Biography
Enchanted by the lush green beauty and deep hush found in the redwood forest, Ellen has spent much of her time over the last seventeen years meditating beneath a few ancient trees. To her surprise, she discovered that the trees have different personalities and communicate with her in sensation, image, and wordless knowing. Sometimes she swears she can hear their creaky voices whispering in her mind!
Sitting with the old growth trees has increased her inner peace and well-being. Ellen shares the healing and enlightening power of trees in her writing, whether it's fantasy for kids or a nonfiction magazine article. She also helps support people preserving and restoring forests.
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After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Ellen worked as an elementary, creative writing and piano teacher and raised two daughters, Jessica and Michelle. She has six published books and several magazine articles, including one about saving ancient trees. Ellen lives in the redwoods of Humboldt County with her husband Steve, and the dog, Sooner, she shares with her daughter.
Sometimes trees speak in silence, in peace, in deep relaxation that becomes communion. Sometimes trees speak in soft whispers, in opening hearts, in waves of well being and joy. Sometimes trees speak through rivers of wind caressing needles and leaves, sending messages through the atmosphere to the stars and cascading down to nourish mycilleum clad roots. Sometimes trees speak in sensations, knowing, even vision. And then we may wonder where the tree leaves off and we begin, where the human and tree become one breath of Life.
Susan Beardon Art