The Guardian of the Forest; The Guardian of Love
Some years ago, a dear friend of mine who is very close with the energy of Gaia, told me the story of the guardian of the forest.
The guardian of the forest is a plant, called poison oak. If you live in the western United States, poison oak is a plant to be aware of when you are hiking in any sort of wilderness, or gardening in your garden.
It took me some time to realize that this guardian is acting out of love and is protecting what I dearly love – nature herself and the trees I cherish.
I came to understand, that the essence of the guardian’s mission is love. And then, I came to see how these properties work on a more personal level.
I came to see that we are the guardians of what we love, and we are the guardians of our own heart. When we are ready, the guardian within us opens this doorway. We open the portal of our own heart.
In this article I invite you on the journey with me. Through personal stories, I will describe how I came to understand what a guardian is, how it functions, how we can engage with this energy and finally, how the portal opens.
The Consequences of Crossing the Path of the Guardian
Poison oak is easily recognizable by it’s leaves of three, together. But it’s look varies with the seasons, and can be the color of other easy green leaves, or it’s leaves can be red. Alternatively it can have glossy deep dark green shiny leaves, or leaves of a brilliant dark red hue.
It’s presentation is distinctive, but it’s presentation comes in a large variety, also. One needs to be able to recognize this plant quickly to keep from touching any part of it which may release oils that will coat the skin and result in itching that spreads when touched; some people are highly allergic. The east coast version of poison oak, is poison ivy.
Pioneers who crossed America and came to the west had to be careful; if they burned the dry plant brush in the winter, the toxic fumes were fatal to inhale.
The Redeeming Qualities of a Fearsome Presence
One day I was speaking about this plant with my friend and at that time I viewed it as entirely negative. And this was when she decided to reveal to me it’s guardian properties.
Poison Oak is tasked with protecting the forest, and in general, natural habitats.
Where poison oak grows, no humans dare to tread – they stay away, they back off, they choose a different path.
The Guardian Requires Our Respect
Human beings are respectful of poison oak. It is the one plant that they will give great leeway, and not even bother to chop away to cross into wilderness – going around always seems like a great idea.
This is because anything that touches the poison oak – implements and clothing – will retain it’s oils, which can then be spread back to the human being if he or she isn’t careful to clean the tools carefully, as cutting the poison oak simply releases more oils.
Clothes are best run in a load of laundry immediately after returning home having even slightly brushed against it. The most careful will wash their clothes after walking on any trail where it is present.
Observing the Guardian and Choosing Retreat
I pondered this aspect of poison oak as I walked among redwood groves not long ago, groves that were untouched save for the local hiker, visiting here and there. These groves were heavily logged in the 1800s, and very few of the redwoods remain. Those that do remain are cherished by many, and I cherish them, also.
There were some beautiful tall trees that I felt called to move towards, yet the path to them, and all between them, grew covered in poison oak scattered in long looping spindly bushes.
None of the hikers walked through this part of the large grove; all took a wide berth around, and so did I, moving towards easier territory in which to wander. Though I considered gingerly stepping over and around the maze of vines, to be one of few humans that would stand at the foot of these particular tall trees, I knew that the chances I’d eventually touch the poison oak were high.
This is near the same area that some summers ago, walking along a dry path with tall dry grasses on each side, I heard the telltale rattle of the western rattlesnake, and stopped short in my tracks. Looking around I could not see it’s presence, but it’s sound suggested going further could be trouble, so I quickly backed away, watching the area around me carefully as I retreated. The rattlesnake was exhibiting similar energies of another kind of guardian.
These retreats are what I would call a retreat in strength. We aren’t especially called to face the guardian, we aren’t prepared, we don’t have the correct equipment, or perhaps, our path lies in an easier route. In retreating, we can strengthen ourselves, prepare for the next part of our journey, have more adventures in safer territories, and so on.
The Guardian Acts Out of Love
In this way, the guardian serves a protective function, acting out of love.
We may be unprepared for what is ahead, or unable to appreciate the pathway beyond the guardian, or perhaps what is there isn’t ready, or right for us at this time. There are a hundred other reasons why this may be the case, and we may not like that this is so.
The path ahead may not be in our highest good until we have met a particular threshold, and we may not be in highest good for what is on the path until we meet that threshold, also.
Divine timing comes into play also.
In these cases, meeting the guardian, we will either retreat, or, in the case of the rattlesnake, the guardian will stop us and there will be meaningful consequences to attempting to proceed.
Of course, even proceeding under right timing usually involves a test of the Self.
Our Own Personal Guardian
On a personal level, I believe that we all have this feature, within.
I am the guardian of my own heart and of my own path in the form of my Higher Self, or guardian angel, Soul, as a child of the Creator, or whatever word you would use for this being. This is the higher expression of the divinity that created me and lives through me, who is with me in every moment, and knows me intimately, because it is me.
For me, understanding that there is a guardian, and that ultimately it serves my best interests, and highest outcomes, is incredibly comforting.
I know that I am loved, by a higher power, within. That higher power is a representative of my Soul, knows me intimately, and always acts in my highest good for my highest outcomes, whether that outcome is barring the way, or opening doors.
~ Susan V. Lacerra
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