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Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
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Article: 11780
[Culture]
Date Posted:
12/15/2004
9:44:03 am EST
Wvox Stats
Views: 24,179
RSS: 3,433
Comments: 19
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Evergreen Reminder Of Spirit Of Christmas
Author: Goh Ee Koon Source: Star Publications (Malaysia)
Title: EVERGREEN REMINDER OF SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
  As the Christmas season approaches, retail outlets, hotels, shopping malls and homes are putting up decorations like stockings, decorative logs and the ever-popular Christmas tree.
The Christmas tree has a long history. The real trees are evergreens. In the past, evergreens were a symbol used to ward off witchcraft, evil spirits and ghosts. In Druidic and Roman times, the English used evergreens to help celebrate the winter solstice, which was a signal that spring was near and soon, trees and plants would be green again and that crops could start growing.
The tree tradition began in Germany in the 16th century when Christians brought trees into their homes, decorating them with candles. The Protestant reformer, Martin Luther, was credited with adding lit candles to the tree, in order to create the illusion of stars twinkling among the evergreens.
Submitted by and Thanks to: Ian
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Community Thoughts: There are 19 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Evergreens | Dec 16th. at 8:07:18 am EST |
by Janet (Pennsylvania) - wc_xemail - Web
We've only ever had real trees that we cut ourselves at a local tree farm. After the holidays, they are put outside (upright) and "decorated" with suet for the birds. Not only do they get a treat, they get shelter too. I even got a small potted one for an elderly neighbor the other year otherwise she wouldn't have had one at all.
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| Love The Balsam And Fraser Fir! | Dec 15th. at 11:02:36 pm EST |
by Wild Witch (Michigan) - wc_xemail
It smells so wonderful! The trees are grown on farms, so you can be somewhat guilt free. Although I think some are groomed and pruned *too* perfect to the point they don't look real. (I like the rustic ones where you can see a bit of the tree trunk and bark between the branches.) When the season is over, I save all of my evergreen "decor" and take out the wires from the wreath and 50' garland and cut them into 1-2 foot long pieces. I then lay them on top of mulch in my flower beds where they'll smell good nearly all summer. It's kind of like being in the forest in my icky city backyard! I'm a bit allergic to evergreens too, but not bad like my other allergies. (Exhaust fumes are the WORST!) But I still have the balsam or fir...
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| Great Website | Dec 15th. at 9:37:29 pm EST |
by Mari-Anne (NYC - Staten Island) - wc_xemail
If you visit:
[Web LINK]
There is a list of reasons why having a natural tree for the holidays and why tree farms are a good, environmentally sound choice.
I have nothing personal really against artificial trees. My parents had one while I was growing up....they were inspired by the fact that we used to have alot of guests over on Christmas Eve and all day on Christmas.....at least 40 people would come and go throughout the day. One year, one of our guests was smoking a cigar very close to the tree (my sister and I were very little at the time) and he had had a few to drink. That was the last year we had a real tree because of the fire hazard.
But if you don't keep it up too long and use light sets with the UL seal on them because they stay cool and keep watering it, real trees are very nice.......the farms provide tons of oxygen for us air-breathing humans and we provide them with carbon dioxide...it's a nice little give and take. And if you mulch your own or your city or town have tree recycling progams....like NYC does, they get another life too!
We put ours up tonight and put the lights and star on the top. Tomorrow night we'll put the ornaments on. That's my favorite part because every year we buy a new ornament and we both have some from our homes growing up.....which all have wonderful stories behind them.
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| A Thought... | Dec 15th. at 5:57:29 pm EST |
by Ron (Independence, MO) - wc_xemail
I have some friends that live out in the country. at the beginning of December, they go to a greenhouse where they buy a live, potted pine tree for their Yule tree. they decorate it and in the spring, plant it outside. They have a whole area of pine trees growning. They like the idea of having a real tree in the home and the fact that they didn't have to kill it. it's also a memory as you stroll down the pine trees. eventually they'll have their own forest.
wishing all a Happy Yule!
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| Well.... | Dec 15th. at 5:16:28 pm EST |
by Silver Faery (USA) - wc_xemail
My parents had the same artifical tree until I was 20 years old, and then they went and got a new one! Every once in a while my parents would get a real one and leave the artifical one in the storage area. We decorated it every year, that way it never looked the same two years in a row! That was the best part, us getting together and decorating it, one of the few times you will see my whole family get along to do something.
We are getting ready to go and by an artifical one, because our place of living is military and so small we can get one to fit the apartment. It will be decorated and as our kids are old enough they will be able to join us in the tradition!
Well either way a fake tree or a real one, the intent of the tree is to celebrate the Season/Holiday/Sabbat. And to remind people of what ever they believe in need it be the return of Jesus or the return of the Sun God!
Happy and Blessed Yule everyone!
Silver Faery
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| Pillows | Dec 15th. at 4:21:17 pm EST |
by winter night (Portland, ME) - wc_xemail
Love the real trees. Ours gets recycled into balsam pillows.
