Any magical properties of a bradford pear tree?

[jaerajaws]

I am curious if the bradford pear tree has any magical properties, or abilities? Does it's wood, bark, fruit, or flowers have any specific magical properties?

I have crafted myself a wand made of a smaller branch of a bradford pear tree instead of going out to buy a wand. I had scrounged about in the woods behind my house, and came across a piece that had been cut off one of our trees out front. I stood there looking at the pieces for a few minutes, thinking about whether it was safe to make a tool out of them. My first thoughts roamed around the idea of the branch being manually cut off, and how the tree might have been irritated by it but then something came to mind.

The tree might be gracious if I didn't let the it's wood go to waste, and why let the wood go to waste? It was when I picked up the wood that I felt it's gratitude. It was fairly chilly outside yet the branches were warm and tingling in my arms as I shuffled inside with them.

I feel as though the bradford pear does have a few magical properties but my search on the internet for information on it has not provided anything useful.

[Becks]

A good question. To answer this I will share how I come to understand plants and animals that are foreign to me. I have not met a Bradford pear tree myself, but frequently I come into contact with new plants and need to attune to, and come to understand their energies. I would start this process by doing a few things: first I would break it down and read all about pear symbolism cross culturally. One website said this.......

About pears:

In Greek and Roman mythology, pears are sacred to three goddesses: Hera (Juno to the Romans), Aphrodite (Venus to the Romans), and Pomona, an Italian goddess of gardens and harvests.

The ancient Chinese believed that the pear was a symbol of immortality. (Pear trees live for a long time.) In Chinese the word li means both "pear" and "separation," and for this reason, tradition says that to avoid a separation, friends and lovers should not divide pears between themselves.

Taken from: http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Fi-Go/F ... z3xjuhNvHn

So that's just one website, but I would have a good look at other reputable sources.

I think that common beliefs about symbolism are important because we can get at the collective energy held inside of pre-existing thought form about anything. There is power in that.

I would then look at the pear itself and look at the time of year it ripens. Is it a high summer fruit? Is it a fall/winter fruit? That season add energy to the pear and summer energy is different from spring or fall energy and each season corresponds to a different vibe and part of the medicine wheel. So the season of your bear will indicate a time of year that the tree reaches its zenith in terms of fertility....if you indeed consider that to be the height of the tree's power. The energy and identity of that tree will be part of its meaning.

"Pear season begins when Bartlett pears start arriving at the Greenmarkets in late summer. They're soon followed by Bosc and Comice which are in season in the fall through winter. The Anjou is known as a winter pear."

Source: http://www.thecitycook.com/articles/201 ... ason-pears

So I look at a new item in context and I research commonly held beliefs and then I actually sit with a plant/tree or whatever, and get a sense of the energy for myself. You already eluded to engaging in part of this process. Did you feel that the tree wanted to work with you? What do you think the energy is? Is is feminine? Masculine? Attracting? Protective?

Is it a hardwood or a soft wood? Is it poisonous?

What are the herbal and medicinal properties of different components of the plant? Luckily, that's all a short click away online. All hail the "Interwebs"!



I ask myself all of these questions and more to arrive at the "ness" of the plant.....in this case the true "pear-ness" of this particular pear. Is it red yellow or more green looking? What is the meaning that comes from the colour? How does that affect the feel?

At their heart I feel that fruit trees are allies. They have been selected and cultivated and changed over the years...their genetics carefully selected for....pruned for phenotypes and genotypes inside for hundreds (or thousands) of years and physically pruned by people to maximize shape and fruit production. In my personal experience fruit trees (in general) are conducive to working with us. We have sort of "grown up" together. That in itself is a kind of energy you may like.

Maybe I'm out in left field and that's okay. I don't mind, but this skill is what allows me to know animals, plants, people, energies.....it's how I arrive at understanding. It is academic, something that is felt inside, and something that is active. It's available to us all.

[jaerajaws]

Thank you very much for your insight, Becks! I have spent a good amount of my evening taking in the information about various cultural beliefs about pears, and what have you. I learned quite a bit about the specimen, and I'm very excited to document my findings in my book!

[Firebird]

I love the foliage of that tree sooooooooo many colors. In one leaf alone there may be 10 different colors. That feels like a happy place for me, but then crazy color like that is so mysterious and magical.
or it could relate to being versatile.... able to encompass many different ways if viewing things, or to be able to hold several different views in one place. Like the leaf.
Bb, Firebird

[Vendredi]

I can't help with any magical properties. What I do know is around here they are well known for not being able to hold their own against winds.

My parents had a couple at their home when I was growing up. They broke my heart after a good storm.