#herbal trees

[broomsick]

If, like me, you have always felt a strong connection to trees, I have a fun little activity for you to try! One of my newly acquired rituals when it comes to magical work is to collect fallen lichen when hiking in the woods, and use it in protection workings. For example, I love placing it near my bedpost and along windows! Lichen only grows in areas where the air is pure and clean, devoid of smog and protected from pollution. For this reason, and since I'm afflicted with a respiratory condition, I've always felt like lichen was a great symbol of healthy air and of a healthy environment in general. To me, it feels like it purifies whatever room in place it in, and many of the magical workings I use it for!

[godspellcraft]

Saints/Plants/Animism in Christian/Catholic Witchcraft

Does anybody else think of plants (especially when used in witchcraft) kind of like saints?

I think when I was first starting out in my practice I was really nervous about what I was allowed to include, not wanting to be accidentally practicing idolatry and all that other scrupulous stuff (which I now understand has a totally different definition than what I thought, lol)

But what's there to worry about? I don't think this plant is a god. I mean, maybe in the way that the Holy Spirit is in every living thing. But generally I think of them like saints: I am asking this rosemary for assistance in presenting my petition for cleansing my space to God. I am asking for this cinnamon stick's support in seeking God's protection.

They're mediators, symbols, sacramentals, go-between-ers.

Go hug a tree or something

[boringgg-bunnyyy]

I’m back between villages and everything’s still 🌿

[balkanradfem]

Finding Ginko

So, a while ago I was researching what trees are planted in the parks, in the city I live in, so I would recognize them more easily; I found out they were planted 200 years ago, and it's mostly wild chestnuts, lindens, and maple-leaf sycamores. I also found out that somewhere in the city parks, there is one Ginko tree. This immediately thrilled me, because I knew about the Ginko tree from anime, there was a few episodes of Detective Conan specifically about this tree. So I knew it was originally asian, I knew it had beautiful, fan-shaped leaves, and I was a weeb deeply in my heart still, so I decied that one day, I would find this Ginko, and enjoy the japanese anime tree (the tree originated in China).

Yesterday, I watched a video on medicinal properties of Ginko, and I found out that the leaves have healing properties for brain, memory, and ears. These are the 3 things I consistently have problems with, so I generated a plan; I would find the Ginko, get the leaves, make infusion, drink it every day, get my head fixed. I continued watching the video, and it was revealed that not only it had these healing properties, but also female trees could grow nuts that originally would smell very bad (they referenced dog poop smell) but if you cleaned them properly, and dried them, you could roast them and they'd be delicious, addictive even. So now my brain has generated a new plan: Find Ginko, wait until the seeds fall, propagate it, grow my own, have it growing in my food forest, have the medicinal properties + delicious nut forever. I am going to get my hands on that tree.

So I went out the same day, on my bike, to scout the parks for the elusive Ginko tree! It took me 5 minutes to spot it. It wasn't where the article suggested it would be, but in the random walkway, and it was a majestic, beautiful tree. However, the people responsible for prunining the park's trees, have messed it all up for me. All the lower branches were pruned so heavily, that the lowest branch was still several meters out of my reach. I couldn't get a single leaf. I couldn't climb on the nearby fence as it was spiked. The city was not gonna let me get my ginko leaves.

I despaired for a second, then figured, maybe there's a second ginko tree. This one did not look 200 years old, it looked younger. And the article suggested it was in a place by the river, where trees were at first planted in a botanical garden, and at first every tree had a plaque; I knew where this place was. I said bye to the tall, unreachable ginko, and went on my merry way to seek another.

This time it took me longer. I checked every tree I couldn't immediately recognize up close. In my journey, I inspected one inconspicious tree that was growing next to a restaurant, that I never before paid attention to, and discovered it was a mulberry! Absolutely delighted, I started picking fruit and putting it directly in my mouth; it was delicious. Insane that I didn't know about this fruit tree! A group of girls saw me eating from the tree, and they also went to inspect it; they were delighted, and commented on how long it has been the last time they tried a mulberry. Mulberries are an ancient slavic fruit, my great-grandmother had one in her backyard and I used to climb it and eat from it all day. But a lot of them got cut down because it doesn't have commercial purposes, it doesn't store well, you have to eat it as soon as you grab it from the tree.

Happy with my discovery, I would go on, and not spot any tree with ginko leaves, but I found this plaque!

