I’ve been spending a lot of time with seeds the last few days, and they never cease to amaze and move me. Brand new beings will spring from them, without any more effort on my part than burying them properly, in a spot with access to fresh air, and water, and light.
Last night, as I planted out yet more seeds for the flats that will sit on the corner of the kitchen table (the lettuces having finally all been moved outdoors), I became engrossed in their differing textures, sizes, colors, and shapes. It’s easy to become as enraptured and fascinated as any child if you meditate on seeds for just a few minutes, really.
Of course, you could plant them and never ponder the miracle at all. If you were in a hurry, you might never think twice. If your community were facing starvation, your anxiety for a nourishing result could crush any chance for awareness of a mystical connection. If you were greedy, you might see the seeds as merely a means to a profitable end — and complain about the steep increase in price since the last season’s purchase.
Clockwise from the biggest seed at the bottom of the circle, the seeds of: lima bean, lovage, lettuce, cardinal climber, spinach, mustard, Swiss chard, marigold, globe amaranth, dill, four o’clock, eggplant, snap pea, spider flower, nasturtium, and tomato. At the center is my living family heirloom, a half-runner bean seed.
Personally, I think my culture could use a lot more of us meditating on seeds. Maybe then we would make more sane choices collectively for the long term, thinking not so much about the next tax period, or election, or when we get to retire, if ever, but instead about our grandchildren, or what happens a hundred years from now, or in a hundred generations.
Seeds, although many of their cycles are quite short, may help us take the long view, perceive the actual circle of life — and not a romanticized or culturally-programmed version of it. Often, there is quite a difference between the two.
My own culture typically views seeds as a “resource” to be used and manipulated at will, and many times reduces the seeds and their fruits to products, things, or worse, numbers on a balance sheet. It is easy to see how we got ourselves into the mess we are in now, facing a shortage of crucial energy resources, with severely depleted topsoil, contaminated water and air, beaches awash with plastic and oceans pockmarked with enormous dead zones. This culture, which is unfortunately globally dominant now, could not manage to treat even the most obvious foundations of life with respect.
Under the influence of this kind of reductionist thinking, we cannot perceive ourselves as part of the circle, nor our proper place within it. Such a worldview allows the human being to assume an elevated status (the mighty, entitled Exploiter), while simultaneously degrading most human beings to mere units of monetary value (widget producer or widget consumer). It is convenient, though, if you’d like to forget any moral or ethical duty to your fellows on the way to your end goal.
From within an egoic frame of reference, it’s nearly impossible to recognize that without the work of the seeds, insignificant if one considers their size alone, we would not survive; that because we lack the ability to transform sunlight into a food source we can assimilate, we are, by any scientific definition, a kind of parasite, and unfortunately one that is currently engaged in killing its host.
Life and death, beauty and disfigurement, compassion and cruelty, wisdom and ignorance, the sublime heights and the depths of darkest despair. It’s all there if you look deeply enough.
Maybe I see too much in a seed.
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Meredith, This is such a powerful meditation on the circle of life. It ought to make us all take another look at our behavior and our assumptions. Thank you for these thoughts. -Jean
Jean´s last blog ..Capturing Beauty in Photographs
Thank you, Jean, for reading and taking the time to ponder these thoughts.
Great seeds of thought Meredith! No you do not see too much in seeds… if only everyone would think more in this way. But do not forget to call congress and demand clean green energy and a stop to the poisons! We can have all these deep meaningful thoughts but do not count on our leaders to make the necessary changes… we all must take part and plant these important seeds in the minds and hearts of our “leaders” … in thinking about future generations there can be no more powerful act to join our own efforts toward change. Please call and call often. Beautiful seeds… each a work of art as well by mother nature. It is truly a marvel that each one contains the making of a complete plant as an acorn houses an oak tree. ;>)
Carolflowerhillfarm´s last blog ..Marching Into Change Remembrance of Seasonal Bliss
Carol, I’m so glad you saw a lot, too, in seeds. I must admit that since coming to SC, I’ve rather lost my activist fire. When I first arrived, I switched my voter registration and continued to call and write my representative and Senators, just as in Atlanta, and also tried to look for opportunities for getting involved in local actions. I really have found almost no opportunities, and living in a blood red state, receiving form letters from my reps and watching them continually vote against the things I value… well, I’m pretty tired of it. (I even plan a post about part of this process, and how despairing I became at one point.)
