THE PINE TREE
12 holy days with
A plant initiation guiding us into the mysteries of creation where the primordial fire of eternal Life reignites the alchemical light in the temple of the soul
DECEMBER 25 - JANUARY 6
ENTERING THE MYSTERIES OF
THE PINE TREE
The Pine tree has been revered as a tree of significant medicinal and spiritual value by many different cultures across the world throughout history. To the Haida people who live along the pine-clad coast of northwestern America the pine is sacred – an evergreen witness of the triumph of light over darkness, of life over death. In the oldest myth of their cosmology we see the pine tree being the gateway and passage for light to enter the dark Earth upon the time of creation.
We see branches of pine being emblems of the sun's birth, marking the time of the winter solstice, as the point in our yearly cycle where the return of the light is initiated. Long before Christmas as we know it today, the pagan priests raised pine branches to celebrate the solar festivals. The ancient Egyptians decorated their houses with evergreen boughs at the time of the winter solstice, and the Greeks associated the never-dying vegetation with nature deities - such as Pan - and the god Dionysus.
In both Chinese and Japanese traditions the pine trees represent prosperity and longevity and are associated with wise beings of ancient time and age which is connected with the widespread idea that pine trees provide a link for communication with ancestors.
In the symbol of the pine which reflects the pristine nature of man, there is fused a connection between the sun and the stars – the fiery Solar Ancestors and the Star Rishis. The roots of the pine are tendrils leading at once into the underworld and the most primitive dimensions of space. They carry man back through time to his own source, even while his growing sense of Self bends toward the sun. For man, like the pineal pyramid, is not merely rooted upon the surface of the earth, his apex linked with heaven. He descends back in time to the beginnings with each incarnation. He spends his life drawing upon the solar light, carrying it within his being down into all stages of manifested life. He becomes the fiery pyramid, the essence of those pyramids built by the ancient Egyptians who consecrated each one of them to a star. He begins to harken to higher winds of ideation. He draws up the ancestral fluids and bathes them in the synthesized light of solar knowledge. He becomes a balanced world on behalf of the whole, and he stands like the solitary pine tree, "the guide of the forest, the Watcher of the skies."
The pine tree species is very old, as a gymnosperm it belongs to the oldest trees on the earth and its first remnants are found to be from the paleozoic time, it's appreciated to be about 150 million years old!
THE TREE OF
THE PRIMORDIAL FIRE
This great grandparent of the Earth is a gatekeeper and guardian of the mysteries of creation; it is facilitating a connection link between the primordial fire of the cosmos and the fire in our human avatar - which we will focus on igniting during the 12 holy days. This is a spiritual fire that is alchemical, energizing, purifying, and creative. It invites us to enter the path towards inner illumination, where a bridge between the celestial soul (the monad) and the natural soul (the personality) is built. This invites us to connect with the higher essence, the mission and purpose, that each of us are here to fulfil, create, and evolve through. This alchemical fire is equal to the impulse of Divine Love.
The Pine tree is ruled by the planet Saturn - which is the ruler of Capricorn, The Great Initiator, and the zodiac sign we are travelling through during this month. This holds great significance and importance for us as their mysteries reveal and support a specific journey of inner evolution that is possible for us to embark on every year during this time.
When winter arrives and the Earth turns dark, barren, wet, and cold, she seems to have fallen into a slumber, a deep rest. Most plants in the northern hemisphere have died or shed their leaves and the energy is now focused down into the roots. Winter is the time where the Earth Mother is the most alive and awake, for she is not impressed by the light of the Sun, the great Father, which is exalted during the months of Spring and Summer. The Sun brings the inner spirit into an external expression when ruling.
The Earth, The great Mother, invites us into the temple of the soul; the inner world; where we listen to the darkness and get to know what is hidden to our outer physical senses. It is in this darkness that we plant the seeds for the coming light to germinate. It is in this darkness that we ourselves must become the sacred flame, the inner sun feeding and nourishing the life of the soul. When we turn our gaze towards the mysteries of the evergreen trees, we see that they stand in full green vigour and radiant life during the coldest and darkest months of the year - the activity of their inner light is inviting us to enter their classroom and learn how to tend to the fire in our own hearts and the seed of our evolving consciousness.