This is the original ginko tree, the one planted 200 years ago. It was so tall and unnacessible, I couldn't even see the shape of leaves up there, the branches were pruned to 7 meters up. It was almost funny how badly my plan was going; I found two ginko trees, and a mulberry, and yet I had nothing to bring home with me. But then I thought, wait, this ginko was here for 200 years, it could have managed to plant itself somewhere, and it's such a valuable and exotic tree, I'm sure they would allow another one to grow. So I sniffed around and searched the area, and finally. I found another, very young ginko tree. So young they couldn't trim the branches 7 meters up, as it was only 5 meters tall. And I was able to get some leaves!

(That is the tall, unreachable ginko tree in the first picture)

Pleased with myself, I went home and made tea. The tea is almost completely transparent, with only a slight yellow tint, and it tastes very mildly sweet; the only thing I could compare it to is the pleasant taste of tree bark. But I like it, I can drink this every day now I know where to find it. Isn't it cool someone planted this tree 200 years ago and I read about it, found it, and was able to make tea from it? Thank you people who planted the Ginko!

[battleangel]

Walking While Carefree & Black

Fetishized & dehumanized.

Daily misogynoir.

Harrassed on my daily walks for hugging a tree, picking a flower, laying on grass and stretching out my arms, twirling, smiling, being an unrushed unbothered carefree fierce ferocious unapologetic black woman who isnt on the way to somewhere, Im not going to 7-11 five minutes from my apartment, Im not rushing to work, Im not hurrying, Im not hustling, Im not bustling, Im not harried, Im not distratcted, Im not anxious, Im not impatient, Im not speedwalking, Im not in a car, Im not on a bike, Im walking on sidewalks, under bridges, near highways, busy intersections, busy traffic lights, near school buses, near angry white stay at home moms pushing their strollers, moms with toddlers shielding their eyes from me, white police men slowing their patrol cars when I am doing nothing but take a selfie under a bridge.

Why cant I be free?

Why cant I twirl?

Why cant I hug trees?

Why cant I treat a light pole as a stripper pole?

Is it a crime to joke around during the day when people are at school and work, jokingly twirl myself around the pole, pretend I am a pole dancer, and take a video selfie?

Will I be Sandra Bland'd?

Why cant I take pictures of a rose garden?

Why cant I take a selfie under a bridge? On a park bench?

Why cant I pick flowers near the sidewalk, smell them, place them behind my ear and skip down the sidewalk pavement?

Capitalism demands that I, a black woman, be a slave to their system but I left their system.

I left Amazon in a week with no job lined up.

I left Dow Jones with no job lined up.

I left Bank of America in 3 months with no job lined up.

I left Yale.

I quit my career coaching business after 3 years and over a hundred executive clients.

I permanently left corporate in 2019 and quit my business this year.

I am a permanent freeelancer now.

I am a podcaster now. We dont have sponsors yet so I dont currently generate income.

$55/hr at Amazon and after six months they were going to convert me with the coveted unrestricted stock aka golden handcuffs.

It was a cult. I left in a week.

I made -$7,000 last year as my business failed. I hated sales and referrals dried up.

Capitalism says I am a failure and a loser.

Capitalism says I, a nubian queen, Isis, an egyptian goddess, am only worth the revenue I generate.

I was the highest rated recruiter with the most hires at every Fortune 500 company I worked at.

I had over a hundred executive clients with my career coaching business that landed offers at Disney, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, Amazon & Comcast with five figure salary increases.

I was a career advisor at Yale who coached graduate and postdoc STEM students.

Capitalism rolls its eyes and asks me, What have you done for me lately?

It demands I turn myself back into a machine to be deemed worthy.

But those days are over.

I will never work another 9 to 5 in any industry -- corporate, academic or non-profit.

I will never work a job that requires that I report into a supervisor.

I will never work another job with dictated shifts.

I will never sell anything to anyone ever again. I detest sales and I hate capitalism.

Capitalism is dehumanizing and it kills. It profits off of, relies on and thrives on energetic and psychic attacks that sends its adherents & acolytes to an early stress-induced death.

I was having GI issues and I healed myself.

No doctor, no gastroenterologist, no harmful laxatives, no chemical stimulants, no synthetic lab-made prescription medication that can all be addictive.

