Devons oldest prehistoric wood, nestled on a hill side you can easily miss it as the oaks only reach around 12 feet
If you google Wistmans Wood you can fill your brain with all sorts of stories about it being haunted. It seems to have become a magnet for scare mongering and a place not recommended on your ‘tripadvisor’ for after dark activities.
Having spent time in this beautiful place both during the day and at night and painting it, i really wanted to dispel such ideas and bring you closer to what I feel Wistmans Wood is really about
I do believe that a lot of stories were made up through the centuries in order to create a state of fear. Fear is really good at controlling folk and as you may find in later blogs an excellent way of stopping people from entering into real ‘bliss’ around their natural environment.
I also feel that this fear mongering can also create a kind of separation from what in effect is our birthright and our pure relationship with the natural world around us.
So what is actually being ‘hidden’ by these stories?
Wistmans Wood would have undoubtedly been a sacred Druid site. Not just the fact that it sprouts one of the purest springs but that it has remained untouched through millennia means that it has qualities that are relevant to our modern world.
I personally believe we as humans by default are guardians of this planet, but Trees are the custodians of Wisdom. This wisdom is essential to our knowledge and ability to be ‘useful’ guardians of our beautiful planet. I will in later posts go into this more deeply.
But for now Wistmans Wood along with other ancient trees and woodlands, I feel connects us to a deeper part of ourselves that has been somewhat shelved.
The reason i painted this woodland so often was to hopefully bring awareness to this powerful place and how it can connect you more deeply to yourself if you will allow it.
When I find a place like Wistmans Wood I tend to spend a lot of time walking around it. Sitting, listening, watching and waiting. Often as is the case for Wistmans i will come back again and again until I can really get the true feel of the place. Then and only then will i start to paint it. Basically i wait until the trees or woods talk to me and i feel i can connect with that information while I paint and somehow bring it to you on the canvas.
The Oak by its very nature represents endurance, perseverance and fortitude. Certainly the solid Oaks of great Windsor park fit that description rising near 100 feet off the ground and girths you cannot reach around.
Wistmans Wood Acrylic On Wood Panel- This Ancient Place Was A True Creative Gift For Me- Painting It helped Me To Really Understand Its Deep Qaulities
The dwarf oaks of Wistmans wood I feel have a slightly different feel to those of our usual great English Oaks or Pedunculate Oak.
The clue is in the name ‘wis’ to ‘know’ in Saxon or Wise- sapient judging rightly or having much knowledge. The Wood is also known in ancient times as The Wood Of Wisemen
Why then is Wistmans Wood so important to you?
If you are a person who is feeling disconnected, out of balance, stressed from too much information and not enough meaning, perhaps you have been fighting to make things work and your tired, not sure how to regain your mo jo, living in challenging times. Basically most folk living in the modern world
There is a very special quality about Wistmans wood that is unique. It is a place to recharge and connect with a higher part of yourself that can and will give you far more meaning to your life.
I would recommend you spend some time really searching the content of these paintings and if you can visit the Wood in person. Enter with an open mind and allow the energy of the place to fill you up with the right knowledge that is perfect for you.
It takes a peacefulness of mind and many visits to sit and absorb the quality of rightful knowledge and inner wisdom- this is the true gift of Wistmans Wood. You will know when the gift is given as you will walk away from this sacred place feeling in touch with your own sacred wisdom.
That can mean an answer to a question you have had rolling around your head or a sense of relaxation where there once was tension. or perhaps just a calmness and certainty that travels with you forever more.
These paintings are a reminder to listen to that inner wisdom and not to forget about it in your modern hectic life. There by the owner of such a painting can use it as a connection to a sacred place.
The question is then...what do you pick up from these paintings? do you see the hidden meaning and mystery of this ancient place? What do you see hidden within these paintings? Let me know debbiebaxterart@gmail.com whoever guess rightly will get a small print of one from this Acrylic on Wood panel series.
Can you see what i see? Can you feel what I feel? Do you understand the full value of this magnificent ancient wood? Your answers to debbiebaxterart@gmail.com to win a free A5 print of one from this series
Are you connected?
Debbie Baxter
