LESSON OF THE
Oak
from
The
Wisdom of Trees by Jane Gifford
The
oak represents courage and endurance and the protective power of faith.
The tree's noble presence and nurturing habit reassured ancient peoples
that, with the good will of their gods, their leader, and their
warriors, they could prevail against all odds. As the Tree of the Dagda,
the oak offers protection and hospitality without question, although its
true rewards are only apparent to the honest and brave. The ancient
Celts deplored lies and cowardice. To be judged mean spirited could result
in exclusion from the clan, which was one of the most shameful and most
feared of all possible punishments. Like the oak, we would do well to
receive without prejudice all those who seek our help, sharing what we
have without resentment or reservation. The oak reminds us all that the
strength to prevail, come what may, lies in an open mind and a generous
spirit. Inflexibility, however, is the oak's one weakness and the tree
is prone to lose limbs in storms. The oak therefore carries the warning
that stubborn strength that resists will not endure and may break under
strain.
Every
house has a front door.
If you
wish to enter, the door must be approached and your presence made known.
The door may then be opened. The very word "door" comes from the Gaelic
and Sanskrit "duir" - a word for solidity, protection and the Oak tree.
In the essential forest, the Oak is King. He stands mightily solid with
great branches, matched only by still greater roots. He is often struck
by lightning. The force of the strike and the heat bursts the sap and
stem apart leaving the trunk gnarled and withered. Yet he still manages
to survive, over the years, decades and centuries. His growth is slow
but sure. His children grow into magnificent replicas of himself and he
is a marker point, a cornerstone and a refuge in the forest.
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