The smoothie takes 5 minutes and is just blending 1 cup pineapples, 1/2 cucumber, 1/4 grated ginger, 1 lemon, 1 orange, 2 tbs apple cider vinegar and 4 ice cubes & 1 cup of water in a mixer. Makes 2 servings, drink 1 cup in morning and 1 cup at night.

I just started walking outside in nature for an hour a day, not power walking, no step counting, no calorie counting, just being in nature, soaking up the sun, breathing the air, barefoot in grass, hugging trees, picking and smelling flowers, doing simple yoga exercises, abdominal massages, using a heating pad on my stomach, drinking 32 to 64 oz of water a day, eliminating coffe, not drinking soda during the week (used to drink 1 to 2 cans a day), fresh fruit & vegetable smoothie in the morning, oatmeal or grape nuts cereal with peppermint herbal tea no sugar or honey, homemade vegetarian salad & homemade vegetarian dressing (store bought dressing has a ton of fat, sugar amd calories) and mixed nuts as a snack Monday through Friday then I take a break and eat what I want on the weekend.

GI issues resolved themselves in a week, I am healthier, lighter, less sluggish, more fit, more in shape and more energetic. This is now my diet 75% of the time (5 days a week).

Decolonize your mind.

You have the ability to heal yourself. Stop running to doctors and quick fixes.

Change what you eat. Move more.

Get outside in nature! You are nature!

That is what heals. We come from nature and we are nature.

Trees, grass, sunlight, air, flowers, butterflies, streams, brooks, meadows, gardens, pumpkin patches, orchard farms, parks, nature trails.

Get outside.

Not to get in your car. Not to go somewhere.

Stop spending all your time penned inside like an animal and a prisoner.

Not to go to the mall, shopping, a restaurant, a salon, a spa, a movie theater, work, school, a grocery store, a laundromat, dry cleaners.

Not to run an errand.

Not to sit in traffic in a machine.

Not to burn calories.

Not to power walk.

Not to lose weight.

To reconnect with nature.

To reconnect your mind, soul, body, heart and spirit.

The west purposely severs this connection in service of capitalism.

Its up to you to restore it.

Walk. Breathe. Be. Skip. Twirl. Pose. Use the sidewalk as a catwalk. Take selfies. Take pictures.

Stop and smell the flowers.

Hug a literal tree.

Lay on the grass while cars roll past you with their windows down and stare at you like youre crazy.

Its 11 am on a Tuesday.

What the hell is she doing laying on the grass with her arms outstretched?

Why isnt she at work or at school?

Confuse people with your very presence.

I have a goth alt kawaii japanese street fashion aesthetic that includes boyshorts, leather garters, torn fishnets, leather chokers, hello kitty tiaras, six inch pink platform heels, black lipstick, mini cut out crop tops, extremely thick black eyeliner and hot pink eyeshadow.

For wearing this on Friday on my daily walk at 8:30 am which I then shared on TikTok, I was accused of being indecent, inappropriate for children to see going to school, people stared, rolled their windows down, honked at me, cars followed me, two men purposefully walked right into me bumping me (there was plenty of room on the sidewalk), an HVAC repairman leered at me outside of his van and literally just stared holes through me as I walked by.

Im 41. Im 5"1. Im 92 lbs. Im black and female.

I have a quirky style and aesthetic. I look young.

I also shaved my head bald a few weeks ago and have a bald fade.

People have since then called me a dyke, asked if I am trans, am I a boy or a girl, whats the deal.

Thats when I dont have a wig on.

I love different looks so I also wear long wigs.

The reaction is completely different when I wear a wig and people tell me how good I look, that people are slowing their cars down because I am attractive.

Bald fade, bony dyke who looks like a boy and might be trans.

Long wig, attractive girl, let me slow down and get a look.

Still black no matter the hair. Still followed.

Still harrassed.

A MAGA Proud Boy harrassed me with my bald fade while I was wearing an Eagles shirt and jeans. He stared at me as I took a selfie on a bench under a tree, when I got up to walk home, he started walking towards me and blocked my path in the small walkway we were both on and wouldnt let me pass.

Doesnt matter if its boy shorts and leather garters or an Eagles shirt and jeans.

I am harrassed for being a carefree black girl in capitalist Amerikkka.

[uburdn]

tea time

[upennmanuscripts]

Today's #FloraFriday is a beautiful tree with red blossoms on page 19 of LJS 278, a 16th or 17th century herbal written in Persian, perhaps in Deccan, India.

