To deepen my understanding of trees and my Green Man oracle cards, I will periodically be drawing one card and spending a few weeks learning and studying the tree, both in natural science and in spiritual meanings.
The Alder
Associated with Fire and Water (significant, given my recent connection with Water Drake), the alder grows in wet areas and reclaims ravaged or swampy land. Foresters call it a "pioneer" species, because it is often the first tree to establish itself after a fire or flood. Alders fix nitrogen in the soil, naturally fertilizing poor soil and preparing it for other plants. The alder is said to represent the power of Fire to free Earth from Water.
Alder wood is oily and waterproof, and was often used for foundations and pilings, for bridges, and for making pails (one of the names for alder is "milk-guard"). Alder wood burns poorly, but makes excellent charcoal, much favored by metal smiths and weapon makers. This, together with the red sap that drips when the wood is cut, may be why alder is called the "The very battle-witch of all woods, tree that is the hottest in a fight".
Alder is associated with Ravens and Crows. It is the tree of the god Bran, and is linked to resurrection. According to Irish legend, the first man was created from an alder tree. Three dyes are made from alder: red from the bark, green from the flowers, and brown from the twigs. The red dye was used by the ancient Welsh "crimson-stained heroes", sacred kings connected with Bran.
Young alder stems make excellent whistles, so the tree is also called the "whistle-tree". This may be associated with the legend that after Bran's death his "singing head" was cut off and preserved, and provided good advice and prophesy to his followers for 87 years before being buried at the present site of the Tower of London. Bran's sacred ravens remain at the Tower to this day, and are said to keep Britain safe from invasion still. If they ever leave, disaster will follow. (nowadays, the practical British keep their wing feathers clipped so that they will not fly away).
Alder trees provide shelter to many small woodland creatures. It is said that no harm will come to a traveler who sleeps beneath an alder, and carrying some alder wood in your pocket will bring good luck. The alder tree is especially favored by the Fairies, and acts as a gateway to their realm as well as repelling bad Fairies. The association with Fairies and with Bran make this an especially sacred tree, and felling an alder brings a terrible curse.
Meaning in divination:
According to the Green Man Oracle - "Defense keeps clear the territory". Watch your boundaries, and protect yourself against invaders. According to other sources, alder shows that you will win a battle. It is a powerful protection in battles and conflicts. It also is a reminder to balance strength and courage with compassion and generosity. Its role in the wild also suggests the need to nurture and provide care for those that come after.
Resources:
http://www.thegoddesstree.com/trees/Alder.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alder
http://www.thornr.demon.co.uk/bran/alderims.html
http://www.merciangathering.com/alder.htm
Showing posts with label greenman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label greenman. Show all posts
Monday, February 11, 2013
Friday, May 15, 2009
Sacred Play
Oh boy, life gets away from you when you are not looking... So here I am to finish the description of my last spirit journey, two months later! The details have faded, but I will describe the key points.
Once in my clearing, I greeted my guides and asked about the Greenman. He manifested (kind of) to me and we spoke for a few minutes. He didn't appear physically, but I felt that he was speaking to me, like distant thunder from the horizon. He could hear me and responded.
He said that he is not a deity, and is not really a being; he is a mask that people have created for adressing the transcendent, the principals of growth, fructification, death, and life. This does not make him less real, but perhaps less personal.
I asked if there was a reason why he had been on my mind recently, and he replied that it was an indication that there is something I need there, that it is right for me at this time to investigate the ideas further. I should pursue the idea of the Greenman, and possibly make myself a Greenman mask or costume for renfairs and wear it. I said, "But this would not be spiritual, it would just be play! Wouldn't he be offended?". His response: There is nothing more sacred than play. For only in play do we give ourselves permission to be whatever is in our heart. This is the most perfect of all spiritual practices.
Knowing this, I will try to make a Greenman mask sometime this year, and wear it, even if I feel silly. Perhaps this very sillyness will free me of my pride and fear of making mistakes, and help me to grow and learn.
Once in my clearing, I greeted my guides and asked about the Greenman. He manifested (kind of) to me and we spoke for a few minutes. He didn't appear physically, but I felt that he was speaking to me, like distant thunder from the horizon. He could hear me and responded.
