Connecting to the mystical wisdom of trees   

I grew up on the edge of a common and spent countless hours playing there and in the surrounding countryside. I always felt drawn to trees — especially woodlands — though I didn’t fully understand why when I was younger.

In more recent years, through offering walking therapy as part of my therapeutic work and training in shamanism, I’ve reflected more deeply on what trees offer us — and how we can connect with them to support our growth and healing.

The timeless symbolism of trees

Across time and cultures, trees have carried both practical and spiritual significance. Beyond providing us with shelter, protection, fresh air, and wood, they bring balance and beauty into the natural world.

Spiritually, they embody the lessons of nature:

• Resilience

• Interconnectedness

• Adaptation

• Cyclical patterns of life

Since ancient times, trees have appeared in poetry, religion, mythology, and ritual as symbols of wisdom and sacred presence.

Trees as witnesses of time

Trees can live for hundreds — even thousands — of years, giving them an enduring sense of wisdom and perspective.

For example, an English oak can live for up to (or beyond) 1,000 years, supporting an entire ecosystem in its lifetime. Some studies suggest that a single oak may sustain over 2,300 species.

Simply sitting beneath an ancient tree and contemplating its lifespan can invite humility, respect, and a sense of flow — helping us to step out of our heads and into a wider, more expansive awareness.

Trees as bridges between worlds

With branches reaching skyward and roots delving deep into the earth, trees are often seen as connecting heaven and earth.

From a shamanic perspective, trees exist — as we do — in contact with:

• The Upper World (higher consciousness, beings of wisdom and light)

• The Middle World (everyday reality)

• The Lower World (the unconscious, ancestral forces, power animals)

Working with all parts of a tree in this way can open pathways to profound healing.

A simple exercise to connect with a tree

1. Find a tree that you feel drawn to.

2. Sit with it, take a few deep breaths, and centre yourself.

3. Ask the tree for help with a specific issue, then quieten your mind and trust the response that arises intuitively.

4. Stay for as long as you need, and when you’re ready, thank the tree for its assistance.

Different trees are often associated with different qualities:

• 🌳 Oak – strength and leadership

• 🌳 Ash – healing

• 🌳 Hawthorn – protection

Things I love to connect further with trees

https://islamacleod.com/journey-with-trees

https://shop.watkinsbooks.com/products/the-wisdom-of-trees-oracle-by-jane-struthers

https://www.partnerwithnature.org/categories/connect-with-trees-nature