A warm welcome to all!
Thank you once again to the generous souls who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Magickal Offerings 
After exploring the world of offerings, it’s time to dig in and sink our toes into a nature-focused theme this week.
This challenge began as a seed planted by the kind @Kasandra and is…
Sacred Trees and Wood 
Wands 
, besoms 
, baskets for herbs , our sacred spaces 
, altar decorations 
, and more - there are many potential places for wood to be used in our magickal practices.
And trees! 
From choosing specific wood from a sacred tree for wands, learning about magickal tree properties, learning the Sacred Tree Language and more- whether you consider yourself a Green Witch or otherwise, trees are also likely to play an important role in your Craft
For this challenge, were are parting the branches to peer into the role of wood and trees in your magickal practice
So are you ready?
Because it’s… CHALLENGE TIME!
Art by Unknown, Shared on Pinterest
STEP 1 : Magickal Wood and Sacred Trees
There is a whole forest of ways that you might explore magickal wood and sacred trees in your practice this week!
Here are just a few suggestions of how you might tackle this challenge theme:
Learn about the magickal properties of trees
Like all Green Witches know, plants have magickal correspondences (and sometimes medicinal qualities!) that can be drawn on in the Craft. Learn more about sacred trees and take some time to explore traditional and magickal meanings of trees
→ The 13 Tree Moons/Months of the Year
→ Sacred Irish Trees
→ Sacred Trees
Picture by SpiritShop on Pinterest
Study the Tree Language
Did you know there is a tree language? Explore the symbols and meanings of the Irish Ogham and learn more about this fascinating pagan language
→ Irish Tree Language - The Ogham
Crafting with wood
Have you ever made your own wand or besom ? How about a wooden talisman, offering to a deity, or altar decorations ?
There are many ways to do magickal crafting with wood or other tree products.
How to Make and Consecrate Your Witch’s Wand
→ Harvesting Wood for Wands
→ Choosing wood
→ Homemade Magickal Tools
→ Show me your Besom
→ I made a Besom
Tree Resin Incense
What do you know about resin- do you use it as an ingredient, or perhaps as part of a magickal incense? How about sandalwood or other wood-based incenses? Explore tree resin and wood this week or consider making your own!
Hecate of the Crossroads Incense
→ Frankincense for grounding and protection
→ Frankincense essential oil
Forest Meditation
Whether you enjoy forest bathing, meditative walks, or nature-based meditations- a forest-inspired meditation is a wonderful way to connect with the woods this week 
Meditation Roots: Guided Meditations
…And More!
From tree or forest spells, to artwork, music, or more- feel free to spread your roots and let your creativity flourish this week!
Picture from Pixabay
STEP 2 : Share Your Experience 
Click here for notes about challenge inclusivity
Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For those who don’t feel comfortable sharing, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge but keep your entry personal. Feel free to join in spirit and do what feels most comfortable for you! 
That being said, please know that if you would like to receive a prize and a public shout-out, it is required that you share your experience.
To participate in the challenge, please share:
- How you explored trees/wood in your magickal practice this week
For your entry to be counted, please write about your experience in the comments below and/or create a new thread in the forums.
Note : If you choose to create a new thread, please tag the challenge by adding a hyperlink back to this post so that I can easily find it- thank you! 
This challenge will close in 6 DAYS
To join in, please share your experience by:
Tuesday, January 18th at 7:00 AM EST (Eastern Standard Time)
( 2022-01-18T12:00:00Z )
For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize! 
Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums on Tuesday.
After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.
Art by Susan Farrell: Celtic Tree of Life
A warm reminder that all challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice
If you have any doubts about if something is acceptable to post or say, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team .
And for those new to challenges- welcome! 
Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways 
Picture from Green Witch Lunar: Heart of a Green Witch
Your magick grows as roots unfold,
Spellwork spreading near and far.
Be strong as an oak yet flexible as a vine,
And there is no forest where you cannot thrive.
Blessed be!
I’ve been thinking about a broom lately. At least decorating one. Hmm. I don’t know.
They are a symbol of balance, longevity, generosity, intelligence, strength and endurance. This is because the tree is highly adaptable, it can grow in many different types of soils and climates.
Whether you decide to craft or decorate or both, I hope you have fun with it! 
The tree has some very beautiful associations- thank you for sharing them 
Whatever you decide to do with your maple, I wish you good luck and successful spellwork!
This challenge has your name written all over it, Megan- I can’t wait to see what you’ll do! 
But the energy they’re willing to give is irreplaceable and always had a strongly calming and positive effect. The forest spirit and protector, I believe in has always been welcoming to me, although he likes tripping people during his wild phase of the year.
