Azhdaya's Laire

"May my life be like a great hospitable tree,

and may weary wanderers find in me a rest."

~ John Henry Jowett ~

"When walking through a warm and lush forest setting one's thoughts can easily

take flights of fancy. It is not difficult to shed the layers of modern life and find

one's more subtle or primitive beginnings. Somewhere from deep within the spirit

and majesty of each single tree steps forth and at once one can find oneself

transported to a world of shadow and shade."

~~ Morgan La Fey, Sacred Trees ~~

"The forest is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence

that makes no demands for its sustenance and extends generously the

products of its life and activity; it affords protection to all beings."

~~ Buddhist Sutra ~~

"A tree, young or old, if admired, remains a definite vision, and when after long absence it is visited again,

the meeting place is approached with feelings of pleasure and curiosity as to how one's friend had fared,

even with thoughts as to what changes may come to tree or visitor since first they met;

this may seem like a foolish sentiment - perhaps it is.

But, after all, sentiment is mingled with most that's best in life."

~~ Charles Eley, Gardening for the Twentieth Century, 1923 ~~

"Trees have from time immemorial been closely associated with magic.

These stout members of the vegetable kingdom may stand for as long

as a thousand years, and tower far above our mortal heads. As such

they are symbols and keepers of unlimited power, longevity, and

timelessness. An untouched forest, studded with trees of all ages,

sizes and types, is more than a mysterious, magical place - it is one

of the energy reservoirs of nature. Within its boundaries stand

ancient and new sentinels, guardians of the universal force

which has manifested on the Earth..."

~~ Scott Cunningham, Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magick, 1996, p. 77 ~~

"Spirituality automatically leads to humility. When a flower develops

into a fruit, the petals drop off on its own. When one becomes spiritual,

the ego vanishes gradually on its own. A tree laden with fruits always

bends low. Humility is a sign of greatness."

~~ Sri Ramakrishna ~~

"In earth and water will you grow. In the air will your leaves speak

as you reach towards the fire of the sun. We respect and honour

and admire you, O tree, and all trees, for you represent both

Peace and Power - though you are mighty you hurt no creature.

Though you sustain us with your breath, you will give up your life

to house and warm and teach us. We give thanks for your blessing

upon our lives and upon our lands. May you fare well in this

chosen place. Awen."

~~ Source Unknown ~~

"Tree, gather up my thoughts

like the clouds in your branches.

Draw up my soul

like the waters in your root.

In the arteries of your trunk

bring me together.

Through your leaves

breathe out the sky."

~~ J. Daniel Beaudry, Breath ~~

"Tree, gather up my thoughts

like the clouds in your branches.

Draw up my soul

like the waters in your root.

In the arteries of your trunk

bring me together.

Through your leaves

breathe out the sky."

~~ J. Daniel Beaudry, Breath ~~

"It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon

men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that

emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and

renews a weary spirit."

~~ Robert Louis Stevenson ~~

"The forest is not merely an expression or representation of sacredness,

nor a place to invoke the sacred; the forest is sacredness itself. Nature

is not merely created by God; Nature is God. Whoever moves within the

forest can partake directly of sacredness, experience sacredness with

his entire body, breath sacredness and contain it within himself, drink

the sacred water as a living communion, bury his feet in sacredness,

open his eyes and witness the burning beauty of sacredness."

~~ Richard Nelson ~~

"My lilac trees are old and tall;

I cannot reach their bloom at all.

They send their perfume over trees

And roof and streets, to find the bees."

~~ Lousie Driscoll, 1875 - 1957, My Garden Is a Pleasant Place ~~

"Invest in the millennium. Plant sequoias.

Say that your main crop is the forest

that you did not plant,

that you will not live to harvest.

Say that the leaves are harvested

when they have rotted into the mold.

Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.

Put your faith in the two inches of humus

that will build under the trees

every thousand years."

~~ Wendell Berry, Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front ~~