Wood of the Gods

Once upon a time, different trees and in turn, their woods, were attributed to certain deities depending on the use of the wood: shields, bows, ships, sail masts, etc. Rowan, being particularly strong, was used by the Vikings as sail masts and named ‘Thor’s Helper’. Meanwhile, ash made good bows for archers and lime was the wood of shields.

The Celts ascribed their language to the various woods, using them to mean letters in their ogham alphabet. Trees such as apple were full of magic, owing to the godly fruits hanging from their boughs. While the resin from some trees became spiritual incense, used to call upon sun gods in ancient civilisations (Frankincense and the sun god Ra of ancient Egypt).

 

Apple Blossom

From when humans first found shelter, nuts and fruits from these ancient and often tall plants, a symbiotic relationship began. Trees have been used to build homes, ships, bridges, fences, forts and barricades, weapons, wagons, furniture, cutlery, toys and much more. We’ve burned it for fuel and warmth. We’ve taken its fossilised sap and created beautiful jewellery. We’ve made incense and essential oils from their branches, leaves, flowers or fruit, that have become perfumes or healing remedies.

 

Grubenhaus, Jarrow

We love trees. They give us oxygen. And trees love us, because we give them carbon dioxide. We are partners on this planet and we would be lost without them. It is no small wonder we deified them. Where would the Druids be without their oaks and mistletoe? Where would our wooden henges be? Norwegians have their Stavkirks, wooden churches made with roof tiles that replicate scales on some kind of immortal sea creature. Viking and Saxon warriors were referenced in old poems as ‘Tree Men’. Overly tall men were ‘Ash tall’, for those trees were great in height.

We owe so much to them and have lived with them for so long. We are truly blessed to have the company of trees: the wood of the gods...

 

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Life Plotting!

 In the same way we might plan our novels, it can also be practical to apply the same process to planning parts of our day-to-day lives. It may sound crazy, and not all of us want to plot our own lives in quite the same detail as a novel. However, a little thoughtful organisation can help alleviate the weekly stresses.

You could begin by separating your weekly tasks into groups, rather like chapters. Within these ‘chapters’ you can separate things down into smaller pieces, like paragraphs. This way, you only have to focus on the ‘paragraphs’ and once you have completed them, one by one, you will have finished a ‘chapter’.

For instance, housework can be one chapter in your week. The housework paragraphs could be ‘dust+vac’, ‘clean floors’, ‘sinks+toilets’ and ‘laundry’. Then you can have a self-care chapter or a work chapter for the week, perhaps each day doing one or two paragraphs from each of them.

It is easier to approach writing your novels by writing one paragraph at a time. Translating this method to help you through your working week, one task at a time, isn't too far of a leap. And it works well for me. Give it a try!