TREES PRAYING

Inspiration

The Anishhinaabeg name for the Balsam Fir (Albies balsamea) is ‘Ingiigido’aag, which translates as “It speaks for us” or “It stands in prayer for us”.  With her upraised boughs, reaching for the sky more than any other conifer tree, the Balsam Fir appears to be praying for the world.  The mingling of her fragrance with the air currents is certainly a blessing.  Balsam Fir is one of the Boreal trees that cleans the world’s air, coming out pollution with her needles, the air currents bring clean air and medicine to the South.  The Northern Forest’s fragrances are a living wellspring biologically active medicinal aerosols of antibiotics, anti-fungals, antivirals and aseptic cleaners.

Balsam fir resin is unique in that it is one of the few natural substances that light can pass through freely without distorting.  Its resin is still used, in light-field microscopy, to fix objects at the highest power.  This alignment with light is part of its very being.  It also shares some interesting aspects with other trees in the world that produce resin considered sacred, such as frankincense and benzoin.  All trees preferring to grow on hilltops overlooking watercourses.  Hilltops have long been considered sacred spaces by all religions.

In Trees Praying, I use the liquid light that is liquid balsam fir resin along with Eastern white cedar wood (arborvitae/tree of life) and combine them with the classic old-world sacred incense resin blend of frankincense, benzoin and myrrh.  To which I a touch of ancient, medicinal tree moss, the wisest of plants.  The scent of Tree’s Praying is like a Gregorian chant.  A chorus of voices rising in prayer, gentle, harmonious and full of light.