COURSE 9

COURSE 9

 

Lectures 1-7

 

LECTURE ONE

 

Once again, we are approaching our spring journey, the time for birthing new life within the sacred trees throughout the world. To observe and perceive the nature of all trees, we must take the first step to open to the power to the medicinal and spiritual dominant qualities through the vibrational tones given freely by every tree. To define a gender of a tree, look for the sharp pointed leaves to find its masculine principles which will inspire you to love and respect nature, whereas; a relaxed open tree defines the feminine principles, teaching us receptivity, nurturing and gentleness. As humankind, we need both powers to walk in balance. To perceive trees more closely, look for those with sharp pointed leaves, that represents masculine principles which will inspire you to love and respect nature, whereas; a relaxed open tree is feminine, teaching us receptivity and gentleness coming from the perspective of the four elements: Earth, air, water and fire.

 

 

 

THE COTTONWOOD TREE
LECTURE TWO

 

Early in life, I was taught all Trees were Lela Wakan, very Sacred. We called them the standing one’s, who hold a gift of sacred medicine, each sharing their strengths and weaknesses to all life forces. There is uniqueness within a cottonwood tree. It speaks of the stillness of the mind as we wait for the approaching morning, breathing a slow deep breath of fresh air into our lungs. A calmness flows through us as we breathe our mind into focus reflecting upon the intelligence and the mortal purpose that surrounds all life yet, different in it’s on way.

As a people, we should honor the knowledge of all trees as they share their powers with us, by taking the carbon dioxide and turning it into oxygen. We must respect our breath of life, using it properly to attain certain stillness, creating the depth needed to help us understand the purpose of all life. For a moment, envision yourself as a bird. Start your flight from ground level, circle upward among the green leafy branches until you reach the top, Making sure you have seen and embraced the value of the inner and outer world of the tree.

 

 

 

THE GIFTS OF THE EVERGREENS
LECTURE THREE

 

Evergreens Trees carry an unusual history. They grow new leaves before shedding their old ones, thus keeping their beauty and wisdom always in the present. It is the evergreen that stand firm against winter’s little death, while other trees become bare and dormant during the winter season.

There are several types of evergreens, from the broad-leaved families such as the hollies and shrub trees having clusters of greenish color or purple flowers to the needle-leafed families of the pines, cedars and junipers.

The uses of evergreens are as numerous as their varieties. Evergreens provide us with food, shelter and medicines. By following their example, humans could learn to stand strong in who they are and beautiful at all times. When a piece of an evergreen is given to the fire as a sacred offering, the smoke will protect ceremonies, home and family against harm. If you place a small bundle of evergreen tied with red cloth over the entrance to your home, it will correct the energies of anyone who enters your home. We, as a people should value the symbolized strength of the evergreen and learn to use it for more than timber and incense. The evergreens were gifted a sacred place in the North, a place where only the strongest can survive against the harsh cold winters.

 

EXPLORING THE BEAUTIFUL WILLOW TREES
LECTURE FOUR

 

Humankind is not the only conscious, intelligent forces on our planet. To explore the magnificent gifts and talents of the versatile Willow Tree, you need to know the physical characteristics, medicinal uses, and all the by-products made exclusively from the beautiful swaying tree.

The family of the Willow extends too many different species found from temperate wetlands to our own desert regions. However, one common factor of all willows is that they live near the abundance of water. In fact, the genus name Salix originated from the Celtic work sallis, meaning “near water.”

The Willow drops its leaves in the fall and replaces them every spring. The leaves are long and narrow with tiny silver hair like fabric on the underside.

The stems and bark are used medicinally as a painkiller and fever reducer.

Willow is the original source of Salicylic acid which makes aspirin! The bark extracts are used as a sore throat gargle, relief from heartburn, nervous insomnia and may be added to hot baths to relieve symptoms of rheumatism.

One special species, Salix Babylonica, treats leukemia and restores bone marrow function for patients of chemotherapy. In addition to their medicinal powers, the Willow provides the highest quality artists’ char-coal to be found; also their graceful branches are a favorite for basket weaving.

Shall we get to know the Willow on a more personal level? Consider renting the Disney movie, Pocahontas. This will help you create a special place in your heart for Grandmother Willow. This sweet character will expose the Willow tree as a living spirit, not just something in the background of nature.

