The Magic of Trees: A Guide to Their Sacred Wisdom & Metaphysical Properties - Tess Whitehurst 2017
Joshua Tree
The Trees
Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California is one of the most magical and mystical places on earth. The tree for which it’s named, a palmlike/cactuslike variety of yucca (from the agave family) that is unique to very specific and limited areas in the southwest, punctuates the dry, dusty desert landscape, calling to mind an alien planet from a sci-fi novel. Still, despite his prickly, otherworldly appearance, the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) is considerably comforting in his own earthy, desolate way.
Sadly, some scientists believe that this already rare treelike plant is gravely endangered by climate change. It’s also believed that his ability to spread was severely hampered 13,000 years ago when the Shasta ground sloth became extinct, as this creature may have been the primary disperser of his seeds.
Please note that Mohave yucca (Yucca schidigera), as well as other species of yucca, are in many ways similar from a magical perspective.
Magical Uses
Protection
The Joshua tree’s spiky and prickly nature, as well as his amazing ability to protect himself in harsh desert conditions, and his powerful alignment with bright sunlight and the element of fire, all combine to make him a fiercely protective ally. For a quick infusion of protection, visualize yourself as a Joshua tree. Feel your strength and fortitude, and tap into the fiery energy that emanates from (and almost constantly beats down on) the Joshua tree, effectively establishing an impermeable force field of pure positivity and light.
Purification
Just as relentless sunlight can act as a bleach that will make even the darkest cloth pale, and as even a relatively short time in bright daylight can literally disinfect an object and render it clean, the Joshua tree’s blindingly bright energy can purify even the darkest, heaviest, and most toxic of energies. If serious energetic purification is called for, you might want to make a pilgrimage to visit Joshua trees. For example, plan a camping trip to Joshua Tree National Park or visit somewhere else where they appear, such as the Mohave National Preserve or at certain relatively adjacent areas in California, Arizona, Utah, or Nevada.
Gazing at the creamy white, surprisingly lush and abundant blossom of the Joshua tree (or another type of yucca) is another way to benefit from the intensely purifying vibrations of the plant.
Shapeshifting
Perhaps a part of the reason Joshua Tree National Park is famous for its drug trips, Joshua trees and other yuccas are known for their ability to help with shapeshifting. If this is a magical objective of yours, try visualizing a Joshua tree strongly in your mind before you begin to get in touch with the energy of the animal whose form you’d like to take. Then call on the animal and visualize/imaging/feel yourself shifting into his or her form. In your mind’s eye or as a physical exercise, explore your environment and experiment with existing in this other shape. When you feel ready, consciously shift back into your human body.
Transmutation of Challenges
Just as fire transmutes the deadest, driest, most seemingly useless stuff into radiant heat and light, Joshua tree can help you find the amazing blessings and superpowers hidden within the most challenging traumas of your past. For this purpose, empower a bottle of water with all the sadness and negative feelings related to your challenge and then offer it to a Joshua tree, pouring it out around the base. Envision, sense, and/or feel any negativity or stagnation surrounding these issues being immediately transformed by the plant into pure positivity, nourishment, brightness, and dynamism.
Magical Correspondences
Element: Fire
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Ceres