In my meditation this morning, I was told to take some cedar needles(leaves) and some sage leaves, make a tea and drink it before I continue my day's work. Cedar is for growth, even in winter (the dark days). It is evergreen and ancient, while pine is evergreen and young.

If Cedar comes into your life, it means that maturity has been reached. By smudging one's room rubbing the fresh leaves on your skin, and drinking it internally, a purification though ancient rites and ancestral spirits will occur. Dried up, old ideas, once burned as an incense with focus on new growth about to replace the one you are burning, as the smoke goes to the next level, where the elders sit in council, the old ideas will be reviewed and returned to you with a fresh approach.

Cedar is and always has been the main herb/incense used in healing ceremonies, or "sits". Sage, of course is the elders themselves, used in the chanupa (the pipe representing the foces of both the Grandmother and the Grandfather) the chief smokes as the stones in a sweat are getting hotter and hotter.

The Cedar Waxwing bird often appears in the dead of winter (she loves to nest in cedar trees, thus her name cedar waxwing) to remind us that spring is 'round the corner....

Joseph Campbell found in his world-wide research that all cultures once "Talked to The Trees" and the Northwest Indian tribes, (if we hadn't nearly destroyed their culture) would have placed a tree (or plant) symbol atop the Totem Poles, above raven, eagle and crow. Trees ARE THE NEXT LEVEL of enlightenment (closer to god/sky). They were here long before any animals or birds arrived. Creator really placed these things for us, long before any of us arrived, to be used in so many ways.

If anyone wants a reading on Totem Plants, I will be glad to help. Ask yourself three questions, "What's my favorite tree?" "My favorite flower/plant?" and then sit back, clear your mind (like think about an animal...something else that inspires you). Finally close your eyes and when the first plant/tree that comes to your mind happens, write it down and give me the three answers.

I will interpret them for you, or you can begin to use the three questions/answers in this way: Question/Answer 1 refers to empowering ideas/forces that have made you feel good about yourself (not necessarily the kind of trees you see around you all the time).

Question/Answer 2 represents the little 'helpers' in your life and Question/Answer 3 is about your present situation. Aho!

I have been thinking about this for days, WD....I LOVE this, because frankly, I feel closer to the trees than I do my animal totem.

My favorite trees are the really OLD Live Oaks, the kind down in Mississippi...the hundred and two hundred year old ones, the kind you can sleep in, and live in....the kind that have moss for drapes...lol....

My favorite plant has to be white Lillies...and I do love lilacs...well and then there are white roses, too...that is a hard one...I also adore Gladiolas....lol

As for the third question, I can't think of anything but a Weepping Willow...I have one in my back yard I planted from a seedling and I adore it. I always wanted a Weeping Willow by the river banks....there is something about the canopy of a willow that makes me feel safe...and I don't think they are crying at all....lol

Love to you WD, I'll send you the password for Admin as soon as my new name comes to me. Be The Miracle just didn't fit anymore....that was more of a statement, ya know? Anyway, I can't wait to hear your interpretation!

Hey! BTM, Old oak is sacred to Celtic tradition, and gypsy tradition. It IS (for them) The Tree of Life, Ygadszil. The acorn is wisdom, and is also sacred to salmon as well as hazelnuts are. This choice represents old druid wisdom (check out your connection to blackbirds/wrens). They (the blackbird in particular ARE DRUID, In fact druid drubh, the name of the blackbird in welsh spells enchantment as well, and wren means god in druidry. Wisdom, faith in the divine and enchantment are your STRONG GROWTH points.

The flowers: While the roses and lillies are all about the feminine (Mary, mother of Jesus, and The White Goddess of the moon (Artemis) standing for purity), GLADIOLAS are male---the way they grow on a stock). Like sword symbols they are all about projection. This means you PROJECT the essence of motherhood mary---devotion/pure love. Mother Mary, even the life of Mother Teresa ARE your helpers. Think of all the little things Mary did for her Son......

The weeping willow: It came to your mind first, meaning its about a current situation. Like its name, you must be feeling sadness, about family (spreading canopy style like a Willow in the Wind, like the tree itself in your backyard. Always note the birds that come to rest on its branches during this time too. They will guide you through sadness and sorrow.

I know the strength of old oaken memories (from the past, perhaps even ancient past) will see you through your current situation too.

I hope this is of help to you. I can see you dozing off into Welsh/Celtic times, particularly, as we are about to celebrate Halloween (Samhain- A Druid's most sacred holiday, honoring all of our ancestors).

Happy Samhain, BTM!