for Mystics, Lovers, Poets & Warriors
by Roderic Knowles

Chapter Contents

Preludes

The Wisdom of Trees

A Tree is not a Tree is not a Tree …

Sacredness of Trees & Human Survival

1. Arbor Genesis

Maori Creation Myth

Thus Saith the Lord

2. Gospel of Particular Trees

Birch: Beauty, Abundance & New Beginnings

A Modest Introduction

Beginnings

Gifts of My Abundance

Creative Play

Beech: The Word in the World

My Long Association with Words

Reflections on My Nature & What I Teach

The ‘Man of the Trees’ Who Came for Healing

A Mystery Story: Personal Experiences of the Author

Alder: ‘Lord of Fire’ & ‘Son of Waters’

Introduction

Alder Mythology

Alder & The Fire Element

Alder & Water

On Healing

Aspen: The Dancing Queen

Thus Speaks the Aspen

Ash: Cosmic World Tree

My Sacred History

Cosmic World Tree

Lime: The Linden Tree

Royal Feasting

A Lime Story

My Sacred History

Lime Consumables & Medicine Chest

Plane: On the Wisdom & Power in Simply Being

Part 1: Shady Stories

Part 2: The Wisdom & Power in Simply Being

Elm: A Kingly Stand

Homage

My Sacred History & Mythology

King Richard’s Battle of the Elm

Marcel Vogel’s Experiment with an Elm Leaf

Ginkgo: The Memory Tree

The Memory Tree

Thus Speaks the Ginkgo

Almond: The Quickener of Creative Forces

The Quickener, Fragments 1 to 6

The Teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh

Pomegranate: Lower Regions & The Female Body

My Sacred History & The Rediscovery of Lost Knowledge

The Myth of Persephone

The Holy of Holies

A Transformational Journey

Olive: Liquid Gold

My Sacred History

Liquid Gold & The Cradle of Western Civilization

Sweet Chestnut: A Re-Education

A Re-Education

Restoring Lost Arts

Oak: Heavenly Father, Earthly Mother & the Heart of Sacredness

My Role in Human Consciousness & Culture

Doorway

Usefulness & Wholeness

Hazel: Wisdom, Creativity & Poetic Inspiration

The Poet’s Tree & Tree of Wisdom

Poet-Warrior

The Sacred Nine

Hazel Power Will She, Won’t She Be My Lover?

Joy-Riding in a Hazel Nut

Holly Bible: Holiness & Holliness

My Holliness

The Christian & Pagan Battle of the Holly

Walnut: Nutty Perspectives!

Love & Lovers

Nut Cases!

Plant or Perish

Myrtle: Tree of the Love Goddess

My Sacred History

Myrtle Groves

Myrtle Miscellany

Laurel: Poetic Inspiration & The Honouring of Achievements

3. The Beatitudes

Blessed Be …

4. Tree Parables

The Peach Tree & A Holy Man

The Fir Tree & A Bramble

The Almond Tree

The Barren Fig Tree

A Bread-Fruit Tree

An Oak & A Reed

On Climbing Too High Too Fast

The Tree of Transmigration

The Roots of a Tree

Puzzle This Out!

A Poisoned Tree

Enlightenment

Life’s Opposite?

A Corrupt Tree

Purple Trees

Wisdom & Works

All Creation is Like a Tree

On Growing to Perfection

Antelope in Search of the Ultimate Tree

The Banana Tree

5. Tree Proverbs

Proverbs

6. Book of Revelations

Bo Tree: Wisdom, Enlightenment, Spiritual Unfoldment

Thus Speaks the Bo, Fragments 1 to 8

Magnolia: Vision Quests

Carl Gustav Jung & His Dream

A Beckoning

Vision Questing

Cypress: Death, Transformation & Resurrection

In Your Human Culture

My Sacred History

A Grave Warning

Yew: Immortality

The Yew Speaks to You
On Death, Immortality & Its Sacred History

Taxus, Toxon, Toxicon & Toxic

Acacia: Sacred Mysteries

Thus Speaks the Acacia

The Gospel of “I AM”

The Divine Feminine

Earth Warrior

7. Holy Communion

Holy & Wholly

On Relating to Trees

Knowing a Tree

Sitting Under a Tree

Honourable Greetings

A Philosopher Wonders

An I-Thou Tree Experience: A Profound Revelation

Krishnamurti on Communion with Trees

A Shaman’s Reflections on Oneness with a Tree

A Buddhist Monk’s Reflections on Oneness

Tree Power & D.H. Lawrence

Tai Tree!

A Scientist’s Perspective

An Egyptian Initiation, Going for the Ultimate

Guided Imagery

Experiencing Life as a Tree (A Group Exercise)

Tree Devas, Communication & Co-Creation

Directing Love

8.Book of the Apocalypse

Apocalypse is Now

Apocalypse & Beyond

Paradise on Earth

Old World Pioneers, New Earth Pioneers

Trees at the Heart of All That is Necessary

9.Chronicles

Values and Uses of Living Trees

Trees & Climate

The Achievements of a Single Living Tree

Trees, Soil, & Agricultural Yields

Tree Crops: Fruits & Medicines

Wild Life

Trees & Cities

Deserts

‘Natural’ Disasters … & You Wonder Why!

Now, We Claim Our Prize!

Trees & Human Heart & Soul

Trees & Healing

10.Heroic Acts of Tree Apostles

Joseph Beuys, Germany:
7000 Oaks in the Middle of a City

Julia Butterfly Hill in Her Struggle
to Save Giant Redwoods, California.

Wangari Maathai, Kenya:
Africa’s Forest Goddess & Nobel Laureate

Alan Watson, Scotland: Trees for Life

Heroes & Heroines, Known & Unknown

11.Green Temple Dreams

The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step

Woodland School

Sacred Groves

Island of Groves

A University of the Earth

KOAD – Sacred Grove

Two Universities!

12.University of the Living Tree

For Lovers of Trees

   & A New Breed of Forester

Survival & Educational Imperatives

Educational & Project-Related Responses

University of the Living Tree: Proposed Faculties

Forest Gardening

Tree Esoterics

Multi-Purpose Forestry
& Sustainable Woodland Management

Tree Crops, Orchard Creation & Cultivation

Woodland Arts & Crafts

Tree Lore, Art, Culture & Education

Launching of The University: Path of the Seed

An Invitation to Participate

about Gospel of the Living Tree
read Preludes (introduction)