Trees have been speaking to me lately, whispering their secrets and singing their songs. During this past year of travel many have become my friends, including a copper beech tree at Tewkesbury Abbey in England. Five years ago, when I first visited Tewkesbury, I didn't know its name. I stood on the sidewalk and asked many passers-by and no one knew. Finally a man told me it was a copper beech. I circled the tree and saw the many faces and shapes revealed in its trunk and branches.
I thought of other trees I had circled in the past including an 800 year old alligator juniper tree in the Cibola National Forest that I called Grandma. When I lived in Sandia Park, New Mexico going to visit Grandma was like going to church. "I sang into the crevices of her bark and offered cornmeal. I heard Grandma sing through the throats of the flowery Indian Paintbrush that grew under her skirts. When I moved to another town saying goodbye to Grandma was hard. I stood under her with my bare feet. Asking if she had a message, I saw a shining being, like light on pine needles. This being was cloaked in green. She asked me to sing, to be a messenger, to speak my love of the forest. In my vision, she placed a wreath of pine cones and wildflowers on my head. Afterward, when I opened my eyes, I looked down and saw at my feet a heart-shaped rock." From Sacred Space-Sacred Sound
When I arrived in Atlanta in March 2007 I did a series of talks based upon my book Sacred Space-Sacred Sound: The Acoustic Mysteries of Holy Places. In addition I offered private voice sessions and astrology readings. A woman asked me if I would do a session in her home. She said, "this might sound strange, but would you sing to the Sugar Maple tree in front of the house. My grandmother gave it to me as a housewarming present many years ago and the tree is dying." We went outside and circled the tree and as we lovingly touched its branches I sang to the tree the despair and love we both felt.
All over the world trees are dying through drought, acid rain and infestation of beetles and other insects. From Cottonwood trees along the Rio Grande to Sugar Maple trees in Atlanta, the trees need our songs.
Are the tree spirits leaving as we cut down forests and forget to sing to them? As I was writing this post a lovely synchronicity happened. A friend sent me this link to watch and listen to her Australian friend Roz singing a song called The Spirit of the Tree.
Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6keLZMqq2n8#GU5U2spHI_4
Photo by Georgemarc Schevenegeorgemarc.typepad.com
2 comments:
Susan,
It is lovely to hear the trees sing to us!..A little poem for the child in us all..
Willow seed spoke to me and said “plant me in the ground where I will billow against the open sky.” And when I grow I will shade you.
Planted her I did, willow seed said “water me and let my roots take hold in the earth and when I grow I will shade you.”
Willow seed sprouted, she said “protect me from those who may not see me, and when I grow I will shade you.”
Willow seed soon became tall against my knees for I grew too, she spoke and said “shield me from winters harsh snow and when I grow I will shade you.”
Willow seed was no longer seed but a magnificent tree. I wrapped my arms around her each day with a hug; she hugged me back with her gently swaying branches that now billowed against the open sky.
Willow tree spoke to me she said “ please sit under me and I will shade you, for I thank you dear one for taking care of me.”
As my elder body crouched beneath her branches, they hugged me like the wings of an angel.
Love you..
Kap
Hello Susan,
Ah, if we would all learn to sing to the trees as you do, the magic echoes of their songs to us would cascade over our hearts in waves of such Beauty!
It is so nice to connect with you through your writings! Perhaps someday we shall sing together? I would like that very much!
Blessings!
Bruce
accessingyourhigherself.wordpress.com
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