One of the things that has surprised and delighted me about St. Louis is that it has over 100 parks. There are actually more parks and caves in the state of Missouri than any other. The Great Mother energy here in the land is strong and anchoring.
Yesterday on at a Tree Seers Meditation in the Fairy Park here, I learned that in a lifetime one American human consumes 4800 trees.
I was somewhat shocked and dismayed by this! And simultaneously in awe of how much the Trees give to us each day that we don’t always take time to acknowledge: oxygen, shade, cool air, fruit, seeds, paper, furniture, shelter, fire, gorgeous colored fall leaves and so much more. They are our lifeblood and the lungs of the Earth.
I have many commitments I’ve established to align with my values around environmentalism, anti racism, ecstatic devotion, shameless sparkle and more.
Today I am adding a new commitment.
To plant at least 4800 trees in my lifetime to give back and say thank you to the trees for all they have given to me and humanity. Want to join me? Put a YES I’m the comments below if so, and see the resource list below to get started!
Before leaving the park I received one more unexpected gift. I have been going through a sometimes painful and isolating dark night of the soul. It was as if one of the trees could sense it and beckoned me over to commune with it. The leaves had started to turn a bright root chakra red and were carpeting the ground around it. There was a low hanging branch almost touching the ground that he beckoned me to hold. As I locked hands with the tree, a breeze picked up and I felt the tree come alive in my palm. I heard whispered in the wind “I’ll hold your hand. I’d like to be your friend. Look around, you have a whole field of friends before you. We’re standing with you.”
I felt deeply held, seen and loved in that moment, in a way that only the Great Mother can provide.
Come Surrender, Receive and Be Held in our upcoming DEEP Surrender 8 week journey where we’ll lean into this medicine and so much more! It’s a ritual & support group to weather the storm ahead. Join us here: https://bit.ly/deepsurrendercircle
Resources to help plant trees
https://treesisters.org/ Inspiring a Reforestation Revolution. They ask: What if everyone started giving back to the natural world in ways that restore the global forest? How fast could we make a difference in the face of climate change?
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/plant-a-billion/