I just love this picture, which was sent to me by a friend and fellow Pagan. I’m not sure where he got the picture or who took it, but I find it quite appealing. It makes me think of a delightful young female tree spirit, engaging in joyful dance…
May the blessings of the Earth inspire you to engage in your own dance of joy…
today, tomorrow, and always.
~ Ocean
Note: According to information supplied by one of my readers, this photograph is attributed to a man named “En Syncro” who uploaded it on October 10, 2005. He calls it the “Tree of Dance” and claims it is a genuine tree and the picture was not photoshopped. This all the information I have available on this photograph.
This sculpture shows the sign for "connect"...and that is what Deaf Pagan Crossroads is all about - making connections. Connections between Deafhood and Paganism, connections between the Deaf Community and the Hearing Community, connections between myself as the writer and you as the reader. I hope you will take the time to read my various posts, some of which are listed below. Welcome to the Crossroads, and I hope you make some connections here!
Deaf Pagan Crossroads 
Nature is so awesome and amazing. I just finished planting a back door herb bed in honor of Earth Day. I’m going to take a before picture, and in a few months, the results!
beautifull i love trees
What a beautiful tree! 🙂
Wow. That’s an awesome picture!
Nature continues to amaze me in many ways! Thanks for sharing!
Wow
Amazing – it really looks like a woman!
Amazing picture– thanks for sharing. 🙂
I have a question…
WHERE is this tree located???
I honestly do not know where this tree is located. I received the picture in an email from a friend, who apparently got it from someone else.
Who actually took it, where it comes from, and where this tree is located is information I’m afraid I don’t have.
Nevertheless, I think it’s a gorgeous picture of a really beautiful tree!
Wow i’m amazed! I have been thinking about joining a ballet class and I stumbled upon your site by accident and voila there is a ballet dancing tree woman hehe:) i’m going to take that as a sign to start my dance classes.
Thanks for sharing!
Can anybody shed some light on this picture? Is it photoshopped or altered in any way? I have asked around, and nobody can make up their mind about it. Any ideas or clues?
With all due respect, why is it THAT important to you to know whether this is an altered photo or whatever?
Could it be because you refuse to accept that Mother Nature is capable of such an amazingly beautiful work of art?
It makes me really sad that people need to ask such a question as the one posed by Curious George…have we become so “technology obsessed” that instead of appreciating a true work of natural beauty, we instead have to focus on determining if it’s truly “real” or has been altered in some way?
Let us appreciate what nature has to offer and stop asking these sorts of questions.
This is a fantastic picture! It looks as though it’s just finished a ballet leap, absolutely beautiful!
Have you ever read the “Fortean Times”? This sort of image is whats known as a “Simulacra” – a plant, vegetable or rock that resembles the shape of a human or animal face or figure; and they have a whole gallery of pictures. You can find the website here: http://www.forteantimes.com/community/photos/ (you may need to log in, but it’s free.)
You might be particularly interested in the brilliant submission of a Wiccan who found his confirmation to continue on his chosen path in an image of the Horned God in a tree: http://www.forteantimes.com/community/photos/684/simulacra.html
Hope you like them!
I think this is amazing, I’d love to know where it is simply to be able to go there and photograph it myself. As an artist I’m visually attracted to the image and would love to be able to view it in person and express it on paper 🙂
I’m so modling that. That amazing~!!!
HAWK:
[“With all due respect, why is it THAT important to you to know whether this is an altered photo or whatever?
Could it be because you refuse to accept that Mother Nature is capable of such an amazingly beautiful work of art?
It makes me really sad that people need to ask such a question as the one posed by Curious George…have we become so “technology obsessed” that instead of appreciating a true work of natural beauty, we instead have to focus on determining if it’s truly “real” or has been altered in some way?
Let us appreciate what nature has to offer and stop asking these sorts of questions.”]
You know, Curious George just asked a question probably a lot of us are wondering ourselves. I would assume many of us want to know whether this tree is for real or not, because knowing the answer would largely affect the type of appreciation we’d have for this “work of art”. If we find that the tree/photo has been photoshopped, and not genuine, then our reaction to that fact would differ a lot than if we discover that the tree is actually 100% natural.
If the tree IS indeed natural, then Holy Shanks, that WOULD be quite a natural wonder, now wouldn’t it?
HAWK, you need to understand that we are not “technology obsessed”, we are inquisitive; and being inquisitive and informed does not impede our ability to appreciate “beautiful works of nature”. In fact, knowing whether something like this is genuine can actually escalate our awe for nature’s wonders.
While I do appreciate the inquisitiveness that one might have as to whether or not this photograph is genuine, I’m afraid I cannot answer such questions… I received this photo in an email from a friend, and he did not indicate the source. I have no way of knowing where this tree exists, who took the picture, or any other information.
