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identity_of_trees_walks [2014-08-01 16:20] – rasaidentity_of_trees_walks [2014-08-12 13:21] – rasa
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-A long time in the future… after events that changed our world, a silent political Party of Trees was formed. Not to rule the world or make laws for the economic profit of selected individuals but to advise, feed and protect all species of this earth.+A long time in the future… after events that changed our world, a silent political Party of Trees is formed. Not to rule the world or make laws for the economic profit of selected individuals but to advise, feed and protect all species of this earth.
  
-With their heads high in the sky they stood for the rights and duties of all beings, and the natural patterns of life and death. Rights that every living creature deserves equally. Duties that many of them performed already, but were made to do even more or live in poverty or even to hide their existence by the dominant species.+With their heads high in the sky they stand for the rights and duties of all beings, and the natural patterns of life and death. Rights that every living creature deserves equally. Duties that many of them perform already.
  
-The silent political Party of Trees was formed from Arboreal persons chosen to represent every aspect they stood for:+The silent political Party of Trees is formed by Arboreal Persons chosen to represent every aspect they stand for:
  
   * love and beauty   * love and beauty
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   * symbiosis…   * symbiosis…
  
-Chosen trees understood the importance of their engagement and the responsibilities that they would have to carry on their shoulders from one age to another. Their party was formed not out of boredom, fancy, or private ambition but pure necessity for this planet and the universe.+The chosen trees understand the importance of their engagement and the responsibilities that they have to carry on their shoulders from one age to another. Their party is formed not out of boredom, fancy, or private ambition but pure necessity for this planet and the universe.
  
 Are we ready to allow and embrace the necessity? Are we ready to allow and embrace the necessity?
  
-You can join the silent political Party of Trees by completing one of these walks and by listening to the stories thees trees are telling you.+Any one of us can join the silent political Party of Trees by completing one of these walks and by listening to the stories the chosen trees are telling you.
  
  
-  ===Tree walk in Forêt de Soignes=== +----
-  in the framework of [[http://www.bessst.be/|Bessst]] +
-  [[http://libarynth.org/_media/watermaal_bosvoorde_treewalk.png|Link to map]]+
  
  
-When you walk down the Drève du Comte from the parking space, you find a beautiful oak at your left hand side, just before taking to path that leads you to the field with picnic tables.+===Tree walk in Forêt de Soignes=== 
 +created in collaboration with Z33 and Heath Bunting and performed in the framework of [[http://www.bessst.be/|Bessst]] in April 2013 
 + 
 +{{:forestwalk_map.png?200|}} 
 + 
 + 
 +Start: Entrance Drève du Comte/Graafdreef, Enfants Noyés/Verdronken Kinderen, next to the former Hippodrome, Watermael-Boitsfort/Watermaal-Bosvoorde; walk down to the water 
 + 
 +Accessibility: You can take the tram 94 from Louisa (direction Musée du Tram), get off at Coccinnelles/Lieveheersbeestjes and just cross the road; you can also access by car and leave it on the parking space near Drève du Comte 
 + 
 + 
 +A little introduction 
 + 
 +During this walk you will meet the trees who gave birth to the Silent Political Party of Trees. These trees are part of the Forêt de Soignes/Zoniënwoud, the only forest in Belgium that has always been forest. Even if the forest has been totally replanted by Jacques Zinner in the 18th century with the beeches we know and the large lanes, the ground that feeds these trees has never been manipulated. The soil as such is turned into a delicate archive open to scientific research. 
 +The trees that belong to this forest enjoy exclusive rights compared to other trees in the Brussels' region. They are part of 'Natura 2020', a European environmental protection program that wants to garantee a green corridor in Europe for all kind of species to travel to more comfortable places now climate changes force them to do so. In most parts of this side of the forest, trees have such privileges that humans are not allowed anymore to approach them, climb them, go near them. It made them think of their fellow collaegues and the solidarity that is inherent of their struggle for survival made them decide to found the silent Political Party of Trees. 
 +The first idea they whispered in their leaves was to consider them as 'arboreal persona', a legal entity equal to natural persona, organisations, companies. 
 +You can read more on the construction of the arboreal persona [[http://libarynth.org/parn/arboreal_identity|here]]. 
 + 
 + 
 +The trees in the Forêt de Soignes are the arboreal persona with most rights in the Brussels' region.  
 +//History// 
 +//EU Green corridor// 
 + 
 + 
 +At the beginning of Sentier des Endymions/Boshyacintenvoetpad, you find a beautiful oak surrounded by beeches. 
 +The best way to listen to the oak, is to stand against it, touching its strong scarred skin.
      