He said that he is not a deity, and is not really a being; he is a mask that people have created for adressing the transcendent, the principals of growth, fructification, death, and life. This does not make him less real, but perhaps less personal.
I asked if there was a reason why he had been on my mind recently, and he replied that it was an indication that there is something I need there, that it is right for me at this time to investigate the ideas further. I should pursue the idea of the Greenman, and possibly make myself a Greenman mask or costume for renfairs and wear it. I said, "But this would not be spiritual, it would just be play! Wouldn't he be offended?". His response: There is nothing more sacred than play. For only in play do we give ourselves permission to be whatever is in our heart. This is the most perfect of all spiritual practices.
Knowing this, I will try to make a Greenman mask sometime this year, and wear it, even if I feel silly. Perhaps this very sillyness will free me of my pride and fear of making mistakes, and help me to grow and learn.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Me and the Greenman
The Greenman has been a lot in my thoughts recently. It has been niggling at me, to learn more, be involved somehow, in a vague way. I went back and read the pages at the Blessed Order of the Greenman. This group is based in Maryland; I wish they were active in my area, I would love to join. I really like their concept of the Greenman representing an alternative to the traditional masculine role model that remains strongly masculine while rejecting the standard images of the fighter, the hunter, the dominator, the killer, the cold authority; instead focusing on the strong masculine image of the protector, the fructifier, the nurturing father, the loving husband, the vibrant strength that begats and supports new life.
I am drawn to this image of the green leafy master of the forest and the cycles of growth and decay. Perhaps because of my affinity to my patron Oak. I think this why the Green Master takes a form that is leafy and crowned with leaves.
I have called on the Greenman at times, to help heal or strengthen an animal I am working with. He has usually responded with a lot of energy. But my relationship with him is different than with my patrons; he clearly chooses himself who he will work with. He doesn't need me to intercede.
With Oak, Spider, and Swallow, I feel a very personal relationship; they like me, and have chosen to help and teach me. Oak is not a deity, nor is it a physical tree; Oak is the spirit behind all oaks, the Being behind their being. It is an amplification of what it is to an oak tree, with a will and history of its own. Likewise with Spider and Barn Swallow. The Green Master is a different being, an individual personality that lives in a different realm than I, who chooses to guide and teach me. There are multitudes of such beings, this one has chosen me. His true form and nature are beyond my perceptions, he wears a form in my dreams just for my convenience.
The Greenman is something else again. Like a deity, he remains always at a distance and confers his benison at his will. He is not bound to time as I and my patrons are, he is outside of history. I think that he is really just a mask, an story, an image that I have found that gives a face to the power and mystery of life and being. It is not a deity, because the image is shallow. It does not ask for worship or sacrifice. The mystery is not limited to that image, but the Greenman is a mask that I can understand and use to relate to that which is beyond me. It speaks to my soul, so it is an opening through which I can reach out to life and through which life can reach to me. The Greenman demands nothing from me except honesty, compassion, and a willingness to fulfill my own commitments.
I am drawn to this image of the green leafy master of the forest and the cycles of growth and decay. Perhaps because of my affinity to my patron Oak. I think this why the Green Master takes a form that is leafy and crowned with leaves.
I have called on the Greenman at times, to help heal or strengthen an animal I am working with. He has usually responded with a lot of energy. But my relationship with him is different than with my patrons; he clearly chooses himself who he will work with. He doesn't need me to intercede.
With Oak, Spider, and Swallow, I feel a very personal relationship; they like me, and have chosen to help and teach me. Oak is not a deity, nor is it a physical tree; Oak is the spirit behind all oaks, the Being behind their being. It is an amplification of what it is to an oak tree, with a will and history of its own. Likewise with Spider and Barn Swallow. The Green Master is a different being, an individual personality that lives in a different realm than I, who chooses to guide and teach me. There are multitudes of such beings, this one has chosen me. His true form and nature are beyond my perceptions, he wears a form in my dreams just for my convenience.
