I have wanted a Tree of Life pendant for a few years now. I look at them then think "I can make one of those." But it's finding the time to actually make one.
A couple weekends ago, my husband was going to go to work in Maryland (six hours from where we now live), so I decided it would be a good time to start, so I started the circle. The weekend was going to hold just my girls and I again and we didn't have any plans, great time to start crafting. They love it when I sit and craft. I love it as well, it calms me, grounds me and helps me remember who I am deep inside.
The next day, after my husband and son left and I woke and started my morning chores. After a while, I sat and I began the roots. My girls watched now and again in between episodes of a new show they were watching. It's my first attempt, and I'm taking it slowly. I tend to get "tunnel vision" and I didn't want to turn this into a chore that had to be done by a specific time.
The girls wanted to know why I started with the roots. In trying to see how this is done, we had Googled and YouTubed instructions. Some start at the top and worked their way down, some started at the bottom. I told my girls, everything has roots that need to grow up. Only stalactites grow down, but they still have a root of sorts that hold them up. "Ohhhh" They watched as I twisted the roots and twisted them all together to make the trunk. "Why are the roots all twisted?" I explained that the roots aren't straight because there is never a straight path to the end. They take a different path as they grow, either for better nourishment or because of an obstacle. This makes them stronger.
"Why is the trunk so thick?" Because it has to hold up all the branches as they spread out and reach towards the sky.
"Why are there so many branches?" (As they look outside and we use a living tree as an example) To hold all the leaves, which will catch the sun light and moon light, catch the raindrops as they fall from the sky, catch the breeze which will help them grow and help them make oxygen, and to provide us with blessed shade. I asked them what else these branches do? They answer that they help hide the birds, give the birds places to build nests, places to climb up, squirrels to play, fairies to live - I love all their answers.
"Why do you have so many moonstones on your branches?" I'm placing them there to remind me of all the blessings I have, the moon for Cancer, and the star that I should always reach towards.
I go on to tell them that every time I wear this amulet it will remind me of all that I have, where I came from, five main roots for the five of us, that I am a child of the moon and I reach for the stars. I also tell them that since I have made it with my own hands, I have infused it with my intentions, protection, permission, positivity, prosperity and growth that it will help me remember to grow and that I am protected.
When I was done and they each looked at it and held it, they both asked if I would make them one. Silly question, of course I would. As I made theirs, I made sure to tell them what theirs meant, the beauty they hold and they create. The love that I am infusing into it to hold them warmly. I figure later will will discuss the Norse stories, but for now, this was our Tree of Life.