008- A Threshold of the Sacred: Meeting an Ancient Sequoia in Nelder Grove

Of all the trees I’ve met in my travels, my favorite lives in Nelder Grove, just south of Yosemite: an ancient giant sequoia estimated to be around 2,700 years old. In this episode, I share what it felt like to cross an energetic threshold long before I even reached the tree—like stepping into a cathedral where the air itself changes—and how my guides used the presence of this sequoia (and one of its “brethren”) to teach me a powerful antidote to codependency.

This is an episode about energetic sensitivity as an additional sense, the gift of solitude with the land, and a simple but profound model: be fully part of the ecosystem, while staying deeply in your own life force.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why this particular sequoia became a touchstone I wanted to keep close (including printing a photo to connect with its energy)

• The felt “threshold moment” when the forest shifts into something charged with the sacred

• Why quiet matters for sensitive people—and how solitude changes what becomes possible with land and spirit

• The guides’ teaching: a living model for boundaries, overgiving, and staying in your lane

• How a sequoia can be completely interconnected and supportive without leaving itself

• Fire, drought, time, and resilience—what long-lived beings can teach us about presence

• A grounding reminder for sensitive people: roots matter as much as branches

• A practice you can do anywhere: finding a tree that wants to talk to you, and listening for its medicine

• Why I’m not naming the specific tree: the tree that has the magic for you may be different

A simple practice (if you want to try it):
Next time you’re around trees, walk slowly and let one “choose you.” Stand with it. Breathe. Place a hand on your heart or belly. Ask:  “What do you want me to know?”  or “What is your medicine for me today?” Then listen with your body, not just your mind.

Want more shamanic podcast content?  Check out my "Practical Shamanism Podcast".  

Also, my Shamanic Experience YouTube Channel has complementary info https://www.youtube.com/@AShamanicExperience

Want to support my work and be supported by my team of guides?  Check out my membership offer: https://www.patreon.com/practicalshamanism

Want even more audio content from me? Check out my online academy at https://academy.handsoverheart.com/ 

Sound editing by Kev Young.  You can reach them at [e-mail]

DISCLAIMER: The suggestions and information provided here are intended for personal growth and exploration. The content of this podcast is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or psychological treatment. Please seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.  

To learn more about me and my work, please visit my website at https://handsoverheart.com