, and to stop a storm.

It was believed that the willow helped to recognize witches and sorcerers if they entered the house, ward off demons, and also discover various treasures.

Some people swallowed the so-called “earrings” of willow in order to drive away illness or protect themselves from any disease.

To prevent lightning from striking the house during a thunderstorm, willow branches were simply placed on the windowsill.

In ancient Rus', the preparation of willow tree branches actually resembled a whole ritual.

Just before the holiday, people went to trees located next to flowing rivers and broke branches there.

Upon arriving home from church, illuminated by the willow tree, the parents lightly whipped their children, during which they said a certain prayer aimed at protecting them from sorrows and troubles.

It was customary to whip themselves, also saying that it was the willow that was beating, and not the man himself. In this way, a person could replenish his health, physical strength and energy.

Young girls and newlyweds were also often whipped with the blessed willow: this was done so that the couple and the future bride would have healthy babies in the future.

There is also an opinion among believers: if an illuminated willow is thrown against the wind, it will drive away the approaching storm, if you throw it into a fire, it will stop it, extinguish it, and if you stick it into a field, the willow will save all the crops.

People who were not endowed with special courage, boldness, that is, cowardly, were advised to get rid of their shortcomings with the help of willow. To do this, it was necessary to go to church early in the morning on Palm Sunday, where they would bless the branches, and immediately upon arriving home, drive a small peg of the illuminated willow tree into the wall of their own house.

And, of course, based on the weather that stood on this holiday, or rather the entire Palm Week, they judged what the harvest would be like. So, good weather meant that the harvest would definitely be good and rich, but if the weather was bad, one should not count on a good harvest.

What to do with the willow after it is illuminated?

When the branches were taken to the church and consecrated there, after that they can be stored throughout the year and until the next Palm Sunday.

But it is best to store them behind icons or near them. However, you can try and attach them in different places of the house, in each room, thus protecting your home from troubles, from bad events and people.

When you collect willow branches, do not take them all from one tree (even if it is large). Break a few branches from two or more trees, but carefully. Don’t try to break more, one branch is enough for each room and for each family member.

What to do with last year's willow and what not to do with it?

Suppose tomorrow is Palm Sunday, therefore, fresh branches need to be blessed. Where to put the willow from last year and when should you get rid of it?

Please note that the consecrated willow is endowed with magical properties that last a whole year and until next spring.

Remember: if a willow is consecrated in a church, from that moment it ceases to be a simple willow - it is now considered a shrine. Therefore, you can’t just take it and throw it in the trash.

The Church believes that such a plant should not be in a dirty place, next to garbage or in a general waste heap - this is an insult to the shrine.

There are several ways to get rid of last year's willow. They can even be called rituals that can be performed before or after the holiday:

Find a river or any other body of water and throw last year’s blessed willow along the flowing water.
Burn the dried willow, and collect the ashes remaining from the branches and pour them in a place where people or animals will not walk. For example, your own garden will work great if you scatter the ashes under one of its trees. If you don’t have your own garden, then go into the forest and sprinkle the ashes under any tree.
Sometimes it happens that branches stand in water and sprout there. In this case, it is necessary to plant the sprouted branches in the forest or somewhere near a river.
Illuminated willow can be stored for several years, but every year on Palm Sunday it is important to bring home fresh branches.
If a misfortune happens and someone close to you dies during Palm Week, last year's willow is placed in his coffin. By the way, some elderly believers collect twigs after each holiday so that they can be placed in the coffin of that person when the time comes.
You can cleanse your home with a lighted willow twig and consecrate it by walking around the entire apartment or house with it and reading a prayer at the same time.
Many people prefer to take last year’s willow to church - there they will burn it according to the rules, with prayer.
Take it to the forest and leave it there, but only between the willow bushes.
It is also allowed to sweep the corners of the house with old willow, then burn it, thanking the willow for its good service.
If you have a stove in your house, then light it with last year's twigs before you start baking Easter cakes.

There must be order in the temple!