Grandmother Willow proves to be a very wise and beautiful spirit, just waiting for someone to listen to her soothing messages and receive some exciting revelations about the many aspects of the Sacred Willow Trees sharing their secrets in many wonderful expressions demonstrated within their life.

When the wind blows through their flexible branches, it reminds me to bow my head in thanks to Maka Ina, our sacred Mother Earth, for supporting all life. This emotional moment helps me explore the depth of my special relationship with the Willow. Did you know Willow medicine is used for chemotherapy patients to restore bone marrow function?

Did you know the Willow tree will help you unlock the doors to past lives? They say, the long narrow leaf of the Willow is the key in finding your forgotten memories. Did not the Willow tree ask you for a personal relationship? Did the knowledge of this sacred Willow tree expand your perceptions of all Trees, reminding you to share equally with all life on Mother Earth?

The willow branches are woven into geometric structured patterns to build the dome structured Inipi, the sweat lodge. The branches are flexible and sturdy and are very important to this ancient rite. This perfect design extends a deeper connection between the physical and spiritual aspects of the ceremony and will bring your heart to a more meaningful level of the power of your spirit. This sacred rounded willow dome embraces many things. The people, the sacred hot stones, the herbs, the life-giving waters, the steam, Tongashsheila’s breath, Grandfather’s breath, reflect in our personal insight for peace and wellness. This humble connection is a vital part of the Sacredness when entering the Sweat lodge ceremony.

The Willow trees are a true relative and can help us connect deeper to Wakan Tanka, in our everyday lives, reminding us once again to the importance of prayer. My deepest and most sincere thanks to the beautiful Willow Tree!  

 

 

 

                                        

 

THE ELM TREES TEACHES DEPENDABILITY
LECTURE FIVE

 

I have a special place in my heart for the Elm Trees. They have gifted me with the awareness of patience and dependability. I love their gentle songs when the wind rustles through their leaves. Sometimes they whisper to me, telling me of secrets of the long ago past generations.

The Elms are well adapted to the exposure of water and dampness. They are fast growing, living up to one hundred and fifty years. They are a good source of lumber and are the prime material for shipbuilding. Can you imagine the wonderful things this tree has seen and heard in its lifetime? What wonderful wisdom the Elm can share!

When I think of this Standing One, I remember the wind blowing through its branches, seeming to demand my full attention. In the beauty of the moment, I pause to enjoy this glorious feeling. Suddenly my troubles disappear and in return, I receive the answer, I needed at the time. I cherish my special friendship with these old wise trees. It was my grandmother who taught me to silence my mind and pay attention to the Elms physical properties, medicinal and spiritual uses and to integrate this knowledge into my daily life.

I soon found I could “hear” the Standing Ones message. The key to learn about trees is to develop a personal relationship with them. After all, why would you spend time with anyone, if they didn’t pursue time with you?

 

 

 

THE MIGHTY OAK PROVES LONGIVITY
LECTURE SIX

 

Oak trees are exceptional living beings. They teach us about the laws of nature as well as produce food. Oaks can adapt to the wet winters and hot dry summers. They support diverse ecosystems on their branches, many types of moss, beneficial insects, lizards, lichens, birds, and small mammals.

The great Valley Oaks live along the flood plain of the river and drop thousands of protein packed acorns every fall. The bitter tannins is a medicinal astringent and color dye, produced from the acorn after they are leached out and eventually become edible.

The Poma Indian relied heavily on the oak’s acorns for baking flour for bread, usually adding a little red powdered clay; baking it in a 2”leaf wrapped loaves in coals overnight. Acorn bread could last through the winter, giving the people the strength and health to survive.

As a child the heart beat of an Oak Tree always drew me to it, like a duck to water. I would escape into its branches to heal my loneliness’ and sad feelings, sometimes sharing my future dreams. I watched the birds as they joined me in her branches, telling me they to believed that someday, I would no longer fear the angry voice of the human. Other times, the winds joined me and took away my sad little heart, carrying me to many invisible places that always made me happy. During those times, I would feel the eagerness to run to my future, eager to begin a new life as I curled safely in the comfortable branches of that oak tree, continually seeking a way to fulfill my dreams.

