A week ago last Friday....

I've always wanted to do the Sukkot thing, it sounds like fun, and I'm all about doing fun things in the name of religion. Sarah and I had talked about it desultorily. However, that week Sarah kept talking about doing something for Equinox. (For those who come into this late, we're a tri-religious family: I'm pagan, Juergen is non-church Christian, and Sarah and daughter Becky are Jewish. So, yes, this is silly.)

Finally I got the email from the campus Hillel person about Sukkot on Friday and said to Sarah, "Let's do a Sukkot-Equinox thing tonight!" ( Read more... )
And it was good.

Found this in our collection:
Fred Hageneder. The Spirit of Trees: Science, Symbiosis, and Inspiration. (New York: Continuum, 2005).

The first part of the book is an interesting synthesis of scientific information and New Age theories-- connections of trees to star rhythms, for instance. The second half is descriptions of particular trees, first from a fairly straightforward biological/botanical perspective, then a summary of healing uses (modern and traditional) and of traditional myths about the tree, followed by 'inspiration'-- mystical suggestions about the tree and its uses.

The trees that are covered are: Birch, Rowan, Ash, Alder, Willow, Poplar, Aspen, Hawthorn, Maple, Elm, Beech, Oak, Holly, Hazel, Apple, Ivy, Blackthorn, Elder, Lime (Linden), Spruce, Larch, Pine, Juniper, and Yew.

There's a an interesting introduction to Botanical Basics, as well as some ecological information. It's also illustrated with photos and drawings, and contains a wealth of quotes about the tradition of the trees, but goes beyond the Celtic/Germanic year trees. I'm not entirely sure what to make of it, but for pagan/eco-feminist reference it looks helpful.