Tag Archives: gardening

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A Gift

Watering and weeding in my little garden I came across a pinecone. Just randomly there. We have no pine trees close enough to have it had fallen there. In fact, there are no trees at all in the back area of the house. I just stared at it, but I didn’t pick it up. My very first initial thought was “well that must have been a gift.”  Then I moved on.

I am writing this on a Wednesday, and this happened on Monday. Suddenly that pinecone came to mind. I thought to myself, what a peculiar thing for me to think, that it was a “gift.” I thought this without hesitation, or any further thought, and like this type of thing was such a common occurrence, that it did not warrant any further action from me. When I looked at the pinecone, I even remember thinking “well thanks for this.”  Now as I sit here, thanks to whom exactly? A gift from whom? Why am I even thinking of this at all? It is interesting when you begin to notice, really notice, things like this become regular. it gets more soft, and things like a dandelion opening become easy to see, and understand. Nature just becomes your trusted friend. It becomes easy.

Nature is going to do things for us, whether we notice those things or not. Nature is not out here imposing a will upon us. Nature just completes its tasks, moving along the wheel, and we can work with her or move through our lives without noticing. Nothing she does isn’t happening though, just because we are not allowing ourselves to be aware.

I began to investigate the significance of a pinecone.

I used to believe that pinecones were seeds. However, pinecones are not seeds themselves; they are the protective structures that house pine seeds. Once the seeds mature and the conditions become favorable—typically following a dry spell or heat—the cone will open up and release the seeds.

When conditions are favorable.

As the pinecone releases its seeds at the appropriate time, and when everything is agreeable for such an event, depending on the species, it takes 20-30 years for that tree to reach maturity. To reach a point where it can send out pinecones to start this whole circle again – 20-30 years. Although there are species out there that fast grow and can even grow 12 feet in less than a year, they may not be completely mature. These trees look it, but at the roots they are not ready. Time, patience, and the balance of nature will dictate when the seeds fall.

In some traditions, pinecones are seen as a symbol of intuition, spiritual insight, and higher consciousness. Because of the protective structure of the pinecone for its seeds, the seeds can survive even the harshest of conditions.

I saw a random pinecone in my garden, I stared at it, I did not move it, and thought “well, it must be a gift.” 

Turns out, it was. Staying in one place mentally and sometimes even physically we find protection and a sense of safety in.

When conditions are favorable, we can come out of what we find as protection, to what can really be growth. Wisdom. Immeasurable hope. It takes a while, but nature has plenty of time. She is still at the wheel, whether we see her or not.

I am not going to move that pinecone. It came a long way to teach me things. I think I will allow it to do that.

Peace to you,

Cath

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The “Strawberry Moon.”

“You could smell ripe strawberries before you saw them, the fragrance mingling with the smell of sun on damp ground. It was the smell of June, the last day of school, when we were set free, and the Strawberry Moon, ode’mini-giizis.”

― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants

The full moon that takes place in June is known as the “Strawberry Moon.” This name originates from the Algonquin tribes of North America, who would harvest wild strawberries during this period.  In 2025, the Strawberry Moon will come to us on June 11.

The Strawberry Moon invites us to concentrate on the abundance present in our lives, both in material and spiritual aspects. This is a moment to celebrate the rewards of our hard work and to acknowledge the generosity of the earth.

The deep bond with nature, especially during the summer solstice, (Fri, Jun 20, 2025) makes the Strawberry Moon an ideal opportunity to engage with the natural world and tap into its energy.

During this Full Strawberry Moon, you might experience an increased sense of responsibility and productivity regarding your goals, aspirations, and overall life journey. The surge of Capricorn energy will assist you in remaining grounded and focused, enabling you to take practical steps toward realizing your objectives.

Do I ever understand that.  We planted our garden this year, and I have been extremely impatient.  Bordering on obsession. I read up on gardening, watch videos, pretty sure I need to rip it all out and start again – on and on. I have been gardening in one way or another for over 30 years. I ask myself everyday what is wrong with me? I don’t really want that answer on the whole, just about my garden.

 I had been following an account on a social media platform for years.  She had the most beautiful garden.  It was planned to perfection.  She has archways, and nooks, and a place to sit right in the middle.  I watched her so intently over our cold long winter, and I kind of think that is the problem.  Because I came to find out what she was presenting was not her.  She had a Company come in and plant her garden.  She had people come on the daily to maintain it. She only picked what was photogenic. All of it was real, but none of it was her. When she confessed to this all I could do was laugh.  I was comparing myself to her, and it was stealing from me the simple joy of one red strawberry that I watched grow.  It occurred to be that Strawberries are considered a symbol of abundance and prosperity associated with peace, tranquility, and harmony.

Let this Moon show you all that you have, teach you the abundance of this life as she shines. 

Peace.

Cath

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Wishes in a Jar

This spring I set about doing a project involving Dandelions. This has me picking them before anyone could cut the lawns around me. I am pretty sure my neighborhood is used to me by now.

After I had the enough for what I was doing I took 4 or 5 dandelions and hung them upside down in my kitchen window area like I do Herbs in the summer. It was a nice little spring reminder whenever I look at them.

Dandelions are resilient survivors, thriving in challenging environments and proving difficult to eliminate. They grow rapidly, transitioning from bud to seed in just days, and can live for years. It is said m that one dandelion in the corner of your yard has seen everyone who passed by her before you, and will see those that pass by her long after you did. Their deep roots, which can extend 15 feet, enable them to flourish even in tough conditions. When divided, a single inch of root can produce a new plant, and their leaves can push through gravel and cement, allowing them to thrive in barren areas.

Due to their ability to grow in difficult conditions and their relentless nature, dandelions symbolize the strength to overcome challenges and hardships. Hope and Wishes: The blowing of a dandelion’s seeds is a universal activity associated with making wishes.

The ones I had hung in my window kind of opened up just a little to the wish stage, and then stayed like that for several weeks. They looked beautiful in this state. I kept thinking of them as suspended wishes. I decided I wanted theses to stay.

I affixed them to a cinnamon stick, added to a mason jar, tossed in more cinnamon and some dried sage leaves, lit the lid, and there I had it. A jar full of wishes.

My wishes however are not trapped in there. They are a symbol of what I hope and dream for. Lasting though adversity, growing where I am.

The Dandelion knows a lot about us, because it has seen a lot before us. Think of all the wishes and hopes just one dandelion hears and carries through the universe.

Think of what you hope for, think about your dreams. The next time you see a dandelion, tell her about it, and let her carry it to the stars.

If interested, here is a great article about the amazing health benefits associated with dandelions.

The Surprising benefits of eating dandelions.

Peace!

Cath