Sacred Trees of Olifantsnek Dam
We know that trees are nature’s best teachers. One of the first teachings of the Sacred Andean Tradition (SAT) cosmovision is about the element Earth, AllpaMama. We are encouraged to connect to the trees during our element Earth practices sensitising our perception to the frequency of vibration of the plant intelligence.
Over the 20 years of teachings and experiential connections brought by Regis Kamaq Wageaq, the Incan lineage keeper and international spiritual elder of the Sacred Andean Tradition we have identified two magnificent Sacred Trees at Olifantsnek Dam. They are Witstinkhout, they grow together, but one’s appearance is white and the other black, like our black and white South African population.
Back in 2007 we chose Olifantsnek Dam to conduct energy work interacting with nature. As we arrived at this beautiful place, Regis walked straight towards the surrounding vegetation. He saw two tall trees that seemed to be locked in a warm embrace and explained: “These two entangled trees, one black, one white, represent the two nations of this land. The black tree accepts and embraces the white tree. The white tree has learned, in return, to love and appreciate the black tree, it even holds it in its heart. And both trees live together from the same earth, sipping the same water. And their branches sway in unison in the same wind, under the same sun.” March 2007.
The roots of these trees resembled strong arms, specially the black Witstinkhout, and the white one looked proud and tall. But at the heart level, the white Witstinkhout tree seemed to have an opening revealing a dark colour wood. The white tree had a solid trunk and plenty leaves. While the black tree had three distinctive thick trunks and branches, growing in different directions.
Two years later, in 2009, the sacred trees of Olifantsnek Dam welcomed us again, this time as loving friends. The surroundings needed some cleaning up, but the sacred trees were still holding tight. Regis greeted them and respectfully placed his Mesa on their bottom branches, then asked us to join him in picking up all the plastic and wrappings left in the area. He could see that the black tree was still holding the white tree and the heart area of the white tree was opening up even more so. Both trees were thriving, but as they were growing taller, there was slight bending happening on both trees. He advised us, the SAT community, to be conscious of the social dynamics in the country and for us to be balanced and steady in our hearts, so that we could reflect to the South African society, the balance and harmony expressed by Nature. He explained how these ‘simple’ trees were aware of their environment and the larger reality of this land. Such unassuming beings were living testimony of South African life! We just needed to tune into their wisdom and listen.
Nearly a decade later, the sacred trees of Olifantsnek Dam looked very different. As we arrived at the dam, Regis walked in a straight line towards the trees and spent a while talking to them alone. Large amounts of rubbish and debris had accumulated around them, it took a long time to clear the space. We worked in silence, connecting to the trees, almost hurting for them, because their appearance was sorrowful. The white tree had been twisted and pulled down, the black tree looked defiant and almost arrogant. Regis explained that our sacred trees were telling us the story of South African political deterioration. The black tree could not separate from the white tree because they both have a common destiny, but there was resentment and mistrust, to the point of contempt. The white tree had to concede and carry on with life. Holding to life as best it could. The white tree was growing towards the shore of the dam, towards the water. That was a sign of natural resilience and ability to survive. The black tree had some structural damage too. Two of its branches seemed to be dominant and there was a third branch growing in the opposite direction, almost like a black healthy branch distancing itself from the old, resentful and corrupted main parts of the black tree.
Intuitively we held the energy of love, compassion, forgiveness and absolute Munay. Regis led the way by starting to build a protective wall around them. Once again, we worked in silence, connecting to the plant intelligence manifested in these embraced Witstinkhout sacred trees. We tried to bring harmony to the place.
Regis continued explaining that the white and black trees were mirroring each other. One thick branch of the black tree was also bending with the weight of guilt and heavy jucha (corruption), but similarly to the white tree, instinctively growing towards the water. The trees were speaking to us through our teacher. As initiates of the SAT in this land, we had the responsibility of holding a high vibration of balance, applying the Andean energy balancing practices, becoming steady and fruitful as Earth, becoming as fluid and renewing as Water, becoming as conscientious and powerful as Air and mostly, becoming as transformative and wise as Fire. It was 7.4.2018.
As we left, the trees looked grateful, dignified, safe, still holding each other, hoping for better times ahead. Each one of us felt the trees’ reciprocity, the promise of new energies to come. They would certainly do their part. That’s what Teacher Trees do! They reflect the energies of life, they love unconditionally, they are resilient, forgiving, smart, humble, totally giving. Now, if humans could be like trees… the truth is that the teachings of the ancient Sacred Andean Tradition provide us with the tools to express a harmonious existence.
What was waiting for us in February 2020, we could have never imagined. The Witstinkhout trees were full of young shoots, fresh leaves, strong plentiful branches growing on both trees. It seemed that the protective wall around their roots served its purpose. Although not one stone was left in place by the time we came back, the roots had enough shield to regain its strength.
Regis explained that the old twisted white tree, represented the white South African population, that, having lost its political, power had to bow down to the black population, who were the governing power. However, the new shoots on the white tree were plentiful, stronger and healthier than the new shoots on the black tree. Part of the black tree was visibly breaking down, there was deterioration.
It was clear the new shoots of the sacred trees of Olifantsnek Dam were doing their part. Regis guided us to create two stone circles at the feet of the trees, signifying the principle of masculine and feminine, the profound balance of life force. The left one would represent the feminine, the nurturing principle of motherhood, intuitive, creative, receiving vessel of wisdom. And the right one would represent the masculine, the active principle of fatherhood, reasoning, productive and a protective force. A loving intelligence the father, while the mother exudes her intelligent love. Equal forces of creation. Expression of balance in continuous motion.
Regis, Incan lineage keeper and international spiritual elder, selected a black and a white stone and placed them on the base of the Witstinkhout trees, linking them to the two stone circles in intended balance, honouring the South African black and white population. We also proceeded to build an Apacheta, which is an altar built from stones. Our Apacheta honoured the Sacred Trees, the black and white stones representing South Africa and the promise of unity. A prayer to Illa Ticsi Wiracocha was made connecting MamaAfrica’s heart, Pachamama’s heart, Mama Killa’s heart and Tayta Inti’s heart. Pure fluid rainbow light!
Finally, Regis tied the new branches from the black tree and the white tree together with an Andean rainbow ribbon. Setting the intention of promoting unity, coherence, honesty, and love.
What started as a beautiful connection to these Sacred Trees in 2007, evolved into an important relationship for our Sacred Andean Tradition community, so much that February 2020 marked the start of a profound path of transformation for our community, for South Africa and for the entire world.
Retreats South Africa:
April and May 2022 Sedgefield Western Cape and Lanseria, Gauteng
Regis Kamaq Wageaq of the Sacred Andean Tradition will be running two retreats in South Africa in April 2022. One will be in the Garden Route near Sedgefield on 15 to 18 April 2022 and the other in Johannesburg near Lanseria on 29 April to 02 May 2022. At the end of each the participants will receive the energetic transmission of the Karpay, the seed of the Andean apprentice. For more information, interested people should visit the website www.sacredandeantradition.com