While I acknowledge the possibility that this is in fact an edited picture, I am inclined to believe, knowing this friend… that it is in fact a genuine photograph of a real tree. I know that I have seen true works of art from Mother Nature, and never cease to marvel at such natural wonders.
I see no reason to believe that this tree is any different.
I have to agree with HAWK and Ocean…
When I saw this photograph for the first time, it never really entered my mind to question whether it was real or not. I simply accepted it as being real, because I believe that it is… the same way that I believe that Mother Nature is indeed our greatest artist.
It is my belief that one who truly follows the Pagan Path does not need to ask… they only need to look at the universe around them to know that such a tree does exist.
And even if it was in fact photoshopped, I don’t feel that diminishes the beauty of it, or the appreciation that I have for the message that it sends to us…
I think Ocean explained it well in her title of this post – “Dancing to the Heartbeat of the Earth.” Indeed, all of us should take a little time to pause and listen to that heartbeat, and perhaps we too would join in that joyful dance – a dance so sacred that it touches our souls and warms our spirits.
this tree is incredible. she’s the most beautiful – actualized wood nymph i’ve ever encountered.
i found her while searching for images of a druid ‘world tree’ to tattoo on my body to symbolize my paganism and celebrate the divine force that is mother nature.
if anything celebrates the power and joy of nature it’s completely embodied in this tree. She is woman. She is nature and she is enraptured with her existence. How playful the goddess can be! She had to be laughing when she created this little nymph.
This image is incredibly moving. I’ve now abandoned my plans for a Druid oak tree tattoo. Instead I’m tattooing this dancing tree on my body.
This little nymph is the perfection of nature. The power, love, celebration, humor and joy.
She simultaneously uplifts and humbles.
blessed be.
The tree i beautiful!!! Will you e-mail me a copy?
What a beautiful photograph! As a photographer, I don’t think it really matters whether it was “natural” or manipulated. What’s clear is that it’s the creation of a photographer with reverence and respect for the earth, trees, and their life-giving spirit. Really beautiful! And a wonderful blog as well.
I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has commented on this picture… I agree that it is a beautiful one.
There have been some comments questioning whether this is a real picture or is in fact manipulated.
With all due respect, I have to challenge the comments made by one of my readers trying to explain the difference between being technology-obsessed and merely being inquisitive.
I believe that we have indeed become a “technology obsessed” society if in fact our appreciation for this picture is based on whether or not it is truly real or has been photoshopped in some way. If that is going to affect the way we view this picture, then I think we are missing the true message here.
I agree with Madison Guy that it really shouldn’t matter. What does matter is that it honors the reverence and respect that we should give to Mother Nature and Her life-giving spirit.
This is the major reason I posted this picture – to remind us all…as FireSpirit says, to take a little time to pause and listen to that heartbeat.
Lyreta said it well… such a picture of such a spirit simultaneously uplifts and humbles.
Let us all dance.
I too have been very interested in this Photograph. I have done some research . The only information that I could find on it is it is under Partial Rights by a man named En Syncro… He calls it the “Tree of Dance”.. It is in attribution, which means it is “public” and can be used by anyone, (Not sold), as long as they refer to the person in a link or written recognition. He has recorded his upload of the Photo as October 10, 2005…He claims the Photo isn’t Photoshopped.
I’m an artist of many kinds of media. Photography is one of them. I was an Air Brush instructor for a number of years. I would never tell my students, “Don’t ask Why or How a picture was done, just accept its beauty”. This is unacceptable thinking when it comes to Teaching. There is way to much fraud on the internet, and NOT asking questions could be dangerous. I’m surprised the Owner of this beautiful site would have its visitors believe its better to hide in La La land then to educate ones self…Don’t get me wrong. I couldn’t be an artist and not be a romantic either. I have never seen, talked to, or met Santa Claus, but I believe he exists. He lives in all Parents who Love their children. I believe in life on other worlds, it would be sad to think we are the only ones, and yet I have never seen an alien, or UFO..
Teaching is a responsibility, and having a great web site like this comes with that responsibility. Putting people down because they’re curious is taking away their right as human beings to answer the call of wisdom through curiosity. My Deaf Teacher once told me, ‘Only the Deaf see us as Hearing Impaired”…She may have been right…Thank You for allowing me to speak..Really like your site…captphrank
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, captphrank … and also for the information in regards to this photograph.
However, I do feel the need to respond to some of your statements.
First of all, in the same way that I am allowing you to speak your mind, I must also allow others that same equal opportunity. I may not always agree with what they have to say, but as long as what is said does not personally attack or offend other readers, I believe that that everyone should have the right to express their opinions.