Sometimes, I would hear my grandmother’s sweet voice encouraging me to look into my future and I would find it was already there. For years I lived within these dreams, waiting for an opportunity to turn this dream journey into reality. I always knew this particular Oak tree had given me the life I have today. She was the one who birthed my strong roots to build a future, my future. I promised her when I became an adult I would come to visit her. One day as an adult, I returned to her loving branches and shared my adventurous journey with her, all the while thanking her for being my friend and my Tree Spiritual Mother.

 

 

 

EUCALYPTUS TREE, B.LUE SPRUCE
My father’s tree medicine recipes for humans and dogs
LECTURE SEVEN

 

The Blue gum Eucalyptus trees increase your physical vitality. It is original from Australia and is now found heavily in California, the plains and the valleys between the mountains. This tree thrives in dry, hot weather. The leaves are blue-green, slender and leathery. When a leaf is crushed it gives off oil that can clear a stuffy nose. The tree flowers by shedding a round cap called a calyptus which produces a red or white stamen sunburst that gives off a sweet nectar,( the bees love) eventually developing into a seed held in a one inch woody pod.
The Eucalyptus tree supports the physical body by crushing a few leaves to produce the oil increasing the amount of oxygen your physical body can receive. This tree connects your spiritual growth through your breath. The leaves and bark are made into oil and used for antiseptic, insect bite, dog bites and will increase physical vitality. This tree has many healing powers and can be enhanced as you become aware of your special needs through proper breathing techniques.

My father was an adamant hunter and trained hunting and racing dogs. He used the Blue Gum Eucalyptus oil, insisting the dogs would get a strong whiff of it before a race. He also made the oil into a salve for his injured dogs’ whether it is bites, cuts, bruises or sore muscles.
The Colorado blue spruce represents joy and inner peace, reminding us to keep a strong spiritual foundation and a stable quality of peace. It is a favorite during Christmas holidays.

THE BEECH AND YEW TREE
A brief outline of Recommended Reading

The Life and Death of a Druid Prince by Anne Ross and Don Robins is a fascinating account of how an archaeological “find” in England 15 years ago started a quest that ended in revealing the secrets of a lost civilization.

The distinct probability is that the well preserved torso of a man found in a peat bog near Manchester, England could have been a priest/nobleman who deliberately sacrificed himself in A.D. 60 at the time of the Roman Conquest. The Romans had apparently heard about the amassed wealth of the Druids. The description of the Lindow Man’s death (or Lovernois), is nothing short of spellbinding. His death takes place in moonlight, and his body may have been born in a chariot pulled by white horses to the water for his final resting place. “The question remains, why were the Druids persecuted so implacably by the Romans?...” This question could be answered by reviewing The Druid Way.

Phillip Carr-Gomm, the author, is the Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids. He lives in England, and lectures widely on Druidry. By the way, did you know that early names for Britain were Merlin’s Enclosure, and “white” or “blessed earth?”

The Druid Way is a story of a journey of rediscovery that the author made to unite knowledge and experience of nature, and how that knowledge became valuable, meaningful, and relevant. The journey begins with a gateway formed by a beech and yew tree. The Druids understand gateways (Stonehenge), the transition place between outer and inner, death and birth. The yew is the tree of death and rebirth, a sacred tree of the Druids. On mainline Britain, the oak tree was the central tree of Druidry; but in Ireland, it was the Yew (the tree of eternal life) and the beech, symbolizing tradition, learning, wisdom, and ancient knowledge.

The author has interesting notations on the matter of earth...seasonal renewal, the goddess hidden in the underworld only to reappear in the spring, death in order for rebirth. He also talks about “exploring the feminine within the landscape itself,” and how we are about to reap the consequences of the desecration of the land with the years of desecration of our own bodies and souls. Our task, therefore, is to “re’sacralize” place (the land around us), this having less to do with altering the physical substance of the world around us than it does with altering out perception of it and our relationship to it.

Towards the end of the book he describes the Druid Rights of Passage, Embolic (birthing and naming), Bealteinne (loving and mating), Lughunasadh (marrying and meeting) and Samhain (parting and dying).

 

 

 

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