O’ Tannenbaum Christmas Time is Near

The Mystery School By Ortrun Franklin

As a child in Austria and even now when I think of Christmas, the song “O’ Tannenbaum” comes to mind. Most know it as a German Christmas song referring to the decorated tree.

The Deutsche text by Ernst Anschutz, 1824 goes like this:

“O’ Tannenbaum, O’ Tannenbaum we treu sind diene Blatter! Du grunst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, Nein auch in winter, wenn es schneit. O’ Tannenbaum, O’ Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blatter.”

The literal English translation is:

“O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree How loyal are your branches! You’re not only green in summertime, But, also in the winter when it snows. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How ever true are your branches.”

In reality, Tannenbaum is a German word translating to the “fir tree.” Its branches are “forever green”; always of quality, constancy and faithfulness.

The Evergreen or pine tree is one of the most loved trees in the world. Its beauty provides color to the landscape throughout the year; thrives in almost any climate, is adaptable and long lived, and provides food for animals and humans. Plus, its scent “soothes the soul.”

The Evergreen means many things to many people:

Adaptability; long after woodlands have lost their leaves, the Evergreen stays green throughout the year, thus seen as “hope in a dark winter.”

Continuity of life; the tree represents eternal life and the pine cones, renewal of life. It’s often seen planted and grown beside graves in cemeteries.

Truth and strength; the straight, tall trunk of the tree pokes its top over the tree line. It is seen as a tower of trust-worthiness, honesty, truth and strength.

In ancient days, people decorated their homes with pine, spruce and fir trees. They believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits and illness. The sun was a god and winter came because he became ill. By celebrating winter solstice, the sun-god would become strong and summer would return. The Evergreen reminded them that green plants would again grow:

Egyptians’ solstice festivals were dedicated to the Sun-god Ra. Homes were filled with green palm fronds symbolizing the triumph over life and death.

Romans’ Saturnalia festival was held in honor of Saturn, the God of Agriculture. It was believed that solstice meant that soon farms and orchards would be green and fruitful.

Northern European Druids, the priests of the Ancient Celts, decorated their temples with Evergreen branches, symbolic of Everlasting Life. Their followers’ celebration of winter solstice was in hopes of a fruitful spring.

The Vikings of Scandinavia believed that the Evergreen was the plant of Balder (the God of light, joy, purity and the summer sun).

In Norse mythology, the “fir tree” was used to celebrate the birth of Frey, the God of the sun and fertility. The tops of the trees were lit during winter when the days became shorter. They believed the light would attract the sun.

In German mythology, cosmological God Yggdrasil was represented by an immense Evergreen tree, central to the Universe and considered sacred. Its branches and roots extended into the invisible worlds of: tribes of gods and goddesses, giants, elves, dwarfs, primordial ice, primordial fire, and the dead. Although invisible, at times these worlds could manifest into the visible world.

Native Americans’ intimate relationship with the Evergreen gave them the means for medicine, teas, food and shelter. It was used in purification of both the physical and spiritual bodies. The “fir tree” meant wisdom and longevity.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Tannenbaum’s or Evergreen’s have been part of Christian winter festivals for hundreds of years.

In the 1500’s, fir trees were used in celebrating the feast day of Adam and Eve on December 24th. The tree was known as the “Paradise Tree.” It was decorated with apples to represent the “Tree of Knowledge” in the Garden of Eden.

Christmas formally began being celebrated on December 25th, the date of Winter Solstice in 336 AD. To celebrate Jesus’ birth, many nature-based traditions were incorporated. Fir trees and boughs were trimmed with fruits and nuts.

Martin Luther is thought to be one of the earliest to bring a Christmas tree into his home. One night while walking in the winter snow, he breathed in the beauty of the stars lighting up the sky. Impressed by its beauty, he cut down a fir tree, took it home and placed lighted candles on its branches. He said it was a symbol of the beautiful Christmas sky.

Like the Druids of old, the Christian churches decorated their churches with Evergreens and saw the tree as a sign of everlasting life with God. Candles were added to symbolize Jesus as the bringer of the Light.

The word “fir” is based on ancient words like firre or fyr which means fire and light. Its genus name, Abies, is Latin for “rising one.” Symbolically, it is associated with eternal light and returning of the Sun. Its message for us is to rise up and meet the challenges and opportunities before us. The trees’ spirit lifts us up to see the bigger picture and set in motion that which we began long ago. It assists us in recognizing and becoming “Our fully realized Self.”

“O’ Tannenbaum, O’ Tannenbaum, How ever true your branches.”

To assist you in connecting with the Christ-mass tree dwelling in you, I have prepared a guided meditation/visualization for you. Make yourself comfortable, become still….

* Remember that being in the meditative state slows down your reflexes. It is advised that you do not listen to the meditation while driving or performing services where acute attention is required.

References: https://www.wikipedia.org https://www.german-way.com/ https://www.canr.msu.edu/ https://treespiritwisdom. com/tree-spirit-wisdom/ fir-tree-symbolism/

Ortrun Franklin is a columnist for Star Nations Magazine. She is the co-host of the live stream show “Living in Two Worlds” which focuses on the connecting the physical world with the spiritual world. It airs the last Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT. www.ourspiritualascension.com | Ortrun71@aol.com | fb: Living in Two Worlds

Check out Ortrun’s book: Key of Life