Deep Woods, Sacred Ground

 

©Robin Edmundson, 'Two Trees, Deep Woods', watercolor, 18 x 24 inches.  $650, unframed.

Someone asked me recently what my personal symbols are. Those things that show up in many areas of life - the way some people have rainbows, or butterflies show up everywhere. I was mystified for a while. I don’t really collect things like that. 

And then one day I looked around the studio. Trees. A forest of them on my walls. Big ones. Little ones. Trees in all the seasons. 

Trees are a potent symbol for me. One of my favorite symbols is Yggdrasil, the Norse tree of life. Often it is depicted with a large beautiful crown - and an equally expansive root system. Balance. Strength [as opposed to power]. Life.

I can see woods from every window of my house. I walk there every day. The woods are my sacred ground. I move through the woods and the woods move through me. It’s an exquisite dance of spirit.

It’s hardly surprising then that trees show up in my work and on my walls. 

I’ve been thinking about ‘sacred ground’ ever since. Mulling over what that means for me, what it means for the woods and how we approach and care for them. 

The woods are a temple of the spirit for me. A place of rest, of peace, of solace. The dwelling place of god. Or God. Or Goddess. Or Spirit. Or the universe. Whatever works for you. 

It’s a good place - the best place - this sacred ground. 

I hope you have a chance to find and tend your sacred ground this season.

Burning bush

This year has been amazing for blooming things.  I've been finding all sorts of cool plants that I didn't know were there.    Like this Euonymus atropurpureus.  The common name is Burning Bush, but it's not the kind that the garden centers sell.  [It's also called Eastern wahoo, which is totally ridiculous, so I've decided not to tell you that.]  This is a native tree.   I saw one in our woods once, and in my neighbor's woods once [I'm assuming it wasn't the same tree.  I don't think they're magic walking trees.]  Turns out we have one near the house, too.   I've only seen them in the fall so I didn't realize they had such great flowers.  Click the pic for a closer look.