2 January 2017
The Pine
Over the past several years I’ve intentionally changed my life by embracing a more metaphorical view of the world achieving a balance I never knew could exist. This metaphorical awareness within me didn’t come about by accident, it was a very mindful experiential journey and at times very painful. One of my favorite books “The Meaning of Trees” by Fred Hageneder helps us understand the Pine more in depth. It is found primarily in the northern hemisphere and there are more than 90 species. Most are tall, coniferous, referred to as evergreens because they remain green year round. The practical uses of pines in terms of time are immemorial. The Greeks, being people of the sea, primarily used the tall strong mountain trees to build boats. Many of the species produce edible and nutritious seeds that can be eaten either raw or the more preferred method of being roasted. We traveled once to Greece visiting some friends and was taken aback by the sparseness of the country side, mostly void of trees. The majority of the Greek Islands have been deforested leaving them nothing but a barren rock built up with a multitude of bars, night clubs, restaurant’s, and hotels. The Island of Samos is one of the last remaining Islands that has trees, resulting in one of the lushest and greenest places we experienced during our visit to Greece.
Myth, Symbolism and Culture. Wood from the Lodgepole Pine was used as a “story Stick” by the indigenous peoples of the Blackfoot tribe. They were given to the children by the elders and a notch was scribed into the stick for small chores or tasks the children performed for them. The number of notches indicated how many stories the children would be told by the elders. The Hopi used the two-needle pinyon “gum” and applied to the forehead as a form of protection from evil spirits. The Navajo also used this trees needles as a ceremonial medicine during the performance of their War Dance. The Taoist hermits and monks of China cherished the pine nut. These Holy men ate the pine nut and considered it to give them eternal life. Although not known to have grown in Egypt, pine nuts have been found in Egyptian tombs. Mighty Viking chiefs where buried in their dragon ship make of pine. Scotland clan chiefs and warriors preferred instead to be buried under the pine tree. Makes more sense to me being buried under the tree rather than burning a perfectly good ship, but then I live in a different time of history. Also within Greek mythology the pine is dedicated to the deity Pan, a hairy and horned creature representing and honoring the natural forces of nature.
Natural Healing. It should come as no surprise that the nutrition value of pine nuts is extremely beneficial. They contain potassium, magnesium, vitamin e and carotenes. They are highly regarded in Chinese Medicine for boosting circulation. Many ointments, teas, inhalations and baths are made from the essence of pine treating such things as coughs, head congestion, stimulation of the lungs and circulation of the bodies fluids. The scots also believed it helped with the insight of a balance life.
My Story. I owe a great deal of my awakening to the Pine tree. I found it to be among my favorite trees to use when building a Peace Chair. After thirteen years of living in Europe and our extensive traveling throughout western Europe, Josie and I found our way back home to Minnesota. I wasn’t prepared for what was about to happen to me upon our return Home. It would take many years to process it all and to understand what is truly important in this world. The Pine is one of them, family is another. The abundance of naturally dead standing pine trees near the Blue Heron B&B was a gold mine for my chair building therapy. The many different forests I later explored in the North woods were compared to how much or how little of the naturally dried Pines where available to me as there were near Blue Heron. While being obsessed with a dream of becoming rich from my Chair invention, it took only three short years to become bankrupt, homeless and nearly divorced after my retirement from the US Army. I’ll spare you the details of that story and just say, you can read all about that one in my first book Inspiration Point Discovering Peace Within. The important thing I want to express is that Discovering Peace Within is one thing, maintaining it is quite another. I can honest say, I’m getting very good at maintaining a sense of inner peace, joy, love and compassion to mention just a few of the good places I find within myself. A sense of humor is also a very important attribute to hone. Laughter is the best and cheapest medicine you can find. So the next time you hear someone fart, you can laugh knowing it reminds you of G.A.S. Grateful you’re able to hear. Aware of how important laughter is. And how powerful a feeling it is being of service or being served. The service part is the act of Love in action.
Nature's G.A.S. Station 