Lessons from the trees

In my circle in East Hartford this past month, we did a ceremony for trees. I have learned so much from trees. The tall pine trees outside my childhood home were some of my first friends.

I could go on and on sharing all the teachings I have received from the tree people--I won't do that! But there is one I would like to share in particular.

I learned from the trees on the land where I teach that trees don't have an opportunity to choose their neighbors. Their community is wherever they are planted. They don't get to move if they don't get along with their community. Instead, they make community wherever they are.

This teaching came from the trees last year, but it was pointed out to me again at this past month's journey circle. It gave me pause, as I have been experiencing distress around the amount of polarization in our communities and the amount of emotion in the air. The trees reminded me that we have a certain amount of control, yes, but that control is to find our community where we are planted. It made me so grateful for our circle, and for the other circles of which I am a member--shamanic and otherwise.

Shamanism is not a solitary pursuit--we exist in community. I am thankful for my community of humans, my community in nature, and the spirits who, in their great generosity, continue to support us as we stumble down our own paths.

The Pine Barrens