One of my best friends when I was 11 was a huge Elm tree, right outside my window. I felt this connection and warmth....the tree comforted me like you wouldn't believe, I could hear it's branches against my screen, smell it on the night wind.....I would lie against it and tell it secrets. Stramge, I never thought about it being weird or not, it just felt right. We moved a lot growing up (22 times before I was 18!) but the house was across the street from my grandma's house, so I would visit her often...leave gifts. I hadn't been there for months one time...when I rounded the corner all I saw was a stump. It felt like punch in the gut, I was devastated. I sat by the stump crying and crying....saying goodbye.
This was a long prelude and meaning as to why, when I came across the 5 of Pents I had an amazing and spiritual reaction. I completely understood her distress and grief....and her coming to the tree for solace and understanding, for healing. This is an extremely powerful card for me.....infused with intense personal meaning. The artist captured everything with heartbreaking beauty.