The Greenman is something else again. Like a deity, he remains always at a distance and confers his benison at his will. He is not bound to time as I and my patrons are, he is outside of history. I think that he is really just a mask, an story, an image that I have found that gives a face to the power and mystery of life and being. It is not a deity, because the image is shallow. It does not ask for worship or sacrifice. The mystery is not limited to that image, but the Greenman is a mask that I can understand and use to relate to that which is beyond me. It speaks to my soul, so it is an opening through which I can reach out to life and through which life can reach to me. The Greenman demands nothing from me except honesty, compassion, and a willingness to fulfill my own commitments.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Circle of healing for T-Man
Athena's horse T-Man is on stall rest now, after getting a cracked pelvis and a big hematoma. We converted the run-in shed in his pasture into a stall, so he can see his girls and not get too lonely, since he may be there for several months.
I have been doing Reiki on him every day, to try and help him heal well and faster. I also put protections on his stall. I had done something similar with my wife's mare Dear One, when she was doing poorly, with assistance from Spider and Oak. This was a somewhat different situation, since I was less concerned with keeping out bad influences than in concentrating beneficial ones. Athena had also gotten me a new rattle, which I used for the first time. It is a beautiful Raku rattle, with lovely iridescent copper-matte glaze, about the size of my palm. It is decorated with some tiny colored raku beads strung on rawhide. It has a rich, soft, earthy sound.
I started at the corner post at the gate entrance, and opened up to the energy, and called for help and assistance from Spider, Oak, Swallow, the Green Man, and any other benevolent forces that could aid me. The response was positive but sluggish, so I tried using the rattle to aid in the calling, shaking it my hand in three groups of three while calling. I got a much stronger response, including energy from the Green Man and from the Indian spirit teacher who has danced with me recently. Together, we sank an energy well at the corner post, and drew up a column of strong, warm energy into the post. I started around the stall clockwise (sunward), shaking the rattle gently and drawing a thick rope of vibrant energy around to the next post; where we again sank another well, anchoring the rope and starting a new one. I continued around the stall until I returned to my starting point and anchored it again at the post. This left the stall guarded by four columns of rich earth-sky energy at the four corners, surrounded by a thick warm circle of energy that draw in blessings and healing power. I thanked all who helped me, and left knowing that T-Man was well protected.
I have been doing Reiki on him every day, to try and help him heal well and faster. I also put protections on his stall. I had done something similar with my wife's mare Dear One, when she was doing poorly, with assistance from Spider and Oak. This was a somewhat different situation, since I was less concerned with keeping out bad influences than in concentrating beneficial ones. Athena had also gotten me a new rattle, which I used for the first time. It is a beautiful Raku rattle, with lovely iridescent copper-matte glaze, about the size of my palm. It is decorated with some tiny colored raku beads strung on rawhide. It has a rich, soft, earthy sound.
I started at the corner post at the gate entrance, and opened up to the energy, and called for help and assistance from Spider, Oak, Swallow, the Green Man, and any other benevolent forces that could aid me. The response was positive but sluggish, so I tried using the rattle to aid in the calling, shaking it my hand in three groups of three while calling. I got a much stronger response, including energy from the Green Man and from the Indian spirit teacher who has danced with me recently. Together, we sank an energy well at the corner post, and drew up a column of strong, warm energy into the post. I started around the stall clockwise (sunward), shaking the rattle gently and drawing a thick rope of vibrant energy around to the next post; where we again sank another well, anchoring the rope and starting a new one. I continued around the stall until I returned to my starting point and anchored it again at the post. This left the stall guarded by four columns of rich earth-sky energy at the four corners, surrounded by a thick warm circle of energy that draw in blessings and healing power. I thanked all who helped me, and left knowing that T-Man was well protected.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Help from the Green Man
My wife's horse is doing better, her abscess broke out and drained on Sunday. On Wednesday she had told me that it would break out over the weekend, and she was right :D. The circle of protection helped, I think. I charged it up again several times. It was interesting; from inside I could pour in more energy, but from outside I could not touch the energy, I could only touch the barrier and strengthen it. I left it open at the top and bottom to draw earth-energy and heaven-energy for her. She said that it helped her feel better, especially on Saturday when there was a horse show on the premises and lots of strange people going by.
