Redwoods, the high and long perspective
[Plant Archetypes] Walking amongst the giants
[Green Flowers, Green Hearts] [Soulful Experiences]
Honoring Ancient Plant Ancestors
After being through an initiation in learning with and from Plant Archetypes, I was eager for connection with plants I already felt drawn to, and experience their Archetypal presence. The ancient forests of Redwoods Sequoia sempevirens had been calling me, and I had a chance to visit them for the first time in 1991.
Redwood forests develop in cycles of more than 2000 years
My first entry into this grandiose and unparalleled natural space was like a passage through a portal. Redwoods do indeed offer us a passage through a portal of time.
Redwoods are survivors of very old eras, when a thick mist covered most continents. In a unique way, these immensely tall trees capture the humidity of the air to feed an immense system of development that comprises the tree itself, and all the beings that inhabit its many levels up to its highest canopy. It is believed that they distribute water and nutrients both from ground to top, as well as from top to bottom.
A long time ago, Redwoods covered large expanses of the Earth, but after radical changes that brought many species to extinction, their groves remain in existence only in the Northern California coastal strip where a cold, moist fog preserves these native forests, nourishing their uninterrupted growth.
Heroic victory of early conservationists
The few remaining areas of old growth forests are the only living testimony of the grandiosity of these forests. Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world, some of the oldest reaching over 100 meters.
We owe the privilege of still seeing a few remaining groves, to the fervor and untiring struggle of countless activists, such as John Muir, who considered these forests a heritage to be preserved for the next generations. Thanks to their arduous fight against the greedy logging of these last wild areas, we still have the blessing of visiting these true Cathedrals of Nature.
No photography or video will ever do them justice.
For this reason, if you have not walked through Redwoods, I strongly encourage you to give yourself the gift of this sublime experience.
Redwoods support one another by interweaving their roots
On entering a Redwoods National Park trail I saw a diagram explaining how these tall trees, that do not have deep roots, survive the power of the elements. It showed us how they intertwine their roots, sustaining one another for continued growth.
Another striking feature of these trees is that they are fire resistant, surviving cyclical fires that are a natural part of this ecosystem. Even when heavily damaged, they continue to grow and develop, integrating the marks of the trial of fire they have endured.
Redwoods grow forever
Redwoods grow vertically, moving towards the light. From a certain point well above the ground, old Redwoods create new large upper arms, expanding their presence while continuing to ascend upwards. The video below never ceases to enchant me...
Different ecosystems at different heights
At invisible heights for those looking from below, the upper stories of old growth and tall Redwoods sustain different ecosystems, populated by other species of plants and animals that like living closer to the sun.
These upper landscapes were more recently discovered by climbers, who have, with the use of low impact equipment, been able to climb high up, reaching and observing the higher stories of existing old growth Redwoods. It has been a breakthrough for us to learn about these unique eco-systems on the upper stories of the trees.
Portals of perception and integration
Looking back, I feel I had to go that far to establish a connection with deep sources of information from Nature, as well as reawaken access to archives of awareness of my own soul. The initiation I was going through at that time seemed to be interconnecting all these levels.
Moved by the presence of these beings, who witnessed innumerable ages and passages, I also felt in contact with the antiquity of my own soul.
A feeling of having witnessed all kinds of passages and cycles of the soul’s life in a human body, seemed to allow for a multidimensional access to archives of soul experience, making this probing into these levels of awareness accessible.
I would feel this deepening sense of perspective offering me glimpses into soul experience when practicing flower essence therapy for the years to come.
Fairy rings of the Redwoods
More recently, there is newer information about the fact that the so called “Fairy Rings” of Redwoods, are not necessarily re-growths from one same rootstock.
It is being discovered that some of these are actually genetically different individual trees, growing interconnected in circle form!
Plant Life and Soul Life archetypal awarenesss
More than the Redwood’s mutual support through the interweaving of roots, that had struck such a deep soul chord in me, this awareness of the fairy rings evokes in me the deeper and unspoken longing that old souls feel for reconnecting with soul group, and how encouraging this is when it happens.
Redwood is part of the Range of Light Essences
Richard Katz's study shares many details about the plant, as well as photos of its essence being prepared.
Redwood Sequoia sempervirens
Positive qualities: Stature and majesty in physical incarnation; soul embrace of creative forces for growth and physical vitality
As with all flower essences, the research continues to deepen and expand on their essence qualities. Redwood calls us to work with it over time.
