TREES ARE LIKE US: complex, sensitive, and highly spiritual living beings. Perhaps nothing else is as representative of the living energy of nature and Mother Earth as a tree. The folklore attributed to a particular tree reflects the symbolism ascribed to it by our ancestors, who worshipped trees as living totems of life's mysterious cycles and seasons. Not only did trees represent spirituality to them, but they provided a vast resource for ancient peoples - food, shade, and medicine, as well as wood for eating utensils, weapons, homes, warmth, cooking, even art.

Trees exude elemental wisdom that is available to us on the psychic plane whether we are aware of it or not. They are benevolent beings who like to share their deep sense of peace with those who are in harmony with nature and its spirits, and sometimes they'll even advise someone who's in trouble. One of my first psychic experiences occurred when I was a young rock-and-roll musician and caught up in the unhealthy habits that kind of work environment all too often reinforces. I was driving behind a giant tree-moving truck that was slowly transporting an enormous tree in its gargantuan metal spades, which had mercilessly cut through this venerable tree's roots and lifted it out of its birthplace. I tried to send positive thoughts of support and healing to what I thought was a great being in distress and was amazed to hear in my psychic perception, as clearly as if it was coming from a person sitting next to me, the words "I'm fine; it's you I'm worried about!" I was truly astounded and cleaned up my act a few months later (old habits die hard).

Our Sacred Grove includes Cedar (confidence), Laurel (victory), Willow (healing), Elm (shadows), Holly (wisdom), Beech (happiness), Oak (strength), Maple (prosperity), Walnut (attraction), Ash (stability), Chestnut (justice), and Fir (mystery).

Cedar (Confidence)
The cedar is a symbol of optimism and adaptability, also representing a protection from harm and evil forces. The tree represents a love of beauty and luxury, and cedar energy promotes an understanding that beauty and truth are one, and that true love is worth waiting for. The ancient Celts revered this tree and used oil of cedar to preserve the heads of enemies that were taken in battle.

An enchanted spell for cedar: To draw earth energy and ground yourself with confidence, place the palms of your hands together as you see the cedar in your mind's eye. Hold them in this position for at least one minute as you breathe and exhale, slowly and deliberately. Feel yourself breathing out the stale energy of fear and defeat. Be aware of breathing in the intoxicating air of assurance and self-belief. Repeat this ritual whenever your self-esteem is low.

Laurel (Victory)
The laurel represents victory and glory, as well as the aspiration to be the best. In Greek mythology, the nymph Daphne, while being pursued by Apollo, prayed to be changed into another form. It was then that Athena transformed her into a laurel tree. Laurel energy depicts goals of manifestation and the desire to change. It also symbolizes accomplishments attained through work rather than luck. The laurel can represent the goal itself and not just the goal that it inspires. The ancients believed that chewing the leaves of this tree gave the gift of visionary powers.

An enchanted spell for laurel: Because the laurel is all about transformation and change, use the following spell when aspiring to change something important in your life. Before bedtime, put a few ice cubes in a glass and cover it. The following morning, inspect the glass; the cubes will have melted, of course. Drink the water, musing on this minor yet meaningful transformation.

Willow (Healing)
The willow embodies the true meaning of the enchanted life in its ability to create a sense of healing energy. It has feminine, or Moon, energy and effects the workings of the subconscious mind. Its vibrational energy is associated with love, healing, inspiration, and eloquence. It signifies knowledge that comes through dreams, philosophical discourse, and the meditative state. The willow represents a time that is ripe for bringing magic into everyday life. Scrying, wish-magic, and other enchantments not only are powerful now but have resonance as daily practices. One who is drawn to the willow is beautiful, slender, and empathic - a capricious but honest dreamer. Like the willow, we can bend without breaking, renewed and ready to go forward.

An enchanted spell for willow: When feeling stressed or heavyhearted, perform the following enchantment. Envision your spirit body slowly rising into the air as if by magic. Feeling lighter than air, you float above your physical body, aware that all sadness and stress has been lifted.

Elm (Shadows)
The elm symbolizes the invisible curtain between the two worlds - the corporeal and the etheric. It is most often associated with depression and the dark side of the psyche, but it is also representative of Mother Earth and Goddess energy. Elm energy can add stability and grounding to a spell and can also aid in grounding energy and focus. The spirit of the elm promotes practicality by inspiring an individual with the realization that seemingly dark periods in life make the sunny times even better.