🔗 :

[katiajewelbox]

In the winter in southern England, evergreen trees like the Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) stand out. Ancient people saw the pine tree as a symbol of eternal life, which gave rise to our modern custom of Christmas trees.

The Scots Pine is the only native pine species in the British Isles. This species ranges from Western Europe to Eastern Siberia. The Scots Pine is only naturally found in Scotland in modern times, but in ancient times pine forests grew all over the British Isles. These forests died out due to climate change and human activity, but Scots Pine have been subsequently reintroduced as ornamentals and for forestry.

In these photos, we can see the two types of reproductive structures found on Scots Pine and other conifers. The classic pinecones are the female reproductive structures, known as ovulate cones, seed cones, or megastrobilus. These cones contain the ovules which will develop into seeds once fertilised by pollen. These cones open up their scales to allow wind blown pollen into the cones, after which the cones close up to allow the fertilised ovules to mature into seeds. After 6-8 months the cone opens again to let the winged seeds fly away on the wind to colonise new habitats. The second photo shows the male cones (microstrobilus or pollen cones) which contain pollen sacs under their scales. Scots Pine need to exchange pollen with another individual tree in order to reproduce.

Pine needles are also a delicious and healthy ingredient for herbal tea! Native Americans and East Asians have used pine needles from species in the Pinus genus for centuries as a healthy winter tonic. Pine needle tea is made by crushing and cutting the pine needles into small pieces and steeping them in boiling water. Medical research indicates pine needles are rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, and vitamin C. The taste is not like "pine scented air freshener" and more of a mellow citrusy flavour that combines exquisitely with cinnamon and gunpowder green tea. According to what I've read, all needles from Pinus genus species are safe for brewing unless you're pregnant.

[esoteric-chaos]

Pine - The Mundane and Magical 101

Growing up on my edge of the west coast, Pine trees have always been abundant. Specifically the Western White Pine for example.

This plant spirit is one I work with generally in the winter as this is where I personally feel it’s energy is stronger. It's a wonderful plant to work with and has been used by indigenous cultures to this land for healing. To venerate and honour this land I work with Pine.

Scientific Name: Pinus

Family: Pinaceae

Parts used: For species of Pine it varies

Planet: Mars

Element: Air

CAUTIONS: It is important to know not all species of Pine are edible. Also please note that if you have pets be cautious with Pine as it can cause irritation to the mouth and gastrointestinal issues. Which can lead to serious complications if ingested. Keep any pine needles and oils out of reach.

ALWAYS check with your local herbalist and doctor before consuming any medicinal medicine as they will be able to direct you on proper dosages. Some medications can also interact and so can some conditions with certain herbs.

Do NOT consume if pregnant and Pine may irritate the gut by creating heartburn.

IMPORTANT: Some Pine trees look very alike to other toxic plants so source responsibility and safely.

Uses in Herbalism and healing:

Internally, pine is a traditional remedy for coughs, colds, allergies, and urinary tract and sinus infections.

Topically, pine is used for infections and to lessen joint inflammation in arthritic conditions.

Uses in Magic:

Pine's correspondences are purification, protection, prosperity, healing, fertility and strength.

Pine needles scattered on the floor is said to drive away evil

When burned it can purify negativity

Needles can be burned for reversal spells or back to sender spells

Money magic

Can be used in oils, teas, incense, washes, etc. Get creative!

Makes a great purifying natural cleaner mixed with vinegar

Branches of pine above the bed is said to keep sickness away

In Japan Pine trees are venerated as sacred. Symbolizing longevity. Some place Pine above the front door to ensure lasting joy within, for the leaves are evergreen.

Recipes:

Herbal Salve for Inflammation - Makes 5 ounces

What you need

1 oz. beeswax (use carnauba wax for a vegan salve)

4 oz. Pine Pitch infused oil in Olive Oil - See my Infused Oils post to learn more

Directions

Wrap beeswax bar in an old towel. On a sturdy surface, use a hammer to break bar up into small chunks.

Place beeswax in a double boiler and gently warm over low heat until the beeswax melts.

Add herbal oils and stir over low heat until well-mixed.

Remove from heat

Quickly pour warm mixture into prepared heat safe tin(s) or cosmetic glass jar(s)

Store in a cool location for 1 to 3 years. 

Sources and extra reading material:

Please remember while I provide sources, some content is my own UPG from working for years intuitively with this herbal ally. What you do not see from my sources assume it is my UPG and take what information you will. Always cross reference and research yourself. All medical knowledge will be sourced.

