We have an old saying in Lithuanian language. “Nevyk dievo į medį”. Literally it sounds something like “Don’t chase god into the tree”. It can be interpreted as don’t push your luck while you are doing fine. It goes a long way back in time. My ancestors had strong connection with nature. Curonians, Lithuanians, Prussians and other Baltic tribes worshiped gods in particular forests. These forests were sanctuaries and trees with all living beings in it were sacred. People could communicate with divine through the trees. Those were like the houses of the holy. People prayed and asked. Just like in modern churches.
Not all trees were special. The main feature was exclusivity. Odd and seamy trunks, overlapped branches, effused roots. Chosen trees and forests were strictly protected. One could enter them only during special occasions. Breaking of a single branch was a crime with heavy punishment.
One night I was wandering in the forests of my homeland. Birds chirped at distance and some unknown animal quietly moved in the dark. I wanted to find these sanctuaries. But ages passed. Gods changed. Most of the living temples were cut down or just decayed long before I was born. For a moment, I thought it was gone forever. Suddenly, standing in the invisible presence of trees, strange feeling of wholeness and perception appeared. Call it force of nature, call it god, but it does not depend on our shifting beliefs or time. It is something that is, and it will be. We can only rediscover it. Generation after generation.
I am trying to grasp the beauty of that bond my ancestors had with nature. It was not only magical because all kind of deities lived there. It was extraordinary because of the care and respect they showed for the surrounding world.
Having in mind what kind of trees to look for, I went deeper into the forest. Just like my ancestors did thousands of years ago.
