Learning Forest and Prairie
Druids not only feel nature they seek to understand it. Often overlooked in this dualist society is the need for balance (a Nature-based virtue).
Importance of Ecological Balance and Genetic Diversity
Wolves of Yellowstone
Balance Also Required Between People and Wolves
New England Forests: The White Pine
(July 7, 2022) Pine smell is caused by a terpene chemical. If we can smell a plant odor the plant is using it for communication. What pine terpenes do is presently being researched but many other terpenes have health benefits. (Joshee, and all 2019). This spiritual and possible physical benefit of trees is why the Japanese developed a concept during the 1980s called forest bathing or shinrin-yoku.
Having grown up in Michigan I often visited Hartwick Pines State Park which is one of the few accessible old growth White Pine forests left in the United States. Some of my ancestors were also involved in logging White Pine during the late 1800's being northern Michigan farmers. Consequently, White Pine is a big part of my own spirituality.
References
Joshee, Dhekney, and Parajuli (2019) Therapeutic and Medicinal Uses of Terpenes. Medicinal Plants. Nov 12 : 333–359. Online at: https://doi.org/10.1007%2F978-3-030-31269-5_15New England Forests: Reading the Forested Landscape 1
New England Forests: Reading the Forested Landscape 2
New England Forests: Reading the Forested Landscape 3
Missouri Prairie: Addressing Alarming Habitat Trends
Illinois Extension Forestry: Ticks of the Illinois
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