Paptuanuku- Mother Earth and Hawthorn October 2020

This spring we have learnt to truly trust Papatuanuku- Mother Earth. I love this Maori word Papatuanuku for although it means Mother Earth I see Papa there too. In my childhood we didn't have words for a relationship with the land; we took for granted the passing of the seasons, neither did we gaze in awe at the moon. There was a kind of separateness; no one talked about belonging. 

But these days, the more we go out to the land, the more we are learning to truly rest and to trust the provision and support of Mother Earth. It's like any relationship, it takes time to learn the rhythms and the ways of one another. Although, all that's required of us- is simply, that we show up, with respect and openness. This week, as we drove past Pandora I noticed a swathe of pale pink- "Ooh, what are those?", I cried and out we scrambled to see. 

Ah, allium roseum- but why don't you look it up and make quite certain...

And so he did- allium roseum- rosy garlic- isn't that the cutest name. An edible old world species of garlic... for sure- we nearly expired from the smell in the car by the time we got home!

This is a remarkable piece of land here by the tidal estuary at Pandora. The centranthus ruber has made itself right at home. 

It is interesting that the rose pink colour tends to dominate a colony, then comes the red, while the alba is intermittent. The yellow of the hedge mustard (Sisymbrium officinale) is quite startling in a amongst it all.

The flowers are tasty in salads. I'd like to collect some seeds later on and see what we can do with those.

It was quite astonishing to see just how much plantain was there too- made evident by their distinctive feathery flower head.

Having picked a large armful of centranthus recently, I was delighted to find that the flowers are really quite fragrant. 

They last a good long while in the vase too.

We were actually heading to a valley at the back of Taradale that we had stumbled upon last autumn, but just had to check on the Medlar tree at Park Island on our way. I have been hoping to find some red clover (trifolium pratense) soon as we need to begin collecting it for our next year's herbal infusions...and here it was.

Such beautiful blossoms and so wonderfully rich in anti-cancer phytoestrogens and protein and loads of minerals trace elements. Nourishing herbs used regularly help to build health- something that isn't talked about very often- "building health", that is.

The land we walked through to reach the Medlar tree was once an orchard. Look at this glorious kiwifruit growth bursting out of the ground. The resilience of some plants is truly remarkable.

Ah, there you are Medlar! Have we missed your flowers?

No- here they are...in bud.

Taradale continues to surprise us with a huge variety of walkways and wild places that are open and available for people to enjoy. Around Labour weekend a wander in these hills becomes a truly magical experience. 

So wild, in fact, that plants like naturalised hawthorn (crataegus) are left in peace.

They each develop then own particular shape and style.

Their flowers so delicate...

and beautiful in their simplicity.

Walking amidst hawthorns we are always moved and feel very tender and emotional.

A strange sense of murmured gentle welcome and  connection begins to weave itself around us as we wander.

Occasionally in a valley of hawthorns you may spot pale pink blossoms.

They are all so beautiful. 

These wonderful, resilient plants speak to our hearts of belonging.

They love to gather in "families" their roots running deep in to the terrain around them- frequently steep valleys with a little water running through them.

It's no surprise then to find that the leaves, flowers and berries of crataegus provide wonderful gentle medicine that nourish the heart and circulatory system.