MEDICINAL BENEFITS
OF PINE
✤ biological
The needles of the pine tree contain many of the essential vitamins that our body needs. It is well known that the pine tree contain 5 times more Vitamin C than lemons! Which is an antioxidant that strengthens the immune system and support in cellular regeneration, it protects the brain from cell damage and it helps to produce neurotransmitter such as serotonin and dopamine - which is important for mental health. Pine needles are also rich in Vitamin A, which plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy vision, supporting skin regeneration, and aiding red blood cell production. Vitamin A is an antioxidant beta-carotene that helps improve vision by maintaining a clear cornea, the outside covering of the eye.
Pine needles consumed as tea are diuretic and helps to clean the lymphatic system by removing excess water from the body. It is traditionally used to clear moucus congestion, coughs, and flu symptoms. In Chinese and asian cultures pine needle tea is known to slow down ageing and was a common brew for taoist priests to consume.
Pine resin is highly antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory and can be used to treat and heal skin abrasions quickly. The resin can also be burnt as incense which purifies the air, cleanse and remove negative energies, and has an uplifting effect on the mind, opening up for clear vision and higher knowledge.
Pine pollen is one of the most nutrious superfoods in the world and contains more than 200 essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It can be taken to increase energy, vitality, to strenghten the immune system, and is specifically beneficial for mens hormonal balance and health.
✤ psycho-spiritual
The pine as a spirit ally, works into the subtle energy bodies to build a strong foundation for the inner fire and soul to evolve, it encourages us to make peace with the parts of ourselves that he have cast aside into the shadows and invites us learn about our fears, challenges, and limitations; a learning that eventually illuminates the path to integrate our soul-light and higher aspirations, which then can transform into a solid structure and creative vision for the future.
The energy of the tree is masculine in its core with dragon like qualities, that is a bridge between worlds, an active fire that energise and inspires us to recreate ourselves anew in divine harmony, aligned structure, and inner perseverance.
Pine helps us release emotions connected to shame and guilt, inviting us to cultivate self-acceptance and a deeper understanding of the human experience and embrace the fullness of our being.
The divine intelligence and primordial forces that seeded the template of our solar system, each of its planets, and the life forms residing within it; has its wisdom secretly embedded in the mysteries of Nature. When we begin working together with the plant devas and nature spirits to develop our inner light, our consciousness evolves and a divine remembrance is initiated as the ageless wisdom gradually reawakens within us. This awakening facilitates a unique and spiritual connection with Mother Nature which will begin to speak to and guide the souls who contemplate and rever her.
There is a significant mystical correlation between the Pine and the human Mind, where we see the pineal gland resembling the shape of a pinecone.
Bishop Berkeley claimed that spiritual fire was fixed in the viscid juices of old pines and that, mixed with water, it could produce a fire which does not heat but which contains solar light. He prescribed the use of this mixture as a great panacea of human ills, one that would aid in re-establishing the internal balance necessary to permit the free penetration of the solar light on all planes of man's being. To light this cool flame within, man must obtain control of the spiritual energy within him through that center which synthesizes and regulates his entire nature.
In mystical terms this relates to the opening of the third eye, the spiritual organ which finds its physical seat in the pineal gland that derives its name from its pine cone shape. This gland translates the energy of light into a fundamental secretion with biochemical impact on the whole autonomic nervous system in man. It acts to maintain all the body's rhythms in phase with one another. Perhaps the counterpart in man to the pine needle is the pointed and concentrated manasic growth which must pierce the akasic light field, while the counterpart to the pine cone is the pineal gland which, when activated, can consciously shed light throughout and around man's whole being, like seeds raining down upon the earth.
Perhaps it is because the functions of tar and resin in the pine correspond so closely to higher alchemical processes in man that they can aid in re-establishing the alignment necessary to permit an analogous flow of higher energy. The flow describes a pyramid whose apex at the crown is the mystical link between heaven and earth and stands for the root – of fire. The base, represented by the spreading branches, spirals to the four cardinal points, symbolizing a gradual materialization of form. Thus the triangular fire is joined to the four-cornered cube of earth through the hexagonal medium of water. This is precisely reflected in the medicinal mixture of pine-tar water affecting the earthly body of man. The fire is the first world, water the astral world, and earth the material surface of the underworld which holds the roots of the sacred pine. The path between the roots in the underworld and the heavenly root symbolized by the apex of the pyramid represents the mysterious journey of the soul through death into life.
