Trees in particular were mysterious and seemed to me direct embodiments of the incomprehensible meaning of life. For that reason, the woods were the places where I felt closest to its deepest meaning and to its awe-inspiring workings.
~ Carl Jung
(Memories, Dreams, Reflections)
Carl Jung got that right. Of course in his time the forest were still abundant in ways they no longer are. Yet enjoying the walks in and around nature have been a simple pleasure that I have grown to love as well as long for…
I’m with you there, Jeff, I long for my walks in the woods and get a bit stir crazy when deprived of contact with the natural world. I’ve been so pleased lately at the amount of land in our area being set aside permanently for open space.
Lovely post, Barbara, celebrating the sacredness of trees and the glories of spring. And such an engaging painting as well. Cheers to you on this springtime Sunday.
Thank you, Jet! I think Childe Hassam’s paintings capture the beauty and seasonal colors of New England so well. When the trees leaf out here they are this shade of yellow-green before getting to the deeper blue-greens of summer. Hope you’re having a lovely spring on your side of the country.
Yes, being in the woods is where I feel most alive. Thank you for this quote. I read Memories, Dreams, Reflections when I was in my 20s and it made a big impression.
Me, too, being in the woods (or by the sea) is what keeps me going. I’m happy you enjoyed the quote, Anna. I’m listening to the book on Audible now, it’s my kind of autobiography, knowing what was going on inside his head.
Yes, there’s something of the sacred in being surrounded by trees. I’d never read this quote before, and I find it resonates with me … particularly today, for some reason. Thank you, Barbara!
You’re welcome, Debbie! The quote resonated with me, too. I grew up playing in the woods and was always sensitive to the energy of trees, looking at them as my friends. It’s nice to know you and others appreciate their sacredness, too.
I see you, Barbara in these wood. A spiritual college of sort. Are these Birch trees like the one out your windows of your garden?
Very similar, TD, if not exactly the same. I know there are several species native to our state. I love seeing groves of them in the woods.
How lucky we are to have nature to escape to and get away from it all, especially after such a horrible news weekend which leaves you reeling. Once again you have picked a perfect photo to pair with this quote Barbara.
Thank you, Linda. My heart is filled with gratitude to have so much nature so close by, but at the same time it aches for those who are the victims of hate crimes, gun violence, oppression and war.
It has been a brutal year for crime of all types and when you hear the backstory of the people who commit the crimes and why, it is even more heartbreaking.
Those backstories are chilling.
Yes they are – things going on that the rest of the world is not mindful of.
🙁