The Ash Trees

Guardians of the Hill

I’d been living here on top of this sweet hill, constantly gazing at the mountains, the mist, and the changing seasons, for almost three years when I realized that I didn’t know what kind of trees were framing my spectacular view.

And I call myself a Tree lover.

So, one day in the spring, I moseyed over to them with my PictureThis plant ID app in hand.

White Ash, it declared.

White ash is a species of ash tree native to North America. Its leaves turn distinctly bright yellow or red in the autumn. “Fraxinus americana” is a fast-growing pioneer species that often inhabits riparian zones, and fragmented and disturbed habitats. — PictureThis

White Ash, Fraxinus americana

But seriously. Do you think that’s the kind of description I was looking for? Where’s the magic?

And so I headed to my bookshelf, and almost immediately, my gaze fell upon “Tree Medicine Tree Magic” by Ellen Evert Hopman.

I opened the book, and, of course, it landed on page 41, and a beautiful botanical illustration of the White Ash.

Ash

Supple Ash, The Unicorns’ Friend

Holy synchronicity!

I have pulled the Unicorn card twice since I started writing this post.

UNICORN

Reconnecting to Higher Wisdom or Divinity

It’s difficult to see, hear, or think of a Unicorn without immediately questioning if it’s real. Did they ever exist? Perhaps long, long ago? The mind answers, “maybe…” or “it could be…” or “no way.” This very contemplation explains our relationship with divinity, and encapsulates our wavering belief in the Unicorn. We wonder what divinity is. We wonder where our intuition comes from and if we can really trust it. We think about a higher power and our mind hesitates between yes, no, and maybe. Is it male or female? Does it have a name? Is it just a feeling? The Unicorn card appears and “wakes us up” to curiosity about the higher self and the divine. It is a card of questioning, exploring, and contemplating the inexplicable. The mind’s eye knows there is something beyond our day-to-day lives, a deeper dimension to our experiences. The mind’s eye reaches and reaches and reaches out to grasp something more. You are the Unicorn, and you have begun your quest for the answers.

— Kim Krans, “The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Guidebook”

Do you remember my story “A Dose of Moose Medicine?” When it happened, I knew that he or she was a Moose, and yet he or she seemed more like a mystical creature. Like a black Unicorn, only without a horn.

I’m just realizing now that the Moose/Unicorn appeared from between the Ash trees! :)

Here are a few of Ellen’s insights from “Tree Medicine Tree Magic.”

Native Americans believed ash was a tree that was sensitive to and in harmony with the Earth and her creatures. Ash teaches us a mature understanding of emotions as it brings soothing insights to problems.  

People drawn to the ash cultivate peace of mind which they share with those around them. They often become teachers, counselors, history keepers, medicine people, and herbalists. While ash people prefer to live in solitude, they will make themselves available to others and may attract many individuals to their circle.

To the ancient Celts, ash symbolized the span of existence from the past to present to future.

Ash wands are suitable to use in healing magic.

It is rumored that unicorns are fond of ash trees. To catch a glimpse of a unicorn, carry ash wood or leaves or lie in a bed of ash and place its leaves on your chest.

Ash is the hottest wood for fires.

Like the oak, it “courts the flash” of lightening and lives to tell the tale.

—Ellen Evert Hopman

And, of course, I had to take a peek at what Ted Andrews had to say about the Ash tree.

It is not a flashy tree, but it embodies strength that can be relied upon. Although often unnoticed around other trees, the message is often that one doesn’t need to be noticed to lead a noble life.

It has often been a tree of protection and many once believed that no serpent would ever lie in its shadow.

It has a spirit that awakens great strength and might. It is a universal source of light and life energy, amplifying the innate abilities of the individual.

The ash is a reminder that all things are connected, even if we don’t see the connection initially. They remind us to move forward with gentleness and strength.

— Ted Andrews - “Nature-Speak: Signs, Omens & Messages in Nature”

Well, I thought that this past spring was my first introduction to the lovely Ash. But, when I went looking for my notebook from the Blue Deer Center while writing another story, I turned the page, and there she was. Ash tree.

Ash was one of the plants that we sat with and then journeyed to meet with the plant’s spirit in “Wisdom of the Divine Natural World” with Eliot Cowan.

It was May of 2017.

I learned from Eliot that Ash trees are close to extinction because of the Emerald Ash Borer. Hearing that immediately took me back to my first memorable tree loss as a young girl growing up in Northwest Detroit.

I woke up one morning in the summer to find the ground covered with dead leaves from our beloved American Elm tree. Dutch Elm disease had taken her from us, along with thousands of other stately Elms that lined the streets of Detroit.

When I sat alone with one of the Ash trees at the Blue Deer Center, I saw the face of a Dragon in her trunk. I looked for a photo but couldn’t find one.

She (the Ash) was a delicate-looking tree, especially her leaves. The bark looked strong but there were many crevices that lay open to invading insects.

I leaned my body into the Ash and felt my heartbeat join with hers.

I heard her say “It is our time to leave. We have absorbed much of the negativity here on Earth. Our job is done. Some of us are ready to leave. Others are hanging on. Don’t be sad for us.”

I received another message which I’ll keep close to my heart. And then, when I said goodbye, the Ash told me that I can honor Mother Nature by sharing her beauty, strength, and wisdom through my art and writing.”

After sitting with the trees, Eliot came and got us and led us into the yurt to do a journey to the Lower World to meet the spirit of Ash.

I decided to go to the Lower World via the river. I thought it would be less claustrophobic than a hole in the ground if I jumped into the river and slid down, as if on a water slide.

I soon found myself in a wide glen with nothing but Ash trees. The Dragon that I saw in the tree that morning greeted me warmly.

He was the Spirit of the Ash. I was surprised to feel a masculine energy because the Ash tree exudes such feminine energy.

My notes say: Dragon/Fire/Ash/Burning.

Have I told you how much I love Dragons?

In the glen there was purple all around and that bright spring green that is so intoxicating.

One of the trees stepped forward to tell me that many of the Earth trees were weak and overburdened and while some were choosing to stay, others felt they’d lived their purpose in this lifetime and were leaving.

She referenced the message I’d received about leaving if I chose and said it was correct but if I wanted to stay, I needed to stop taking on so much negative energy. I’m strong but I’m also fragile and all they want me to do now is heal with my art. That is enough.

The Dragon, Spirit of the Ash, asked if I would like him to take me back and I said yes.

And so, he did.

I don’t have a photo of the Ash or of the Dragon, but I do have a photo of the river who delivered us to the Lower World.

Saskawhihiwine River

While I was writing this post last week, the wood for my woodstove was delivered. Guess what kind of wood he cut for me?

All Ash.

Believe me, I won’t be tossing logs on the fire this winter without thinking of where they came from, with gratitude.

Clara the Dove and her partner love to fly up into the Ash trees on the hill after they’ve feasted at Turkey Rock.

And, now that the bugs are (mostly) gone, I can hang my hammock between two of the trees (there are about six in all) and watch their delicate leaves change as the weather cools.

I’m wondering if anyone out there has a special relationship with an Ash tree that they’d like to share.

One by one, I’m becoming more intimately acquainted with the beautiful trees who surround me in this little piece of Nature paradise where I so serendipitously landed.

Much Love,
Barbara

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