Beliefs are hard to pin down, from Gods to superstitions, and then there’s the power of Mother Nature.
This tree was struck by lightning 10 years ago—now people say it’s magical
How much weight do you give to the strength of natural events creating something supernatural? Some cultures believe eclipses are caused by dragons devouring the sun or moon. Others say volcanic eruptions need to be appeased with offerings. Then there are those who interpreted auroras as the signs of ancestral spirits. But what about lightning strikes on the Earth?
Bolivian tree, lightning and magic
Well, ten years ago, a lightning bolt split through a pine in La Paz’s General Cemetery. Instead of withering, the tree flourished, and today it’s venerated as the “miracle tree.” Pilgrims arrive daily, sliding coins, flowers, chocolates, and handwritten wishes into its bark, convinced it grants favors.
“If the person comes with a lot of faith, the tree will fulfill their wishes,” said prayer leader Javier Cordero to AP, who often guides visitors. Some devotees claim to have been healed of illness; others ask for love, jobs, or even the return of lost pets. Here’s a short video giving a glimpse into their experience.
From science to spirituality
The strike left a scar that is said to ooze fragrant resin, and the tree now stands healthier than ever. Strange you may think, but as AP highlights, a study published this year in New Phytologist found that lightning can boost certain trees’ growth, offering a possible scientific explanation. But in Bolivia, where pre-Hispanic traditions mix with Catholic rituals, the idea that lightning transmits cosmic energy is long-held.
Seventy-nine-year-old Ricardo Quispe, who sheltered beneath the pine during the storm, insists the bolt gave him psychic powers. For others, the tree itself is alive with spirit. As one woman said while leaving sweets at its roots: “He fulfilled the favor I asked of him, but I haven’t stopped visiting.”
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