Some years ago, my sister shared that she had seen a 1,000-year-old tree in Germany, just over the border with the Netherlands, and she thought I would love it. I immediately thought how wonderful it would be to be granted an essence vibration from such a long-standing tree. Though it was only a 45-minute drive from my home, I didn’t rush. I felt I had to wait until the right moment presented itself.

With time the idea faded until the tree started to present itself to me in subtle ways. Firstly, its existence suddenly reemerged in my mind. The following month I sensed that the right time was close at hand. And then the tree started ‘calling’ to me. Even though I had never seen it, I started to feel its presence all around me, grounding me solidly with deep, strong roots into the Earth. I decided to prepare my trip with a bit of internet research.

The First German National Heritage Tree
I discovered it was a summer lime tree located indeed in the village of Heede (Emsland) and that it had the honour of having been classified in 2019 as the very first national heritage tree of Germany. Since then, this tilia platyphyllos has been protected and cared for as a natural monument. And so, Heede, a place of pilgrimage due to the over hundred Marian apparitions from 1937 to 1940, also became a tourist attraction.

The ‘Dicke Linde’ (Fat Lime Tree) is popularly known as the 1,000-year-old lime tree. According to recent measurements, the trunk has a circumference of 19 metres and a diameter of approximately six. It is around 30 metres high and the width of the crown is approximately 40 metres. Although summer lime trees can indeed live to be 1,000 years old, this one is actually estimated to be somewhat younger.

Shortly after 1400
The Dicke Linde was probably planted around 1400 when Schärpenburg Castle was built. It was first mentioned in a document whereby General Rabenhaupt, who burnt Schärpenburg down to the ground in 1673, ordered the magnificent tree to be protected. Hence, we know that it was already of considerable age at that date.

The Heeder Lime Tree still shows no signs of considerable decay, which is why it is thought to not yet be close to 1,000 years old. What counts is that it is deeply majestic, looks as old as Methuselah and it takes quite a walk to get around it. What strikes me the most is the feeling of unshakeable solidity arising from its impressive trunk with its endless curves and bumps.

The Fat Lime Tree towers majestically at the end of an alley. Its aura is immense, and must permeate all the buildings in its surroundings. I thank the tree for its welcome and for calling me.

Once I receive its vibration, the key note is crystal clear: this essence vibration is offered to help us embrace our magnificence – just as the tree exudes its magnificence, simply by being.

The vibration of Dignity helps us ground more deeply into our foundation, formed by our womb and her roots into Mother Earth. Being profoundly rooted is absolutely necessary to be fully present in The Now. When we are fully in The Now, our defence mechanisms fall away and we naturally radiate the magnificent love that we are with all our being.

Awakening to your beauty
The essence vibration of Dignity takes you on an inner journey of awakening to your beauty. We each carry one or more survival mechanisms from early childhood which have become our social mask and a form of defence. These are, more often than not, obsolete and no longer serve us, but they have become a habit that we do not question and are unaware of how counterproductive they are. We adapted them back then to protect our purest essence, and even though now we are wiser and have more tools at our disposal, we still hide our essence and live in a small, inhibited version of ourselves.

This essence vibration helps cut through one or more outdated protection and survival mechanisms for you to radiate your essence as you are meant to do.

The Adult Self
You are not a child anymore, dependent on adults’ whims. You have outgrown childhood; your Adult Self can comfort the hurts of your Inner Child and allow it to radiate and express itself once more. The child within is part of YOU and is waiting to be set free.

This essence vibration helps you specifically heal your violated dignity so you can open up again. You can now let go of these limiting antiquated ways of dealing with the pain as they keep you small and undermine your vitality.

May the essence vibration of Dignity help you step into your magnificence, free from inhibiting habits, so you can live your life with dignity. Self-assured, with a deep knowing that all your bumps, curves and wrinkles are essential parts of your journey on Mother Earth, and nothing to be ashamed of. This, in the same way as Dicke Linde stands fully present, vibrant and proud of the wisdom and scars accumulated over a lifespan of a ‘thousand years.’

With all my love,
Harriët

Video impression
Click here for a little video of the Dicke Linde (sorry, I didn’t realise my lens was a bit dirty, which gives a less sharp result). Its wintery appearance with new shoots on the trunk gives a good impression of the sturdiness and vitality of the tree.