A Special (short) Arbor Day Note
for those who love trees
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Happy Arbor Day! I wish this day were more widely celebrated and with more enthusiasm.
Trees are absolutely amazing, and we depend upon them for our survival. They are also incredibly wise beings. I encourage you to get to know the trees around you, in your yard, and in your local parks.
Understanding trees at the spiritual level is such joyful work.
The ancient Greeks understood that dryads were the spirit of the oak tree. Eventually, that grew to include the idea of a dryad as a divinity presiding over forests and trees, which is sometimes called a wood nymph, it also can mean broadly in mythology, a deity or nymph of the woods; a nymph supposed to reside in trees or preside over woods.
Learn more about planting, nurturing, and caring for trees at https://www.arborday.org/
Check out these books that will change the way you see trees:
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate ~ by Peter Wolleben
The Secret Life of Trees: How They Live and Why They Matter ~ by Colin Tudge
Watch The Secret Life of Trees, documentary below
I encourage you to go outside and place the palm of your hand on a tree trunk. Close your eyes, breathe deeply and slowly, become still inside, and commune with the tree. Offer it love and gratitude. You may be surprised at the results.
Thanks for the reminder. How about an anecdote from your own experience? Me, I had a wondrous experience the other day when I walked among the trees in my favorite park: I glanced up and saw a nest, then saw the head and beak of a bird stock still, probably as the bird kept an egg warm. I felt a special charge as a witness to new life.
I missed the official day, but am still very much on board with the tree love. In fact (and I love these energetic through-lines) my post last week was all about just how special trees and other plants are. Enjoyed the kindred moment, Jan. Thanks! https://elizabethbeggins.substack.com/p/the-right-of-tree-speech