3 minute read
Evergreen
Nature Connections by Minnie Kansman
Evergreen trees have been associated with Winter Festivals, (both Pagan and Christian), for thousands of years. They play an important role as symbols of strength and resurrection. The “evergreen” nature of pine trees enables them to retain their green foliage during the dark winter days. They also have the ability to adapt to diverse and often harsh environments. Unbending against heavy winter snows and harsh winds, they reminded Clans of the Celtic tradition of the indomitable Spirit of Life.
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Pine also offer us many medicinal properties. Native Americans steep White Pine needles as an infusion to ward off colds and flu in the winter months. The needles and young cones are a rich source of Vitamin C and other phyto-nutrients. The sap has been traditionally used in wound healing for its antimicrobial properties.
In Forest Therapy, phytoncides, which include aromatic volatile substances, are released from pine and have been proven to boost our immune system. Experiments in Japan with vaporized oil from the Hinoki cypress trees revealed a boost of 20% in Natural Killer cells in those exposed to this compound over 3 days. So our Christmas traditions of bringing fresh evergreen trees, boughs and wreaths inside our home may also be good for our health.
Growing up in the Michigan country side, our family always celebrated with a live evergreen tree for Christmas. Most often it was purchased at a light filled parking lot in my small hometown. I loved the scent of that fresh tree when it came inside the house. It felt like we got to have a part of the woods visit us indoors for a few weeks. Once I married, I decided to cut down my own fresh trees. But the reality of actually having to kill a tree for my pleasure was difficult. That was when I started communicating with the Pine Tree Devas to ask for their opinion. I was told that the Pine raised on tree farms were always expecting to be Christmas Trees. It is their pride and glory to be taken home and loved at the holiday. Pine trees growing in the forest had an entirely different perspective.
So this is when I devised our family Tree Cutting Ritual.
Pick out the perfect tree at your local tree farm
Circle it with your family holding hands
Compliment the tree (you could sing Oh Tannenbaum)
Ask its permission to be your Christmas Tree
Ask the Deva of the tree if it would like to come home with you
If no, ask the Deva to depart the tree thru the roots to the earth or other trees nearby
Most years the Tree Deva came with us, and those were the years the needles stayed fresh and green the longest. After the holiday I always returned the tree back to the woods to decompose there naturally. This also gives the Deva a chance to move into another tree. One year, a Christmas tree placed in our pine forest stayed green until March.
Take time to connect with the Evergreen Spirit this winter season with your holiday tree, a wreath, or even just a few pine cuttings placed arranged in a vase. Let the strength of the evergreens provide you with a visible symbol of fortitude to lift you through these tumultuous times. ✧
Minnie Kansman is a certified Master Feng Shui Consultant and Educator and Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, her business Eco~Balance Humanity in Harmony with Nature assists others with Feng Shui, Sacred Space Clearing, and Nature Spirit Connection. She is author of Spirit Gardens: Rekindling our Nature Connection, and Missing Nana: Lessons from the Nature Spirits, a playful children’s story about the afterlife based on love. Join Minnie for her Nature Connections live stream the fourth Wed. of the month at 4 pm ET, and contact her for long distance and on-site Feng Shui Consultations and Space Clearing Ceremonies. Check out her website for a Forest Therapy walk near you. www.minniekansman.com | ecobalance99@gmail.com | fb: minniekansman99 | fb: Nature Connections with Minnie Kansman
