We know that Trees are nature’s best teachers. One of the first teachings of the Sacred Andean Tradition cosmovision is about the element Earth, Allpa Mama. We are encouraged to connect to the trees during our element Earth practices. Some of us discover new friends, some remember how easy it was to relate to them when we were young, some take it slow and decide it is them, the trees, that don’t want to talk to us. But the seed of connection is planted in our heart centre. It is up to us to clear our emotional body, to sensitize our perception to the frequency of vibration of the plant intelligence.
Over the twenty years of teachings and experiential connections brought by Regis Kamaq Wageaq, our Andean teacher, we have identified two magnificent Sacred Trees at Olifantsnek Dam. They are Witstinkhout, they grow together, but one’s appearance is white (light complexion) and the other black (dark complexion!) … like our black and white South African population.
Back in 2007 we chose Olifantsnek Dam to conduct energy work interacting with nature. As we arrived at this beautiful place, Regis walked straight towards the surrounding vegetation. He saw two tall trees that seemed to be locked in a warm embrace.
Kamaq Wageaq sat in meditation connecting to these sacred trees, and later told us the story he read on them. He called it ‘The Union of the African Trees’: These two entangled trees, one black, one white, represent the two nations of this land. The black tree accepts and embraces the white tree. The white tree has learned, in return, to love and appreciate the black tree, it even holds it in its heart. And both trees live together from the same earth, sipping the same water. And their branches sway in unison in the same wind, under the same sun. It was 17th March 2007.
The roots of these trees resembled strong arms, specially the black Witstinkhout, and the white one looked proud and tall. But at the heart level, the white Witstinkhout tree seemed to have an opening revealing a dark colour wood. The white tree had a solid trunk and plenty leaves. While the black tree had three distinctive thick trunks and branches, growing in different directions.
We worked with the elements under these sacred trees, looking into the water of Olifantsnek dam in front, connecting to the two feminine natural elements, Earth and Water, understanding that life starts with these two elements. However, the balance of life may only exist in harmony with the two masculine natural elements, Air and Fire, in this case, the wind and the sunlight.
The teachings were shared in various forms. But our first encounter with these magnificent Witstinkhout teacher trees was unforgettable.
Two years later, in 2009 the sacred trees of Olifantsnek Dam welcomed us again, this time as loving friends. The surroundings needed some cleaning up, but the sacred trees were still holding tight. Regis Kamaq Wageaq greeted them and respectfully placed his Mesa on their bottom branches, then asked us to join him in picking up all the plastic and wrappings left in the area.
The sacred trees seemed to respond providing us with good shade and a joyful energy about them.
After a short meditation, Kamaq Wageaq told us what the Black and White Witstinkhout trees had to say this time. It was the story of South African peoples as we were approaching 2012. He could see that the black tree was still holding the white tree, and the heart area of the white tree was opening up even more so. Both trees were thriving, but as they were growing taller, there were slight bending happening on both trees. He advised us, the SAT community, to be conscious of the social dynamics in the country, and for us to be balanced and steady in our hearts, so that we could reflect to the South African society, the balance and harmony expressed by Nature.
He explained how these ‘simple’ trees were aware of their environment and the larger reality of this land. That, apparently, these trees were doing nothing, just growing for the sake of normal vegetation; their wood could be used for fire at any time – in fact somebody had made a fire right at their feet not long before that day.
Such unassuming beings were living testimony of South African life! We just needed to tune into their wisdom and listen. If some of the present members of the SAT – the Order of Inkari in those days, did not register Kamaq Wageaq’s words, all the same, the Sacred Trees of Olifantsnek dam did. Again, we received teachings about the four elements, the masculine and feminine principles of life, the continuous change of seasons that supports all life on Earth, the importance of the equinoxes and solstices.
Nearly a decade later, the sacred trees of Olifantsnek Dam looked very different. As we arrived at the dam, Regis Kamaq Wageaq walked in a straight line towards the trees and spent a while talking to them alone.
