Rooted and Rising: How the Tree Archetype Inspires My Life and Work
Following post written by Juniper Gwin.
From childhood to professional practice, the image of the tree has been a steady source of wisdom in my life. As a retreat facilitator, movement teacher, and acupuncturist, I return again and again to this archetype—not just as a symbol, but as a lived experience that informs how I teach, connect, and heal.
The Tree as Teacher
I still remember the Mountain Laurel tree I used to climb as a child, a quiet refuge that offered safety and peace. I didn’t know it then, but that tree would be the first of many guides on my path. Later, as I studied Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Traditional East Asian Medicine, the metaphor of the tree reemerged—this time with even deeper resonance.
In this tradition, the human body is seen as a channel between Earth and Sky. Like a tree, we are meant to be rooted in the nourishing Yin energy of the Earth, while also reaching upward to receive the clear, expansive Yang energy of the Heavens. When this central channel is open, Spirit flows into the heart. This alignment is not just poetic—it’s foundational to how I understand healing and embodiment.
A Universal Symbol of Connection
The sacredness of trees spans across cultures. They are honored as life-giving forces, as bridges between worlds, and as living beings that cleanse the air we breathe—literally transforming our outbreath into life-giving oxygen.
When my own spiritual awakening began during acupuncture school, I found myself repeatedly turning to trees. I would draw them, write poems about them, and press my palms to their trunks as if to listen. The simplicity of those moments held profound truth.
Embodying the Tree in Movement
In my movement classes, I guide students to explore their bodies through the lens of tree wisdom. I might ask them to "grow roots" in order to steady a balancing pose, or to "reach for the sun" to lift their spirits, not to mention, improve their posture. When we embody a tree in Qi Gong, we open to cosmic energy from above and grounding energy from below. This simple practice can reveal powerful insights and energetic shifts.
The Tree Meditation
At our women’s retreats, I often share a meditation that many participants find deeply healing. I ask them to envision themselves as an apple tree—rooted, whole, and true to their nature. They do not need to become a cherry tree or any other kind of tree to be loved or accepted. They simply bear apples. No striving, no overthinking, no apology. Just being.
This metaphor can be especially powerful for those who feel exhausted from people-pleasing or performing. It invites a return to self, to sovereignty, and to deep nourishment from within.
We Are the Grove
As individuals, we are like trees—each one unique. But in community, we are a grove, interconnected through unseen roots. Science now tells us what ancient traditions always knew: trees share nutrients, send warning signals, and care for one another. We are not meant to thrive alone.
The core framework for NourishDeep Retreats is a tree too. We call it our Tree Angel. All of our retreats are created to support each retreatant’s unique tree. The roots are our values, meant to inform our actions and like the Taoist model, Spirit is received and embodied when the central channel of the tree is open. We explore what blocks our flow—physically, mentally, emotionally—and we use mindfulness, movement, Acupuncture, Reiki, and sound to restore balance. We move and stretch, waking up our roots, strengthening our trunks and extending our branches. And lastly, we step into our place in the grove, recognizing that our choices affect the whole.
Rooting Deeper, Rising Higher
The tree continues to be my greatest teacher. Through its imagery, I’ve found language for healing, presence, and transformation. It reminds us that we are both grounded and expansive, both individual and connected, both strong and supple.