Also on Friday the spiders I had asked for help suggested a web symbol for her hoof, which I used. I don't know what it did, I don't think there was a lot of power in it, but it was offered with kindness and much appreciated. I think it was intended to help catch and cast out the infected tissue. I used to be very frightened of spiders, but since I started communicating with them my fear is almost gone and I have a lot of respect for them and try to treat them well.
On Monday I had a strange experience.
Monday morning my wife's horse was walking much better, but then she coliced. (Colic is an intense intestinal pain, often caused by a blockage. In horses, it can be deadly). We called the vet and while we were waiting we were madly walking her back and forth (she can't be allowed to roll, she could twist her gut). She was in a lot of pain. I was walking beside her doing all the Reiki I could do. The Cho Ku Rei worked well, I was getting a lot of power, but it wasn't enough. I tried the distance-healing symbol, directing the energy back in time to early in the morning just before the blockage formed; trying to reduce its effects or disrupt the formation so that it would break up more easily in the present. I couldn't quite remember the symbol, but I remembered what it felt like to use it, so I did my best to recreate that and I could feel it working. Within a 30 seconds she had calmed down, and was in much less distress. She was still having discomfort, but not nearly so bad.
She was worn out, and laid down. This is a danger time, because if she starts to roll she can really hurt herself. I sent out a call for anything that could help her, and on impulse asked for help from the Green Man (which I had been reading about online the day before). The image of the Green Man is one that has always felt significant to me. I immediately felt a very large flux of power coming in from all around, that felt like a green wave. I channeled it into her and she relaxed. It kept flowing for a few minutes and I let it flow into her, and as it tapered off she began to look better. She sat quietly without trying to roll. The vet arrived a few minutes later and gave her a muscle relaxant, and she was soon eating grass and feeling much better.
She is back to normal now (although tired) and the vet says there is no sign of a blockage. She thinks it may have been gas, which can happen when a horse is stressed. That could be (and we are treating her accordingly). But a part of me wonders if sending the energy back in time didn't un-make the blockage? I don't really know what happed, but I am very glad that I could help her. I am especially glad that help came to me when I needed it.
Also on Friday the spiders I had asked for help suggested a web symbol for her hoof, which I used. I don't know what it did, I don't think there was a lot of power in it, but it was offered with kindness and much appreciated. I think it was intended to help catch and cast out the infected tissue. I used to be very frightened of spiders, but since I started communicating with them my fear is almost gone and I have a lot of respect for them and try to treat them well.
On Monday I had a strange experience.
Monday morning my wife's horse was walking much better, but then she coliced. (Colic is an intense intestinal pain, often caused by a blockage. In horses, it can be deadly). We called the vet and while we were waiting we were madly walking her back and forth (she can't be allowed to roll, she could twist her gut). She was in a lot of pain. I was walking beside her doing all the Reiki I could do. The Cho Ku Rei worked well, I was getting a lot of power, but it wasn't enough. I tried the distance-healing symbol, directing the energy back in time to early in the morning just before the blockage formed; trying to reduce its effects or disrupt the formation so that it would break up more easily in the present. I couldn't quite remember the symbol, but I remembered what it felt like to use it, so I did my best to recreate that and I could feel it working. Within a 30 seconds she had calmed down, and was in much less distress. She was still having discomfort, but not nearly so bad.
She was worn out, and laid down. This is a danger time, because if she starts to roll she can really hurt herself. I sent out a call for anything that could help her, and on impulse asked for help from the Green Man (which I had been reading about online the day before). The image of the Green Man is one that has always felt significant to me. I immediately felt a very large flux of power coming in from all around, that felt like a green wave. I channeled it into her and she relaxed. It kept flowing for a few minutes and I let it flow into her, and as it tapered off she began to look better. She sat quietly without trying to roll. The vet arrived a few minutes later and gave her a muscle relaxant, and she was soon eating grass and feeling much better.
She is back to normal now (although tired) and the vet says there is no sign of a blockage. She thinks it may have been gas, which can happen when a horse is stressed. That could be (and we are treating her accordingly). But a part of me wonders if sending the energy back in time didn't un-make the blockage? I don't really know what happed, but I am very glad that I could help her. I am especially glad that help came to me when I needed it.
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