Hello,Picture this scene, I'm sure you'll be able to relate:

You've had a long day at work. You spent way too much time sitting in front of a computer. Now you're walking home and you're lost in thought. All the buildings blur into the background as you navigate the sidewalk on autopilot.

Then you trip on something.

But you realize that you didn't exactly trip, you stumbled to avoid stepping on something poking out of the sidewalk. You pick up yourself up and take a closer look.

It's a dandelion, with a beautiful flower head shining up at you.

It's just a dandelion, but it's not. You can't quite name it, but whatever it was it's shaken you from your daze.

-- end scene --

Have you had something like this happen to you? Where you felt some part of you said to the other part of you, "Don't step on that, it's important." (maybe it wasn't a dandelion)

My question is ... Why? What is it about that plant (or "weed") that you hesitate to harm it?

And as these things go, I have a guess that I'd like to offer.

Plants are living beings. They're part of the aliveness of this planet we all share. They hold some deeper value, deeper meaning, that's difficult to put into words.

And that's the nugget right there: that you recognized that aliveness. You saw the wild spirit of that plant in the sidewalk and you felt some connection to it.You felt that connection despite the busyness of your thoughts, the concrete, brick and asphalt surrounding, the crowd on the street.  That little plant jumped out to remind you about the living nature of life on Earth. And you saw it.

"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."

~ William Shakespeare

This is an important part of herbalism that doesn't get much attention today because it doesn't fit well with the scientific paradigm. It can't be measured or quantified.

But it does fit well with Earth/Nature-based world views because it values the qualitative experience of the world.

You have the innate ability - as a human expression of the Earth - to connect with the aliveness of other expressions of the Earth (ie. plants).

This ability dulls with disuse, but it's always there.Having this openness is the best starting place that I've found to develop meaningful relationships with plants.

Once you're open, then you can start taking a good close look at the plants around you. You don't need their names, their medicinal qualities, or any of that. You just need to take a look. Compare two leaves side by side. You'll be amazed how quickly your eye remembers how to distinguish shapes and colours.

If you've got a similar story to share or would like to add to this conversation, please comment on below. I'd love to hear stories of plants knocking people out of that dazed state.

And if you'd like some guidance on your learning journey with plants...

 Join us for one or more of the upcoming Herb Walk Series: See the City GREEN

Would you like to feel confident about identifying wild plants - especially if you're going to eat them or use them as medicine? Us too.

And sometimes it really helps to have an actual person to ask questions. Plant books don't always lead you to the name of the plant you're holding.

You'll be joining about 20 like-minded, foragers and plant lovers, if you decide to join us on one or more of these walks.

Oh, and you'll get to visit some gorgeous wild green spaces around Vancouver.

strength & wisdom

garliq

PS. I want to highlight that this is a very proud day for me in my life as herb teacher. Because, you see, a student of mine is now teaching herbalism to others. I'm giddy with excitement to introduce y'all to Raquel Park, a new teacher for See the City GREEN. Raquel started her herbal studies with this very course 3 years ago. She's learned so much and has both knowledge and passion to share. (I'll be there for some of it too) Click here to read more about Raquel and this series.

PPS. If you know anyone in Nelson or the West Kootenays, I'll be teaching Exploring the Green World - the Herb Walk Series around Nelson also in the next couple of weeks.  Please forward this email to them :)  thanks.