shwiggitude ([info]shwiggitude) wrote,
2007-11-20 00:38:00

sacred trees

i think our human race has become far too distant from nature. if not, we wouldn't be carelessly destroying it every day. every time i go for a walk i have to remind myself to be present and not to tune out nature. it only takes a bit of patience and mindfulness to stop and appreciate a tree, and to see how spiritually symbolic each tree is, with its roots solidly planted in the earth and its branches jutting skyward. my favorite thing is to lie down at the base of a large tree, put my hands behind my head, and watch the leaves dance on the branches. well, it doesn't work quite so well in the winter, but..

i've always loved trees, and i saw first-hand how much respect the traditional bamileke religion gave to trees (though sadly that is almost gone). but i hadn't realized just how big of a role trees used to play in religion until i did a little surfing on the topic. it turns out that the "world tree" is a pretty universal concept in primal religion. in myan mythology, the world tree is depicted as a ceiba tree, rooted in the everyday world, but reaching to (and holding up) the heavens. it's both a divider and a bridge between heaven and earth.

in norse myth, the world tree is an ash tree called yggdrasil which joins the nine worlds of norse mythology: alfheim, asgard, jötunheim, midgard, muspelheim, nidavellir, niflheim, svartálfaheim, and vanaheim.


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yggdrasill - norse "world tree"




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ceiba - mayan "world tree"


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banyan - sacred tree of india


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baobab - sacred african tree

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  • 18 comments

[info]sarmonster

November 20 2007, 07:07:30 UTC 4 years ago

Even the jews in cabbalah have the 'tree of life', though it's symbol looks less like a tree.

The biomass of ants is far greater than ours, yet they coexist with the planet. We have much to learn from the beasts.

[info]earthfaemama

November 20 2007, 07:32:15 UTC 4 years ago

Ooooh that is SOOOO cool! Thanks for sharing that!

[info]sarmonster

November 20 2007, 07:38:56 UTC 4 years ago

There's a better one in "Home Building" in Attenborough's Trials of Life series, alas, it's not on Youtube...yet. Jaw-dropping. This doesn't even go into the South African termites brilliant, effective and intricate AIR CONDITIONING system, or the fact that we have never built something to this scale: it would be over a mile high.

[info]shwiggitude

November 20 2007, 15:40:31 UTC 4 years ago

and christians have the christmas tree, which.. yeah, no.

cool vid on 'mites. there are some amazing termite mounds in gambia and the northern, more arid part of cameroon. we used to use the clay of old mounds to mix with sand and make into improved cookstoves. made for a sturdy, more efficient burner. less firewood used = more trees left standing = less dessertification.

[info]sarmonster

November 20 2007, 21:18:16 UTC 4 years ago

That's awesome!

[info]earthfaemama

November 20 2007, 07:09:50 UTC 4 years ago

Banyan-

Also very sacred to the Hawaiian culture. =) Can even dig into our own continents roots and find how sacred trees are to our natives. North and South American.

Isnt it awesome!


I love trees too! I have been working on a series of paintings involving trees now for a couple years. Being the earthy sign that I am (taurus) I feel a deep connection to the spirit of the tree...




[info]shwiggitude

November 20 2007, 15:57:19 UTC 4 years ago

Re: Banyan-

that's awesome - i'd love to see them. virgo is an earthy sign, too. i've noticed i like to be barefoot outside more than most. if i could paint i'd be doing it right now. the one thing i can sort of (ish) draw is a stylized tree, with twisting roots and branches - just because i like trees so much that i had to figure out some way to represent them with a pen. every tree i draw looks about the same tho, so it's more of a symbol for a tree than a depiction of a particular tree.

[info]earthfaemama

November 20 2007, 16:30:24 UTC 4 years ago

Re: Banyan-

Many of my paintings are stylized as well. I think you should consider getting yourself some paints my dear. (acrylics and watercolors are fun) Or get into some pottery... Perfect for earthy signs!

My trees, *Tree of Life by Me*Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

*Quantum Goddess by Me* (sold)Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

*Unfinished Lightworkers by me* Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

[info]shwiggitude

November 20 2007, 18:23:02 UTC 4 years ago

Re: Banyan-

beautiful! thanks for posting!

[info]earthfaemama

November 21 2007, 03:56:08 UTC 4 years ago

Re: Banyan-

*squish*

[info]sarahgrimm

November 20 2007, 19:09:55 UTC 4 years ago

Re: Banyan-

Those paintings are FANTASTIC!!!!! Makes me want to get some paints, too. :-) thanks for sharing.

[info]earthfaemama

November 21 2007, 03:55:45 UTC 4 years ago

Re: Banyan-

Hey! Thanks! You SHOULD go get some paints! Its very therapeutic. =)

[info]singingnettle

November 20 2007, 09:21:22 UTC 4 years ago

I share your feelings about trees.

One of these days I will dig out and post a very old essay for you on the subject.

[info]shwiggitude

November 20 2007, 15:57:54 UTC 4 years ago

please do!

[info]purplesquirrel

November 20 2007, 14:33:19 UTC 4 years ago

I like trees because they provide homes to squirrels.

[info]shwiggitude

November 20 2007, 15:36:00 UTC 4 years ago

you know, the mayans just might have created a "world *squirrel*", (one who feretted away the special nutty treasures of the world) except that their tropical climate did *not* provide a good home for squirrels.

perhaps this unfriendly squirrel climate, and not the diseases of white people, was truly responsible for the demise of their civilization.

Anonymous

November 20 2007, 18:49:03 UTC 4 years ago

trees are very near and dear to my heart ever since i took respite in them as a kid...and it's definitely why i have a tree tattooed on my wrist. every day it reminds me of the comfort and inspiration i find in nature. actually, i think long, long ago, my soul was a tree...i am innately drawn to them.

glad you share similar feelings.

Anonymous

November 20 2007, 18:50:12 UTC 4 years ago

last message....

oh yeah, the last message was from lish!
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