***Before working with trees, please be knowledgeable about them. There are toxic / poisonous trees that one should not touch or handle in any way. Start with widely-recognizable trees, such as pine or oak, if you are a novice.***
Trees have held special magical meanings in cultures around the world. They are gateways to working with Earth energy and Earth magic. Each type of tree has its own special meaning, so utilize a tree that resonates best with your intentions. Here are some ways to work with trees within your magical path:
🌳Learn about trees. Read books; do research online etc. Recognize and identify them by sight. Know their seeds, leaf shapes etc. Learn both the magical correspondences and the scientific / botanical facts about them.
🌳Visit a tree and offer water or a small gemstone at the roots to honor its spirit. Touch the tree and pray for its well-being. Then thank it for providing oxygen, food (if it has edible parts), a home for small creatures, and shade. Say goodbye and do not pick fresh leaves or twigs etc from it.
🌳Go forest bathing. (Safely) venture into a local forest or heavily-wooded park. Ask the trees to recharge you and fill you with restorative verdant energy. Observe the natural beauty, listen to the birds singing, breathe calmly...take it all in. Reverently walk through the area and thank the trees for the healing.
🌳Pray over a ribbon. Speak your wishes to it. Then ask a tree's permission to work with you. If you sense confirmation and acceptance, loosely tie the ribbon on a branch or twig to help bring your goals to fruition.
🌳Collect three small fallen twigs and pray over them. Whisper your intentions into them. Then stake them into the earth to help anchor the energy in the material world and to manifest your desires.
🌳Sit at the foot of a tree and meditate, daydream, read, or have a picnic. Thank the tree for its shade and company when done.
🌳Collect fallen acorns, pinecones, or seeds from the foot of a tree. Place them on your altar and utilize them in spells and rituals.
🌳Plant a small tree if you have the outdoor space. Speak kind words to the plant and tend to it with care as it grows.
🌳Work with a twig to use as a magic wand. Bless it and wash it with blessed water first. Kiss the wand when done consecrating it (do NOT handle toxic trees or place them near your mouth).
🌳Utilize a tree stump as an altar table. Pray over the damaged, fallen, or chopped tree stump (do NOT purposely chop down a tree for this...find a fallen one that you have encountered by happenstance). Ask the tree its permission to give it a second life as an altar table. Place gemstones upon it and bless it.
🌳Hold a twig upright in each hand. Cross your arms over your chest. Close your eyes and think of your goals, your dreams, or simply meditate. Imagine lines of energy flowing through the twigs, up into the sky and down towards the earth. Envision your success and happiness. Hold that space and feel empowered. When finished, place the twigs in the shape of an X on the ground.
🌳Be a protector of trees. Join a tree-planting group or environmental protection & preservation society. Donate to public botanical gardens etc. as well.
I hope that these suggestions are helpful!