Books:

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (Expanded and Revised Edition) by Scott Cunningham

The Complete Herbal Tutor by Anne McIntyre

Links:

Want to check out my other posts? Here’s the Masterpost

[averyghe]

Southern continent was the first place where the plant life emerged on Mars – from the magic of Yulakai, gurms crawled, herbs bloomed, and the grasses sprouted. The most common among all the large plants on the continent are Giris and Atmas, which were successfully domesticated and produced shadows in the gardens and the backyards all around the South. In the forrest corners and the meadows where those trees most often grow, they are accompanied by the many lesser herbs, the most noteworthy among which are certainly triflowers, known to be a medicinal herbs which can help with the headaches and inflamations, as well as whitflowers – known for their sweetness, and the fact that the sticky whiskers of an animal known as whitshel are resembling them to lure small insects.

On the outskirts of the Forrest you will see the blooming sprouts of Gramm’s treat – the plant known for the fact that it’s really liked by the gramhounds, who end up in trance after eating the sour yellow flowers. It is also true that by inhaling their pollen it is possible to feel lightheaded, up until the point of losing consciousness – that’s the reason why the large doses of the gramm’s treat pollen are used in the poisons, and pleasure powders used by Movats as well as wizards who believe that by mixing gramm’s treat with certain hallucinogens they can ascend in their understanding of magic.

Along side those plants there is venowing called that way for its form vaguely resembling green bird lying on the ground touching or eating it can result in stinging feeling on the skin – however, if prepared right venowing can be used in preparation of stews and even jams.

Starfluffs on their end are really great for creating the yarn out of them, so because of it they also were domesticated and now usually grown on the large plantations. They are also favourite food of bakais, and some other large herbivores.

But what should not be ever eaten is purple gurm – unlike other kinds of grum, this one is known to incredibly poisonous, even touching it can lead to the terrible consequences in the form in the form of skin burns, limb numbness, and in the end paralysis…

Over the herbs and bushes much larger plants are blooming – for example gigantic flowers of Kananti during the bloom season they are opening to release their spores in the air. It’s a beautiful site when the air is filled with the nearly glowing golden particles. However before blooming, Kananti can be used, on nearly all of their grow stages – juvenile sprouts are great to be prepared as garnish, stew, or given as food to the Woopas. Medium sized ones can be used make team as well as yellow and green dies. And in the end pollinating Kananti flowers can be used to make soothing mixtures, and potions against hair loss.

And one of the largest among all the plants and trees are trees of Paros that can grow up to thirty meters in height. They are also known as the Mast trees or Table trees as they are often used in the shipbuilding and exquisite carpentry…

[beyondthepineshomestead]

✨beyond the pines homestead✨

🏹🌲🏡

the American Indian way of community, harvest, & breaking bread 🍞

[theblackdahliaemporium]

Maple Tree Correspondence

Maple Tree Correspondence:

One can honor Maple Syrup in their kitchen witch recipes and rituals as a way of connecting with her energy.

Maple Lore:

 Maple trees are believed to repel demons and evil spirits. For protection it was customary in many houses to have a piece of a maple tree in the main door. Maple trees symbolize balance, offering, practical magic, promise, longevity, generosity, and intelligence. One reason behind these meanings is that maple trees can adapt to many different soil types and climates. Furthermore, it is an important tree in Celtic mythology. It was a tree consecrated to Dana, the Celtic goddess of fertility. It is also known as the tree of tolerance. In China, maple is associated with honor, and its leaves are a motif in Japanese ukiyo-e paintings representing love and autumn.

Maple trees are also associated with Virgo & Libra.

In Druidry if you’re born between the dates of April 11 - April 20; October 14 - October 23. You are known for a lively personality, a sense of humor, ability for deduction, analytical mind.

Maple is also the tree of offering, as it’s giving its sap, so that others can benefit. Therefore, it makes a great gift for the magical person in your life.

There are over 125 different species of the maple tree that are indigenous to Asia, Europe, North Africa, and the U.S. With the species interacting with so many different cultures over millennia, it’s attracted all kinds of myths, associations, and related magical properties.

Maple trees are mostly dioecious, meaning that there are both male and female trees. However, some species are polygamo-dioecious, carrying both male and female flowers on the same tree. They are therefore considered to resonate with both masculine and feminine energy.

