A Ritual for April

The Ritual Year: April

The Green World Awakes!

The spring equinox on March 21^st or 22^nd marked the New Year in earlier days, and the best time to sow seeds for the new harvest. In Ireland, the seeds were offered up for blessing of Saint Brigit, who was once a goddess associated with the earth, the sun and fertility. In Wales, families went out into the fields to call on the Corn Spirit for a good harvest. They poured a libation of cider on the ground and buried a piece of plum cake as a libation to the Earth. After the feast, they joined hands and danced across the field.

How to Talk to a Tree

Now that spring is here, trees are budding into life all over the Green World. Take a walk in your local park or woods and learn how to tune into these wonderful beings and listen to the wisdom they may have to impart.

Wander through different groups of trees, quieten your mind and practice tuning into their energy. In some parts of the forest, the trees may seem more "awake" than in others. Some may appear to exude warmth and friendliness, while others remain aloof. Notice how different species emanate different kinds of energy.

Let yourself be drawn towards one tree in particular, and move closer towards it. Observe every part of it from root to top. Every tree has an energy field, an aura. See if you can detect where the aura begins by walking towards and away from the tree and using the palms of your hands to sense its energy.

Send warm energy towards the tree from your heart and ask if it will allow you to draw closer and spend some time with it. If it is granted, walk closer to the tree and circle it slowly in a sunwise direction. Then put both your hands and your body against the trunk and tune into its consciousness. Notice how the tree looks close up, how it smells and how it feels against your skin.

Rub a fresh leaf or needle between your fingers and inhale the fragrance.

Now sit down against the trunk and open yourself to the power of the tree, and let it take you into a deep state of meditation. You don't have to do anything other than stay relaxed and present and let the tree calm your thoughts and gently cleanse your mind of all the agitation of modern living. Enjoy this state of peace for as long as you want.

Open up a dialogue with the tree. You can ask questions about it, about yourself, and also for guidance on any problems. Sit in the silence and wait for a response, which usually comes as an inner sense of "knowingness."

When you are ready, stand up and place your hands on its trunk again, sending it thanks from your heart. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude towards trees is an important part of building a relationship with them - we have received their gifts for many millions of years, and given so little back in return. Here are some websites to help you find some practical ways to give back to the Kingdom of the Trees:

       American Forests
       Forest Council
       Save America's Forests
       Trees Foundation
       Trees for Life

Green Man Mask

I am thought of all plants,
says the Green Man,
I am thought of all plants, says he.
- William Anderson.

Oakleaves

Where the forest murmurs
there is music:
ancient, everlasting.
- Fiona MacLeod

The Greenwood

They are beautiful in their peace,
They are wise in their silence.
They will stand after we are dust.
They teach us, and we tend them.
- G. MacDunelmor