Carpe Diem 988 Birch

Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,

This month we are going to discover the beautiful mysterious nature. I hope to inspire you through nature, as a true haiku poet, and bring the deeper meaning of nature closer to you. There are a lot of great thinkers that created all kinds of ideas about the spiritual meaning of trees, flowers and so on. This month ... I hope to tell you more about this and I hope to inspire you to create wonderful new haiku, tanka and other Japanese poetry forms.

I don't have the prompt-list ready, but I hope to publish it later this week. For this first episode I have a wonderful tree for you ... the Birch ...

Birch (Alley)

"Listen closely and you will detect whispers of transformation and growth in the midst of the birch groves within your soul."  The birch is a very strong tree and is able to adapt to its environment. If a forest has been destroyed by fire the first tree you will see return is the birch. The birch is a pioneer and takes root again to revive the landscape, it will even be a more beautiful landscape than it was before it was destroyed. 

In this strong tree we can see a metaphor for our lives. If something has disturbed your life, for example death of a beloved one, than the birch will "push" you to go on with your life, to explore your emotions and how to give them a place in your life. Or if you loose your job … than birch can help you to find new goals in your life or to settle in a new job. The birch sings to us: "Shine, take hold, express your creative expanse, light the way so that others may follow".  Birch in this way seen can be your prophet to help you to find your way or a new path for spiritual growth. 

The birch is great symbol of renewal, but it also is a symbol of stability and structure. The Celts saw the birch as the keeper of long-honored traditions. 

Paradoxically, while the birch is a brilliant symbol of renewal, it is also symbolic of stability and structure. The druids also held the birch as the keepers of long-honored traditions. 

It's a wonderful tree, so strong and beautiful ... we just have to honor it.

birch alley
brings light to the world
starting again

© Chèvrefeuille

Well ... I hope you did like this new (first) episode of July. Sorry for not having the prompt-list ready, but I hope to publish it later this week.

This episode is open for your submissions tonight at 7.00 PM (CET) and will remain open until July 5th at noon (CET). I hope to publish our new episode later on. For now .... have fun!