Trees

I awoke this morning to the sound of several high-pitched saws. I cringed -- it sounded like they were cutting a whole forest. It seems that, since Spokane’s windstorm of last November (2015), people now fear the trees in their yards. I’ve seen many taken down – that didn’t fall in the storm. Perhaps they were sick or dying; I don’t know.

In all honesty, I think it’s the wind we should fear. But we don’t have control over the wind, do we?       So the trees take the brunt of our mistrust, despite stories I heard after the storm of trees even falling in a direction that spared harm to people and/or their homes. I have now decided that Trees are a lot smarter than we give them credit for.

Which brings me back to The Gospel of the Essenes. Imagine my surprise to find, when reading the daily prayers to the Angels of the Earthly Mother (Sun, Water, Air, the Earth, Life, Joy and culminating with the Earthly Mother as a whole) and the Angels of the Heavenly Father (Power, Love, Wisdom, Eternal Life, Work, and the Heavenly Father in His Completion), the following lines in the Angel of Life:

“Go then toward the high-growing trees,
And before one of them which is beautiful,
High-growing and mighty,
Say these words: 
‘Hail be unto thee! O good, living tree,
Made by the Creator!’
Then shall the River of Life
Flow between you and your Brother,
The Tree,
And health of the body,
Swiftness of foot,
Quick hearing of the ears,
Strength of the arms,
And eyesight of the eagle be yours.
Such is the Communion
With the Angel of Life,
Holy messenger of the Earthly Mother.”
(pages 35-36 in the edition I have)

I thought perhaps this was a fluke – a little aside put in by the author who was a tree-lover. But no, apparently not. In the latter part of the book there are short sections on different aspects of Essene life. Titles for these include The Holy Law, The Angels, The Brotherhood, Stars, The Moon and yes, Trees!

I will post later on this section on Trees, for it may offer an explanation of why the movie Avatar struck such a deep chord for many.  For now, I want to close with my own little ode to Trees.

My appreciation and honor to the members of the Tree Kingdom!  
You stand guard over our properties with majestic and stately presence. 
Your branching arms give homes to birds and squirrels.  
I am grateful for your shade on hot summer days, and the fact that the snow is a little less deep under your canopies in the winter. 
Thank you for cleansing the air that we breathe and for infusing it with the sweet smell of pine          and cedar. 
The heady aromas of your blossoms in the Spring are a wonder to inhale, and the bright colors blazed by many of your leaves in the Autumn truly a sight to behold before you take your Winter hibernation. For with these you mark the cycles of the seasons, reminding us of the our part in Nature’s grand design. 
Hail to Thee, oh Brother/Sister Trees!
My heart opens to you and I bless you.
May your lives be strong, your years be many, and your gifts to us be honored.