I'm thinking the tree'ish thing is some part of him... soul or otherwise. It was a symbol of him... the small furry thing the "active" part of his soul, hiding deep within himself. it isn't necessary to put real words to it, other than to know that tiny mouse like thing was him and the dark sky and the vastness was what's inside of him (somewhat reminiscent if one meditates - a vastness inside of us). 

I guess I'm not sure Marge messed up a ritual either. If it would serve you well to have her create a mess, she can. :) Otherwise, who knows. I'm pretty amenable to however you want to twist the mess I gave you and cook it down into something serviceable. Heh.