Snow Covered Trees

The snow fall yesterday was particularly stunning. I hate snow in every aspect but how it looks. And tastes. And the satisfying sounds it makes when it hits something. Back to my point, I usually hate snow. Too cold; bad circulation in my fingers plus joints that should belong in an eighty-year-old's body does not equal delightful to me. But seeing its stark white color against the greys and browns and greens of the trees is breathtaking to say in the least. 

For example, the tree in my front yard, that I am currently staring at intently, has very little snow on it at the moment. But there is a small patch of whiteness clinging to the base. As though it is hugging the sleeping tree. The greys of the bark peeks through the snow's embrace, lightening towards the very warm sun that is shining this morning. 

I just adore trees. They see so much of the world, and hold it all inside of them throughout the years. Such longs years they are. Decades of seasons, they grow tall and strong. 

The wind is blowing outside. The snow is being picked up off branches and flung through the air. The snowflakes refract the sunlight that hits them, sparkling like facets of tiny diamonds. Almost magical.

Back to the trees. Trees symbolize life and strength. Throughout history, religion, and mythology, trees have major roles and hold much power and symbolism. In the Bible, there is the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evi, Tree of Life, and Christ himself was a carpenter by trade. He even dies on a wooden cross a sacrifice to give us life eternal. In many different mythologies and cultures, there are tree spirits within each tree. Even in faery tales and fiction you will find that trees hold a special power and meaning. 


Each individual type of tree has its own meaning. Pinkie D'Cruz wrote up a list of almost every tree and their meanings which you can check out here. Though basic, it is an interesting list and nice reference (it's even in alphabetical order!). 


To me personally, trees mean rebirth and eternal strength. Trees go through the cycles of life as we go through the seasons. Spring there is awakening and new life, new growth; Summer is growth and learning, bearing the fruits of labor at it's close; Autumn is the harvest, reaching the end of the road; Winter is sleep and death until the rebirth of a new day.