General: The tree depicts the living structure of our inner self. Its roots show our connection with our physical body and the earth, our family background and influences, and cultural roots; its trunk the way we direct the energies of our being – growth, sex, thought, emotion. The branches are the abilities, directions and many facets we develop in life – varied and yet all connected in the common life process of our being. The tree can also symbolise new growth, stages of life and ageing, with its spring leaves and blossom, then the falling leaves. The top of the tree, or the end of the branches are our aspirations, the growing vulnerable tip of our personal growth and spiritual realisation. The leaves may represent our personal life which may fall off the tree of life – die – but what gave it life continues to exist.