Owls are commonly associated with the maple, because the tree itself represents the changing of the seasons, the natural cycle of death followed by rebirth, and wisdom accumulated over a lifetime. Under normal conditions, a maple tree lives between sixty and two hundred years.

Healing is strongly linked with maple trees, and many shamans and witches use a maple staff, wand, or the smoke of maple wood in healing. The inner bark can get used as:

An astringent to soothe sore or swollen eyes.

An infusion to treat stomach cramps and diarrhea.

A tea to treat coughs.

A concentration (infused with maple leaves) to detoxify the liver and spleen.

Kindness and compassion are other associations. Since the maple tree starts blooming in late winter or very early spring, it’s a feeder for pollen and leaf eaters when there’s not much nourishment available. It’s therefore associated with nurturing, purity, caring, and sharing.

Magical Properties of the Maple Tree

Apart from healing, many witches use maple wands and pendulums because it reveals options seen and unseen, broadening the intellect and acquiring knowledge. It also encourages peaceful communication making it excellent for use when doing spell work or readings that involve conflict resolution.

Because maple is a wood of caring, knowledge, and wisdom, it will guide you in making realistic and honest decisions and choices. It won’t do much for you if you use it for harm or rash outcomes, like quick luck or gambling.

Maple is Feminine in nature and associated with the moon & Jupiter and the elemental energies of water.

Maple is ideal for spells and rituals that involve abundance (with pure intentions), binding, beauty, cleansing, and love. You can use maple wood in your home to encourage love, harmony, and happiness.

Maple is useful in moon magic and in spells related to travel, learning, and decision-making, especially in matters related to bringing about or dealing with change. Maple is also useful in spiritual healing.

Maple Syrup can be used immensely in Kitchen Witchery.

Maple wood is excellent for wands, staffs, and maypoles.

The wisdom that maple brings into any situation makes it ideal for divination. If used for negative ends, maple is known to become a neutral energy. It tends to choose its companions, seeking people who are devoted and who have a strong sense of conviction and truth.

How do you know if maple is choosing you as a companion? You’ll be naturally drawn to the tree even if there aren’t any growing nearby. It will pop up in articles, books, and catalogues. A companion piece is anything that you keep nearby or with you all the time. Maple is a potent and loyal companion. Folklore/Symbolism

Strength and Wisdom- In Folklore, maple trees are associated with strength, endurance, and wisdom, often seen as sacred or auspicious.

Protection- Maple leaves have been used as protective talismans in various cultures, believed to ward off evil spirits and harm.

Connection to nature- Maple trees are regarded as symbols of nature’s beauty, resilience, and the changing seasons, especially in Autumn.

Maple at Risk

Unfortunately, sugar maples have seen quite a bit of decline due to logging of forests (they are slow growing, and faster growing trees, like birch, will often come up in their places after a forest is logged).  Sugar maples are also not very tolerant to pollution, including soil acidification and acid rain (this is mainly caused by automobiles). While they were once found in parks throughout the USA, with the rise of the automobile, these trees had a harder time surviving in urban areas.  Culpepper goes as far as calling this tree a “gentleman’s tree” as it was often found in urban parks.  The salt from roads also damages the tree’s root systems, contributing to its decline. This is not to say that the sugar maple is still not a dominant tree-it is.  You just need to get off the roads and out of the cities to see them.

Native American Lore

To understand the sugar maple in the Native American lore, I reviewed numerous legends–the sugar maple features prominently in their tales. Including my Husband, who is part Native American & Part Ecuadorian.

The maple as a gift that takes work. The maple was one of the only sources of sugar for the native peoples–as such it was seen as a gift from the creator.  While the maple is a gift, the native tales are clear that this gift takes work (in the form of collecting sap and boiling it down to make sugars). In Gluskabe Changes Maple Syrup, the Creator had originally had sap flow from maple trees as rich and as thick as honey–one needed only to break off a branch and the sap would flow out at any point of the year. However, Gluskabe, whose job it is to report back to the Creator, comes across a group of people who were fat and lazy, who abandoned their village and instead laid down in a maple grove sipping sap all day. Gluskabe was instructed to fill the maple trees with water each day for a full moon cycle, and now, people would have to work to have the sweetness of the maple and they would only have it for a short time in the spring to learn the error of their ways. At the end of the story, the people worked to turn the sap into sugar by burning cedar and making white birch buckets (using the magic of those two trees as well).  The work of the maple sugar is also found in the Senaca legend, Woman who Fell from the Sky, where the maple sap is changed to keep people from living too easy. In another legend, The Sugar Maple, the Sugar maple gets help from Woodpecker, who helps him by pulling out the grubs that are under maple’s bark.  Later, Woodpecker is dying of thirst during a drought, and Maple allows him to drink by pecking holes in the tree.

