Wisteria: thoughtful reverence Wisteria is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family, Fabaceae, that includes ten species of woody climbing vines native to the Eastern United States, China, Korea, and Japan. Wisteria vines climb by twining their stems either clockwise or anti clockwise around any available support- houses, trees, walls etc. They can climb as high as 20 m above the ground and spread out up to 10m laterally. The world's largest known Wisteria vine was planted in 1894 in Sierra Madre, California; it measures more than 1 acre in size and weighs 250 tons! The leaves are alternate, 15 to 35cm long with 9 to 19 leaflets. The flowers grow in pendulous trailing clusters of 10 to 80cm long in pure whites, soft lilacs, vivid purples and rosy pinks. Wisteria blossoms flourish between April and June. The colour of the blooms fades rapidly so towards the end of the season, they are a pretty canvas of gradient pastel shades. The very word wisteria conjures up a rather grand image in my head. It sounds impressive and imposing. My Harry Potter obsessed mind cant help but recall that it is on Wisteria Lane that Harry and Dudley meet the dementors. That's of no relevance at all, I just have J.K Rowlings' magic ingrained in my soul. The scent of wissteria is delicate and lingering, thick and floral. I'd rather like a wisteria perfume. My newest wanderings have led me south to a magnificent manor house in the Oxfordshire countryside. I'm here to help out with the flower gardens; my host is wonderfully kind and the head gardener is just the nicest person. I also have a cosy room at the top of the house and some lovely American neighbours to explore with and chat to. Sounds pretty perfect right? Well, I'm me and i've been a bit of a mess mentally the past few days but now i've settled in, im hoping that i'll do better. Please. I'm so blessed to be here, I see that now that the panic has died down. Just a few degrees warmer and some sun as well thanks. The house and outbuildings are covered in thick wisteria flowers of the palest softest lilac. My research has unearthed a lot of different meanings of wisteria, it would appear that its splendour has been revered by many cultures and eras, each creating their own ideas. The language of flowers cites its meaning to be “I cling to thee”, seemingly referring more to the traits of the vine than the pretty blooms it produces. I'm not too sure whether I would find that message positive, clinginess is not exactly a good trait! Wisteria itself though, originated in Japan where it is known as fuji. It is representative of the month of May and as symbol of spring in general. So i had to post this on the very last day of May, just in time. In Chinese folklore it is known simply as purple vine and represents playfulness and adventure. Vines in general can be symbolic of spontaneity as when they grow, they do so without knowing where they are growing to. Shin Buddhism views wisteria as a symbol of prayer, or thoughtful reverence. The branches and blossoms seem to lower their heads as if in prayer. Naturally this brings to mind our need for peace, quiet and time to honor the heavens. Or ourselves. Peace and quiet. The air here is thick with bird song and the occasional crowing cockerel; the village is sleepy and quaint, I don't think the years have changed much about it. The church clock still chimes on the hour; i find the dependable familiarity comforting. It's all very picture perfect. I wish my brain would take note and be quiet as well. I've felt incredibly on edge for the past few days, like a tightly sprung coil; without noticing it, my hands contort themselves in fists and my stomach is in knots. WHYYYYY? I admire the climbing wisteria and its drifting scent every day here as I wander through the grounds planting and weeding; knowing its meanings got me thinking. The message I take is to give yourself some time (maybe even a lot of time) and give new things a chance. A real chance. Some wisteria vines are over 150 years old and they didn't manage to climb up the whole building in just a few days. Growth takes time and a bit of love and kindness. Look to the bowing petals and let them be a reminder of the importance of quiet, reflective thought. Prayer can be just a few simple words spoken in your head; a subtle reminder that we can find peace in any situation. When we act from a place of calmness, our words and actions speak our truths far clearer and then we can begin the gradual climb. Life is a journey after all, its a cliché but its undeniably true. There is no destination we have to reach, things are always moving and changing, the path unraveling. Accept that, enjoy it and be thankful for the challenges. Just keep going even when you feel like you cant:
“You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it” So I guess I'll be a human after all; i'll wait here patiently until I feel strong enough to reach up and cling to..well to what? Thee I suppose can be anything but as my greatest challenge is myself, maybe i'll cling to me. We are often our own harshest critics but we could also be our own greatest support system. Its a choice that begins with ourselves. A vine can climb up and around a whole house but not without deep rooted self belief and a readiness for adventure. The only way is up.
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LittlebirdJenna. Free spirit, flower enthusiast, seeker of truths. Archives
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