Baby Bud and Mommy Thistle – Photo: L. Weikel

Thistle

I didn’t get a chance to walk yesterday. We went to the powwow and by the time we got home, a walk simply wasn’t going to happen. So I was determined to log some miles today. In fact, I walked both the long and the short routes (walk about and walk around). And the upshot of both was that thistle was demanding my attention.

If I’d known I was going to write about it this evening, I would’ve taken even more photos of this phenomenal beauty. Thistle is blooming in most fields and along the roadside all along both of my usual circuits. The stunning lavender-leaning-toward-pink blossoms kept grabbing my attention the entire afternoon.

Spiny, almost weapon-like leaves appear on some of the plants, appearing like fireworks splaying out in a manner that yells, “Get back!” And yet other plants seem to shyly downplay those very same needle-like weapons, toning them down and making a point of calling all our attention to each stage of their floral explosion.

Something to Think About

Most times when something, be it flora or fauna, persistently insists on catching my attention, I take it to mean that it’s bringing me a message of some sort. I honestly didn’t feel that today.

Every time I took one of the photos that are accompanying this post, I had a conversation with the plant itself, thanking it for sharing its particularly lovely self with me today. It almost felt like the Spirit of Thistle was showing me herself in every aspect of her blossoming, encouraging me to appreciate each stage for its particular loveliness.

When I realized I was getting the nudge to share these photos tonight, I wondered if perhaps the Spirit of Thistle wanted to reach out and speak with one of you. It’s possible some of you aren’t getting outside enough or frequenting venues where Thistle can get your attention, and this is a way to get the message across. I’m not saying the attributes of Thistle don’t have application in my life. I’m just saying they don’t feel as personal to me as many other ‘messages’ I receive on my walks.

Keynote

In checking with Nature Speak* by Ted Andrews, I discovered that Thistle’s keynotes are ‘keep a sense of pride; and protect yourself against criticisms of others.’ In reading the actual discussion of the plant, I got a sense that Thistle is best known and most respected as an aid to the function of our liver. It sounds as though Thistle can be used to both cleanse and tone one’s liver. (Again, as I mentioned in this post, always use the utmost care when working with the medicinal qualities herbs. They are every bit as potent as prescription medications and should not be used carelessly or cavalierly. Ideally, you should seek the input of a trained herbalist.)

Our liver does a ton of work inside our body, cleansing our blood and helping us eliminate toxins. The toxins it confronts are not always on the physical level, either. Our liver can suffer from exhaustion or toxicity from prolonged exposure to anger, rage, criticism, and other ‘negative’ emotions. It stands to reason that sometimes our liver needs a rest, a chance to catch its breath (metaphorically) and recover its mojo. Thistle can help with that.

Scottish Connection

Thistle is the national flower of Scotland. It’s said that a Danish marauder was trying to sneak up on a Scottish camp and stepped on a thistle, causing him to shriek out in pain. This served to warn the Scots that an attack was imminent and permitted them to defend themselves appropriately.

It’s plausible that Thistle’s appearance in our life is suggesting that we may need to protect ourselves. It may be appropriate at this time to express our upset at the way we’re being treated by others.

It occurs to me that we’re hearing a lot about how so many people are in each other’s faces about this, that, and the other thing, but primarily (lately) about masks, vaccinations, and our responsibilities to ourselves and each other. From my observation, the most vociferous declarations seem to be made by those who feel they owe no one any deference; that the only righteous concern is adherence to their own beliefs and choices for themselves.

Maybe It’s Not OK

I’m wondering if perhaps Thistle is suggesting that it’s ok to stand up for the collective. It’s ok for people to express some of the anger they’ve been swallowing. Many have patiently waited for those demanding respect for their personal space and ‘freedom’ to realize there are other people sharing this planet with them, and sometimes we have to do uncomfortable things or sacrifice a bit for the benefit of us all.

And when the hoped-for epiphany regarding generosity of spirit and sacrifice never arrives? Maybe it’s time to express some righteous anger. Perhaps in as beautiful a manner as possible, but express it nonetheless (before it poisons us all).

*affiliate link

(T-96)