Category: Just a Girl Under a Tree, Reading a Book…
Inspired by the famous line from Notting Hill, this category brings you a girl, under a tree, reading a book, and asking it to love her.
In this series, you’ll find videos of me, nestled beneath a tree, sharing excerpts from a variety of books available for sale at Ash Tree Books. Join me in this serene, natural setting as I explore and celebrate the magic of these wonderful reads.
Your interaction makes this experience even richer, so feel free to share your thoughts and comments about the readings! Join the conversation and let’s explore these wonderful books together!
Episode #12 of Just a Girl Under a 🌲 Tree, Reading a 📖 and Asking it to Love💗 Her
Today, my daughter Mayleah and I returned to the same special tree from Episode #9—the one we thought might be cut down, but wasn’t—an unexpected gift that still greets us every time we walk into the forest.
I brought The Rain in the Trees by W.S. Merwin, a signed first edition that feels like a small treasure. I asked Mayleah to be gentle with the pages, as it’s the latest posting here at Ash Tree Books and a very special book. She chose a poem at random: ‘Late Spring.’
Poem called Late Spring – The Rain in the Trees by W.S. Merwin – Stated First Edition Signed by Author
This short piece begins, “Coming into the high room again after years…” — and while the poem drifts into memory and presence, I couldn’t help but smile. Reading it under our “still-standing” tree with Mayleah beside me, the breeze seemed to turn the pages just right, as if the forest wanted to listen too.
Episode #11 of Just a Girl Under a 🌲 Tree, Reading a 📖 and Asking it to Love💗 Her
In today’s episode, I’m reading from Proof That You’re God by the creators of the Dualistic Unity Podcast. This book doesn’t list a single author, as it is a collective collaboration from the podcast hosts. I’ve enjoyed many of their insights in videos over the past few years, so I decided to pick up a copy. It just arrived yesterday, and I haven’t read it in full yet, but I opened it at random to Chapter 8—The Paradox of Control.
The passage I read begins with a quote from Rumi: “When you let go of who you are, you become who you will be.” It explores how control dynamics play out in relationships, family, friendships, and even on a broader scale—between nations, political ideologies, and social groups. The drive for control often leads to anxiety, stress, and disconnection, rather than the peace we think it will bring.
I love that this book includes reflection sections after passages, encouraging deeper contemplation in small, manageable pieces—perfect for anyone with a busy life. One passage that really stood out to me was: “By trying to control life, we deny its fundamental nature: that it is ever-changing, fluid, and beyond the grasp of any one individual or system. This attempt to impose control creates division and conflict, blinding us to the deeper truths of our shared existence.”
This immediately reminded me of the Isa Rune from the Elder Futhark set, which literally translates to Ice. In many of my recent Rune Readings, Isa has been showing up frequently, reflecting themes of stillness, patience, and feeling “frozen” in place. With snow covering everything around me, I chose to sit under a tree by a running stream for this reading—to symbolize that even ice eventually melts, and flow will return. Sometimes, resisting what is only deepens frustration, but when we embrace stillness, we often uncover hidden wisdom in it.
Have you ever found yourself holding tightly to a situation, believing that controlling the outcome would bring you peace—only to realize it caused more stress instead? What did you learn from that experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
I’ll be adding Proof That You’re God to the Lightly Used Metaphysical & Wellness section of my shop in the future, but in the meantime, you can get your own new copy here: Proof That You’re God – A Dualistic Unity Book
Episode #10 of Just a Girl Under a 🌲 Tree, Reading a 📖 and Asking it to Love💗 Her
In today’s episode, I’m reading a passage titled Silence and Pioneers from The Book of Small by Emily Carr. This evocative section beautifully captures the contrast between the hard work of pioneer parents striving to provide for their children and the intangible joy and sense of purpose that comes from creating something out of nothing—a joy their children, growing up in an easier time, might never fully understand.
My daughter Mayleah joined me for this reading and picked out the perfect spot under the trees. It felt fitting to have her there, exploring the forest with the curiosity of a child, much like how Emily Carr’s memoirs reflect her own childhood experiences in 19th-century Victoria, British Columbia.
Carr, best known as one of Canada’s most iconic painters, brings the same vivid attention to detail and emotion to her writing. In The Book of Small, she paints a poignant picture of family, community, and the complexities of life in her era.
Have you ever reflected on the sacrifices made by previous generations to shape the world we live in today? Or felt a connection to their stories of perseverance and creation? I’d love to hear your thoughts or memories in the comments.
If you’re intrigued by Emily Carr’s literary and artistic legacy, I’m offering The Book of Small (1942) and The House of All Sorts (1944) as a first-edition set. This pairing offers a unique opportunity to experience Carr’s remarkable storytelling and provides a deeper window into her life and times.
Episode #9 of Just a Girl Under a 🌲 Tree, Reading a 📖 and Asking it to Love💗 Her
In today’s episode, I’m reading from The Comfort Book by Matt Haig. I chose a section called “Sum,” which beautifully reminds us that we are more than the labels of our human experiences. Often, we get tangled in seeing ourselves through the narrow lens of a single dominant negative emotion. This passage invites us to step back and embrace the bigger picture of who we truly are.
I love The Comfort Book because it’s filled with short, uplifting reflections that fit even the busiest days. It’s been described as “a collection of islands of hope,” and as the author reminds us, nothing is stronger than a small hope that doesn’t give up.
For this reading, I sat beneath a tree marked with spray paint, chosen to be cut down soon. My youngest daughter, who is six, feels deeply connected to this tree, and we often stop to talk to it. I wanted to honor this tree today—acknowledging that nothing truly ceases to exist once it has been part of this world. It, too, belongs to something much larger than itself.
