July 4, 2010

Dear Friends,

Blessings to you on this day we in the US recognize as independence day. I prefer to think of it as freedom day and in this summertime of the year my prayer is that freedom rings across the land, not only our land, but all lands.

We are close to launching our new, improved and visually beautiful website. Please look for a notice in mid-July about this exciting event and take time out of your busy life to peruse our site. We attempt to work consciously in all arenas and that includes the technological one. This website not only gives you information but it is meant to appeal to your senses in a way that brings, pleasure, peace and joy. Many thanks go to webmasters, Dona Friedman and Steven Schlussel for their hours of work to bring you a delightful website that feeds your heart, soul and spirit.

There are still many classes coming up this season. If you haven’t been able to catch one of the Plant Communication; Re-claiming Our Birthrite classes in your area you can make plans to attend the next one coming up in Ottawa, Canada July 31- August 2 or one here at Sweetwater Sanctuary in Vermont August 6-8. Visit www.partnereartheducationcenter.com for details. Please don’t wait until the last minute to register as you may miss a spot (it makes the organizers crazy, as well).

DON’T MISS THIS EVENT

The Green Nations Gathering was one of the first east coast herbal gatherings to happen beginning back in 1989 with Seneca Elder, Twyla Nitsch as our first special guest. So many of the elders who came to GNG over the years have passed over now but we carry on in their spirit honoring the green beings and gathering to learn, network and give back to our precious Earth with our prayers and offerings. This may be the last Green Nations Gathering and as with all things good, they come to an end. So for all of you who have wanted to come for the last twenty, ten, five or two years now is the time. As the prophecies are telling us, “gather yourselves” which brings to mind this song that I revised a bit “We are sisters and brothers on a journey singing now as one, remembering the ancient ones the plants and the trees and their wisdom, the plants and the trees and their wisdom. We are sisters and brothers on a journey, singing now as one remembering the ancient ones the healing has begun, begun, the healing has begun.” Let’s come together and honor the green beings and the Earth as if our lives depended on it – I know they will hear us and when they hear, they respond.

GREEN NATIONS GATHERING SEPTEMBER 24-26 at Rowe Conference Center, Rowe, Ma. www.greennations.org

Prayer Trees by Pam Montgomery
	While in England this past spring I had the opportunity to teach a Greenbreath day in Cornwall. At the end of the day we went to each person’s plant/tree to honor the plant they had worked with. We climbed up a small hill and came to a flat area with a very lovely tree decorated with all manner of cloth, feathers, coins, beads all sparkly and spangle dangled. I asked what this was and they all said “A wishing tree, of course.” (as if I was suppose to know). Later, once I was back in Ireland Carole mentioned a tree that was outside one of the portal openings to her sanctuary garden. I inquired about the tree and she said it was their “central tree” where they make prayers and traditionally in Europe, the British Isles and Ireland it was called a wishing tree. “ You don’t have these in America?” she asked.
Once home I began to investigate the idea of a central prayer tree which is very different, it turns out, than the Tree of Life which is found in every corner across the globe and actually portrays a spiritual or cultural way of life or being. A prayer tree or as some would say, “praying tree” is an actual tree that you designate as the place you go to make prayers (or wishes) for your own well being and those of others as well as for the animals, earth, water, air, etc. Ceremony can be done around your prayer tree either individually or in groups. At first I thought the central tree here at Sweetwater was my white pine but then realized this pine is a very personal tree for me. I decided to ask for help in identifying our central prayer tree so worked with my dowsing rod to be shown which tree was the one. Not a surprise, it is the big Maple just beyond the newly finished Labyrinth – the Mama Maple that is pictured in my book Plant Spirit Healing. We dedicated the Mama Maple as our central prayer tree during the Plant Spirit Healing Apprentice class this last month and did another very special ceremony around her with my advanced students. Mama Maple is now festooned with beautiful feathers, cloth, beads and many prayers that are carried on the wind each and every day. If you don’t have a tree that is clearly a “praying tree” then plant one and know that you will always have a place to go to make your prayers and this tree will not forget your prayers but will hold them in its heart as a way for the prayers to continue long after you have left.
TREES  by Joyce Kilmer  (1886-1918) I think that I shall never see  A poem lovely as a tree.  A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed  Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;  A tree that looks at God all day,  And lifts her leafy arms to pray;    A tree that may in Summer wear  A nest of robins in her hair;  Upon whose bosom snow has lain;  Who intimately lives with rain.    Poems are made by fools like me,  But only God can make a tree.