Instead, I switched my focus to supporting local farmers directly, growing our own as much as possible, and convincing friends, family and neighbors of the benefits of relocalizing our food supply. Did you realize that if every American got just 10% of their food supply direct from the grower, the system as it stands now would break down, preparing the way for a more humane one? Not to mention that we desperately need to start getting these systems in place for the time when the current one inevitably breaks down due to certain “resource” constraints…
I have migrated to your new blog. Goodby Victory. Long live “the circle of life.”
jim
Jim Groble´s last blog ..Blotanical Rocks
I’m glad you’re here, Jim. But I do feel a bit melancholy about leaving VGR behind, frankly.
I thought they were seashells at first. Lovely …
After you wrote that, Lynn, I had a look back, and I can see them as shells, too, if I look without preconceptions. Very nice observation.
Great reading … lots of food for thought! Seeds are indeed a powerhouse of energy and an amazing part of the circle of life.
Thank you, Bernieh! I’m glad to provide food for thought.
The seeds are beautiful. What a wonderful post, Meredith. It’s so true — there is such a huge disconnect from most people about how we are actually surviving on this planet and how this planet is trying its best to survive us.
Talon´s last blog ..The Sound of Color
Aren’t they lovely, Talon? And you’re so right about the disconnect. I don’t know how most people stand it, really. I feel so connected to nature most of the time, it’s my life support — I think I’d waste away and die if I were ever removed.
They are beautiful little jewels and isn’t it miraculous that food and flower can come from such tiny beginnings. Meredith you’ve written a thoughtful and thought provoking essay~thank you, gail
Gail´s last blog ..Yesterday The Sun Stopped By To Play
They are the most obvious miracles on earth, Gail. So happy to hear that you got something from the post!
A thought provoking post, Meredith, and I couldn’t agree more. If only we could do away with all this commercialism, environmental vandalism, and get back to good old fashioned basics, I think we would appreciate where our food comes from all the more.
Btw, I love lima beans!
Serena´s last blog ..More sketches and some Thailand pics
I couldn’t agree more with your comment, Serena. I hope that we are in the process of doing just that… and it seems to me (when viewed from a certain angle) that the Earth is helping us along the way.
If you love limas, you might consider growing some. They are super easy, requiring only a long, hot summer to produce (which it sounds like you have). The one pictured is called “Christmas,” a variety I’ve never grown before. My sis and I split a seed packet of them, finding them too pretty to pass up, with their lovely red splashes. Every single seed is unique!
Nice seed pics- I Like the natural wood background, too.
I did instantly recognize the Marigold, mustard n Lima seeds.
Wish my cam would handle that kind if close-up!
I have tons of past-seasons seeds to try- cause my space is so limited. My challenge is to get the squirrels to not dig them up ot chew seedlings. I’ve had very bad luck with them eating my sunflowers…
I see seeds as birth- often tho, it’s difficult attaining the plant’s maturity n harvest.
Seeds are promise n potential.
You do see much in your seeds!
SnaggleTooth´s last blog ..Sightings
Thank you, Snaggle Tooth. The wood background is my old desk, at which I work and make art. It’s been a bit banged up over the years, as you can see.
“Promise n potential.” That they are!
Oh, and a cat will solve most of your issues with small rodents; even a local stray that you feed often enough to keep him visiting your property will do wonders.
Dear Meredith, I was most taken here with what an interesting Still Life the seeds make as you have arranged and photographed them. The patterns on the larger ones are very beautiful indeed. Your comments on the different approaches to seeds and their purpose is most thought provoking.
