I began exploring indigenous ways of living many years ago. As a descendant of Northern Appalachians and Northern Europeans I quickly learned that trees are key to survival. Trees provide fuel for fires, lumber for shelter, furniture, and tools, and of course food and medicine. The air we breathe is an intimate exchange between all of the plants and trees, which in turn interact with the soil, like bridges between the earth and the sky.

When the winter nights lingered and icy winds roared through the landscape, my ancestors expressed a deep sense of gratitude that spirit provides. They looked to trees for signs of spring. Trees provided medicine and food year round in one form or another while everything else lay dormant in the earth.

I often find myself wandering through the woods where I discover healing and hope, inspiration and determination, and the grit to bear whatever comes my way.

Come walk with me, through a year of trees.

Hundreds of cultures respect thunder and lightning as sacred forces of nature and sometimes as gods and goddesses. Most famous are Thor, Zeus, and the Thunderbird of North America. Many cultures associate the Oak tree with these entities. The Oak is commonly struck by lightning but often strong enough to survive. Known for strength and wisdom, work with Oak to stand strong.

Willowy means limber, lithe, and supple. Willows flow and stretch in ways that other trees won't. My favorite field guide says if the tree is leaning over a river or a fisherman, it’s probably a Willow. Willow loves to have her toes in the water, just like her mate Alder, King of the Waters. Walk along a lake, river, or other body of water and you’ll often find these two together. Willows often stand at the edge of water, symbolizing a bridge to the undulating Underworld that lies beneath rivers and lakes.The water’s edge is where the Underworld begins, the ephemeral space where life becomes death, and death becomes rebirth. The trees that stand there offer spiritual and emotional healing when we grapple with life's transitions. These trees are also allies to those of us who traverse very different realities as we move through the world.

The persistent green of conifers in winter celebrations in the north perhaps fulfills a deep need for a sense of vitality and immortality in the dark of winter. The year-round viridescent boughs also grace the winter of life by standing tall in cemeteries reminding us of the cycle of life, death and rebirth, so that we can have hope that life does in fact go on. And so they stand, solid, everlasting symbols of regeneration.

In a story passed down by the Salteaux tribe, spirits of darkness were haunting the Mother of the Creator. Maple tree emblazoned herself with bright red leaves illuminating and banishing the spirits. The Creator lived among the Maples for a long time until it was time to teach the People how to make syrup from the blood of the tree.

Poplars stand at the edge of the underworld trembling with leaves of dark and light, whispering and dancing with or without the wind. They stand tall and resilient, because even when knocked down they don’t give up.

The Shapeshifter appears in different guises, the leaves appearing in different shapes and each part of the tree creating different medicinal properties. The Shapeshifter is a sweet and spicy stimulant with healing properties for the mind and spirit. Get ready to expand your senses and experiment with the forces of creativity.

Magnolia symbolizes endurance and strength perhaps augmented by its ancient genetic history.

Dogwood seems such an ordinary name for such a beautiful tree. But the words loyalty and protection perhaps lend a clue because there is nothing ordinary about this tree.

Do not fall asleep under this tree. Unless you are a dog. The lore says that sleeping humans may find themselves transported to other worlds or other times. And although the Fey Folk are not necessarily malevolent, they are not necessarily benevolent either.

A tree with edible heart-shaped leaves and fairy bell flowers emitting an intoxicating fragrance. If that isn't magical enough, read on.

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose, except when it's one of the other 4,000+ species of plants in the Rose family. Within the realm of trees, we'll explore the lore of Rowan, Wild Cherry, Apple, and Hawthorn. And by the way, the title of this section is a quote from Henry David Thoreau.

The White Lady often stands in a multiplicity of her own image shining brightly under the full moon. She represents the creative force bringing life into the world but never forgets that life is impossible without death.