-  * Oak+ ** * Oak**
  
-//**Please meet the oak, the father, priest and the guardian of the world.+{{:dscn0607.jpg?200|}} 
 + 
 +Please meet the oak, the father, priest and the guardian of the world.
 Three of the past, the present and the future. This oak has lived more than 100 years and will survive us by another 150 to 200 years if the climat does not change too drastically. Three of the past, the present and the future. This oak has lived more than 100 years and will survive us by another 150 to 200 years if the climat does not change too drastically.
-Oak grows as deep as it grows tall.//** +Oak grows as deep as it grows tall. 
-//**It provides shelter and food to millions species in the forest. +It provides shelter and food to millions species in the forest. 
-One grown oak is equivalent to a metropole as big as New York. It can have up to 350 species living in, on, around and from him.//**+One grown oak is equivalent to a metropole as big as New York. It can have up to 350 species living in, on, around and from him. 
 + 
 +Among the sacred trees in many legends, the mighty oak stands noble and tall as The Tree of Life. The oak tree in folklore and myths represents great symbolic meanings to the pantheons of mythology, to the druids, the faeries, and many cultures around the world.
  
-//**Among the sacred trees in many legends, the mighty oak stands noble and tall as The Tree of Life. The oak tree in folklore and myths represents great symbolic meanings to the pantheons of mythology, to the druids, the faeries, and many cultures around the world.//**+It is a slow grower. So it is all about time.  
 +Just imagine growing trough your life so slowly that 500 years can fly by. Imagine species, landscape situations you could witness. Well Oak does. It is a time machine. If we learn its language maybe we we could learn a very different history from the one we know now.
  
-//**It is a slow grower. So it is all about time.  
-Just imagine growing trough your life so slowly that 500 years can fly by. Imagine species, landscape situations you could witness. Well Oak does.//** 
-It is a time machine. If we learn its language maybe we we could learn a very different history from the one we know now.**// 
  
 +**//More//**
 Throughout the major cultures of Europe the oak tree has been held in high esteem. To the Greeks, Romans, Celts, Slavs and Teutonic tribes the oak was foremost amongst venerated trees, and in each case associated with the supreme god in their pantheon, oak being sacred to Zeus, Jupiter, Dagda, Perun and Thor, respectively. Each of these gods also had dominion over rain, thunder and lightning, and it is surely no coincidence that oak trees appear to be more prone to lightning strikes than other trees, whether because of their wood's low electrical resistance or the fact that they were frequently the largest, tallest living things in the landscape. Throughout the major cultures of Europe the oak tree has been held in high esteem. To the Greeks, Romans, Celts, Slavs and Teutonic tribes the oak was foremost amongst venerated trees, and in each case associated with the supreme god in their pantheon, oak being sacred to Zeus, Jupiter, Dagda, Perun and Thor, respectively. Each of these gods also had dominion over rain, thunder and lightning, and it is surely no coincidence that oak trees appear to be more prone to lightning strikes than other trees, whether because of their wood's low electrical resistance or the fact that they were frequently the largest, tallest living things in the landscape.
  
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-  * Vlier, Elder, Sambucus+**  * Vlier, Elder, Sambucus** 
 + 
 +{{:elder6919lg.jpg?200|}}
  
 Please meet the pharmacist of the forest. Please meet the pharmacist of the forest.
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 Not only enjoying the sweet smell and the taste of the blossom in teas and syrups, but also making jams and jenever from the berries. Not only enjoying the sweet smell and the taste of the blossom in teas and syrups, but also making jams and jenever from the berries.
  
-//Healing power//+ 
 +**//Healing power//**
 The entire tree is to be used for healing purposes. The entire tree is to be used for healing purposes.
 Flowers and berries are used in treating the flu, alleviating allergies, and boosting overall respiratory health. Flowers and berries are used in treating the flu, alleviating allergies, and boosting overall respiratory health.
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 Washing her face in dew gathered from elderflowers was believed to enhance and preserve a woman's youthful beauty, and derivatives of elder continue to be used in skin cleansers such as Eau de Sareau, and eye lotions. Elderberry wine, elderflower cordial and dried elderflowers for infusion are all still commercially available. A couple of cups of hot elderflower tea before bedtime helps to bring on a cleansing sweat to combat cold and 'flu-like symptoms, and elderberry drinks were formerly prescribed to sooth throat complaints. A fine elderflower champagne can be made using the yeasts naturally present in the blossoms, which can also be dipped in a batter and eaten as fritters. Washing her face in dew gathered from elderflowers was believed to enhance and preserve a woman's youthful beauty, and derivatives of elder continue to be used in skin cleansers such as Eau de Sareau, and eye lotions. Elderberry wine, elderflower cordial and dried elderflowers for infusion are all still commercially available. A couple of cups of hot elderflower tea before bedtime helps to bring on a cleansing sweat to combat cold and 'flu-like symptoms, and elderberry drinks were formerly prescribed to sooth throat complaints. A fine elderflower champagne can be made using the yeasts naturally present in the blossoms, which can also be dipped in a batter and eaten as fritters.
  
