The Secrets of the Trees
We hold our Mystic Magic in the Forest weekend retreats at Rosliston, in Rosliston National Forest, near Burton upon Trent, just south of Derby in the Midlands. Our retreats are themed, but often include an appreciation of nature, walks, the significance of trees in Spiritual and Pagan history, and their myths and legends. This blog charts the story, in instalments, of those trees, and all of those to be found at Rosliston, around forty species. Each tree is to be found at Rosliston,but may also be found more widely around Great Britain, Europe, North America and beyond.
In these blogs I describe each tree, explain where they are found, what their history is and how they have related to our history. I also explore the myths and legends surrounding the rees in different countries and from different traditions as well as how herbalists have used them to treat human conditions and how products from the trees have been used throughout history. I hope that you enjoy reading these tree blogs as much as I have enjoyed writing them for you. If you would like to come and see them in their natural habitat why not join us for one of our retreats?
Common Pear – pyrus communis
Stout and up to 15 metres high, it has a grey brown bark, but needs to be trained against the wind for its first five years of life. There are over 800 species of pear native to Europe and Asia both continents having their own distinctive type, it was introduced to America. A pear placed next to a banana will ripen faster.
The wood does not splinter or warp with water making it popular with sculptors, and in the middle ages was used for making kitchen utensils as it is odourless, colourless and does not absorb moisture.
The Chinese believe that it is bad luck to share a pear and if you do, you will be parted from that person, they saw the rear as a symbol of immortality due to the durability of the tree. In Greek mythology pears are cared for by the Goddesses Hera, Aphrodite and Pomona.