Yes, there are some comments here that people could take offense with, and could argue that they are personal criticisms of what someone else has said. As the owner and moderator of this blog, I have to make a judgment call. I have chosen to leave these comments up, because I think that these individuals have something important to say that perhaps we all need to consider.
However, I must go on record as saying that I am uncomfortable with your accusation that as the owner of this blog, I am allowing readers to believe that its better to “hide in La La Land than to educate ones self.” I think that anyone who knows me well, or who has read several of the vast posts that I have put up on this blog, knows that this is far from the truth – I have always been a strong supporter of importance of educating oneself… that is part of why I created this blog in the first place – to help educate people on the truth about Paganism and Earth-Based Spirituality, as well as Deafhood and other subjects.
You may indeed feel that as an instructor that you would never tell someone not to ask questions about how a work of art was done. This is probably appropriate for your situation – but perhaps not so appropriate here. This is a spiritual blog… it is not an art blog, a photography blog, or a Photoshop blog. Thus the lesson here may be different from the lesson that you are attempting to teach to your students.
I believe that when Hawk and others (including myself) were responding to the some of the comments made here, we were responding from our own perspectives as Pagan individuals on a blog that focuses on Earth-Based Spirituality. The lesson here was focusing not on the source of the photograph or whether or not it had in fact been manipulated in any way… but rather, on the profound experience that one can gain from viewing this picture, an experience that goes beyond wondering if it has been Photoshopped or not.
It’s as some of the comments have said – it really shouldn’t matter, and if that is the focus of your interest in the photo, then perhaps you are missing the message.
I think that for some of us, we were trying to look beyond simply the “techniques” of the photo to an appreciation of what it is trying to convey… the joy that comes from the connection to a primal source, the ecstasy of engaging in the sacred dance.
I think it is possible to simply appreciate the beauty of a work of art without the need to ask why or how a picture was done.
I also am puzzled by your statement “Only the Deaf see us as Hearing Impaired.” I wonder exactly what was meant by such a statement, and exactly what your Deaf teacher was trying to say when she made such a comment.
I’m sorry, but I don’t agree with it… from my own experience as a Deaf person who has been interacting with other Deaf people for many years, a person who is truly Deaf – meaning a member of the Deaf Community and thus integrated into the Deaf Culture – wouldn’t be making such a statement.
We in the Deaf Community do NOT view ourselves as Hearing Impaired, and thus would not see ourselves or other Deaf people as being Hearing Impaired. I myself do not use this term, simply because I do not see myself as an “impaired” person.
I’m not Hearing Impaired. I’m Deaf. Period.
I must tell you, as I said, I’m an Artist and Instructor of art, I’am diffenitely not an English teacher…LOL.. My writing and spelling is terrible and I must appologize.
Sometimes I don’t convey my thoughts as well as you have here. I’am not Deaf. Thats why I took a course in ASL…What my Teacher was saying was People like myself are “Hearing Impaired”, not Deaf people. When I said “Us” I ment hearing people. She would never consider herself impaired in any way. She was very addamant about that.
When I took the class I thought I would be learning sign language from a Hearing instructor. Learn how to make the signs with my hands and fingers waving them in the air like a pianist getting ready to play a concert and I would be talking to deaf people in no time and that would be it….Nothing could have been further from the truth.To understand Deaf Peoples attitude about deafness was very eye opening. I’m certainly not an expert on the subject but I do know, I no longer think of Deaf people as Impaired or Handicapped. My Teacher, Sandra, was right about Hearing people being handicapped. Emotionally.To feel sorry for someone because they can’t hear is nonsense. The book “Deaf World” should be required reading for the hearing (my opinion).The use of the entire body to communicate was never my idea of sign language..Legs, arms, head, eyes, mouth, all moving in a choreographed form of communicating and listening…actually quite beautiful…Just like this Tree.
Your right, this is a spiritual Blog and I certainly didn’t mean to be negitive in any way. I guess I’m just very passionate about learning. I can sit on a grassy hill and watch the clouds go by, and see different things in their shapes, a dragon, a child playing, or the face of God, but to understand what makes the clouds, why it moves the way it does, its colour, and molecular compisition, To Me, only enriches the experience.
I Hope its O.K. for me to come back to your site now and then. I do like and respect what your doing here.
Still…I can’t help wonder what this Trees DNA Strand looks like compared to another..I bet its Glorious.
Thank You…capt.
Greetings again, Captphrank ~
Certainly you are more than welcomed here at the Crossroads, and I hope that you will visit again and feel comfortable with leaving comments. I think you have made some very good, valid, and thought-provoking statements here that are beneficial for all of my readers, and I do want to encourage the expression of such here, as well as the exchange of positive dialogue.
Thank you for clarifying your statements from your previous comment – I think there may have been a breakdown in communication here, which can lead to misunderstandings. Now that I have a clearer sense of where you are coming from, I can agree with much of what you’ve said, and empathize with your experiences.
