The Death of a Dragon

Why do humans, with their big machines, and power tools, and in this case, with their bare hands, have to destroy what’s sacred and magical in the world?

I wish I knew the answer to that.

For the past 7 years, as a Nature-Connected Coach, I’ve been taking people out on the land for healing and rejuvenation. I invite them to connect deeply with the natural world around them, and to be open to the magic of signs from the Divine that they are protected, guided, and supported.

Yesterday, as I went for my early morning walk, my sense of serenity and my trust in the magic was shattered.

Near the south end of our 9-acre property is a huge old willow tree that we call Dragon Tree. It sits adjacent to the creek, with large branches that overhang the water. Over the years, I have taken pleasure sharing Dragon Tree with my clients, pointing out the branch that looked like the head of a dragon, it’s mouth open. Clients often took photos of the natural “sculpture.”

A few weeks earlier, we learned that a tree trimming company would be on our land. I had taken time to walk with the operations planner all the way down from our house, which is at the north end of our property, to Dragon Tree, which is near the south end. I told him the tree was special and that I didn’t want the workers to touch it. He made note of a telephone pole that was nearby so that it could serve as a location marker. I asked when the workers would be on our property, but the planner couldn’t give me a specific day.

I felt a little apprehensive about the workers being on our land because the last time they were here, about 2 years ago, I felt like they were trimming unnecessarily. I had even sat under Dragon Tree for about 2 hours, watching them while they worked.

But yesterday, as I walked up to Dragon Tree, I was completely unprepared for what I would find. The first thing I noticed was a partial branch with pink spray paint on it, which had been stabbed into the ground near the tree.

The branch stood out to me amongst the lush growth of the surrounding trees, bushes and grasses, because a few years ago, prior to a visit from my great grandkids, I had put a little pink spray paint on the ends of some branches close to the ground that were adjacent to the trail. I didn’t want the Littles to trip on them.

So initially, I thought what I saw stabbed into the ground was one of those smaller branches. But as I looked more closely, I realized that it was actually the lower jaw of the dragon from Dragon Tree.

As I spun around to look behind me at where the dragon should be, and I gasped in horror. Not only had the dragon’s jaw been ripped off, but a water bottle had been rammed down its throat.

I began to cry, unable to believe what I was seeing. I quickly took photos of what had been done, and then immediately removed the water bottle and threw it as far as I could.

I gently removed the dragon’s lower jaw from the ground, cradling it in my arms as I began the long walk back to the house. My dog was with me, and, sensing something was wrong, she walked quietly beside me, not straining against the leash like she often does.

There is no way to make sense of the willful destruction and desecration of Dragon Tree. That branch was nowhere near the power lines. And I had made a special point of telling the tree trimming company that Dragon Tree was not to be disturbed.

Some people will say, “It’s just a tree. What’s the big deal?” But to me and to my clients, it was more than just a tree with a dead branch. It was a landmark. It was a sacred reminder of the possibility that magic exists…of things like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.

Why do so many in society feel a need to destroy the magic?

Rest in Peace, Madam Dragon. Your spirit flies free. And I will try to find a way to keep the magic alive.