The Tree of Transition

The Tree of Transition is a revered and ancient tree deep within the wolves’ forest, known for its mystical role in the journey from youth to adulthood. Struck by lightning long ago, this tree, despite the large, hollowed-out hole formed by the damage, miraculously continued to thrive, symbolizing resilience and transformation. It became a place of great importance in the wolves’ pack culture and is often called the Tree of Transition for its role in marking a cub’s transition to adulthood.

This tree is used in a sacred ceremony where young wolf cubs, who are ready to take their first steps into adulthood, are brought by their parents. The lore of the wolves dictates that the parents of the adolescent cub must lift them to the hole in the tree. The cub, just able to squeeze through, crawls from one side of the tree to the other, symbolizing their passage from childhood into the world of adult responsibilities.

On the other side of the tree, the wolf elders await, their limbs raised to accept the young wolf. As the cub emerges from the hollow, they chant the cub’s new adult name, symbolizing their entry into the adult world. The elders then gently lower the cub to the ground, welcoming them into the ranks of the adult wolves. This powerful ceremony serves as both a rite of passage and a reminder of the interconnectedness of the wolves, their ancestors, and the forest that sustains them.