-//Traditional uses//+**//Traditional uses//**
 Branches from the elder are also used to make the flutes. Magic flute? Sounds can heal deepest illnesses... Branches from the elder are also used to make the flutes. Magic flute? Sounds can heal deepest illnesses...
 In common with other trees with white blossom, such as hawthorn and rowan, the elder had strong associations with Faery- and Goddess-centred mythology.  In common with other trees with white blossom, such as hawthorn and rowan, the elder had strong associations with Faery- and Goddess-centred mythology. 
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-  * Hazelnut, hazelnoot, corylus+  *** Hazelnut, hazelnoot, corylus** 
 + 
 +{{:dscn0604.jpg?200|}}
  
 Please meet the witch of the forest. Please meet the witch of the forest.
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 Hazel has long been a favourite wood from which to make staffs, whether for ritual Druidic use, for medieval self defence. Hazel shafts were used for water divining, and this practice evolved into the making of pilgrims’ staffs, shepherds’ crooks and walking sticks. Hazel has long been a favourite wood from which to make staffs, whether for ritual Druidic use, for medieval self defence. Hazel shafts were used for water divining, and this practice evolved into the making of pilgrims’ staffs, shepherds’ crooks and walking sticks.
  
 +
 +**//More stories//**
 Known as the Tree of Knowledge in Norse mythology, the hazel was sacred to the god Thor. In Irish and Welsh folklore, the hazel was believed to be a fairy tree, and it still grows near many holy wells. Tara, the seat of ancient Irish kings, was located close to a hazel wood. and it is said that members of the Fianna, a legendary band of Irish warriors, learned to defend themselves with only a hazel stick and a shield. Known as the Tree of Knowledge in Norse mythology, the hazel was sacred to the god Thor. In Irish and Welsh folklore, the hazel was believed to be a fairy tree, and it still grows near many holy wells. Tara, the seat of ancient Irish kings, was located close to a hazel wood. and it is said that members of the Fianna, a legendary band of Irish warriors, learned to defend themselves with only a hazel stick and a shield.
  
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 In Roman mythology the Hazel is attributed to the god Mercury (Mercurius), whose counterpart in Greek mythology is Hermes. Mercury/Hermes was the messenger of the gods and also the god of commerce, manual skill, eloquence, cleverness, travel and thievery. He is often depicted with a staff or wand of Hazel called a Caduceus, and wearing a broad rimed travelling hat and sandals. As Hermes in Greek legend, when he was only a few hours old he escaped from his cradle and went out in search of adventure. Later that evening feeling hungry, he stole two oxen from Apollo (the god of the sun) and hid them in a cave where he killed and eat them. When Apollo discovered what had happened, Hermes played to him on a lyre, which he made by stretching cords across a tortoise shell. Apollo was so charmed by his music he allowed him to go unpunished. In gratitude Hermes gave his lyre to Apollo, who in return gave him a magical Caduceus made of Hazel, said to bestowed wisdom, wealth and prosperity on its owner by turning everything it touched into gold. In Roman mythology the Hazel is attributed to the god Mercury (Mercurius), whose counterpart in Greek mythology is Hermes. Mercury/Hermes was the messenger of the gods and also the god of commerce, manual skill, eloquence, cleverness, travel and thievery. He is often depicted with a staff or wand of Hazel called a Caduceus, and wearing a broad rimed travelling hat and sandals. As Hermes in Greek legend, when he was only a few hours old he escaped from his cradle and went out in search of adventure. Later that evening feeling hungry, he stole two oxen from Apollo (the god of the sun) and hid them in a cave where he killed and eat them. When Apollo discovered what had happened, Hermes played to him on a lyre, which he made by stretching cords across a tortoise shell. Apollo was so charmed by his music he allowed him to go unpunished. In gratitude Hermes gave his lyre to Apollo, who in return gave him a magical Caduceus made of Hazel, said to bestowed wisdom, wealth and prosperity on its owner by turning everything it touched into gold.
  
-//Magical Uses//+ 
 +**//Magical Uses//**
 The use of Hazel divining rods (dowsing rod) to detect water and mineral veins comes down from antiquity, the art of which is called “rhabdomancy”. Typically a divining rod has two forks off its main stem shaped like the letter “Y”.The two forks of the rod are gripped with the fore fingers along the forks, so that the tail end of the rod points down toward the ground to begin searching. Another method was to peel the bark of the rod and simply lay it on the palm of the hand. The same method was used to find treasure, thieves and murderers. The use of Hazel divining rods (dowsing rod) to detect water and mineral veins comes down from antiquity, the art of which is called “rhabdomancy”. Typically a divining rod has two forks off its main stem shaped like the letter “Y”.The two forks of the rod are gripped with the fore fingers along the forks, so that the tail end of the rod points down toward the ground to begin searching. Another method was to peel the bark of the rod and simply lay it on the palm of the hand. The same method was used to find treasure, thieves and murderers.
  
  • identity_of_trees_walks.txt
  • Last modified: 2014-08-28 20:00
  • by rasa