Heliotropic List #12
Reflections on trees, enchantment and transits
Started piecing this one together at 9.20pm last night and surprised myself at how fast it came together. This week is a wordy one. There’s some beautiful reflections for you on the topic of enchantment by author, psychologist and mythologist
a book recommendation that’s had me laughing out loud and one of my all time favourite poems.A favourite poem - by the late Mary Oliver called When I Am Among the Trees
When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”Reading - Ghosts by Dolly Alderton. A little late to the party on this one. It’s a laugh-out-loud ultra relatable account of the thirty-something experience (particularly when it comes to dating).
An ‘imperfect’ food box - my partner mentioned this food box company selling ‘imperfect’ produce that the supermarkets reject. They say it’s 40% cheaper than standard produce. I’m still on the hunt for an organic company that does this, but I think this is a brilliant idea either way and wanted to share.
Substack reads - This beautiful article titled ‘How myth and story can help us belong to our places’ by author, psychologist and mythologist
I believe that enchantment is a state of mind which can be cultivated, and that myth and story place us more firmly into the wider life of the world: our personal story is enmeshed with a greater story of which we’re a part. We feel as if we belong, as if we are part of a wild-hearted community in which animals always have something to teach us, trees and plants can save or cure us, wise old men and women are waiting in the dark woods to help us, and a well may be a doorway to another world. Myths and folk tales can weave us back into the seasons and cycles of the year, and they can help us to accept the necessary, sometimes challenging, cycles of life. That sense of awe, of connection, of belonging to a mysterious world which has many depths and layers to explore, is what is missing in so many people’s lives today. It is what we need to cultivate in ourselves, encourage in our children, and offer up generously to others. — Sharon Blackie
Listen - Stumbled on this ‘Why so many people work bullshit jobs’ on the Big Think. The caption reads ‘Experts say we should only be working 15 hours per week, so why are some working 80?’
Pluto in Aquarius - I can’t believe I’m talking about astrology for a third week in a row, but I feel like all I’m seeing and hearing this week has been the monumental astrological transit that is Pluto in Aquarius. Last time this happened was two hundred years apparently and some sh* went down — the French Revolution for one (no big deal). Anyway, it lasts for the next 20 years apparently. More on that here (a link a friend sent me that feels very accurate
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Recipe - for carrot top pesto. I got a bunch of carrots with the tops on this week decided to make pesto with it. It still tastes of basil, but slightly more earthy and herbaceous (as you’d expect from a root veg).
