Ever look up into the trees and think you see a face or critter in the leaves and branches; only to discover it was a trick of the eye? Folks have “seen strange things” in the trees for all of human history. In ancient days, the Druids attributed powerful influences emanating from the trees, sometimes one would spend a great deal of time in the woods to gain insight,attributing their inspiration to the trees. Buddha sat beneath a Bodi Tree when he gained enlightenment, Oden hung himself from a tree when he developed the Runes. Aside from burning wood for warmth, wood has been an intrinsic part of our society for as long as we have been aware: we descended from trees, we build our homes, our furniture toys and great works of art. Some of the oldest beings on earth are trees.

In my own experience, I found great comfort amongst the trees: the might Sequoias of the west coast are impressive both in height, age and majesty. In one of my excursions into the forests of the great North West, I thought I saw “someone” high in the branches. I couldn’t identify who or what it was and so pursued what I mistook as a being. I even climbed up into the branches only to find “nothing there”. Later that day I saw it again, only in another tree. Squirrel? Not that big! It was when I was relaxed and “not paying attention” that I began to understand what I was “seeing” was the essence of the tree: something vaguely aware, coming from the forest itself. Comforting yet removed, alert yet extremely slow and paced, the Forest itself has a presence.

My attempt to “capture” this in art I developed: The Tree Spirit Amulet. A noble tree with spreading branches, exposed roots alluding to how such a being is rooted both into the earth and the spirit world. In the branching of the tree is a small deer head, alluding to Herne, a being in the forest that is both a part and transcendent. The amulet may be worn as a pendant, but I have also created the Tree Spirit Necklace by adding hand made leaf chain and earrings.

The Tree Sprite Amulet is for those who love the Trees for what ever reason, but most especially for those whose imagination have lead them to the truth about our Living World.