Bosom Tree

The Bosom Tree is the center of a Godsgrove. It usually is a tree which has spiritual importance to the Vanafolk, such as the alder, apple, ash, birch, elm, hazel, or yew. However, depending on local customs and circumstances, any type of tree may serve as Bosom Tree.

About

A Bosom Tree, with its branches reaching up into the sky, and roots deep into the earth, is seen by the Vanafolk to dwell in three worlds - a link between heaven, the earth, and the underworld, uniting above and below. It is also both a feminine symbol, bearing sustenance; and a masculine, phallic symbol - another sacred union.

To the practitioners of the Froyalanish Ancient Ways the afore enumerated trees held, and to this very day still hold, special significance as a fuel for heat, cooking, building materials, ornamental objects and weaponry. In addition to this however, many woods also provided a powerful spiritual presence. The specific trees varied between different tribes and geographic locations, but those which are regarded as sacred share certain traits. Unusual size, beauty, the wide range of materials they provide, unique physical characteristics, or simply the power of such tree's spirit granted such tree a central place in the folklore and mythology of the Vanafolk.

Trees are living things, filled with the essence and energy of the elementals and of earth itself, possessing an aura of power reflective of their unique nature. The lore which surrounds a particular tree or wood often reflects the power the Froyalanish Vanafolk senses and draws from their presence.

Sacredness

From times ancient beyond the memory of woman Bosom Trees are considered sacred by the Vanafolk, who have always associated trees with wisdom and immortality. Prayer, oaths, and marriages are often performed in the presence of a Bosom Tree.

Yggdrasil

To the practitioners of the Froyalanish Ancient Ways a Bosom Tree symbolizes Yggdrasil, the immense tree which is central in Viking cosmology and connects the worlds of the Viking universe.

Sigh and rustle

It is said by the Vanafolk that the sigh of the wind and the rustle of leaves in Godsgroves is Yggdrasil speaking back to worshippers, but the messages are usually long, slow, and cryptic. The Tree of Life is not a humanlike being, like the Gods are, and its way of knowing and communicating is much longer and slower than ours.

Working with Bosom Trees

To work with Bosom Trees is not to hurry. Trees are ancient life forms and measure time in a manner very different than humans do. A single aged tree may have seen several human generations pass in its own life time. A genus or group of one specific type of tree is even more venerable, often having watched over the rise and fall of other forms of life across the long march of the eons. Gingko and dawn redwood grew in the shadows of the mythical ancients. Honey locust and papaw knew the touch of mastodons and giant ground sloth harvesting its ripened fruits.

As important as a worshipper's issue or need may seem at the time, in the long watch of the trees it may not seem nearly as pressing.

It is axiomatic that one should always be respectful of the Divine creation and the life that is reflected in every miracle nature presents to us whenever invoking energies. This is particularly important when working with trees. If the worshipper is impatient, hurried or fixated on the outcome of the work in mind it may be better to seek a different form of earth energy to partner with. The bond between human and Bosom Tree is built slowly, across the full spectrum of the seasons, and with patient disciplined attention to detail.

Bosom Trees like people are individualistic. Every birch or yew possesses a unique personality. You may well find that you can bond and identify with one individual of a species and not with another.