MONGOLIA. Sukhbaatar. 2010. Trees represent a connection between earth and sky that a shaman can use to climb into the upper world. This tree is called the Mother Tree, and is considered by some to be the most sacred tree in Mongolia. There is a ceremony timed with the beginning of Spring every year that attracts hundreds of visitors and new shamans who want to speak to their spirits for the first time in an intensely spiritual place. These shaman students circle the tree with the help of assistants to call their spirits. A huge fire is lit next to the tree to culminate the ceremony.