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identity_of_trees_walks [2014-08-12 14:16] – rasaidentity_of_trees_walks [2014-08-12 14:28] – rasa
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-===Tree walk in Forêt de Soignes===+==== Tree walk in Forêt de Soignes/Zoniënwoud ==== 
 + 
 Initially developed in collaboration with Z33 and Heath Bunting and performed in the framework of [[http://www.bessst.be/|Bessst]] in April 2013 Initially developed in collaboration with Z33 and Heath Bunting and performed in the framework of [[http://www.bessst.be/|Bessst]] in April 2013
  
-**Itinerary** 
  
-**Start**: Entrance Drève du Comte/Graafdreef, Enfants Noyés/Verdronken Kinderen, next to the former Hippodrome, Watermael-Boitsfort/Watermaal-Bosvoorde; walk down to the water+=== Itinerary === 
 + 
 +== 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+== 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
  
-**Duration**: +- 1 hour+== Duration == 
 ++- 1 hour
  
 {{:forestwalk_map.png?200|}} {{:forestwalk_map.png?200|}}
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-**A little introduction**+=== 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. 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.
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-**Walk & become a member of the Silent Political Party of Trees** +=== Walk & become a member of the Silent Political Party of Trees ===
  
 By chosing to walk and become a member of the Party of Trees, you're not joining any regular type of political party you know. They will not represent their ego nor short term views. Trees are networked species. They aim for their own survival, that is true, but they will always realise this in collaboration with others.  By chosing to walk and become a member of the Party of Trees, you're not joining any regular type of political party you know. They will not represent their ego nor short term views. Trees are networked species. They aim for their own survival, that is true, but they will always realise this in collaboration with others. 
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- ** * Oak, Eik, Chêne, Quercus robur**+== * Oak, Eik, Chêne, Quercus robur ==
  
 {{:dscn0607.jpg?200|}} {{:dscn0607.jpg?200|}}
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-**  * Elder, Vlier, Sureau, Sambucus nigra**+== * Elder, Vlier, Sureau, Sambucus nigra ==
  
 {{:elder6919lg.jpg?200|}} {{:elder6919lg.jpg?200|}}
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 People have been using it for ages. People have been using it for ages.
 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.
 +
 +When you walk on, pick something up and keep it warm.
  
  
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-  *** Hazelnut, hazelnoot, noisetier, corylus**+== * Hazelnut, hazelnoot, noisetier, corylus ==
  
 {{:dscn0604.jpg?200|}} {{:dscn0604.jpg?200|}}
  
-//+// The branches of the hazel are very flexible and strong, find out for yourself: touch, bend, climb //
  
 Please meet the witch of the forest. Please meet the witch of the forest.
 Down through the ages the Hazel has always been considered magical, and was used primarily for its powers of divination. Down through the ages the Hazel has always been considered magical, and was used primarily for its powers of divination.
  
-It was believed that hazelnuts was concentration of wisdom and poetic inspiration. There are several variations on an ancient tale that nine hazel trees grew around a sacred pool, dropping nuts into the water to be eaten by some salmon (a fish revered by Druids) which thereby absorbed the wisdom. The number of bright spots on the salmon were said to indicate how many nuts they had eaten.+It was believed that hazelnuts contained a concentration of wisdom and poetic inspiration. There are several variations on an ancient tale that nine hazel trees grew around a sacred pool, dropping nuts into the water to be eaten by some salmon (a fish revered by Druids) which thereby absorbed the wisdom. The number of bright spots on the salmon were said to indicate how many nuts they had eaten.
  
 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.
  
- +While you walk on to meet the next tree, think of your house and all the things made of wood.
-**//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. +
- +
-Since mediaeval times trees have been considered sacred. For example Hazel for its wisdom and the Oak for its strength and so on. Any unjustified felling of an Apple, Hazel or Oak tree, was a crime worthy of the death penalty. Hazel-wands have often been found in the coffins of notable personalities, for among the chiefs and rulers of ancient times, a wand of Hazel was considered a symbol of authority and wisdom. +
- +
-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.
  
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 Also the old, supple twigs of Hazel were woven into crowns and called “wishing caps”, which when worn and if you wished very hard, would make all your desires come true. Sailors, believing them to offer protection against bad storms at sea, also wore wishing caps.The ancient druids believed they could induce invisibility by wearing them. Twigs of Hazel placed on window ledges give protection against lightening, and three pins of Hazel hammered into a wall of the house would protect it from fire. Also the old, supple twigs of Hazel were woven into crowns and called “wishing caps”, which when worn and if you wished very hard, would make all your desires come true. Sailors, believing them to offer protection against bad storms at sea, also wore wishing caps.The ancient druids believed they could induce invisibility by wearing them. Twigs of Hazel placed on window ledges give protection against lightening, and three pins of Hazel hammered into a wall of the house would protect it from fire.
  
-But my favourite story of Hazelnut is the legend about golden snake. The legend says that if you find a hazel tree with the mistletoe growing on its branches it means there is a golden snake living under it. If you can catch that snake you will gain the power of invisibility.+But our favourite story of Hazelnut is the legend about golden snake. The legend says that if you find a hazel tree with the mistletoe growing on its branches it means there is a golden snake living under it. If you can catch that snake, you will gain the power of invisibility. 
 + 
 + 
 +**//More myths//** 
 + 
 +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. 
 + 
 +Since medieval times trees have been considered sacred. For example Hazel for its wisdom and the Oak for its strength and so on. Any unjustified felling of an Apple, Hazel or Oak tree, was a crime worthy of the death penalty. Hazel-wands have often been found in the coffins of notable personalities, for among the chiefs and rulers of ancient times, a wand of Hazel was considered a symbol of authority and wisdom. 
 + 
 +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.
  
  
  • identity_of_trees_walks.txt
  • Last modified: 2014-08-28 20:00
  • by rasa