The Pussy Willow

The 2nd February is Candlemas, an old Christian festival, with pre-Christian roots, when the beeswax candles for the coming Church year are blessed. Candlemas, a celebration of light returning to the world is when the willows are just starting to show their catkins.
Spring is coming.

The Pussy Willow or Goat Willow (Salix Caprea) is one of the earliest trees to wake in the spring, the buds burst open before the leaves to reveal rounded catkins covered in a silky silver down. On female trees the silver catkins turn to pale green then later, when fully mature, are covered with long white wavy hairs. When the male catkins fill with pollen their silver is turned to gold. This transformation the Druids considered magical and it was also a powerful symbol for the Alchemists.
Goat Willow pollen is especially loved by bees, and by moths at night. Goat Willow leaves were traditionally taken to Church on Palm Sunday, in remembrance of the palm branches spread before Jesus as he entered Jerusalem riding a humble donkey. This explains why the Goat Willow is also called the Palm Willow, and why the donkey carries a cross upon it's back.
In the Middle Ages, the “Palms” which had been blessed in Church, were often brought home to be placed at the four corners of the fields and by the beehives as a prayer, or protective charm, to ensure a good harvest.

Marion Malcher,
Sources :Tree Wisdom by Jacqueline Memory Paterson
The Hamlyn Guide to Trees
Magick & Ritual in Pre-Modern Europe

When we see the Pussy Willow in bloom we know our Queens are beginning to lay. Foragers will be flying and stores for fuelling flight will be used up. Beware the “Ides of March” - starvation in the hive which you can help to avoid. Heft the hive to check for an over-light feel, and/or on a very warm windless day, a QUICK peek under the roof - and maybe cover board - to see and smell if all is well. Your local friendly baker will supply you with white fondant, as used on sticky buns, maybe even lumped up into 1lb plastic bags to supply an easily assimilated sugar feed for near starving bees.

Roy Smith, Horsham & Crawley BKA
Willow illustration by Pam Hunter, H&CBKA