Tree Planting Ritual
Even today, trees are regarded to be
powerful symbols of growth and strength.
They are planted to commemorate
significant events - Royal visits, opening
of new public buildings, anniversaries of
important historical events, births, and
as memorials.
The planting of a tree
during a wedding, naming ceremony, or
memorial ceremony is a powerful ritual
that reflects the cultural practice in
many parts of the world of planting a tree
to commemorate significant event. A tree
planting ritual is easy and simple to
incorporate if you are holding the
ceremony in your own backyard. If holding
it elsewhere, including in an indoor
space, the planting can be symbolic, in a
pot, with the tree to be transplanted into
its permanent location later.
A ritual you can
make your own
A ritual you can
make your own
out
Although tree-planting in
conjunction with significant life-events is
a practice with a long history, there is no
"authorised" version, or gany symbolism that
is specifically related to a particular
culture or religion. You can therefore make
it your own, adapting it to fit the tone,
style, and traditions of your ceremony while
acknowledging the universal symbolism of
trees - taking root, growing, providing
shelter. During the planting you can play
music or have someone deliver a reading in
addition to your celebrant talking about the
significance to you of the tree species you
have chosen,
Wedding Ceremony Unity
Tree Planting
out
One way to include a tree
planting in your wedding ceremony is as a unity
ceremony, that is, an expression of joining two
lives. The act of planting a single tree and
then watering it together makes your intention
to work and grow together visible to your
guests. Choose a suitable tree for your
location, and have your celebrant draw the
comparison between your intentions for your
marriage and the qualities of the particular
tree species. Adding soil from each of
your childhood homes emphasises the unity
aspect, two people joining their lives, but you
need to take precautions so that you don't
transport fire-ants or other nasties with the
soil. If in doubt, don't transport or add soil
from another area, other than commercially
sourced potting mix.
The symbolic relevance of the
tree can be highlighted by having a photograph
taken next to the tree every anniversary to
acknowledge and celebrate how your relationship
has grown and flourished in lockstep with the
tree.
Logistics of a Unity Tree Planting
Typically there are three parts to the ritual
Logistics of a Unity Tree Planting
Typically there are three parts to the ritual- the tree is acknowledged
- the tree is planted
- the tree is watered
You will need (minimum requirements)
- the tree
- a pre-dug hole (if planting in the ground) or a pot with some potting soil
- two shovels (if planting in the ground) or two trowels (if planting in a pot)
- a watering can and water. A jug can be
substituted - the amount of water is
symbolic
Naming Ceremony Tree
Planting
out
Including a tree planting in
your child's naming ceremony can provide a
meaningful symbol if you choose a tree
based on your hopes for your child - such as
an olive tree for peace or an oak tree for
strength. Or, if you wish, you could
plant the symbolic Celtic
tree that represents the month your child
was born. If choosing a flowering tree, choose
one that flowers around the time of your child's
birth, or if a fruit tree, one that you harvest
around that time. And definitely take a
photograph of your child next to their tree on
their birthday every year.
Logistics of a Naming Ceremony Tree Planting
Typically there are three parts to the ritual
- the tree is acknowledged
- the tree is planted
- the tree is watered
However, once the tree is planted, parents,
godparents, and/or guests can be invited to
hang wishes for the child on the tree.
You will need (minimum requirements)
- the tree
- a pre-dug hole, (if planting in the ground) or a pot with some potting soil
- a shovel (if planting in the ground), or trowel (if planting in a pot). Typically those involved in the planting take turns
- a watering can and water, or jug of water.
Trees as Memorials
out
Planting a tree as a memorial,
or giving a bereaved friend a sapling to plant
in memory of their loved one, is both a
celebration of the person and an acknowledgement
of the wheel of life.
Celtic Tree Signs
out
Birch
- The Achiever (Dec. 24 – Jan. 20)
Rowan - the Thinker (Jan. 21 – Feb. 17)
Ash - the Enchanter (Feb. 18 – March 17)
Alder - the Trailblazer (March 18 – Apr. 14)
Willow, the Observer (Apr. 15 – May 12)
Hawthorn, the Illusionist (May 13 – June 9)
Oak, the Stabilizer (June 10 – July 7)
Holly, the Ruler (July 8 – Aug. 4)
Hazel, the Knower (Aug. 5 – Sept. 1)
Vine, the Equalizer (Sept. 2 – Sept. 29)
Ivy, the Survivor (Sept. 30 – Oct. 27)
Reed, the Inquisitor (Oct. 28 – Nov. 24)
Elder, the Seeker (Nov. 25 – Dec. 23)
Thanks for reading.
Rowan - the Thinker (Jan. 21 – Feb. 17)
Ash - the Enchanter (Feb. 18 – March 17)
Alder - the Trailblazer (March 18 – Apr. 14)
Willow, the Observer (Apr. 15 – May 12)
Hawthorn, the Illusionist (May 13 – June 9)
Oak, the Stabilizer (June 10 – July 7)
Holly, the Ruler (July 8 – Aug. 4)
Hazel, the Knower (Aug. 5 – Sept. 1)
Vine, the Equalizer (Sept. 2 – Sept. 29)
Ivy, the Survivor (Sept. 30 – Oct. 27)
Reed, the Inquisitor (Oct. 28 – Nov. 24)
Elder, the Seeker (Nov. 25 – Dec. 23)
Thanks for reading.
