meditating on mangroves
observing the children / leaning on earth
“Grow through what you go through”
I am surrounded by motivational quotes at least three times a week when I work in schools. Schools all over Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens. I always wondered what the kids were like in NYC. They are really just kids after all- resilient, bright, overwhelmed.
All the workshops I took to prepare for becoming a substitute encouraged me to think about the influence I have. These kids are shaped by their families, but also by society at large.
What is happening in the world today? How is it affecting the kids?
How are they problem solving, holding one another, collaborating? How are they adapting to change?
I subbed an art class in the West Village. My first time seeing an altar. A portal. A site of invitation.
With all these question in mind I reach for a book on habitats in the east coast. My reliance on the earth for answers is flowing and growing.
A reoccurring question-
How can we stay connected to the core essence of what we’re meant to do on this earth?
I open to a page on mangroves. I remember seeing one at the botanical garden.
Mangroves are unique because they are a plant species making their way back to the sea.
Plants, millions of years ago evovled and adapted out of the sea to land. The sea representing the subconscious mind, the mysterious unknown terrain.
Land representing pentacles, earthly matter. Tangible, out in the open, visible & clear.
“Red mangroves manufacture land where there was none before...”
I’ve been really curious about mangrove seed development. After being spread the seeds hold onto the momma tree to develop until they eventually detach.
Thinking back to the question about the world etc, where we’re at-I feel a motherly, feminine energy. Being held, allowing, receiving flow in a motherly way feels like the recipe for resilience.
Getting to a point where we are open to that energy is the challenge.
Back to the mangrove, the seed eventually leaves the mother tree and allows the tides to push it around for weeks, even months until it eventually shifts its center of gravity, moving from horizontal to vertical.
The seed then has a growth spurt strong enough to push itself into sediment. Rooted so it can stand on its own. Adaptive to the sea it grows in.
“Particle by particle, sand, clay, sediment helps the mangrove become stronger.”
At its adult state, the mangrove has a filter system which can store water. This reminds me of our ability as humans to transmute energy, and hold energy like a tank slowly filling. The mangrove is also an open invite for different species to rest like birds, turtles, snakes etc.
I think the mangrove has been on my mind because I’ve needed to reflect on how the human experience is one of perseverance, independence, adaptability….
I have some herbs in mind that I’ve been leaning on to get in touch with this energy since I’m unsure how to source filtered mangrove water.
Dandelion root: for strength and to filter the bitterness of life. Training the body to digest bittersweet moments in life through our stomachs- literally stomaching a feeling. Once digested, then processed through the mind and finally released through the spirit. Dandelion root has helped me hold space for disappointment.
Ginkgo: in full bloom in NYC right now! Ancient plant species from the era of the dinos. The tree endures all four seasons in NY, withstanding all shifts in energy on the streets.
Finally Saffron and Rose: for connection to sexy Venus energy that is centered in prepping the body to receive with love, openness and care. Herbs that know what they want, and what they undeniably deserve.
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you all have been so well.
I wanted to share that I released an EP called WHEEL OF FORTUNE that I made with my bandmate through our project titled FYR MOON. Follow our IG you want to stay tuned to upcoming shows etc follow! The genre is art / psychedelic folk, raw, simple, ethereal.
BE WELL TILL NEXT TIME
LOVE
Jakari Wing