We just returned home from our Arizona visit and are happy to be back at Shaman’s Grove. It’s nice to go away, but GREAT to get home. It makes us really appreciate the peace and gentle energy of our forest home.

About a month ago, I ran across this blog from The Druid’s Garden. I was waiting for permission to re-post this for you as it’s a great post. The permission arrived today and just in time for a weekly posting (we were both out of town). I will re-post more of Dana’s blogs later – her tree series is wonderful! Continue reading →

It’s All Hollows Eve today and a newsletter about “Scary Halloween Herbs” got me musing about pumpkins and Jack-O-Lanterns.

In my Celtic tradition, Samhain (Halloween) begins tomorrow night (10/31) at sundown. Samhain is one of the two “spirit-nights” each year, the other being Beltane (May 1). Continue reading →

Courtesy of Arbutusarts.com

“Magnificent, dramatic, exciting, mystical, inspiring, magical, sensual … these are some of the words people use to describe the Madrone Tree, a favorite of the hardwood trees of the Pacific Northwest.”

This introduction to the Madrone Tree from Arbutusarts.com gives a perfect segway to the magnificent Madrone. We are blessed here at Shaman’s Grove with many madrone trees among the Oak, Firs and Pines. While I love all the trees here at The Grove, I am always awestruck by the shiny and peeling bark and twists and turns of the madrones. Continue reading →

Image courtesy of Oregon State University

The keynotes of the pine tree are emotional protection and healing, balance of strength and softness, vitality and continuity.

There are approximately 90 species of pine trees throughout the world. Their wood has been used for building, their sap for healing and the pine nuts for eating, making them a very versatile tree.

The bark of the pine creates armor-like plates that relate to their protective energy, both physical and emotional. The name Pine actually comes from a word that translates as “pain”, and its essence helps alleviate pain within on many levels. And the fragrance of the pine is emotionally soothing and can help lift your dark moods. Pine essences is also good if you suffer from guilt, and if you have a hard time being satisfied with your achievements. Continue reading →

I ran across a list of “Advice From A Tree” in an image on a Facebook post last week. I wanted to give credit where credit was due and in my research I found the full poem and this great video by the author Ilan Shamir. Continue reading →

As spring comes into bloom, we wake up to find the bright yellow discs of dandelions sunning themselves in our yards. Of course, our first instinct is get out the weed killer or the weeding tool and off the little suckers quickly before they go to seed. But dandelions are actually a very mystical and magical plant.

Dandelions are rich in symbolism. Their ability to thrive under the most adverse conditions can teach us persistence and survival. Dandelions even burst through the cracks of city sidewalks, a defiant bit of green standing strong. The deep taproots remind us to ground ourselves deep into Mother Earth, so we can stand strong no matter how life’s winds blow. Continue reading →

“Oh, the mistletoe hung where you can see… Somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me” sings Burl Ives in the background. Ah, the holidays, cookies and mistletoe. We all know that mistletoe was a good excuse to sneak kisses during the holidays. So, where did that tradition come from and why is mistletoe so revered for its mystical and medicinal qualities?

There are many myths about kissing under the mistletoe from signs of good will to marriage proposals. According to my research, “This tradition is decidedly pagan in origin and dates back to Scandinavian mythology when Baldur, god of peace was slain by Loki, god of destruction with an arrow made from mistletoe. Outraged by the injustice of Baldur’s death the other gods and goddesses demanded his life be restored. As a token of thanks, Baldur’s mother, Frigga, hung mistletoe and promised to kiss all who passed beneath it, thus establishing the symbolism of love, peace and forgiveness that is now associated with mistletoe.” So, in Scandinavia, mistletoe was considered a plant of peace, under which enemies could declare a truce or quarreling spouses kiss and make-up. Continue reading →