One of my favourite Buddhist meditation teachers, Venerable Antonio, used to remind us during the long days of sitting practice in retreat that, whilst it may feel like nothing is happening, in fact everything is happening, we are just not so good at paying close attention.
At this time of year everyone is getting impatient for spring and the last days of cold, grey weather seem to drag on interminably. It seems like nothing is happening but, when we look closely, we can see that actually everything is happening!
This is how I felt whilst observing my Tree of the Year this month. Nothing much was changing at first glance and the escarpment Hawthorns looked as wintery and asleep as last month.
Looking a little closer I could see that perhaps changes were appearing after all…
Do you see the tiny buds? Look closer still…
And even closer …
Lean in…
And marvel at the beauty and potential held in the smallest of things.
Now is also a fine time to admire the twisted roots of Hawthorn, before we get distracted by leaf and blossom. Like miniature landscapes they rise and fold, their contours are at once hard and soft and I’m quite convinced the faeries live amongst them.
On the way back down I took a detour to visit another of my favourite Hawthorns. Sheltered beneath the Downs she can grow straight and tall compared to the trees at the top who are forever bent to accommodate the unrelenting winds. I’m convinced the quality of the medicine from the two trees will reflect the differences in their circumstances and, this year, I will make flower remedies and tinctures from both to compare.
Hawthorn blossom allows us to expand and flourish and I imagine that a remedy from the escarpment Hawthorn would lend us strength to do this in even the most adverse conditions where as one from the second tree would allow us to create a sheltered, loving and safe space in which to grow.
Lucinda,
What beautiful thoughts this has blossomed in my mind! Today does indeed feel quite stuck here, so it was good to be reminded of all those miraculous little transformations taking place just out of notice. Your hawthorns do look magical and faery like – I like seeing all the sheep grazing nearby (I came to really like the sheep when in England, and strangely found I missed them when I came home!).
I have been terribly lazy this month (and last) about getting to my blog and writing the posts I’d wanted to – but you’ve inspired me, and I’m going to soon write a post about my apple tree. Better late than never, right🙂
Lovely as always!
XOXO
Oh yes, please do share about your apple tree, I’d love to read about it.
I’ll give your love to the sheep, they are great aren’t they, just like little clouds with legs dotting the hillsides.🙂
xxx
I am just starting to get caught up with your posts:) This one is lovely! I was just outside gently looking through the gardens and admiring the teeny, tiny beginnings of some of the plants:) your photos capture the beauty of the beginnings and the roots perfectly Lucinda xx I think I might have glimpsed a fairy or two peeking out of the hawthorn roots also xx
Hi Leslie,
Are you having fun getting to know your new Hawthorn friends and will you be growing some this year?
I’m glad you spotted some faeries too!
xxx
The most marvelous thing happened the other day when I was driving out to the spot where I found mine, Lucinda! I just had an urge to go down a lane that is before mine and found many more! Can you imagine how gleesful I was?😀 It was a very cold, blustery rainy day so I just sat in the car admiring them and their lovely naked winter appearance and then got out briefly enough to approach and take a few pictures:) I will be heading back there in the next few days and will see if I see any signs like you have, of new growth. It was finally pretty with sunny skies today, although that wind still has a bite;-) love you sharing with you dear lady xx
oh, and I did pot up a few berries, so we shall see if hawthorn can take her rightful spot in one of the corners of Comfrey Cottages:) I sure hope so. I have elder in one corner, and would love the protective aspect of having hawthorn in another xx
Wow, that would be very special indeed. Elder and Hawthorn both have such powerful magic and are two of my absolute favourites.
I’m so happy you’ve found such a collection of Hawthorns and your perseverance paid off.🙂
xxx
Stunning breathtaking pictures Lucinda!
They speak out of my heart…
Beautiful – thank you!🙂