Page 28 - the NOISE February 2013

Tumble Mustard
Exploring New Paths in 2013
Lupine / Pathfinder
Back in the 1960s, the phrase Flower Pow- er was a common thing to hear. What did it mean back then? To me, a sense of freedom, the flower child who loves being in nature and with the flowers, lying on the earth looking up at the sky, loving life and feeling connected to a greater whole.
Life is change and change is life. What keeps us connected, and what keeps us going?
As far back as I can remember, the thing that has kept me connected is nature. I can’t think of anything more healing and life transforming than the living essence of flowers from nature’s bounty. The plants and flowers pass on their essence on to us as a natural and simple form of healing. As we engage in life itself and all that life is with its pleasures and its pains, we can infuse the process of our journey with extra help from our plant and flower friends.
To feel connected with your self, Earth’s natural wonders, and to welcome in the explo- ration of new paths in 2013, here’s a plant and a flower essence to experience.
Lupine (Lupinus argentus) or Silverstem Lupine Quality: Pathfinder
Lupine is a member of the pea family. The Navajo call it Azee’bi ni’ i, which means “won- dering about medicine.” Lupine is also a Latin word, meaning wolf. This name was given to the plant because it was believed that lupines robbed the soil of its nutrients. Like the wolf, however, lupine has been misunderstood. With help from certain bacteria, the lupine’s root nodules actually put nitrogen obtained from the air back into the soil. This common trait of the pea family actually improves soil in the long run.
Lupine seeds can be made into a powder used to treat skin problems such as scabby pores and blemishes, and the leaves are made into a lotion by the Navajo to treat poison ivy blisters.
Walking on an old road in a ponderosa forest near Flagstaff, I find my way to a clear- ing. The sun glistened above, showing me the way. As I approach the clearing, acres and acres of purple and white lupines lay before me. I am delighted to see such an eloquent bouquet in this field of wildflowers. The sweet fragrance of the lupines fill me with their gentle presence, and a grassy spot in the meadow awaits my arrival.
Sitting in my spot, I open my hands and give thanks for being led to such an enriching, beautiful place. I thank the Lupines for being here, for showing up, as I marvel in their presence. And then I close my eyes, and in time, I feel only the moment. An incredible si- lencerunsthroughoutmybeing,thekindofsilencethatisnurturingandpeaceful. Tears stream from my eyes and down my face, the stillness so precious and endearing.
I continue to sit for a long time, unaware of time and space, past and future, within and without. My entire being is filled with the sweet fragrance and presence of the Lupines. I feel a deep opening within myself, spiraling and lifting me upward.
Suddenly I hear a deep-bellied bugle call that sends a tingling rush of energy through- out my body. I turn to the sound and see two large male elk standing about thirty yards from me. Their racks are massive, and I am startled. There is nowhere for me to go, so I remain still. Astounded by their presence, I watch as their powerful bodies stand before me and then fade back into the pine forest. They move with such strength and power, that I can’t help but feel their strength and power within me, as my own.
Here in the magic of the Lupine meadow, silence and sound become one. I am over- joyed at the meaning of this as I prepare to walk on a new path in the ponderosa forest, in search of a new adventure.
Insights of Lupine Flower Essence
* Opens our ability to step beyond ourselves
* Shows us the silence or space of being, allowing us to acknowledge and be in that space without looking ahead or behind, and to
be guided by intuition and a natural flow of energy
* Prepares us for our next cycle of change or life passage, allowing it to take place between what was and what will become by being in the Now
* Helps us to be led by our visions and aspirations bringing them
into practical application, balance, and openness
Lupine says to me, and I pass this on to you:
“In the silence of this winter season, without looking ahead or behind you, be only in the moment of Now and let yourself be guided.
| Rhonda Pallas Downey is the founder of the Center for Plant Stud- ies & Healing Arts and the author of The Healing Power of Flowers and Voices of Flowers. lferhonda@centurylink.net
Sisymbrium officinalis
Tumble mustard, a very common and weedy annual, grows all over the arid Southwest and has been utilized as human food for thousands of years. It is often encouraged to grow, and is so common that it has never been domesticated, improved, or purposely cultivated.
Tumble mustard has always been gathered as a wild food wherever it shows up. It is most delicious green to eat raw or as a cooked potherb. The flavor is as pungent as mustard, with a delightful hint of horseradish. It is recommended to dilute this herb with other greens to offset its heat, and is not recommended for juicing (unless you’re looking for a kick!)
Tumble mustard often overwinters and has long-toothed leaves and small, bright yellow flowers that grow in clusters and become thin seedpods containing numerous tiny, sand-sized seeds. The lobed, toothed green leaves are produced in a low cluster at first, but later, the plant elongates to 4 feet tall. When mature, the dried plant may break off and tumble in the wind to distribute its seeds over a large area. Some purple pigmentation is present on the stems and petioles, otherwise the plant is as green as broccoli.
Tumble mustard is often overlooked, or even destroyed! It should be given more attention, especially by forag- ers. The small seeds can be collected and ground into meal used to flavor soups and gruels, and may also be used to encourage its growth in a fa- vored location. Chances are that if you look for it, you will find it.
Tumble mustard may be toxic to live- stock if consumed in large quantities. It is frost and drought hardy and can be found growing even in the Wintertime, but really thrives in Spring and Fall. It goes to seed and dies out in the hot- test, driest summer months, but could be encouraged to grow then if planted in the shade and watered regularly. Tumble mustard is often found grow- ing wild in sandy soil in mesquite bosques and around the ruins of old Indian living sites.
In ThunderfooT’s garden, it seems that the wild tumble mustard has for- ward and backcrossed with the arugula growing there to produce new varia- tions of each plant. The bees are com- pletely responsible for the pollen trans- ference. The new variety is likely to be named “Hercules” for its strength.
|thunderfoot is a for- ager to supplement his diet with the power of wild
foods and healing herbs.
28 • FEBRUARY 2013 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us