Edith Hope´s last blog ..Ladders, Loppers and Lawsuits
Edith, I’m glad you liked the Still LIfe. (They are literally “still life,” n’est-ce pas?) They layout happened by accident, really. F. and I have been watching the old PBS “Cosmos” series on our movie nights lately, and I think all of those images of planetary rings, and orbits, and the bright circles of exploding supernovas may have insinuated themselves into my consciousness, LOL. I knew I wanted to photograph certain seeds in juxtaposition, and as I played with them, it just happened.
Meridith, you have made stop and think!
I popped my purchased tomato seeds in with barely a thought for them, focusing entirely on my hopeful harvest – the end product! Now I am inspired to try saving a few precious seeds to see if I can follow my little Tommy Toes through the circle of life and connect more with the responsibility of being a gardener.
Heidi´s last blog ..Australian Native Botanical Garden Visit – Part 2
Heidi, I do hope you know there was no judgment implied. Many times I’ve popped in a seed, intent only on the result. And in a certain sense, looking forward to the promise of what is to come from the seed is as necessary to the seed as any of the other elements; if we didn’t have that exuberant anticipation and innate curiosity, would we humans ever have learned to plant? From any angle, it seems to me, seeds are poignant and beautiful, and reveal much about us.
Bravo for considering getting into seed saving!
i wish thinking these same thoughts at the weekend whilst sowing seeds. today i am very ill but if were feeling better i too had a post like this in mind. hugs x
Carrie´s last blog ..I had a GOOD day.
Carrie, I do hope you’ll write that post when you’re feeling better! Take good care of yourself, hon.
Seeds are miraculous … the life energy stored inside is amazing!
joey´s last blog ..‘PLANT’S POINT OF VIEW’ ~ CHICKEN & TORTELLINI SOUP
I couldn’t agree more, Joey.
Lovely post! Thoughtful and artistic. The seeds are so pretty, and the life cycle issue is honestly mind boggling if you really let it go!
kimberly´s last blog ..Port Saint Lucie Botanical Garden GRAND OPENING!
Aw, Kimberly, you’re too kind. I suspect I really did “let it go” while meditating on the beauty of seeds. And what a relief sometimes, to let go and go all the way to the heart of the matter.
Hello Meredith,
One of the many things that I enjoy about you and your blog is how you take something from nature and show us another side to it and help us to appreciate it’s beauty. You have done it again :^)
Noelle/azplantlady´s last blog ..Flowering All Year Long…
Noelle, I’m so grateful for your kind words… and glad you enjoy your visits!
There is nothing more exciting in this world than watching a seed sprout. They contain life within. your post enhanced my love for seeds.
I’m glad, Muhammad.
And I agree with you about the excitement in seeing a seed sprout, revealing the life within. It’s awe inspiring!
absolutely beautiful words! and photos as well. just stunning thoughts.
xo
Christina, you are so sweet! Thank you for those generous compliments.
Wow. Having never planted anything (aside from tomato plants, which came from starters), I have never seen seeds. They are beautiful – and so different from each other! Lots of food for thought here, thank you for that.
elizabeth´s last blog ..spring is in the air
Hi Meredith, that is a very beautiful thought provoking message. Upon seeing it i visualized the self meditating around crystals, and then saw the image of Stonehenge. If most of us will really meditate on the seeds, maybe we will not be like what we are now. I remember the generations of old have rituals before planting, before harvesting, maybe we should do them still, without the clinges of commercialism. I wonder what the harvest will turn out to be, if someone will lie down on the seeds and meditate there before planting. I must do that one of these days. thank you Meredith for the reminder!
Lovely post, Meredith! I don’t think that you see too much in a seed. Quite the opposite. More people need to read this !
Jackie´s last blog ..Pacific Orchid Exposition 2010
Hi Meredith, it’s way past March now…as I write this message in Nov! But I just wanted to comment on how lovely this post is. Your writing is thoughtful and in combination with your superb photos, you’ve written an important piece here! I wish that the things you can see in a seed could be more obvious to more people. Such a simple concept, really…but with profound implications for the future of mankind & mother-earth, herself.