Large amounts of rubbish and debris had accumulated around them, it took a long time to clear the space. We worked in silence, connecting to the trees, almost hurting for them, because their appearance was sorrowful.
The white tree had been twisted and pulled down, the black tree looked defiant and almost arrogant. Kamaq Wageaq explained that our sacred trees were telling us the story of South African political deterioration. The black tree could not separate from the white tree because they both have a common destiny, but there was resentment and mistrust, to the point of contempt. The white tree had to concede and carry on with life. Holding to life the best it could. The white tree was growing towards the shore of the dam, towards the water. That was a sign of natural resilience and ability to survive. Earth and water – the feminine elements of life.
The black tree had some structural damage too. Two of its branches seemed to be dominant, and there was a third branch growing in the opposite direction, almost like a black healthy branch distancing themselves from the old, resentful, and corrupted main parts of the black tree.
Intuitively we held the energy of love, compassion, forgiveness and absolute Munay. Kamaq Wageaq lead the way by starting to build a protective wall around them. Once again, we worked in silence, connecting to the Plant Intelligence manifested in these embraced Witstinkhout sacred trees. We tried to bring harmony to the place.
Using our Mesas, burning incense, working as a collective, we practiced our best Ayni. All along reflecting on the message of the trees. Kamaq Wageaq continued explaining that both the white and black trees were mirroring each other.
One thick branch of the black tree was also bending with the weight of guilt and heavy jucha [corruption], but similarly to the white tree, instinctively growing towards the water. The trees were speaking to us through our teacher. As initiates of the SAT in this land, we had the responsibility of holding a high vibration of balance, applying the Andean energy balancing practices, becoming steady and fruitful as Earth, becoming as fluid and renewing as Water, becoming as conscientious and powerful as Air and mostly, becoming as transformative and wise as Fire. It was 7th April 2018.
We completed the protective wall round the base of the Witstinkhout sacred trees, and as we were ready to leave, Kamaq Wageaq spotted a tiny green shoot on the white tree. He told us that our Sacred Andean Tradition community could represent that new shoot if we were up to the challenge.
He planted the seed in our energy field, firmly in our poq’po. It would be up to us, collectively and individually, to do the inner work well enough to connect to Pachamama’s wisdom. Connecting our Mesas and our hearts to Pachamama’s pulse. Trusting her. Loving her. Understanding we are Earth, we are Water, we are Air, we are Fire. Remembering we are Nature. Knowing we are part of the whole. Acknowledging we are always connected to all that is, Illa Ticsi Wiracocha. Remembering that creation has a rhythm expressed in life cycles, that night is always followed by a new day, that after winter all is renewed by the extra light of spring.
This time, the message from the sacred trees of Olifantsnek Dam applied to South Africa and to the South African community of the Sacred Andean Tradition. Twenty years of ancient Andean teachings in South Africa could start to bear fruit. But a transitional period had to set first, much work had to be done.
Kamaq Wageaq walked away in silence, in deep conversation with the sacred trees. They looked grateful, dignified, safe, still holding each other, hoping for better times ahead. Each one of us felt the trees’ reciprocity, the promise of new energies to come. They would certainly do their part. That’s what Teacher Trees do! They reflect the energies of life, they love unconditionally, they are resilient, forgiving, smart, humble, totally giving. Now, if humans could be like trees… the truth is that the teachings of the ancient Sacred Andean Tradition provide us with the tools to express a harmonious existence, to experience all frequencies of vibration, to learn from those experiences, to integrate all energies and finally to transcend into the next cycle. Always moving. Always renewing life energy. Munay. Yachay. Llankay. Ayni.
What was waiting for us in February 2020, we could have never imagined. The Witstinkhout trees were full of young shoots, fresh leaves, strong plentiful branches growing on both trees. It seemed that the protective wall around their roots served its purpose. Although not one stone was left in place by the time we came back, the roots had enough shield to regain its strength. Kamaq Wageaq explained that the old twisted white tree, represented the white South African population, that having lost its political power had to bow down to the black population who were the governing power. However, the new shoots on the white tree were plentiful, stronger and healthier than the new shoots on the black tree. Part of the black tree was visibly breaking down, there was deterioration.
