So I can't say I've been climbing that many trees - perhaps I should - but Nykki has really been feeling his own strength lately as he ascends the many walnut trees around our home.
We've been blessed with a few sunny, warm days this week, after a large down pour of rain we had two weeks ago. The golden sunlight as his compass, Nykki has pushed toes into bark, grappled for study limbs, scraped, wedged and vollied himself up into the autumn tree tops.
I've thought about calling him down to do work on his letters or pick up his toys - but ya know what? I truly value his tree climbing, I do. It builds strength, confidence, and self reliance not to mention he is uniting with this ancient earth cousin to join together in a common goal while building a friendship with this living, breathing tree.
Part of homeschooling for our family is knowing when not to interupt the magnificant spiritual bond a child forms with nature. I'm really into not interrupting this week. What are you not interupting, what are you letting form and flow?
(Optional Reading)
The Mormon Witch perspective:
Trees are very dear to our Heavenly parents. In 1 Nephi 11 Nephi wishes to know the meaning of the tree of life seen in his father, Lehi's, vision. The tree of life is a common religious theme. We find spiritual trees and trees related to Gods spanning our bright blue globe from ancient Celtic lore to Japanese folk tales.
The answer Nephi recieves regarding his question as to the meaning of the tree of life is a vision of the Virgin mother holding her infant. Given the fact that the ancient Israelite God El's companion was a Goddess know as Asherah, it's not surprising that the scholar Daniel C. Peterson concluded that the tree of life in the Book of Mormon was associated with the Goddess Asherah - the consort of El and Mother to all.
I don't know what levels are active in Nykki when he climbs his trees. I think his present conciousness probably sees it as fun and invigorating. His racing heart, his moving muscles cry out in health and joy. His lungs take in fresh, clean air but somewhere in his still dreaming state he is climbing the tree of life, he is connectiong in his own way to Asherah - and I value that.
