An Encounter with Knapweed
Todays’ ‘Wild Wisdom’ comes courtesy of Centaurea Nigra (Common Knapweed). This flower has a rather wonderful story associated with them. It is said that the centaur Chiron, wounded by an arrow dipped in Hydra’s blood, used the flowers to make a poultice for the infected wound. He recovered and named the plant Centaurea. In 12th century Wales, physicians used mixed Knapweed, birthwort and field scabious as a cure for adder venom. While in medieval England, Knapweed was known as matte felon due to its use in curing infections of the finger tips (known as felons). By the 17th century, herbalists were using the wonderful plant to heal wounds and stop bleeding.
They pull the little blossom threads
From out the knapweeds button heads
And put the husk wi many a smile
In their white bosoms for a while
Who if they guess aright the swain
That loves sweet fancys trys to gain
John Claire
The poet John Claire was a nineteenth century romantic poet. He is known for his celebration of the English countryside and his sorrows at the impact of industrialisation.
(I have investigated how the land calls to us and looked at industrialisation through the lens of one particular landscape at Thors’ Cave in the Peak District England travelling from prehistory to the present. You can find the link to part one of the pilgrimage here. This is one of my Embracing Earth. Welcoming Water, Acclaiming Air, Friending Fire, articles).
I was feeling particularly burned out having helped various friends in need over the last couple of weeks. The overload was beginning to show and I needed a rest and silence. I so needed peace and quiet yet a friends’ birthday beckoning. The last thing I felt like doing was going to the gathering and socialising, yet off I went. Happily it was at Wild Spirit Woods, the Spiritual Home of Forest Heart/Ancient and Sacred Trees.
Neurodiversity can be very demanding. Some day to day doings can be very tiring in and of themselves. For myself I have highly developed senses so our busy world, as I experience it, is a challenge. (I’m thinking for example, of the deep conversation with a friend on Saturday interrupted by my asking us to continue outside because finally, I couldn’t bear the overhead piped music any longer. But, many of you will relate to that anyway, ‘neurodiverse’ or not!) Of course, being late diagnosed I never knew this was a key part of my ‘problems’. (I was that kid who had to have all the labels cut out of their clothes because they drove me mad). Now I am trying to craft a much more friendly ‘neurodiverse’ lifestyle, and one, that is also Fibromyalgia friendly. It is our wild world whom I have to thank for having got me thus far. But, enough about that for now.
As I got out of the car I felt a familiar ‘pull’ and over I went to the edge of the car parking area to find a group of these lovely flowers and brim full with bees. After days of rain the early evening had opened up into that particular early evening light you get in Summer, that kisses everything with a golden glow. My friend had wandered off down the path to the gathering and I could hear voices grow fainter in the distance. I was tired, worn out, yet somehow those Knapweed flowers with their furry little bumble bee friends reached out to me, and I was held in a moment of gentle buzzing and vivid pink coloured crowns among the golden grasses.
A moment of timelessness with them and I felt so rejuvenated.
These beautiful flower beings reached out to me and gifted me energy to continue my day. I so wanted to stay at home and yet these flowers so open heartedly reached out and welcomed me the moment I stepped foot on their home ground.
It may well be that some of you might read this and think what nonsense, that flowers don’t do that kind of thing and that’s ok. We all have something to gain from connecting with the wild world in some way. For we are born from it and will return our bodies back to the earth ultimately. This is my own personal experience and you will have your own.
Here’s a very quick film I made with some bits of video and photos I took. It’s not really edited, there is silence and sound ‘au naturel’. It doesn’t do the Knapweed justice of course, but it’s a little glimpse and who knows, maybe a little magic may spill out of the screen your way.
Where ever you are, I hope you have time for the flowers, for they will always have time for you.
Enjoy your Sunday.
Blessings and Wilding Wishes
Amanda Claire
Ancient and Sacred Trees can be found here at www.ancientandsacredtrees.org
Thank you! 😊🙏🏻