To find items in nature that represented the various elements was an exercise in creative thinking. Since it was winter time while I was collecting these things, I had both an advantage and a disadvantage. I had less to choose from, but could focus more on how each item would be connected to an element.
AIR
White Pine Needles: While standing under the pines, you can hear the trees whisper to the wind. In the fall, their needles drift down forming a warm blanket on the earth. Sometimes, the wind catches the needles in the branches, and they float off into the sky. The playful pine needles call to the wind “Let’s fly!”
Norway Maple Seed: I call these maple seeds “helicopters” for they twirl in the air when they leave their tree. Other people call maple seeds “whirligigs” for the same reason. In the spring, they are usually the first seeds to appear. To the delight of children and adults, these “whirligigs” dance in the spring air.
Weeping Willow Leaf: Graceful weeping willows often catch the subtle breezes. Even in winter weeping willows rarely remain still, swaying their branches to and fro. Catching the movement of the wind with their branches, the willows hold a conversation with the air.
Crow Feather: As the crows molted, I would find their feathers on the ground. Although they are no longer used for flying, these crow feathers can still capture the wind. To me, these feathers represent air in all its wondrous glory.
Rose Petal: On particularly windy days, the rose bushes will let loose their petals. When catching a breeze, the aroma of the roses will waft through the air. These red blooms remind me of the tender breezes of June.
No comments:
Post a Comment