An enchanted spell for elm: Sit in a comfortable place, facing west, just as the sun is setting. Close your eyes and meditate on a problem in your life. As you meditate, feel yourself breathing and exhaling deeply. Envision each intake of breath as positive energy that is a lovely pastel shade. Then see the exhaled breath as negative, gray energy. Open your eyes and watch the last rays of the sun fade away as darkness falls, realizing that for every problem there is a solution.

Holly (Wisdom)
The holly tree denotes the link between experience and true wisdom. It also suggests a protective influence over the home and hearth, as well as a psychic barrier against ill will. In Celtic mythology the holly is the evergreen twin of the oak and was associated with the sacred cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The Druids saw the holly tree as having the power to inspire accomplishment, growth, and creative energy through dream states. The holly also represents an evergreen tie to our plentiful Mother Earth.

An enchanted spell for holly: Construct an altar in your home that contains objects on it that are important to you and that you consider sacred. To this, add a cluster of holly. Meditate on grouping by closing your eyes and repeating the following words: "Through searching comes wisdom." Breathe in and breathe out, feeling yourself suffused with the spirit of true wisdom as you do. Repeat this enchantment whenever you need to draw wisdom from experience or knowledge.

Beech (Happiness)
The beech tree represents happiness on many different levels - physical, emotional, spiritual. It also symbolizes the yin and yang - feminine and masculine - energy in nature, suggesting the qualities of duality, adaptability, and partnership. Beech energy promotes a consciousness of body image and a healthy, wholesome lifestyle. It is concerned with ancient knowledge as revealed in old objects, places, and writings. It usually predicts joy in the light of new experiences. The words beech and book have the same origin, which is not surprising; at one point in history beech wood was used to make writing tablets. Beech energy can aid in finding happy answers to mysteries and gaining knowledge of any sort.

An enchanted spell for beech: Each day for one week, make a list of five things that make you happy. They can be big things or small things. Do not read these lists until the end of the week. When you do read, them they will surely remind you that happiness comes in ripples, as well as in waves.

Oak (Strength)
The oak tree has always been a symbol of strength, endurance, and power. The ancients revered this tree and marveled that it could withstand being struck by lightning. Because of this, it has become associated with the ability to attract inspiration, wisdom, and illumination. The oak represents a psychic shield against malice or jealousy from outside sources. In esoteric terms, it represents the wisdom that comes in the wake of spiritual growth after a trial or challenge. It is also associated with fertility. Although the oak is a mighty tree, it symbolizes strength that is used with a light and discerning touch.

An enchanted spell for oak: Whenever you have a task to perform that seems beyond your capabilities, meditate by closing your eyes and envisioning a steep hill up which you must climb. However, in your hand is a beautifully fashioned walking stick made of oak. You find yourself making the climb easily with the stick to lean on. Repeat this visualization as needed.

Maple (Prosperity)
The maple symbolizes our ability to channel material abundance and personal happiness. It also signifies a powerful memory and the ability to learn a new skill quickly. Its energy is representative of someone who is unique and imaginative as well as profoundly ambitious. Native Americans understood the importance of the maple as a valuable resource for its wood as well as for its sugary sap. In the American Northeast, the annual maple sugaring off generally coincides with the vernal equinox, which makes it one of the first signs of spring. Maple wood is believed to have a favorable effect when used in money spells.

An enchanted spell for maple: Take a coin - preferably a quarter - and hold it in the palm of one hand. Look at it, and then close your fingers. Now hold out your empty hand in front of you and picture a golden coin in the center of your palm. Close your eyes and envision the quarter in your one hand becoming the golden coin you are visualizing in your other hand. Repeat this whenever you are feeling vulnerable about money.

Walnut (Attraction)
The walnut tree symbolizes the attraction between individuals and their ability to create a relationship from it. The energy of the walnut tree can denote a time of sharp contrasts when many opportunities must be evaluated and decided upon. The walnut is associated with the goddess Diana, mistress of the hunt, which explains its romantic-erotic associations. It is also believed to be one of the oldest trees on earth, dating back more than fifteen thousand years. In the middle ages, walnuts were accepted as readily as coinage for the payment of debts. Despite this, the walnut tree went through a period of controversy centuries ago when it was associated with the practice of witchcraft.

