Spirit of the Juniper Tree

Artistry, photos and poetic reflections of Teresa Settles (of Tryon, North Carolina)
inspired by her April, 2006 spirit of nature experiences in Sedona

and introduction to
Plant Spirit Consciousness
by Sandra Cosentino

Plants metabolize sunlight into energy for the benefit of all of the earth. Like animals, each plant has a unique spirit or energy form. Plant beings have a consciousness we can connect to if we slow down and tune in. Have you every noticed how certain trees or flowers make you feel happy or soothed or like they are special friends? You have a feeling or connection to them. Ancient pharmacopoeias of nature-oriented societies developed out of listening to the spirit of the plants, teaching humans how to use them.

Growing on rocky, sun soaked, arid sites--the rugged, enduring juniper is a special plant in the Southwest; in a sense, one of the spiritual guardians. Native peoples here burn its needles for purifying homes, human energy fields and and ceremonial spaces. The needles and berries are boiled into an immune strengthening tea. The trunk and branches make the best firewood around--aromatic and steady burning. Sore joints and wounds are soaked in a boiled juniper solution. Juniper roof beams thousands of years old still survive in prehistoric cliff dwellings around the Southwest. A Hopi wise person told me the spirit of the caretaker of this earth travels with the juniper.

I like to start our earth spirit connection work by tuning into the spirit of juniper. From this, most people have an experience of feeling deeply welcomed and embraced by this land during our juniper journeys. Some even connect with ancestor spirits and begin to sense the deeper "medicine" of juniper. Medicine in this sense is the ancient way of saying that each unique creation on earth has its own unique connection to Source which will reveal itself to you in a way that is helpful to you if you are open, if it is right for you and if your enter in friendship.

"Observe how any plant interacts with soil, air, minerals, animals and insects. Everything around it is enriched and benefited by its presence. Plants live in harmony with nature. One might even say that plants are nature. Out of this union comes their incredible generosity to us and to all their other fellow creatures. ..Plant medicine connects us to the spirit of place. ..Connection with nature is health; health is life. ..How we relate to the landscape within is how we relate to the landscape without. Plants wish us well in every way. They can provide not only for our physical needs, but also for our heart and soul. They are perfectly willing to bring us into the blessings of their union with nature. But, they can do nothing unless they are asked." from Plant Spirit Medicine by Eliot Cowan.

I really enjoyed how deeply and quickly Teresa made her own connection to the spirit of juniper as you can see from her drawings, photos and words herein. I am happy to share that with you in hopes you will be inspired to connect in friendship to the living spirit of your favorite plant beings.

LIVING TO BE
IS NOT JUST FOR THE JUNIPER TREE

Fresh air, fair sun and the Juniper trees
The drums play, my head tilts back
The Juniper flexes and bends getting ready
to tell its story………...

Harmony and sharing, creating and caring
Branches from two Junipers reach for one another
Getting smaller and smaller like veins reaching through time standing
Until they are reduced to the tiniest common element –
From which all life springs
The branches mirror each other saying
"creation is simple just reflect yourself"
Teresa Settles / May 2006

posted May 7, 2006
updated Mar. 3, 2008