10 EL ARBOL (The Tree) / World Tree by artist Ulla Anobile

Paper mache, acrylics, 8 1/4 x 9 3/4”


In the folklore of my native Finland, the longest days of the year, around Midsummer, were called ’pesäpäivät’ (nesting days). It seemed that during those days, the sun settled into its ‘nest’ in the World Tree. After that, it slowly left its nest, as the days shortened and the nights grew darker. The nesting days were considered significant both in the cosmic order and in everyday life, so Midsummer was a time for spells and predictions about the future. 

Also shown here is the original Don Clemente Gallo card for EL ARBOL.


Riddle associated with this image:

El que a buen árbol se arrima buena sombra le cobija.
He who butts up against a good tree will have good shade to shield him.