Tree Guides for Embracing Change

Hello Wild Soul,

In my last post, I shared how observing changes in the natural world has helped me to embrace change a little easier in my own life. In today’s post, I wanted to share some of my favourite trees for supporting us during times of change or uncertainty.

What if I don’t know the species of tree?

I would like to start by saying, if you are not sure how to differentiate a Beech from a Birch tree, please do not worry! You do not need to be an expert to connect with the supportive energy of a tree. There are some brilliant resources out there to help you begin to tell different species apart including this free guide from the Woodland Trust. They also have a brilliant A-Z of trees that is well worth a browse.

Remember, learning about something is a wonderful way to connect with it. Begin with trees you have noticed before. Approach them with the willingness to get to know more about them. Greet them. See what stands out to you about them. What colour and texture is their bark? What shape and size are their leaves? Do you notice anything else growing on them – cones, fruit, nuts or flowers? Are there any feelings or words that come to mind as you spend time near this tree?

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Tree Guides for Embracing Change

Here are some of my favourite trees to connect with during times of change and uncertainty. You can read more about each tree by clicking on its name:

• Beech – A nurturing tree often thought of as the ‘Mother of the Woods.’ Beech trees go through a vivid transformation each year and can show us how to embrace change whilst nurturing ourselves and others.
• Birch – Birch trees are often the first to move into land that has been cleared and can transform a piece of open land into a woodland. They are wonderful guides when we are beginning something new, especially when courage is required!
• Blackthorn – These small but determined trees can guide us in strengthening our boundaries or when we are facing a challenging situation.
• Elder – These trees grow fast and are one of the first to reawaken at the end of the Winter. They are wonderful guides for times when we may be desiring change but are feeling stuck or unmotivated.
• Hawthorn – Hawthorn offers us medicine for the heart space. Connect with them when the fear of change takes over or when we are feeling lost or defeated after a life change that didn’t go our way.
• Hazel – A flexible, energetic tree that can guide us in thinking creatively to overcome challenges.
• Oak – A symbol of strength and stability. These vast, slow growing trees can be very supportive if we are feeling ungrounded or like things are moving too fast.
• Rowan – If we are unsure of our direction, Rowan energy can help us connect with our intuition and inner guidance.
• Willow – The energy of Willow trees is one of flow. Associated with water, they offer us space beneath their sprawling branches to rest and release the old.
• Yew – Yew trees are our oldest living trees in the UK, with some thought to be around 3000 years old! They are a symbol of rebirth, regeneration and adaptability. Yew trees are wonderful during times of uncertainty or where we may be lacking perspective on a situation.

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How to connect with a tree

• The most simple way to connect with any tree is to spend time with them. See what you notice in their company, what you notice about them and also what arises within you.
• Visit some known trees at different times of the year and notice how they change. Do they feel any different as you greet them in different seasons?
• Gather fallen leaves, sticks or cones to display in your sacred space.
• Some of the trees listed above have some wonderful medicinal properties that you may wish to learn more about. At this time of year, elderberries are ripe and make delicious syrups. Hawthorn and sloe berries from the Blackthorn tree are also wonderful to explore.*
• We craft tree energy pendants from the windfallen wood of many trees. For the times we can’t be in the woodland, the woodland could still be with us.
  

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I would love to hear how you found this post, and whether you would like to see more like this in the future. Stay tuned for my next post where I shall be sharing some grounding tools with you.

Wishing you a bright week,

Nic x

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* A note in regards to foraging, please do ensure you are able to identify anything you gather with 100% certainty. If you have any doubt, always cross check the identification. The Yew tree is one example of a tree that is toxic to us. Plant medicine can be potent so it is well worth having a look at any known contraindications for the plant that you are foraging.

I encourage everyone to forage with a deep respect to the tree/plant and the ecosystem it is part of. The Autumn berries in particular are a precious food source for many species of wildlife who depend on them so gather with care from areas of abundance.