The Hugging Tree - 3 Steps to Alchemy: Moving from Lead to Gold

Once, while on my ritually inspired walk with my dog Sugar, I had a strong connection to literally hug a tree, and so I did. I don’t know why this tree in particular spoke to me, but I could sense a strong sense of love. While I am not by nature (no pun intended) a traditional tree hugger, I had to reflect on why I was so strongly compelled to stop and hug this tree. The tree and its existence wanted me to share with you the importance of connecting with Mother Earth. As I reflected more the word alchemy came to my mind.

Image taken at Creek Park, La Mirada, CA

Alchemy by definition is the process of combining science, philosophy, and mysticism; the method of turning lead into gold. In medieval times, alchemists refined their craft through a holistic approach. In other words, they believed that in order to achieve the alchemical mission successfully, there needed to be a state of pure mind, body, and spirit. So you ask, “What does this have to do with hugging a tree?” Well, it doesn’t. There is no seemingly correlation between alchemy and tree hugging. Or is there?

Image courtesy of pxleyes.com

Matter. According to medieval alchemists, alchemy is composed of four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. If this is so, then trees would definitely fall under the Earth category. Moreover, the theory expressed that any substance on earth may be formed with the correct combination of elements including precious metals as well as elixirs to cure disease and prolong life. Additionally, alchemists believed that the transformation of one substance into another was achievable; hence the term: "turn lead into gold."

You Can’t Move Towards Gold

if Your Stuck in the Lead

So I know you’re thinking, “This makes no sense, and you make no sense.” Well, let me try and connect the two as I visualize it. Trees are a part of Mother Earth, and part of what I subscribe to is the belief that in order to “get grounded” you must connect to the Earth. Trees as you know also have roots. This hugging tree had very strong, durable roots.

At the center of our core in our being (right above the tailbone) is our root chakra. There lies our beliefs about feeling safe and secure and for most of us that includes money. This part of our being is where our stability comes from or our foundation. Much like a house, if the foundation is not set right and solid, the house will crumble and fall; as will we, if we do not nurture ourselves lovingly. If you are feeling overwhelmed about bills from the holidays, and Valentine’s is now around the corner, you are not nurturing your root chakra. Feeling overwhelmed is feeling fear, which is the opposite of security. And fear begets more fear, which turns into panic and a myriad of negative thoughts. No money can manifest when you are in a state of fear.

Image courtesy of Aurascan.com

So now what? Okay, I know, I know you’re laughing and mocking me, “Oh, I go and hug a tree and my money problems will just disappear? Money doesn’t grow on trees.” Or does it? Well no, it doesn’t, not in the true sense of the word. But it is connected to how you feel about your money security, and when you’re overwhelmed and panicked you are not stable.

While money technically does not grow on trees, something more important does; it’s called oxygen. Trees, give us oxygen to breathe. Have you ever hugged or thanked a tree for giving you the breath of life each and every day? I have never in my daily prayer thanked the trees for giving me breath. I often thank my food for nourishing my body, but I have never on a daily basis or otherwise thanked all nature. The beauty of the trees, the flowers, and now the green grass and hillsides (thanks to the recent rains out here in Southern Cali) fill us up with beauty. And while we take these beautiful parts of nature for granted, I realized I really do need

Image courtesy of peaclovewings.com

Tree hugging is not for everyone. I mean to risk hugging a tree, is to risk being called a freak from passersby. I am finally at a point in my life that I am comfortable with myself that I do not need to worry what people think. This is a good feeling. However, since I spent most of my adolescent and young adult life worrying about what EVERYBODY thought of me, I can understand why most of you reading this would not want to ever go there. That’s okay. There are other ways you can connect to your Earth and get “grounded” so to speak.

3 Steps to Alchemy

1. Get yourself grounded

My daughter and nieces often walk barefoot outside especially on the grass. This is an easy way to get grounded. My youngest 3-year-old niece will at least once a day lie on the grass and ask you to join her. She at an early age understands the importance of connecting with the Earth. When is the last time you went to eat lunch at the park? Picnics can be a great way to reconnect with family while enjoying a meal or throwing a ball. How about just sitting in silence or listening to soft music while sitting on grass or near a tree? Even 5 to 10 minutes of just appreciating nature will help you to get grounded.

2. Breathe in the salt air

If grass is not your thing, then go to the beach and ground yourself in the sand. Sticking feet in the sand is a really warm way to get connected to nature. Sea salt is a natural way to detoxify yourself from negative energy. If you are especially feeling exhausted all the time, it is more than likely that you are surrounded by negative energy. It also could mean that there is a person or people in your life draining you with their problems. Learn to set boundaries with them. In the meantime, if you cannot get to the beach, purchase some sea salt at an organic store, and breathe in the salt air. Keep some sea salt in a bowl by your work station so you can use your fingers to make designs and disengage from the stress of negativity. If you can, keep a large bowl under your desk and whenever possible stick your feet in the sea salt.

3. Build a solid foundation

Being very intuitive, I know what you’re thinking, “I live in the city. There are no parks, no rivers, no beaches, no nature at all.” This can be tricky and can often be the reason why you are so stressed, anxious, depressed, and in a constant state of frenzy. When you are not grounded or connected to Earth, you are not in a state of security. Stones and rocks help to build solid foundation because of their sturdiness. In this instance, I would suggest collecting rocks, stones, pebbles and keep them at your place of work. You can keep a rock box under your desk and when you begin to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, annoyed, or any other negative feeling put your feet in your rock box to connect to the Earth. There are small stone waterfalls that can be purchased for your office or work station. Water is also very good way to cleanse the negative energy of people that come in and out of your office or people that are constantly passing by your work station.

So when the medieval alchemists suggested there needed to be a state of pure mind, body, and spirit in order to create a change, they were not far off the mark. If you want to manifest more money in your life, “turn lead into gold”, you must begin with the “root” of your problem. That is to change your negative or fearful thoughts into positive ones. You must connect to the Earth so you can connect with yourself and be in a pure state of mind, body, and spirit. When you do this, abundance will follow. So the next time you are out walking your dog, and he sprinkles it with his love, why don’t you try sprinkling your own love and give it a hug!

Image courtesy of rainbowbabies.com

Dr. Patti Martin is a Mindfulness Coach who helps people move from Pain to Prosperity. Please visit her at her website at: www.MindfullYourLife.org if you are interested in bringing prosperity into your life.

If you have any questions about living a more prosperous life email her at: DrPattiMartin@gmail.com