IN THE MORNING I take minibus No. 27 to the village. GRES. Since I've been working for KSK, long-distance travel doesn't scare me. I sat down in Sosnovoye at 8:00 and at 8:47 I was already at the temple. At the entrance I met Father Dimitri-2 (a former priest from Nerchinsk), greeted him, and congratulated each other on the holiday.
There are a lot of people in the temple, more than yesterday. Everyone is holding large bouquets of willow (hegumen Dimitri will talk about them later). The willow gives off a bitter smell, mixing with the aromas of incense. Apart from Oleg Yakushev, there were no other acquaintances; later S.G. arrived. Bobrov and his wife, in civilian clothes and also with a long panicle of willow.
(Yesterday I was preparing for communion. I read, or rather “listened” to, the canons and rules. I found this method, with the help of a player and headphones, quite acceptable for myself. For some reason, reading dispels the thought, some Church Slavonic words seem incomprehensible, the accents in the sentences are not placed where needed, besides, you also need to cross yourself, bow, look at the icons - in my opinion, reading takes more time (2 and a half hours). Rules read in a clear, beautiful voice are much easier to perceive, you can concentrate on the meaning, look continuously at the iconostasis, you don’t need to hold a prayer book in your hands. Moreover, the situation is very conducive to prayer, when the lights are turned off and only the lamp is burning...)
Of course, Father Dimitri’s love of order is felt in everything. So he commands everyone to take a step forward, and there is more space in the temple. Here he explains the order of approach to the Chalice - first children, then men, then women... To the Cross - first to the icons, then to the Cross. I understand that it is useful to remind parishioners every time about the rules (or traditions?) of behavior in church. Then they will apply the sign of the cross correctly and bow as expected (I have already written about the differences that exist). By the way, the new chieftain Chupin, having crossed himself, for some reason presses his fist to his chest and so, with his fist pressed, bows (maybe this is something like boxing?). Many people believe that for faith in God, adherence to some external attributes is not at all important. I believe that form directly affects the content and its meaning. I don’t understand why some women pull hoods over their heads and stand in church like some kind of Catholic Capuchins - uncomfortable, hot and ugly. I don’t understand when others frantically wave their hands, trying to depict a cross on themselves for every “Lord, have mercy.” Now, if you film it on camera and watch it later in slow motion, what do you get there instead of a cross? It’s not for nothing that some priests come up with such sayings: “Don’t wave your hand as if you’re swatting away demons” or “Don’t break the cross” (this is when a person, without having time to mark the cross on himself, already bows - “breaks the cross”, etc. Of course, this is like - makes people think...

What to do with last year's willow?

NOW about the willow.
At the end of the service (there was, of course, a sermon about the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem, I’m omitting that), Father Dimitri came out to the pulpit and asked:
- Why did you bring such large bouquets of willow?
Silence.
- Last year, apparently, the bouquets were no less?
A stirring in the crowd.
- What will you do with last year’s willow? - Father Dimitri continued.
Silence. Replica:
- I’ll remove it for the icon!
Father Dimitri takes a lush bouquet of willow from one of the parishioners:
- Here's a bouquet for an icon?
- I’ll put it in another room! - someone shouts.
- Your apartment is big! - Father Dimitri notes. - And yet, what to do with last year’s consecrated willow?
Finally, the following offers began pouring in from the “experienced”:
- Burn it! Set it on the water! Bury in an untrampled place!
It seems that Father Dimitri was not very happy with these options, although he agreed with all of them. To the latter he answered: “Where can we find such a place that neither man nor animal will be dug up or desecrated?”
“There is another way, a traditional one,” Father Dimitri revealed the secret. - Separate the willow flowers from the branches, burn the branches, and put the flowers in a bag...
Everyone turned their attention to the priest.
- Do you know why? - continued Fr. Dimitri. - For a pillow in the coffin of the deceased. To, as the ancients said, always remember death...
There was silence in the temple, everyone looked at their bouquet or whisk. It is clear that from a large bouquet you will fill such a pillow “on your last journey” sooner, or even more than one. Therefore, isn’t it better to make do with three branches? It will take many, many years of life to fill such a pillow.
At the end of the service, the deacon distributed willow to the parishioners. I didn't take it. One bouquet I received yesterday is enough for me.