The embrace of the black tree around the white tree had not changed. The roots were as united as ever, and both trees were showing renewal.
We immediately started to clear the area, picking up all glass, plastic, and rubble around. And seeing the fresh new growth at the base of the trees, shooting up, towards the sun, filled us with a sense of hope and gratitude. Nature was reflecting to us the path of possibilities for our country. Surely, it requires focus and hard work, that is the principle of Llankay, it requires unconditional love, that is Munay, and it requires determination and clear intent, that is Yachay.
Furthermore, the trees were showing us the importance of acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude, reciprocity, family, community. That is Ayni. Ayni is the basis of harmonious existence. The continuous interaction of all conscious beings, elements, minds, forces, fields, vibrations, energies, all manifested and unmanifested instances of creation. Nothing can exist separated from the whole. Therefore, humans’ ideas of separation are but teaching tools at our disposal. Ideas of loneliness, abandonment, rejection, unworthiness, victimhood, and heavy emotions like disdain, aggression, revenge, anger, contempt, are energies we need to experience (being out of balance) to understand the completion of a cycle or integration and transcendence of the idea of separation and finally be able to hold the truth of oneness! When we regain our balance we experience our true essence, and we become promoters of unity, we offer a safe space to belong to, we become accepting, we acknowledge our own worthiness, we contribute to the community, we are able to show admiration and respect for all beings, we are able to reconcile with life, and personify the consciousness of peace and happiness.
It was clear the new shoots of the sacred trees of Olifantsnek dam were doing their part. Kamaq Wageaq guided us to create two stone circles at the feet of the trees, signifying the principle of Masculine and Feminine, the profound balance of life force or Kawsay. Each stone contained our collective intentions, in a conscious or unconscious way, but all valuable. We were weaving our energies. Picking up stones from the surrounding area and completing the two circles. The left one would represent the feminine, the nurturing principle of motherhood. Intuitive, creative, receiving vessel of wisdom. And the right one would represent the masculine, the active principle of fatherhood. Reasoning, productive, and a protective force. A loving intelligence the father, while the mother exudes her intelligent love. Equal forces of creation. Expression of balance in continuous motion.
Regis Kamaq Wageaq selected a black and a white stone and placed them on the base of the Witstinkhout trees, linking them to the two stone circles in intended balance. Honouring the South African black and white population.
We also proceed to build an Apacheta, which is an altar built from stones. Its purpose is to focus energy, it opens a vortex in a specific, carefully chosen location to demarcate a doorway into another energetic realm, to Pachamama and to the cosmos. It is constructed in a sacred way with respect for the place, and all that grows/lives in that location. Connecting to the energies of the place, to Apu Chicón and the lineage, permission to build is requested, gratitude given, the space cleared, and the directions called.
Our Apacheta honoured the Sacred Trees, the black and white stones representing South Africa and the promise of unity. A prayer to Illa Ticsi Wiracocha was made connecting Mama Africa’s heart, Pachamama’s heart, Mama Killa’s heart and Tayta Inti’s heart. Pure fluid rainbow light!
Finally, Kamaq Wageaq tied the new branches from the black tree and the white tree together with an Andean rainbow ribbon. Setting the intention of promoting unity, coherence, honesty, and love.
What started as a beautiful connection to these Sacred Trees in 2007, evolved into an important relationship for our Sacred Andean Tradition community, so much that 23rd February 2020 marked the start of a profound path of transformation for our community, for South Africa and for the entire world. A few weeks later the planet entered mandatory lock down. At least, public places like Olifantsnek dam had a good rest from polluting unconscious people! Let’s hope our Sacred Andean Community can match their growth, and next time we return to do ceremony with our Sacred Trees, we will be mirroring each other’s similar light.
Love and gratitude,
You must be logged in to post a comment.