The Oak- Lord Alfred Tennyson

Art : Wise Old Oak, Joyce Gibson

The Oak tree is King of the Forest. Sacred to the druids, its energy brings courage, strength  and endurance. Because of its warmth and friendliness to humankind, the oak tree is an emblem of hospitality and strength. It is also a tree of protection.

In Greek mythology dryads are mythological tree nymphs and the protectors of the oak tree. Legend says that if the tree dies, the dryad will also die, and for this reason the Gods will punish any mortals who brings harm to trees.

The story of the Holly King and Oak King in Celtic myth represents the cyclical nature of the seasons. These two mythical kings are seen as dual aspects of the Green Man, battling for dominance over the Earth. 

They battle each other twice a year, and with each solstice, one is defeated and retreats, allowing the other to rule. This story illustrates the balance and interplay between light and darkness, growth and rest, and the natural rhythms of the Earth.

The following  poem by Lord Alfred Tennyson is a three stanza poem, each made up of five lines, making it 15 lines. It celebrates the natural world and its beauty, with Tennyson's vivid descriptions of the oak tree and its surroundings creating a sense of wonder and awe.

At the same time, the poem also acknowledges the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The oak tree, once a slender sapling, becomes a mighty presence in the forest before eventually decaying and dying. 

Tennyson draws the inference that we should look at this particular tree which, although outward circumstances - both good and bad - may change, it is resolute as it has inward strength and this cycle of growth and decay represents the natural order of things. 

Tennyson's use of the oak tree as a symbol and a metaphor for human  llife also  reinforces the idea that all things must come to an end.

The Oak- Lord Alfred Tennyson

Live thy Life, 

Young and old, 

Like yon oak, 

Bright in spring, 

Living gold; 

Summer-rich 

Then; and then 

Autumn-changed

 Soberer-hued 

Gold again. 

All his leaves 

Fall'n at length,

Look, he stands, 

Trunk and bough

Naked strength.