Foxgloves in my Garden

Whenever foxgloves grow in my garden,

I think of my childhood.

They were fairy hats,

or dresses for tiny folk.

They were signs of magic, 

always a surprise,

always welcome.

Mysterious.

Tree Moss Magic

Tree Moss Magic

Fairies weave tree moss at night.

I knew that when I was six.  I knew that fairy-folk knit threads of green felt into webs of tree moss, while I slept.  The fairies made lace and nests and cradle-swings and fastened them to trees.   Glittering, dew-covered, delicate, pale green…obviously these were created by the fairies, these were magic.

Some say that tree moss results from the damp and shady conditions found in coastal forests like those on the eastern shore of New Brunswick.  They claim moss requires dampness, a high level of moisture for the vascular system to survive and requires liquid to complete fertilisation.  Tree moss shows appreciation for wetness by growing best on the north side of tree trunks, the upper parts of branches and in the shadier crotches of trees.  That is what we think when we lose imagination. 

But when the sight of wobbly green draping from trees draws me back to childhood, I remember that this is where I found magic.  There is magic in maple blossoms, in the curve of an acorn, in the new green at the tips of conifers, in the mushroomed decay of stumps and in the spongy clumps of ground moss sprouting spring violets.  Children know what adults have forgotten.

Cross the driveway, jump over the ditch, scramble through the alders that clutch like witches’ fingers and escape deep into the forest of birch and maple and evergreens.   Search for the place of winter deadfall, a clearing, an open space.  Here it is.  Leaves become dishes.  Twigs and branches become utensils and brooms.  Rocks and logs are seats and tables.  And moss, moss can be anything—cushions, decorations, food, stuffing for cracks in tables; moss can be fairy magic.

To play in a secluded wood, with sunlight slanting through the canopy of trees, to hear birdsong and the burbling ditch, to breathe balsam and damp earth, to gaze in wonder at pale moss dangling from trees, that is mystery, full of possibility and magic. 

A child of six no more, at ten times six, l still smile when I discover tree moss. 

I smile and a thought flickers, “Ah, the fairy-folk were weaving cradles and nests, while I slept.”

Photos and words are mine.

Mountain Ash or Rowan Tree

The Mountain Ash or Rowan tree is a popular ornamental tree with a long history and many attached legends.   It was strongly associated with witch craft and the occult; considered magical by many cultures.   Some traditions have evolved from the belief common among Celtic people (the 15^th and 16^th century) that the tree could offer protection.  Necklaces of Rowan berries strung together with red thread were believed to ward off evil spirits.  It became a symbol of paganism and the supernatural.  To learn more about the legends associated with the Rowan tree, click here.

Besides magical properties, the Mountain Ash has many practical uses.  In North America, berries and bark were used by First Nations.  The wood is easily bent and was used for canoe frames, snowshoes and bows.  In addition, the berries and bark can be used to make a rich black dye; the berries, for brewing spirits.  When cooked, Rowan berries are supposed to have a healing effect on digestion, the liver and the lung.  Warning:  berries must be cooked first before use.  Recipes, click here.

Our Rowan tree or Mountain Ash (not a true Ash) is a striking deciduous tree, 20 feet high.  Now, in late summer, it is covered with rich green feather-like foliage and clusters of vivid orange berries.  In spring, the Mountain Ash was sprinkled with flat-topped clusters of tiny cream coloured flowers.  Later in autumn, its leaves will turn a sunny gold before falling.  It provides an ever changing visual treat with intriguing, lacy shade patterns.  Even in winter, the smooth grey bark is striking against the snow cover.

Soon, when the berry clusters ripen and turn a red-orange, a flock of birds…perhaps cedar waxwings, or grackles, or grosbeaks will descend on our tree to feast their full and will strip it of its vibrant berries in one visit.  I hope to capture that event with the camera.

Mountain Ash trees like to have sun and moist well-drained soil and do well planted at the higher end of a yard.  Ours is midway up the edge of our steep driveway so there is slope enough to keep the excess moisture draining away.

The feasting birds will spread the Mountain Ash seeds in their droppings.  Already, we have two small new trees sprouting at the edges of our property, more beauty, more colours and more magic!

If you click on the words in red, you will go to another website which will provide additional information.

All photos are mine.

Crows

Crows

Are crows the smartest of all birds?

Crows intrigue us and aggravate us.  They have a great mysticism and mythology attached to them.

The first noticeable characteristic about this bird is its striking black colour; sometimes it will have hints of deep blue and purple on the feathers, as well.  Black is the colour of creation.  It is the womb, out of which the new is born.  It is also the colour of night.  Black is the maternal color and thus black night gives birth to a new day. 

Although the crow is a diurnal or daytime bird, it reminds us that magic and creation are potentials, very much alive during the day.

Crows have a connection to watchfulness.  Crows always have a sentinel posted.  They build their nests high in tree tops so that they can see the entire area in which they are nesting and feeding.

The ability “to warn” is connected to the crow’s second, most-noticeable characteristic—its voice.  Crows have a complex language.  Though they have remarkable voice range, they actually do not sing.  They can caw in many different ways, each with its own meaning.  

The crow has great intelligence.  It is adaptable to its environment. It will eat almost anything.  Part of their ability to survive is this being omnivorous and their unique ability to communicate with each other and to work together.

Their ability for attentive watching and their intelligence have given them a reputation for thievery.  They will steal food from other birds or whatever source is around—including human food supplies.

Wherever crows are, there is magic.  They are symbols of creation and spiritual strength.  They remind us to look for opportunities to create and manifest the magic of life.  They are messengers calling to us about creation and magic, that is alive within our world everyday and available to us.

This information is taken from Animal Speak, written by Ted Andrews and published in 2001 by Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.

All photographs are mine.