TO DEVELOP THE INNER LIGHT
WORKING WITH PLANTS AS ALLIES
This plant initiation will take us into a 12 day journey where we will commune with the Great Mystery and spirit of The Pine Tree during the most auspicious days of the year. All the ceremonial work that we perform with the plants we also do with The Divine Mother - for she is the Divine Mirror; the Wisdom of the World; The Womb that gives form to all life; and the one who initiates the soul through each of our Earth incarnations. She is the mediator that we call upon to seal and consecrate our intentions and the sacred container that we open up during the initiation.
Each plant and tree has a unique spiritual being connected to it - we meet angels and guardians of the mysteries of Earth, the Stars, the Elements, and Creation via them. These exalted beings and wisdom keepers that protect our planet can provide us with teachings, guidance, healing, and divine inspiration when communed with reverently.
This year we will be working with a plant teacher and guide that may be the most appropriate and aligned being to awaken the inner light and illuminate the sacred chambers of the soul at this time. The Pine tree is steeped in mystery and primordial spirit. We can connect with teachings that lead us into the seeds of creation and its journey into an ever-evolving transforming manifestation - symbolizing the journey of growth and evolution that every level of creation passes through - the cosmos, the soul, the solar system, the planets, and all life-forms upon it.
It is now that we will begin to plant the seeds for the coming year. As we ask for the cosmic flame of Divine Love to rebirth in the sanctum of the soul, we remember and retrieve the pieces of the puzzle to our own mystery, so that we can grow deeper and higher into Union with All that Is.
THE PINE TREE AND
THE WILD UNTAMED FORCES OF THE FOREST
The wild force and illuminating spirit of the liberated woman, she who give form to the solar seeds of Divine Love. Her wild heart in divine ecstasy and joyful frenzy. Her delightful nectar of heavenly glory letting us taste what freedom feels, sounds, and looks like in all of her colours - as the essence of her being holds no space for shame.
The intelligence of the wise green man of the forest, The father of the wild untamed nature, the one who offer his seeds for the Earth to birth anew each year. Devotedly giving his fire to the heart of the Mother, to be fertilized in the wet dark earth, for the revelation of Spirit into Matter.
IDENTIFY YOUR PINE TREE!
Pine trees grow in most part of the world and in diverse climates. Make sure that the Pine you are deciding to work with is safe to ingest. Most pines are edible except these ones: Ponderosa Pine, Norfolk Island Pine, & Lodgepole Pine.
I will be working with the Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris) as this is the species that grow natively on the land where I live.
THE 12 HOLY DAYS
ITS MYSTICAL AND SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Mystics (past and present) knew that each of the 12 Holy Days of Christmas are under the direct influence of one of the 12 zodiacal Hierarchies—each projecting its cosmic ray through our planet and into our heart and soul.
The magic of this part of the Christmas season dates back before the birth of Jesus. When mankind was using the ancient Ptolemaic calendar, which is based on a 365½ day orbit of the Sun, there were other early cultures who followed the Moon phases as their yearly calendar. But the Moon calendar does not fit into the solar year. Instead, a lunar year is made up of 12 full-moon cycles, which totals 354 days. This is 12 days shorter than our solar year—which is then a difference of 12 days between the two calendars. The 12 Holy Days/Nights can be referred to as these "missing" days/nights.
During these 12 days, while the lunar forces seem to be absent (because the 12-cycle lunar year has ended), the forces of the sun seem to be unopposed by the lunar forces and are thus, at their highest power.
During the other days of the year, the sun simply shines down upon the earth and upon us to give us life—in the form of light and warmth. But during the unimpeded 12 Holy Days the spiritual energy of the sun shines, not merely upon the earth and our skin, but instead, into the heart of the Earth and into our heart and soul—calling the earth and mankind to arise and awaken from our spiritual (and Winter) slumber.
It's as though it's granting us 12 wishes—each related to one of the holy days and to one of the 12 zodiacal signs. And since each of these 12 days are a microcosm of the coming twelve months, whatever we focus on for these 12 days will determine the general theme of the next 12 months.