Certainly there is nothing wrong with being inquisitive and asking questions…I too am very passionate about learning. But I do think there are times for asking, and times for remaining silent and allowing ourselves to simply experience the moment. For some, being able to understand the hows and whys helps to enrich that experience and enhance that moment… for others perhaps that takes away from the experience.
I had to chuckle a little as you shared your experiences in learning sign language. Thank you for your honesty, I think my readers need to see what you had to say. It appears you got “baptised in fire,” and discovered the hard way that there is a lot more to learning sign language than meets the eye (no pun intended). I think this is something that more people need to realize… that just saying “oooohhh, I wanna learn how to talk with my hands like that, I think sign language is soooo beautiful” doesn’t quite cut it. Such individuals will learn really fast that ASL is a language no different from learning French or German, and to think it is all about waving your hands in the air and looking pretty in the process is not only erroneous, but it’s also a bit insulting, when you really think about it.
I agree, I think it is hearing people who are in fact the truly impaired people of society. There are fair worse things on this planet than the inability to hear… such as the inability to think, to feel, to love.
“Hearing Impaired” is a term that was created by hearing people who have little if any true understanding of deaf people. We in the Deaf Community prefer the term “Deaf and Hard of Hearing”… and yet, it seems that to so many hearing people, the word “deaf” is taboo – they go to such pains to avoid using it! I have seen terms such as hearing impaired, hearing handicapped, non-hearing, sound challenged, etc. etc. What is it about the word “deaf” that bothers people so much?
Hmmmm… maybe this needs to be the topic of a post in itself!
But once again, thanks for your comments, and I look forward to seeing more of you here at the Crossroads.
she’s so graceful. brava.
“Could it be because you refuse to accept that Mother Nature is capable of such an amazingly beautiful work of art?”
Hawk, this claim rests on the assumption that it is not photoshopped. If it is photoshopped, then Nature has nothing to do with it, and you cannot know that nature could do it.
I think that this was neither photoshopped nor a purely natural occurrence. This can probably be found in the garden of one dedicated person who made the tree grow like that over its lifetime.
First of all, with all due respect…
I’m growing a little tired of those who seem to be more interested in killing the messenger rather than focusing on the message. I believe there have been a number of comments posted here attempting to explain the whole purpose of posting this photo and the reasoning behind doing so… and also discussing this whole “is it nature or is it photo manipulation” debate. I’m beginning to wonder if some folks simply want to argue for argument’s sake without showing an appreciation of and respect for this blog, its purpose, and its perspectives.
Besides, this debate is growing a little old… I posted that comment over seven months ago, and most of these comments are from last year.
I don’t know if this photo was photoshopped – none of us do. However, if you read Ocean’s addendum and the comments, the original poster of this photo claims it is not photoshopped, but is the genuine thing.
My point was and continues to be that we should accept that Nature is indeed capable of such magnicent works of art. You state that it is probably the work of a dedicated gardener… perhaps you are right – that there was a bit of “human assistance” provided to give this tree a nudge in the right direction. Nevertheless, it still required Nature to work its magick in making such a specimen possible. We humans can only do so much. I do some bonsai gardening, and while I can prune and wire and train my plants to grow in specific ways, I’m still at the mercy of Mother Nature for the final results, and she can be fickle at times. At the same time, she is also capable of some really awesome results.
I also have to agree with Madison Guy… what difference does it really make? In the end, the message is what counts, and this is a message of joy and reverence. My comment was intended to get people to look beyond the “is it real or not?” superficialities of this photograph to the much deeper message of its spiritual beauty – a beauty that as has been commented, simultaneously uplifts and humbles.
Now, can we put this whole issue to rest and simply enjoy this photo for what it is?
Wow! What a incredibly beautiful tree! Amazing, looks exactly like a dancing woman. Nature is truly an awe-inspiring masterpiece that continues to facinate me in all it’s wonder.
I have these two Ginseng (type of plant) bonsai, and one of them looks like a pair of legs walking and the other looks like two legs standing. I once had a Ginseng that looked exactly like a man from the waste down. Their amazing plants.
Great post and blog! ^_^
> Could it be because you refuse to accept that Mother Nature
> is capable of such an amazingly beautiful work of art?
Why the presumption that beauty is limited to anthromorphs?
Why is a tree less beautiful when it looks less like a person?
Excellent point, Rabbit… and one well worth thinking about.
Trees are indeed beautiful in any shape or form, and we should take the time to appreciate such beauty.
Maybe that’s why I like to start my day by hugging a tree.
🙂
Beautiful.
Not only the photograph and what it stands for but also in the eloquent way in which you handled the confusion and questions surrounding it.
Dana