Maple as a delicacy. Maple sugar was seen as a delicacy by the Native Americans.  In several tales, babies appear sucking maple sugar.  In other tales, it is prepared as a drink with herbs.  In one Ojibwa legend, a maple syrup feast is mentioned.

Honoring the maple tree in ritual. To keep the maples producing the sap, Native Americans did maple ceremonies to ensure good sap harvests each year.  These were typically done right as the sap began to flow from the trees.  These ceremonies usually involved having everyone gather around the tree, addressing the tree in ritual language, and offering the tree tobacco incense.  This reminds me quite a bit of apple orchard wassailing.

Maple as a gentle tree. When talking sticks are made of maple, it is said to represent gentleness.

The Fiery Red Leaves of Maple represent blood. The reason that maples turn red in the fall can be explained by Chasing the Bear, where a long bear hunt ends with the hunters piling up sumac and maple branches and butchering the bear upon the branches.  In another version of this legend, “Hunting the Great Bear” reported by Hageneder, the long bear hunt happens each year.  The four brothers (who make up the constellation of the great bear) finally kill the bear and the bear’s blood falls from the sky and turns the maples red. This post was requested by: @jjatanywitchway

Sources:

The Druids Garden

Magickalspot.com

Wiccamagazine

Witchwood

The Green Witch- Murphy-Hiscock

[loubella77]

3.5 oz of mimosa bark ALREADY before the two trays I’m drying rn. I’d be stocked up if I didn’t have two people who are buying weekly dose packs 😭

- 18+ account -

[andragoras-in-vanity]

im convinced that people who actually want to live in cities and dont see the environmental and emotional trauma their inflicting on themselves by enabling those places to continue to grow have just the most severe brain damage

[rosen-dovecote]

Note To Self: Sacred Trees

Cedar

Acacia

Myrtle

Olive

Palm

Almond

Apple

Cypress

Date

Fig

Oak

Pine

Pistachio

Pomegranate

Poplar

Willow

Henna

[sidewalkchemistry]

How to Begin Talking to Trees (Meditation Practice)

(originally posted on Patreon)

Talking to trees is a very beautiful and yet simple practice that you can take up at anytime and in any place. I'll share the way I prefer to go about it on a first encounter with a particular tree. Every individual tree is an individual consciousness to my knowledge. So, each tree is fresh experience.

Step 1: I start with a focus on my own inner experience. I tend to prefer to ground myself by connecting to my heart and its electromagnetic field. A few deep breaths and hands on my heart bring me here easily. I share how to do this once before.

Step 2: I find a tree to talk with. I may be talking a walk or sitting on a bench or even laying on my own bed. It's possible to connect either to a physical or imaginal tree. I choose a tree that my focus seems to be drawn towards.

Step 3: I ground into the tree's energy field. You can physically touch the tree or just sense the aura that it is emitting as you continue with your deep breaths. I notice the overlap in space we inhabit, and focus there.

Step 4: I ask the tree if they are wanting conversation. Affirmative and negative answers are experienced differently for each person (your sense of a yes will be different from my own). But I never go on if I feel the tree hasn't warmly received me. Sometimes, trees just aren't talkative. Understandable. I want to only have respectful encounters.

Step 5: I kindly greet the tree and get to know them. My first encounter with a tree is usually just getting to understand its energy. I observe closely with my physical eyes, and with all my other senses. I tend to take notes as our telepathic-to-whispered conversation takes place.

Step 6: I ask the tree what sorts of gifts it likes. In my future encounters with the tree, I give it something as a thanks. And I say my goodbyes, and promise to meet with them again (you can always do so in meditation, astral travels, dreams, etc).

Step 7: I journal about the encounter and record in detail how that tree felt to me (personality, sensations, vibe, emotionality, age, build, etc) and what life is like from their perspective. I especially like to note what the difficulties in life are from their end.

Step 8: I keep the memory of the encounter in my mind for the rest of the day. I find it fun to meet a new tree, and it helps me to easily keep in touch with the tree next time.