Sycamore Spirit

I have Cherokee ancestors and I have always been proud of that fact, although I certainly don't claim any insight on Native Americans' lives and... more

by Karen Adams

Title

Sycamore Spirit

Artist

Karen Adams

Medium

Photograph - Fine Art Digital Prints - Photography

Description

I have Cherokee ancestors and I have always been proud of that fact, although I certainly don't claim any insight on Native Americans' lives and ordeals. I know little more than any one who graduated our American school system. Their history was a side note to 'real' history (please hear the sarcasm there.) I do know that my great great grandfather was called 'black' because of his parents and I assume he dealt with some hardships because of the ironic feelings of superiority by other people.

So I know very little about being a Native American, but somehow I have a deep feeling of kinship when I read their beliefs and outlook on life . . . maybe that was simply passed down to me from my dad . . . and my mom who both had deep faith and a love for Mother Earth.

The Cherokee believe that all living things have souls. When I read that today, I almost laughed out loud! While on my morning walk today, I saw an unattended little girl straddling a young tree, bending it almost to the ground and just bouncing away. She was happy, but I have to admit, I was so sad for that little tree! It was all I could do to just keep walking and not call out to her to "Stop!"

So I see this big old tree and I see the personality of an elder, who has stood there for so many years and witnessed so much. I see the spirit of the Sycamore in those bare Spring skeleton bones. I respect that old tree and see its beauty.

I found this quote that talks about the Lakota peoples feel towards Mother Earth and thought I'd share it here.


"The old people came literally to love the soil and they sat or reclined on the ground with a feeling of being close to a mothering power. It was good for the skin to touch the earth and the old people liked to remove their moccasins and walk with bare feet on the sacred earth. . . . The soil was soothing, strengthening, cleansing, and healing. . . . Wherever the Lakota went, he was with Mother Earth. No matter where he roamed by day or slept by night he was safe with her."
Luther Standing Bear, Land of the Spotted Eagle (Lincoln, Nebr.: University of Nebraska Press, 1978), 192–193



Thank you so much for looking at my images. I appreciate your time and interest so much.

I am very concerned with our environment and have decided to donate any money I make from any sales of this image to the ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND.....because our dear Mother Earth needs our help! We all need to speak up and support efforts to protect our environment. We will not get a second chance!


**The watermark stamp will not appear on any purchased items. All images are protected by copyright law and cannot be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the artist.**

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A big thank you to the administrators of the following groups for honoring this image as a feature on their group home page:

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May 12th, 2020