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| Speaking Of Christmas Trees.... | Dec 15th. at 4:17:34 pm EST |
by Morgaine (Missouri) - wc_xemail
Has anyone read "The Boondocks" today? There should be a link below. Find More info -- HERE
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| I Like A Real Tree | Dec 15th. at 4:10:33 pm EST |
by Owlglass (Albuquerque, NM) - wc_xemail
They're grown on Christmas tree farms, and are in my opinion a crop like potatoes or corn. Fortunately I'm not allergic to them, and I love the way they make the house smell. After the holiday I mulch mine.
My mom uses a fake tree when she bothers to put one out at all, and if she could figure a way to store it fully decorated, she would. As long as she comes to my house for the holidays, she is thrilled not to have to bother with decorations.
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| Just A Thought... | Dec 15th. at 3:14:07 pm EST |
by Autumn (Yukon, Oklahoma) - wc_xemail
My mom purchases a real Christmas tree every year and she had a unique way of disposing of it. She lived next to a creek bed that had all sorts of furry animals that could use a fallen tree for a home. So, after the holidays she would toss the tree into the creek for the animals to use. Now, I know not everyone lives next to a creek bed, but most of us know someone who drives a truck and who wouldn't mind making a couple of bucks (or considering the season maybe do it for free) and hauling the tree out to some nice wooded area in which to present an animal a new home. Just an idea, if it is plausible for anyone. Heck, I have a fake tree just because it is easier than having to go out to buy a tree and haul it to my apartment. Anyway, just a thought.
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| Sheesh... | Dec 15th. at 2:58:12 pm EST |
by Suz (Oly) - wc_xemail
...I did not wish to offend anyone with my personal view. I do not judge or care what anyone else does with their freakin' tree preferances. That is why I try to use terms like, "where I live..." and "in my opinion..." and "seems..." because I only can speak from my own experiences and environs.
I am not suggesting anyone do what I do; I am just offering my perspective.
That's still okay here on witchvox, isn't it?
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| I Love A Real, Fresh Tree... | Dec 15th. at 2:48:07 pm EST |
by Debby J (Florida) - wc_xemail
that you cut yourself at a tree farm. I lived in MD until 3.5 years ago, and there were many tree farms around. I had no problem supporting these farmer; they were constantly planting new trees to eventually replace the old ones. It was no different than eating meat, milk or eggs from a farm, to me. Sadly, South Florida doesn't have any tree farms, so after 2 Yules dealing with trees from lots that dried up too soon, I relented and got an artificial one. I intend to use it until it falls apart, so hopefully it won't end up in one of our "Mt. Trashmore" s for quite a few years.
Happy Holidays, All!
Debby J.
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| What "seems A Little Silly" To Me... | Dec 15th. at 2:04:14 pm EST |
by Celia (USA) - wc_xemail
...is that people who are normally so eager to say that we should be tolerant of others are being so critical about making a choice based on legitimate health concerns.
My family also uses a fake tree, for similar reasons to those expressed by Vantui, so I definitely understand where she's coming from on the issue. Some of us just can't have a real tree, so please stop looking down on us for it.
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| Where I Live... | Dec 15th. at 1:39:47 pm EST |
by Suz (Oly) - wc_xemail
...in the "Evergreen State", buying a fake tree, in my opinion, just seems a little silly. I have 4 or 5 christmas tree farms within just a few miles from my home.
I view them as a CROP, raised for specifically this purpose, just as one may grow vegetables for eating or flowers for cutting. Composting and returning the tree to the earth is my way of completing the cycle.
I agree with the previous poster; artificial trees seem to me to be less environmentally friendly. Eventually, they need to be disposed of, and they're not quite as biodegradable as the natural kind.
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| Alternatives | Dec 15th. at 12:18:58 pm EST |
by Jeweldspear (Southern Indiana) - wc_xemail - Web
Living trees are a great way to bring the season in and then give back to nature by planting the tree outside after X-mas. As to why cut down the whole tree, , , , , , the whole tree doesn't need to be cut down. Long ago my family would only cut the top out of the tree and decorate that and to give back to nature we would toss the tree in our man-made lake for the fish to nest around the next year in the spring. Another idea is to gather grapevine and make a spiral to decorate as if a tree. It makes a very folky X-mas tree alternative. Just my Wiccan 2 cents.
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| In My Hometown... | Dec 15th. at 12:17:16 pm EST |
by Morgaine (Mohawk, NY) - wc_xemail
Even though my husband and I use an artificial tree, a lot of families in our local area do tend to lean toward a real tree. The town and villages pick up undressed trees left at the curb after the holidays and turn them into free mulch for local gardeners. If you love the real thing, please suggest this great way to recycle those evergreens to your local town board. They may be just as happy to hear this idea as you might be in present-ing it. ;)
Happy Yule !
Morgaine
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