This tree reminds me of how everything we encounter leaves a mark—on the earth, in our memories, and within our hearts. Its presence, even now, holds meaning and connection that endures, no matter what lies ahead.
Have you ever felt a special connection to something in nature? I’d love to hear how it has shaped your perspective or brought meaning to your life. 🌳✨
Choosing just one section to read was challenging because this book is packed with fascinating insights and practices. Ultimately, I selected a passage about conversing with trees—an act that can provide answers and guidance beyond what other humans might offer. It helps us attune to a deeper wisdom, one that supports us in making choices aligned with our highest potential. The section also includes practical tips on how to initiate these conversations with the trees around us.
The author beautifully explains that forest bathing isn’t just about spending time in the forest—it’s about reconnecting with nature, rediscovering ourselves, and integrating this connection into our daily lives.
Even though what you share with a tree might feel deeply personal or private, there’s something beautiful about exchanging these experiences with others. Have you ever felt a tree “speak” to you or offer guidance in a way that surprised or moved you? I’d love to hear your stories or reflections in the comments—let’s spark a conversation about how nature has touched and inspired us. 🌳✨
I chose a passage from the chapter explaining the term “psychopomp”—a word I hadn’t come across before discovering this book. While I haven’t finished reading the entire book yet, I’m excited to dive deeper into how it teaches us to help those who are energetically and spiritually preparing for their final journey to the afterlife. Allaun approaches this delicate subject with great care, focusing on the needs of the dying rather than the bereaved, offering practical advice for anyone interested in this profound area of work.
For this reading, I sat under a 🌳 tree that my daughters and I often pass by on our walks. It stands apart from other trees, with a resilient curve at its base, symbolizing its strength to weather storms while still exuding a welcoming presence. This tree felt like the perfect spot for today’s reading.
I also shared a Rune from the Elder Futhark set that I hand-carved, named Eihwaz, which represents the Yew tree—symbolic of both death and regeneration. This Rune connects beautifully with one of the key themes of the book: that endings lead to new beginnings. Eihwaz is associated with magical work, particularly of a protective nature and with transformation. It has been called a symbol of the gateway to the underworld, and like a psychopomp, it signifies journeys beyond the physical realm in search of deeper understanding.
Holding up the Rune Eihwaz
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. How do you feel about the idea of guiding those who are transitioning? Have you encountered the term “psychopomp” before, or is this concept new to you too? Feel free to share your insights, and if you’ve read this book or any others like it, let me know what resonated with you the most. Let’s open up a conversation around this fascinating subject.
Mandy beautifully emphasizes that empathy isn’t just something we offer to others—it’s a gift we should also extend to ourselves. Self-empathy can be a powerful tool for breaking free from harmful patterns, allowing us to move from self-destruction to self-compassion. I’d love to hear your reflections on the author’s prompt:
Episode #5 of Just a Girl Under a Tree🌳, Reading a Book📖 and Asking it to Love 💗 Her
I felt pulled to bring this beautiful Pooh Bear Book to the lake that my friend Georgina Cyr of Star House Tea Shop🫖 found at a yard sale today for Ash Tree Books🌿📚. What a great find!💚✨
I felt asked to try something fun …. A bit of an experiment, randomly pick a page from this beautiful 1957 The World of Pooh” book, read it, and then do a Rune Reading asking what loving messages are meant to be relayed.
The phone camera got hit in the HOT sun ☀️ and cut out the video so I had to let it cool off and post a second video. Here are videos PART 1 and Part 2 of this book reading and associated Rune Reading:
PART 1:
PART 2:
This perspective from the Runes reminds us with the Rune Thurisaz that we are divinely protected especially when you communicate through your heart center which is a state of flow as the rune of Jera is communicating with the Rune Laguz (the rune of water and intuitive free flow). Pooh Bear is in the flow. The Rune of Hagalaz reminds us there will always be chaos, and we cannot control the negative energies of others (The Runes of Tiwaz, Fehu, and Elwaz in reverse) ( Pooh Bear’s beautiful friend Eeyore was coming from lower frequency energy) but you can focus on what you want to communicate (indicated by Anuz the Rune of communication) and there is always something positive to see in the chaos (this was indicated by the interaction the Rune Kenaz was having with the Rune Hagalaz – coming with its fire torch energy.
I offer 1:1 Rune Readings
Reach out with a DM 📨 if you are interested in a 1:1 Rune Reading with me.
📖 This charming uncommon 1957 publication of The World of Pooh by A.A. Milne will be posted online for sale shortly at 🌿🌳 Ash Tree Books 📚.
Episode #4 of Just a Girl Under a Tree🌳, Reading a Book📖 and Asking it to Love 💗 Her. Today’s reading comes from Ash Tree 📚 Books most recent book posting: Reading; Witch: Unleashed. Untamed. Unapologetic. By Lisa Lister.
*In the video I made an error and said that the author was Dr Christine Northrup. My apologies on that error. She is an author herself who gives praise to this book. The passage was about women coming together to support each other, reclaiming their truth, voice, and selves without shame.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. How do you support the women in your life and reclaim your power? Let’s start a conversation!
Episode #3 of Just a Girl Under a Tree🌳, Reading a Book📖 and Asking it to Love 💗 Her.
Today’s reading comes from Ash Tree Books 📚 most recent book posting: UN#@%! YOURSELF: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life by Gary John Bishop
📗For Sale at Ash + 🌳 +📚 ‘s in our recently added ✨ Metaphysical and Well-Being section
Your interaction makes this experience even richer, so feel free to share a time you faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge and pushed through with relentless determination to UN#@%! yourself.
UN#@%! YOURSELF by Gary John Bishop – First Edition