Whatever we give birth to during the 12 Holy Days will live on for the next 12 months. During these 12 holy days, it's as though instead of the rays of the planets beaming their energy out towards our planet, it's more accurate to say that there are rays beaming forth from our hearts and souls towards each star, planet and constellation—“placing an order” (as it were) as to what we are choosing to experience for the next twelve months.
During our plant initiation we will be working with each of the 12 holy days to birth the new year and our own soul in a new creative light, with daily prayers and contemplation of each zodiacal sign and its themes of inner growth.
ABOUT THE JOURNEY
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Everyone can join us on this journey. This is an experimental plant study and self-initation which is intended to rebirth and strengthen your connection with the light of your soul, The mysteries of Nature, and create the space for next year to unfold as a gift from the stars.
WHAT IS NEEDED TO PARTICIPATE?
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You will need to set aside 1-2 hours each day to commune with The Pine by your altar in a private space in your home - preferably in the morning and evening - this can for example be 60 minutes in the morning and at least 30 minutes in the evening before going to bed. You can adjust this to your personal needs and daily responsibilities.
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A journal to document your experience in.
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Preferably fresh pine needles but dried also works. If you can visit a pine tree somewhere in nature and collect your own medicine that would be optimal for this journey! You can use pine needles from fallen fresh branches, and collect resin from the bark (make sure that you only collect resin that is hardened or not covering a wound of the tree if you do this)
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You need items to build a sacred altar in your home, where you can sit when connecting and working with the medicine. Suggestions of items to place on your altar would be: a candle, a small bowl for offerings, a picture of the divine mother or a nature deity that you feel connected to, a branch of pine needles, and a crystal of your choice. You can place other items on the altar too but it's recommended to only place items that have a symbolic resonance with the work that we are doing.
WHEN DOES THE JOURNEY BEGIN?
This plant initiation is beginning on 25/12-2025 and ends on the 6/1-2026
WHAT IF I WANT TO JOIN BUT CAN'T THESE DATES?
The journey will be available on my website for three months after you make a donation. If you want to devote yourself to the journey after the 12 holy days you can do so. However the most potent days to do this will of course be when the astrological alignments are inviting us into this potent portal of manifestation at the end of the year and beginning of the new.
HOW TO PREPARE
It is advised to prepare yourself for at least two weeks in advance where you may focus on eating a healthy nutritious diet (if you don't already do this) go low on sugar and avoid processed foods, sodas, etc. Focus on organic veg/lean meat, healthy oils, and lots of water and herbal teas. Give yourself time and space to be present with your emotional and mental wellbeing, you want to feel grounded and ready to enter these days in a calm space. If you feel like you need it, you can do a three day water/juice/soup fast leading up to the day of the journey. I know many of us are spending days with family during Christmas and may be surrounded with unhealthy food and drinks - please discern for yourself what to ingest and what to avoid here given the instructions shared. Perhaps you want to make a little sacrifice for the sake of a stronger connection and experience during our journey!
THE LAYOUT OF THE JOURNEY
You will get access to the journey two days before it begin. After you make a donation you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the journey. The journey will be offered as an instructional video along with written descriptions on how to build an altar, how to open up your ceremony and how to close it down reverently, you will receive daily guidance, meditations, medicine songs to activate and initiate the connection and support in energetic cleansing, along with optional reading material to study during the 12 holy days. You will get access to a community portal where you can meet other's who are participating, ask questions, share about your experiences, and get support if you need it.
NOTE: THE INITIATION IS DONATION BASED UNTIL THE DAY IT BEGINS - 25/12 - AFTER THIS THE JOURNEY WILL HAVE A SET PRICE. You can get it now, and choose to enter it at a later date. You will have access for 3 months after your donation.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE JOURNEY PLEASE EMAIL ME AT contact@gwairoch.com
Scroll down to make a donation and join the journey!
MAKE A DONATION
I have decided to make these plant journeys available for everyone no matter the financial state of each being. Your support means the world to me! I spent weeks creating this for you so each donation is deeply appreciated. You can choose an option below or enter your own amount. After you have made your donation you will receive an email with instructions on how to enter the plant initiation. Thank you so much! ❤️
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