Wicked Good - Why so many references to willow trees?

      If you’ve been following Wicked Good, you may have noticed several references to willow trees.

     Archer and Rory live on Willow Street (chapter 3).  

     There is a willow tree outside Archer and Rory’s home (chapter 6).

      In chapter 13, Rory says: “You need to have faith in me.  Remember, you thought the willow tree was going to die?” He looked out the bedroom window, into the dark night, toward the willow tree, the back of the house and the City Forest. “I mean, you’re always telling me to make better choices but if you don’t trust me, what’s the point?”

     When Kitty first runs from Archer in The Crow’s Nest, she chants a spell that includes mention of a willow tree (chapter 27).

     In chapter 29, Rory is sitting on a bench with Trish, holding a small potted willow on his lap. Rory says: “It’s a baby willow tree, like the one in my front yard,” Rory said. “It has special powers. It can heal wounds and burns. The Greeks used it to relieve pain, like aspirin. Some people even think the willow has the power to heal a broken heart.”

      And there are more references to come.

      Why so many references to willows in Wicked Good?

      Willow trees have been found in texts dating back to the Ancient Greeks. Hippocrates wrote about its medicinal properties. Native Americans have used it for its powers to heal. Willow contains salicylic acid which was used to relieve aches and pains before aspirin was discovered so the use of willow trees has a realistic foundation as well as a mystical one. Have you ever watched a willow sway in the wind? They bend but do not break. We liked the reference throughout Wicked Good due to the willow symbolizing healing and strength. And just maybe, the willow can mend a broken heart….