Sunday, November 16, 2008

The Alchemy of Spring Bulbs~

"Nature Loves to hide (Becoming is a secret process)" 
~ Heraclitus, 6th Century Philosopher.

Today, I take these words of Heraclitus with me, to the dusty little gardeners shop just down the way. Today I am filling my cotton shopping bags with spring bulbs of every size, shape, and color.  I really don't think one can plant enough tulips and daffodils and crocuses. Each year I wonder if I need to plant more, and then, barely a moment is past before I quickly I realize that, yes, indeed, I do! When these spring beauties burst up through the earth's surface, in all their radiant glory, it is pure magic.  The exquisite timing of spring blooms after the dark winter is something to marvel at.


And then, whenever I put a bulb or a seed in the earth, I think to myself, "this is alchemy." What a miraculous transformation is taking place down there below the surface, in the rich dark underneath.

Alchemy, defined by the Oxford dictionary is: "a miraculous transformation or the means of achieving this."

So the earth then is an alchemist of the highest order, wouldn't you say? 

It makes me wonder about what is happening in my own being beneath the surface. What is stirring in the deep downs of my own heart, what seeds are sprouting, what is transforming, being born out of the fiery ash of my own living, the Phoenix of the soul if you will? 
Image of woman by Mara Freidman

7 comments:

Margaret Ann said...

Wonderful thoughts to ponder...a lovely art piece as well...I love when a quotation...especially some of the ancient ones stunningly hits home...that's what your post did for me today...Thanks! :)

Ernie Hendrix said...

What a lovely blog you have! And how fun and inspirational it is. I will definitely be adding you to my Google Reader. And thanks for visiting my blog today and for leaving a comment.

Ernie
Gypsy Gold Studio

ArtSparker said...

A cousin to your last post, with its green fragrances contained in bottles...while the bulbs are containers of green to come. It's good to read about your seasonal rituals.

rose AKA Walk in the Woods - she/her said...

Lovely!

I have still have many bulbs to get in the earth and my time is running thin ....

herhimnbryn said...

Your words have reminded me of finding the last Jonquil flowering at the back of my garden yesterday. Very late, but such a surprise as the scent is very good.

Happy planting.

Chimera said...

Hi lovely Nao,
I wish I was greenfingered. My mother has old wisdom and her gardens are wonderful. When she comes to stay she refreshes mine completely but this year she is travelling and I had forgotten about the bulbs! Thanks for reminding me!! Time to head to the market.
Tanvi

india flint said...

it seems that each year i become more and more like a squirrel...i plant bulbs and then completely forget about them ....and then it's such a delightful surprise when they spring up