Recently I went on a walk in the forest with my sister. We stopped chatting with each other to listen to a tree making creaking noises. There was a bit of wind so it seemed logical that the swaying branches might create an audible sound. But we both wondered what the trees might say, if they could actually communicate in a language we understood. Why is it so easy to accept the likelihood that animals talk to other animals, even if they are not of the same species, but we don't consider that other living things can also communicate?
Apparently, my sister and I aren't the only ones who have wondered if plants talk. Plant science researchers have suggested it is an obvious conclusion.
http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/plants-actually-talk-each-other-new-research-finds.html Dr. Monica Gagliano from the University of Western Australia, said she hopes new studies on the way plants communicate with each other will
"open up a new debate on the perception and action of people towards plants which are not objects but should perhaps be treated as living beings in their own right."
Artist, Minnie Aumonier said,
"There is always music amongst the trees in the garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it." I would have to agree.
One of the characters in
Stelladaur: Finding Tir Na Nog is a giant talking cedar tree named Sequoran. The main character, Reilly, discovers Sequoran quite unexpectedly but soon realizes the tree is a trusted friend who can help Reilly find answers he desperately needs. In the following scene, Reilly is waiting with his dog, Tuma, for Sequoran to wake from a nap so he can ask the tree a question.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“I can hear him breathing,” Reilly whispered to Tuma. “Maybe he’s sleeping quietly today.” No answer. “If he’s awake, why won’t he say so?”
Reilly moved in closer and stretched his arms out to give a wide, firm hug to the tree. He felt a sudden jolt and stepped back.
“Pardon me. I didn’t mean to jump,” Sequoran said. “But that tickled!”
Reilly smiled broadly. “I’m sorry. Didn’t you hear me coming?”
“Of course, I did—you and everyone who comes into the forest. However, I was busy watching the waves roll in on the far coast and I got carried away, blissfully listening to all their chatter. Quite helpful, I must say.”
“You can see the waves on the far coast? And they chatter?” Reilly asked.
“Absolutely! All living things communicate in a language understood by all other living things, except by most humans.”
“What do you mean?”
“People often lack the awareness and consciousness that other living creatures enjoy naturally. The energy in the waves is the same energy that’s in both you and me. Most humans have forgotten this, so they don’t really look. They don’t really listen.”
“But you can always hear the waves talking?”
“Every time I tune in to their frequency.”
“Frequency?”
“It’s the energy wavelength that communicates understanding from sea to tree. There is a language frequency for communication between all living things. That’s why you can hear me, Reilly. You’re on the tree-to-human frequency.”
Reilly was glad to finally understand how it was that he could hear Sequoran talk. He didn’t know what to say next. He looked at Tuma who, though silent, wagged her tail swiftly. In the silence, a pure and mysterious place, similar to the space between inhaling a deep breath and letting it out, opened up in Reilly’s consciousness. The waves.
“What did the waves say?” he asked Sequoran.
“Ah, the chattering waves. They’re getting organized, lined up, tucked in and around each other, some high, and others down low. They’re communicating perfectly with each other and with the wind to prepare ...”
“Prepare for what?”
“To receive.”
“Receive what?”
“More water from the rain clouds gathering beyond.”
“Is the rain headed this way?” Reilly touched the tree in anticipation.
“Yes. It will be here after the moon grins once and before the sun smiles southeast on Eagle Harbor. You must now prepare for your next journey.”
“How?”
“Tonight, look at the moon out your window. Watch. Listen. Be still.”
“Okay, I will. Thanks, Sequoran.” Reilly hugged himself to Sequoran’s mossy trunk. “I’ll come again soon. Thank you.”
“Ah, thank you, Reilly. As I’ve said before, so many walk by without tuning in.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next time you are on a walk in the forest, listen to the talking trees. You may be surprised at what they have to say.
