Tree of LifeUnderstanding our Co-Evolution with Trees and Forests
Reconnect with trees through myth, ecology, and cosmology. Gain tools, insight, and purpose as a guardian of Earth’s forests.
taught by Isis Indriya
Module 1The Givers of Life
Start at the course framework of mythology, cosmology and ecology, and how these three are intertwined in envisioning trees as “Givers of Life”. Many different cultures centre a sacred tree as the source of life on Earth—we have always been connected to the trees.
Chapter 1
The Givers of Life
Chapter 2
Q&A: The Givers of Life
Module 2Communing with the Kin-dom of the Earth
This cosmological teaching pertains to the Kin-dom: the entire earthly plane of existence. We will attune to how the cosmos—the realm of the Divine—is expressed in this terrestrial environment: the idea of “Heaven on Earth.”
Chapter 1
Communing with the Kin-dom of the Earth
Chapter 2
Q&A: Communing with the Kin-dom of the Earth
Module 3Communing with the Intelligence of Water
Our cosmological teaching for this class attunes us to the depth of our channel, the birthing canal of consciousness. We will engage aspects of the mystical teachings of water, which we came from, are made of, and return to.
Chapter 1
Communing with the Intelligence of Water
Chapter 2
Q&A: Communing with the Intelligence of Water
Module 4Tending to the Interdependent forms of Communication
Our cosmological teaching for this class pertains to guardianship and adoration. What are the trees teaching us? Here we pay attention to the art and expression of the natural world.
Chapter 1
Tending to the Interdependent forms of Communication
Chapter 2
Q&A: Tending to the Interdependent forms of Communication
Module 5The Heart of the Tree
This class centers on trees as sacred pillars connecting realms, exploring the heart’s role in cosmology. We study banyan, palm, and Mother Trees, honor women-led forest movements, and learn from Nina Gualinga about the Kichwa Living Forest.
Chapter 1
The Heart of the Tree
Chapter 2
Q&A: The Heart of the Tree
Module 6Attuning to a Sacred Agreement
This class explores the balance between strength and humility, honoring the warrior as healer. We study the Muurrbay tree, photosynthesis, entheogenic plants, and cacao, culminating in a ritual to become Guardians of the Forest and repair our bond.
Chapter 1
Attuning to a Sacred Agreement
Chapter 2
Q&A: Attuning to a Sacred Agreement
Module 7The Great Mother that is the Tree
This class honors the Mother archetype through the baobab and bristlecone pine, exploring trees as life-givers and ecosystem anchors. We examine oxygen cycles, old growth forests, and close with a ritual of tree oils and forest soundscape.
Chapter 1
The Great Mother that is the Tree
Chapter 2
Q&A: The Great Mother that is the Tree
Module 8Eternal Communion
In this final module, we explore the Tree of Life as cosmic mirror, the Chinese Tree of Immortality, and global deforestation’s link to collapse. We close with rituals of grief, reforestation, and sacred communication with trees through letter-writing and ceremony.
Chapter 1
Eternal Communion
Chapter 2
Q&A: Eternal Communion
About the course
In the mythologies of most ancient cultures from around the world, a Sacred Tree sits at the centre of the Earth. Could understanding our co-evolution with trees, and forests, then be key to our human blueprint, to our survival, and to our thriving amidst and alongside the biodiversity that exists? Exploring this question from a mythological, cosmological and ecological framework, the Tree of Life is an eight-module online course curated by Imaginal: Isis Indriya, Nathalie Kelley, and Timo Granzotti. Honour your sacred connection to the trees, and step into your sacred role as tenders and guardians of the forest, from wherever you are.
Tree of Life is an eight-module offering dreamed up and put together by a diverse trio of teachers from varying backgrounds and life experiences: Isis Indriya, Nathalie Kelley, and Timo Granzotti. At the heart of this course is an aim to restore our (human’s) sacred connection to the trees, and invite participants to come into our sacred role as Tenders and Guardians of the forest once more, whether or not one is of Indigenous descent. Humans are all indigenous to this Earth, and it is our calling to find our way back to the standing ones.
Threading the connections between Indigenous cultures, their relationship to trees, and many ancient and contemporary cultures from around the world who have cosmologies, mythologies and stories around sacred trees, and the rich, omnipresent symbol of the tree of life, this course will help you realise this—the universality of the human/nature connection.
The course aims to awaken something that is deeply rooted within all of us: that we are irrevocably bonded to the trees. Come to spark curiosity, inquiry, reverence for and enchantment with and for forests, through the ecological teachings of the course. How can learning about the interdependent workings of the forest, the ecosystems that trees are part of, not stir inspiration in our hearts to be warriors and guardians in this time? Let us chart a path for civilisation and humanity together, with the blueprints of creation given to us, towards regeneration restoration and re-enchantment with the forests, like many cultures ancient and living. Let us listen, together, to the majestic trees as life givers, receive, and act.
The cosmological teachings in the course reflect archetypal cosmological approaches. Through various archetypes explored each module, supported by the respective mythological and ecological teaching, we will be inspired by the trees to move through the terrestrial realm as a reflection of the heavenly realm. "As Within So Without, That Which is Above is that Which is Below." We will engage in how to commune with a Sacred Way of Life by way of the teachings of Trees, Sacred World Trees, and the Cosmological stories of creation principles. These are the teachings from Trees of Life across cultures and communities world over. Mythologies explored in the course involve Tree of Life myths from around the world, through which we glean the wisdom, lessons and warnings from each of these, recognising where they have shaped different cultures and our relationship to the trees around us. Finally, we will dive into a sound ecological frameworks for the ecological portion of the course, covering basic concepts like the mycelium network or “Wood Wide Web,” the role of pheromones in tree communication and the role of the hydrological cycle in temperate and tropical rainforests.
The course will also additionally explore the different relationships that various cultures around the world have had with their forests. Contrasting the ways in which some have tended to and built forests (using examples such as Terra Preta, Agroforestry and the Milpa system) with cultures and civilisations that have destroyed these ecosystems, we will explore how humanity can course-correct at this present time in history.
Overall, the aim of this course is to share advocacy and inspiration on behalf of and with the trees. To bring about examples of myths, ecology and cosmology to spark curiosity and inquiry. To unite and reignite as sacred guardians for the trees, as we always have been, and to show solutions for extractivism and ecological destruction in these times—solutions that have been grounded in cultures and community world over, which can be traced back to ancient stories passed down generations.
- 8 Modules
- 4 Teachers
- Curated readings, resources, rituals and embodied practices
- Community discussion area
- Video and audio available
- Open the door to communing with a Sacred Way of Life by way of the teachings of Trees, becoming a student of the Sacred World Trees
- Expand their mythological repertoire to include at least seven Tree of Life myths from around the world
- Gain insight into the workings of forests as whole and interconnected ecosystems
- Develop a historical understanding of different past human relationships with forests, and how the nature of those relationships can cause either civilisational collapse or increased abundance
- Deepen in awareness and gratitude for the life giving nature of trees, learning to be in right relationship with them and each other
- Learn to reclaim our rightful human nature as peoples, stewards and guardians of the forest
