Often the forest is seen as a wall of impenetrable unknowns. A place where secret meetings go on, where creatures live in a not- very-domestic way. And this reflects mankind's fear of those he knows he cannot tame through control or coercion or force. This wall of forest is rarely thought of as a living, conscious mass of energies and activities. Yet there is so much life in it, that even in his fear, man can sense this.

This is not an impenetrable wall. You can walk easily into a forest. And the second you walk in, you have an opportunity to feel the energies of the forest as a whole, to find your fascination aroused by the exploration of all the individual energies around you. The trees, the shrubs, the birds, the animals, the forest floor, the earth, the minerals, the air, the scents. A rich, rich experience.

And when you are in the forest, you are a part of the energy of the forest - not separate from it. You are never separate from the energies of the forest but when you walk into it, you become a part of the total of the forest energy at that time. So the energy that you may fear is your own.

Listen to the sounds. Use all of your senses. Close your eyes, relax and go within and notice more. For there is always joy and movement in the forest. Happy expansion creativity and growth. And if there are any secret ceremonies at all, you will be invited to join, if you can see them.

I am Alder. I am one of the energies you may find in the forest. Discard your fear of the forest when you can and walk into it's energies with wonder, anticipation and delight. And you may be surprised at the welcome you receive.