Tree Totem Introduction

My History

I have had many viewers, friends and family around me say I should offer a little history about myself. In my mind, the gentle readers of Tree Totem do not want to hear about me, they want tree information. But these people I care about are insistent.

When I was very young, the elms were just starting to catch Dutch elm disease. It became one of my earliest memories to see my mother cry at the loss of a beloved tree. As I see it, that memory became seeds for conscious awareness of the connection and love people had with trees.

I was about 6 when we moved to a small farm. I was lucky enough to live near a creek and old growth oaks, cottonwoods and birches. It became my favorite play ground as my home was to far away from neighbors or friends. Each of these trees had names and personalities that I recognized. At the time, I didn’t know anyone else couldn’t see trees individualism past what they were used for.

One particular summer when I was about 9 or 10 I had a life changing experience. It was raining and a very grey day, heavy with a warm mist that clung to every thing. It could not hold me inside and I went to my beloved woods. I was soaked to the bone when I heard my Dad Whistle, time to come home for supper. I cleared a birch grove and was walking across the meadow when the clouds broke just over the horizon.

It was the exact moment the sun was setting and the world exploded with a very deep red. The clouds became molten life. The grass was iridescent. I heard something behind me and turned to see the birch trees reflecting this awesome new universe. A breeze seemed to spark and move the colors to become living embers inside the trees themselves. I was so taken a-back by this I had to go and touch the trees to know they were not hot.

When it came time to select a screen name, this is the memory that came to mind.

When I was about 12 I discovered that people did not see the trees the same way as I do. It was shocking and I suppose a right of passage to adulthood. I don’t recall much in ways of connecting to trees the same way after that. Not until I married a man that loved the trees.

Later in life I literally re-awoke to trees again. My husband love of trees help bring back the spark with my own love of them. He taught me how to see the tree and learn how the tree wants to be trimmed. He taught me how to hear the water of the tree going up into its canopy. He showed me how the roots tell of the tree health and life under ground. He enjoyed the dance and song the tree did with the wind. Since those endearing lessons, he has passed away but he still lives on through me and my work.

After my first lessons with my husband I have had the privilege to be taught by many teachers and mentors. They taught me how to listen to myself and through this silence I have learned to hear the spiritual movement of trees again. I have learned to see how alive the trees are. I learned to know The Living Tree. I grew into this person before you. I am yours with the Trees called BirchFire.

Don’t forget to Hug your tree today.