Full Moon Greetings! November 8, 2022
Cultivating Joy in Dark Times
The world can be a challenging and even wearisome place (in case you hadn’t noticed). But it can also be a place of beauty, connection, and joy. Even in the midst of darkness we can intentionally tend and nurture joy as we would seedlings in our gardens. Think about this – we cover seedlings to protect them from late frosts and insect predators. And we are careful to provide the nutrients small plants require. What if we applied similar methods to our own need to flourish – thoughtfully identifying the things that bring us joy and including those in our lives.
Marigolds hold the Essence of Joy
The plants that epitomize joy for me are marigolds (Tagetes sp). In shades of yellow, orange, and crimson, they are some of the easiest and most delightful annuals to grow. And they are resilient, drought tolerant, beautiful, and perfect for children’s gardens (but also adults). My mom planted a profusion of marigolds and their bright colors and unique fragrance inhabit my childhood garden memories.
I am collecting the very last of the marigold seeds from my Denver garden as the days turn colder and darker. If you’ve never collected marigold seeds it is hard to describe the deep satisfaction but for me it is akin to the experience of walking on crackling ice.
It is a combination of the tactile feel of the crinkly pods, the shape of the thin, pencil-like seeds, and the ease with which they slide free from their casing. This is in contrast with other seed collection in my garden which can be prickly (cosmos), messy (tomatoes), gooey (pumpkins), or just challenging to gather (butterfly weed). And since collecting marigold seeds with my mom was one of my earliest garden experiences, there is a familiar “coming home” feeling to the whole affair. It simply makes me happy.
The Mindfulness Practice of Nurturing Joy
Cultivating joy is a mindfulness practice. It requires some focused attention on our part. So find and cherish the things that bring you joy – collecting garden seeds, playing with your animal companions, a walk in the green world, a baby’s smile, coffee in the morning, the full moon in a winter sky, sunrise on a new day, squirrels doing their thing even in winter, birds at your bird feeder. The small and beautiful things are all around us but during dark times it may take our intention to notice them.
None of this means that we should ignore the very real problems in our world. But it is possible to simultaneously tap into joy and also address challenges. And tending to our own joy can make us more resilient so we are better prepared for the difficulties. It can anchor us in the energy we need for the work ahead. Tapping into joy reminds us of what is important and the reasons to fight for it. What is on your list of joyful things?
Marigold Seeds to the First Five People Who Ask
I have extra marigold seeds from my magical garden to share. If you are one of the first five people to ask, I will mail you some seeds. Just send your request with your address to Joanncalabrese@gmail.com
Lunar Blog Post Series
This post is part of my lunar blog series. Each full moon I write about one of the plants featured in my book, Growing Mindful. Each new moon I write about a topic related to gardens, mindfulness, and spirituality. For more details and a list of past lunar blog posts, click here.
