Artwork by Ashley
Love Ash;
The branching tree,
Of all the worlds.
Beautiful ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior) whose timber is a tough hardwood with a straight grain and well used to absorbing shocks, but now under the threat of a disease, ash dieback (Hymenoseyphus fraxineus) a fungus, which may wipe it out. Under normal circumstances, the tree can live to the ripe old age of perhaps 400 years, but now its future is bleak. Can they survive?
Typically, it has been used for making tools especially handles that absorb shock: hammers, axes, spades and oars. So useful, perhaps that’s why in mythology it has been referred to as the Tree of Life. It is the 5th tree in the Celtic Tree Ogham and below I include a photo of my own piece of ash with the ancient symbol for the tree.
Buds opening,
Bright, on this dull day;
The Spring Equinox.
From this day onward, the days will become longer and warmer.
I recently came across this wonderful album called Songs For The Trees by Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn. In the notes to the album, Kate says “there needed to be songs written to honour and portray some of the innate powers, characters and stories of the trees, so they could be central characters themselves“. What a wonderful thought and one which I applaud.
With Kate’s permission I have included the track Od’s Song (For The Ash), the last lines of which are as follows:
The brightest of the noble trees
That reaches through the skies
Mighty tree you'll be my steed
As I wade through the river and rime
Through boiling waters with a scream
And a gift for all mankind
You will see what is not yet and back to early time
As above is so below; without is so inside
So drink up, revel in the cheer- the three worlds come to life
For the swing and the sway is the only way
To where all worlds collide.
To all who pass this way, Happy Spring Equinox.
LOVE TREES, ONE OF OUR OLDEST COMPANIONS
Ashley 🌿
A Different View 
Happy Spring Equinox Ashley. May your hopes and dreams and peace blossom in your world and the bigger world.
Lovely post, song lyrics, poems, etc. I’ll listen later to the song.
Blessings, katelon
Thank you Katelon for your lovely thoughts and good wishes. Hoping you have a peaceful spring blessed with light. 🤗🙏
Wonderful art and tree-text, Happy Spring Equinox, Ashley 🌱🌳🍀
Greetings,
Marina
Dear Marina, thank you and a happy healthy spring to you and those you love. 🤗🙏
A beautiful tribute to the ash tree. Saddened to learn of the threat they now face. Happy Spring Equinox to you, too 🙂
Dear Rosaliene, thank you for your comments. The ash dieback threat is very real and we could lose up to 80% of ash trees! It would be a great loss! 🤗🙏
A great loss, indeed. Sigh.
Happy spring equinox to you as well, Ashley! And I love your artwork. Simple and beautiful. 😍
Thank you Bela, it took weeks to finish this post! 🤔🤗🙏
And you did it, in the end! 💕
🤗💓🙇♂️
We must do our best to ensure their survival. Happy Equinox! Your leaves are so welcoming. (K)
Dear Kerfe, the leaves haven’t arrived yet so I’m really looking forward here! Happy Equinox to you. 🤗🙏
Happy Spring Equinox to you, too 🙂
And happy equinox to you Friedrich. Wishing you a creative and happy summer ahead. 🌿🙏
Happy Mid-Spring, Ashleaf! You’ve created some beautiful art, including the image of the ash leaves, the Ogham stick, and the poetry. Let’s enjoy the heart of spring, especially the trees and the wildflowers.
Hi Edo-san, we’re certainly looking forward to some warmer weather! 🌿🙏
Happy Spring Equinox 🌷❤️ love your artwork and rhymes.
Need to listen to the song later. 👍
Spring is here and it surely is getting warmer and we have longer days. I love that. Xx
Dear Ute, the sunshine looks like it has already arrived in your garden. Thank you for your lovey comments. 🤗🙏
lovely!
happy spring 🌱✨
Thanks Graham, you too! 🙇♂️
Although I’m a little late for the equinox, happy springtide
DEar Ruth, YOU are never too late. Thank you and happy springtime to you! 🤗😊
Dear Ashley, that’s a beautiful thought — and I completely agree. Trees have been standing around, minding their own quiet business for centuries, and somehow we’ve managed to make them background scenery most of the time. It’s about time they get a leading role.
I love the idea of giving them a voice — or at least the space to be heard differently. It feels very close to what drawing sometimes tries to do as well: to shift attention, just slightly, so that something familiar becomes… present again.
Thank you for sharing this — now I’m curious to listen.
Warmly,
Rosie
Thank you, dear Rosie, for your wonderful comments. Let’s all stand up for trees. 🌳🌲🌴
Gorgeous photos and hailus Ashley!!!❣️💕
Thank you Cindy for your lovely comment 💓🙇♂️
You’re so very welcome, Ashley❣️
Hi, Ashley, this is a lovely post, as always. I’m a big tree lover, too, and cringe to hear of the devastation they are experiencing for various human reasons. Hoping you & your beloved are doing well. Happy Spring to you!☀️
Hi Lisa, thank you for your comments and good wishes. The winter has been a difficult one; I’ll send an explanation via email if you’re okay with that; I think I’ve still got your contact details. I’ll send a test one first.
A very happy springtime to you and those you love. 🤗💓🙏
Yes please email me! I’m sorry to hear of your tough winter. I hope Spring is much better for you!☀️
Wow, I really appreciate your artwork. It’s beautiful!!! 😍
Thank you Migy. I’m currently working towards Beltaine which is the mid point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. 🤗🙇♂️
Great track you included, Ashley. It was perfect for your post!
Hope you and your wife are well.
J
Many thanks, Jason. I’m glad you liked the track; a great wee album.
We’re pushing on; it’s a long, slow recovery for my wife but she improves every day.
Your post encourages us to love and care for trees, our oldest companions, not only for what they give us, but for what they represent: connection, history, and life. On the spring equinox, what better time to remember this.
Best regards.
Thank you for your wonderful response. I would go further and say it’s not just about the trees, it’s about respect for ourselves and our own roots and origins too. 🤗🙏
Totally agree… in the end everything connects: nature, our roots, and respect for who we are 🤗🫂.
The ash tree stands as a resilient bridge between the earth and the heavens, yet even the strongest timber faces its own season of vulnerability. True endurance lies in honoring its legacy today, for what absorbs the world’s shocks deserves our deepest protection. 🌿🕊️🙏
Thank you for such a wonderful comment. 🙏
BUON 25 APRILE
Many thank Giovanni. A special day for you (25th April) 🙏
GRAZIE MILLE GENTILISSIMO ASHLEY
Pleasing to see some of the ashes are resisting, but a disaster.
Yes, indeed John. It is an awful disease!
I love your artwork 😍😍
Dear Morag, thank you. 🤗🙏 I try, but don’t often succeed! 🌳
I think we all feel like that as artists. I think we must do it for joy and just keep going ❤️