An enchanted spell for walnut: A love spell must never be used in a negative way (in retaliation or revenge). But if you have positive intentions and want to catch someone's eye, write that person's name on a sheet of paper and fold it twice. Light a scented white candle. Speak the name of your love interest three times, then carefully burn the paper in the candle flame.

Ash (Stability)
Rooted deep in mythology and folklore, the ash is known as the "world tree," representing the nurturing and stable environment of Mother Earth. It was believed by the Druids to link the inner and other worlds together. Because of its wide-spreading roots, it believed that the tree could reach to the Underworld. It represents stability because of the ancient Celtic belief that ash was strong, a wood of balance. It is thought that if a few leaves of the tree are put under a pillow before bedtime, they will bring about psychic dreams. Even today, New Age masters and gurus fashion their wands from ash, because the tree is very solid, and even its most slender limbs are hard to break.

An enchanted spell for ash: Choose a crystal or a special little rock that will represent stability to you. Keep it nearby you for a week, or carry it in your bag or pocket. Three times each day, hold it in your hands. Close your eyes. Breathe in the stable and grounding energy that the Earth provides. Breathe out uncertainty and fear. This spell will remind you to feel deeply rooted in the ground, like the lovely ash tree.

Chestnut (Justice)
The chestnut tree represents a reputation built on solid accomplishments and hard work and is associated with acts of justice and diplomacy. It can also suggest almost impossibly high standards. Chestnut energy can signify a person or an object of singular and arresting beauty. The chestnut tree was once known as the "king of the forest" because of its immensity and beauty. Because of its attributes, it can also symbolize favorable dealings with lawyers, judges, or other authority figures.

An enchanted spell for chestnut: If you must deal with a legal matter, find a chestnut and say a blessing over it. Then put it in the center of your sacred altar. Close your eyes and think about the legal matter that is before you. Breathe in deeply, then exhale deeply. Do this over and over again while you envision yourself being relieved of the legal matter in a positive and uplifting way. When this comes to pass, say a blessing over the chestnut and thank it for its magical assistance.

Fir (Mystery)
The fir can be representative of a time when the deepest mysteries of life are emphasized. Those drawn to the fir tend to have highly cultivated tastes and great dignity. The fir has a natural association with the Christmas season as well as the winter solstice. For centuries its wood has been considered favorable for magic that involves shape-shifting and other magical rituals of manifestation. Because of its height it is also symbolic of far sight and clear vision of what is to come.

An enchanted spell for fir: Many of our questions can be answered through dreams, and especially by keeping a dream diary. Find or purchase a notebook strictly dedicated to writing down your dreams. Over time, you will be able to learn more about your subconscious mind by reading the diary. To consecrate the notebook to this purpose, meditate while holding a cone from a fir tree and ask its help in understanding your dreams.

© Amy Zerner and Monte Farber, 2007

From The Enchanted Spellboard: Messages from the Spirit World (©2007 Enchanted World /Sterling Publishing, ISBN 0-9786968-3-2)

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Internationally known self-help author Monte Farber's inspiring guidance and empathic insights impact everyone he encounters. Amy Zerner's exquisite, one-of-a-kind spiritual couture creations and collaged fabric paintings exude her profound intuition and deep connection with archetypal stories and healing energies. For nearly thirty years they've combined their deep love for each other with the work of inner exploration and self-discovery to build The Enchanted World of Amy Zerner and Monte Farber: books, card decks, and oracles that have helped millions answer questions, find deeper meaning, and follow their own spiritual paths.

Together they've made their love for each other a work of art and their art the work of their lives. Their best-selling titles include The Chakra Meditation Kit, The Animal Powers Meditation Kit, The Tarot Discovery Kit, True Love Tarot, The Enchanted Tarot, The Instant Tarot Reader, Goddess, Guide Me!, The Psychic Circle, The Pathfinder Psychic Talking Board, Karma Cards, The Truth Fairy, The Breathe Easy Deck, The Healing Deck, Gifts of the Goddess Affirmation Cards, Astrology Gems, Secrets of the Fortune Bell, and Little Reminders: Love and Relationships.