“Do you like yew trees?
I know many people who do, whilst others find them sinister and difficult to connect with.
It took me more than two months to bring this tree wisdom banner into existence and I nearly abandoned the project half-way through.
I am glad I persisted and I am really happy with the result! 🌿✨
Here are some of the lessons and insights the yew tree gave me:
After creating banners for the oak, birch, beech and rowan tree, the yew revealed its distinctly different quality to me. It’s not solar like the oak. The yew is like Saturn – the time-keeper – and can be a challenging teacher.
When visiting some of the oldest yew trees in Devon, I noticed a deep silence under the yews canopy that reaches way beyond the importance we attribute to our relatively short human lifespan.
What is time for a yew tree?
He or she can get between 2000 and 5000 years old, regenerates herself easily and expands by growing new roots from branches that touch the ground. The life cycle of a yew is a symbol for longevity and seems to effortlessly combine ancientness and youthfulness.
Often surrounded by gravestones, these guardian trees, anchor a quality of timelessness, that is both now and eternal. I experienced this meditative state of awareness, as if the tree was meditating me.
Working creatively in alignment with this timeless energy, presented me with challenges. When I wanted to work on this picture, I got stuck a few times, not knowing which way to go, to reach the balance and depth of composition I was looking for.
The yew tree just smiled and said to me:
“No-one is waiting for you.”
“You experience time and there is no time.”
Every time I let go of the desire to finish this project, a new wave of inspiration arrived shortly afterwards.
“You can’t push a river!”
“Everything has it’s own timing”.
This was both comforting and frustrating, but ultimately helping me deconditioning the societal imprint of quicker, better, faster, … time is money! Madness.
Now that I see the finished yew tree banner, I reflect on these powerful lessons and feel that these valuable teachings and yew tree medicine have been woven into the picture, to reach others, who are open to learn from the yew tree.
My tree wisdom art is made to bring the tree energies into peoples homes and sacred spaces.
For those of you interested working with the yew tree: I sell organic cotton banners in different sizes.
Feel free to share. Lots of love, Yannick”
Tree Weaver 