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This big, beautiful aspen tree has been the subject of many of my artworks. Conveniently located right in front of my house, it also holds great meaning and symbolism.
Symbolic Meanings of Aspen Trees:
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Three symbolic meanings I use often in my artwork are:
Transcendental symbolism, which comes from the dance of leaves. The characteristic fluttering of aspen tree leaves is one of their most notable attributes. Aspen leaves quiver and flutter in the slightest breeze, creating their own music as they dance with the cosmic beat. The shimmering effect that results creates the characteristic aspen "quake."
Strength symbolism: The bark of aspen trees contains chlorophyll so that aspens can continue growing in the winter months. Each individual tree can live for 40–150 years above ground, but the root system of the colony is long-lived. They are able to survive forest fires, because the roots are below the heat of the fire, with new sprouts growing after the fire burns out. Aspen trees are one of the first tree species to repopulate an area that has been cleared by fire or cutting. Groves of aspen can replenish themselves in as little as fifty years.
Community symbolism: An aspen grove is actually a single living organism! Aspens reproduce by sprouting shoots from their roots, allowing them to grow in a cohesive grove. While individual aspens live about 100 years, a grove can reach several thousand years in age, a symbol of the strength found in community.
From The Wisdom of Trees by Jane Gifford:
As the wind passes through the aspen leaves, they whisper a message of peace: listen within yourself and find comfort in the still, small voice of calm; in the music of the spheres; in the resounding "om" of existence; in the voice of Goddess - whatever you chose to call the spirit moving through the silence within us. You can interpret this in whichever way is most personal to you. The aspen teaches the lesson of fearlessness, and gives us the strength to face fear that comes with the unknown. To quote Dr. Bach, aspen helps us to understand that "the power of love stands behind and overcomes all things." Once we know this to be true, "we are beyond pain, suffering, care, worry, and fear, and we become participants of true joy."
As the wind passes through the aspen leaves, they whisper a message of peace: listen within yourself and find comfort in the still, small voice of calm; in the music of the spheres; in the resounding "om" of existence; in the voice of Goddess - whatever you chose to call the spirit moving through the silence within us. You can interpret this in whichever way is most personal to you. The aspen teaches the lesson of fearlessness, and gives us the strength to face fear that comes with the unknown. To quote Dr. Bach, aspen helps us to understand that "the power of love stands behind and overcomes all things." Once we know this to be true, "we are beyond pain, suffering, care, worry, and fear, and we become participants of true joy."
Some of my aspen tree artworks:
Thank you for viewing!
If you have questions or comments I would love to hear them.
Much love to you all!
If you have questions or comments I would love to hear them.
Much love to you all!
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