The Tree Angel Oracle Deck: The Ancient Path into the Sacred Grove

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About the Author ---------------- Fred Hageneder is a leading expert in ethnobotany, specializing in the cultural and spiritual history of trees. A founding member of the Ancient Yew Group in Britain and a member of SANASI, a scientific group that helps protect indigenous sacred sites, he is also a member of the Ecocentric Alliance. The author of 2 books and a musician who composes music for various tree species, he lives near the Black ains in Wales. Anne Heng is a painter and illustrator, who specializes in painting on silk, which enables her to convey the quiet beauty of nature. She lives near the Taunus ains in Germany. Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. -------------------------------------------------------- Nature Spirits and Tree Angels Accounts of the hierarchy of nature spirits are, to the greatest extent, congruent with one another, even though they come from completely different parts of the Earth, and span thousands of years. Tiny elemental spirits in their thousands, like numinous sparks of light, swirl through fire, air, water and earth. There are also somewhat more constant beings with a limited sphere of influence, who collaborate with architectural tasks such as the developing form of a blossom or an insect’s wing. One could describe these beings as the spiritual aspect of chromosomes or messengers. There are larger beings who, for example, supervise the entire design of a tree, and then remain allied to that tree throughout its life-time. Such spirits were called dryads in ancient Greece. There are countless stories about how, when their trees are cut down, these beings at first protest, and then grieve, before finally passing away. Incidentally this is the reason that even up to the end of the 19th century many Alpine lumberjacks used to pray to a condemned tree for forgiveness the evening before felling it! Ancient beliefs told how, if the dryad was properly forewarned, it would be able to assimilate into another tree of the same species, thereby allowing the spirit being to live a longer life and gain greater experience and wisdom. Fusing with a neighboring tree presents no difficulty for a Dryad because, unlike human beings, they don’t have an awareness of self, and are very much anchored into the Dryadic group soul. This group soul exists independently from the life or death of individual trees. It is the spiritual formative impulse for a whole species, and lives outside the four dimensions of space and time. It is eternal and therefore indestructible. The old seers from India describe this form of angel as Arupadevas. To a certain extent we can compare them to the human Higher Self. An ancient tree makes such an impression on us, not because it is so big, nor because of the size of its energetic field, but because it has had more time to bring into being the presence of the tree angel that works through that species. The spiritual world is more present than with a younger tree, as is the consciousness of the astral or soul being of the tree (the dryad). This situation enables the simpler nature spirits to arrange matter even more perfectly into an expression of the primeval character of this tree. In this way the spirit and soul life of nature is generated more by some trees than others. Certain places in ancient woodland have generated such an intense awareness that across all cultures generation after generation honored them as sacred groves. It was not humans that declared these groves to be sacred; they became so because of their own nature, because they were living embodiments of spirit unified with matter. 0 BIRCH The Birch is life’s ancient yet eternally youthful nursemaid. Her spirit is a spark of the ancient mother who gives birth to creation. She brings light to the landscape and into the human heart. She comforts us with her graceful youth because she reminds us of the eternal regenerative power of nature: when the time comes, everything is transformed. It is never too late to begin again! This is her message. Birch’s presence helps us to let go of the past, purify ourselves, and start afresh with an open heart and open arms. Don’t cling on to outmoded ideas, feelings of guilt, or constriction. Free yourself from the expectations of others and those you place on yourself. You are so much more than the limited picture you have of yourself. Hide nothing, be fearless. Accept and flow with the changes, sway in the breeze, bathe in the light and create yourself anew! Without the presence of Birch, we become numb and stiff. We are paralyzed by the patterns of the past and fear change. If the situation becomes chronic, things deteriorate and become toxic. Mentally we become stubborn and dogmatic, and physically we develop illnesses such as rheumatism. The Oracle You stand naked before God Newborn. Innocent. Delve deep within, empty yourself. Now open your eyes and see! Follow your heart And take your first step Into a new world. 2 WALNUT Walnut is one of the Earth’s ancient mothers because of the nourishment it provides. Of course, the walnut nourishes us in a material sense though its fruit, but its spiritual gift is wisdom. Coming into accord with the Walnut angel strengthens our fore, understanding, sensitivity, and ability to empathize. This creates a y foundation for our powers of judgment and sense of justice. With the help of Walnut we draw the right conclusions from our experiences and attain a mature and deep understanding of life and its governing principles. Since time immemorial, the gentle power of Walnut has been honored for its contribution to our spiritual development. Without the Walnut we act in a superficial, hasty, and shorted manner. Ignorance and coarseness gain the upper hand, which quickly leads to misunderstanding and injustice. All too often, this results in needless confrontation, quarrelling, and conflict. The Oracle Wait and watch. Listen and learn. No judgment, no action. Every coin has two sides Every problem three solutions. Find the path That in time will nourish all. Read more ( javascript:void(0) )