Advent Ponderings…

On the Stories of Seeds and the Stories of our Souls

Linda Gregg CSJ

Here at the Villa in Cobourg, the garden has been “put to bed” and winter is settling in contentedly around us. The air is colder, seeping into the ground and readying the earth for its winter sleep. I was sorting some dried seeds the other day and was reflecting on the way seeds have stories, each unique to its own variety and type. Within the heart of seed lies a story about to be born, but before that time of birthing there is a journey that it must undergo. 

I remember as a child being told, by a wise old gardener, the miracle of an oak tree seed. Holding the acorn with its little cap in my child’s hand, I listened to the wondrous journey it would undertake – and it would do so by listening to the story written into its being, within that little acorn in my hand. For one day that acorn with its cap would become one of those towering oaks that offer majesty and strength to the forest grove, yet also lend gentle branches to cradle a fragile bird’s nest and, in time, learn to wisely converse with the wind that ripples through the green cloak of its oak leaves.

But it would be a journey, a journey of listening to the story written within and learning to live that story. Not unlike the story of our souls. Inscribed in the seed of our souls is the story of what can be – if we listen to the wisdom written into our soul’s journey.

Seeds all have a particular set of sequences necessary before the seed can be birthed. There are some seeds that have a very hard seed coat that serves to keep moisture out. But over time, this coat is gradually worn down by the weathering effect of the elements, interaction with soil microorganisms, or through being taken up as a tidbit by birds. The inner seed remains safeguarded while the hard seed coat gradually wears down. This strategy is necessary for, in this way, the seed germination is being delayed for several months – timed by an unseen wisdom for when spring arrives and the right growth conditions for germination exist.

And seeds are individuals, as we are.  Peas, beets, beans and spinach like a good soak before they germinate. Many seeds of perennials and woody plants absolutely will not germinate until they’ve have had a good freeze-up. If you plant these immediately after harvest, they will not germinate. These include, Asters, Black-Eyed Susan, Pansy, Coneflower, Primrose and Lupine.

And as we know, in the wild this occurs naturally, in the time of deepening cold as winter visits upon the land and brings upon us the deepest, dark of waiting times. This deepest dark we ourselves journey through at times, a waiting upon what we cannot yet see, but believe will come, if we are faithful to the moment we are living through. The seed knows.

Our Endangered Neighbour

Rita Godon CSJ

My fascination with bees began at the early age of five when I started school.  In our small unfamiliar library, perched on a top shelf, was a grey massive empty hive.  I had to face the reality of this strange form whenever I reached up for a book.  I was reminded over and over again that the hive was indeed empty.  Over time I learned to respect bees.  I got to love them.  I was assured that they wouldn’t bite me unless I disturbed them.  I discovered bees were amazingly hard workers and creators of beauty.  En masse, they cooperate so well with each other in achieving their goal of making honey to my amazement.  In my later years I became aware that honey bees account for 80% of all insect pollinators. They play a vital role in our food chain. 

Bees have been very much in people’s minds, hearts and prayers these days because of their high rate of death over this past winter.  I cannot imagine life without bees for they have been with us for 10 million years.  The Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists identified three causes:  starvation from lack of food caused by our past cold winter, parasites (mites), and primarily exposure to pesticides (neonicotinoids).

Neonicotinoids, a family of pesticides typically applied as a seed coating, help to protect plants from insects and in Ontario are used primarily in corn and soybean crops.  Believe it or not, they are used in greenhouses!  Neonicotinoids are banned by the Europe Union, but Canada is awaiting an interim report to come out next spring before considering a ban.  Meanwhile, extra precaution will be taken to prevent neonicotinoid dust getting into the soil or air during planting season by the introduction of a new seed lubricant.  As well, farmers and beekeepers will have access to an app that will notify each other when fields close to bee hives are about to be planted.

Sadly, beekeepers, farmers and seed-sellers are all impacted by the increasing annihilation of bees.  These three entities need to work with each other to achieve a fair but successful outcomes – one that would have bees as the first priority, not putting self- interest or the economy first.

To learn more about the challenges facing honey bees and what you can do to protect them, please visit www.panna.org  under Issues, – Pesticides 101 A Prime – Food & Agriculture – and scroll down to find the booklet Bee the Change.   In the CSJ spirit to live one with our neighbour, let us ‘bee friendly’.

Wing Beats of Hope – Monarchs and their gift to us and all the earth

Linda Gregg CSJ

At Villa St. Joseph in Cobourg we would always look forward to the arrival of the Monarchs in late summer and early fall. Their orange and black wings, exquisitely patterned, would be everywhere. If you walked near the Mountain Ash tree by the verandah the branches would suddenly flutter alive in a breathtaking dance of winged beauty and dazzling life.  Each year their numbers have been dwindling and we have had the sense something was deeply out of balance. 

The recent Mexican postings reveal that the forest hibernation colonies have once again sharply decreased. There remain only nine hibernating colonies. Last year there was a total area of 7.4 acres and this year it dropped to 2.94 acres. This is a 59% decrease in population in one year. In 1997 there were 44 acres of colonies.

Why is all this happening?    As you might imagine, humans have something to do with this. The dramatic drop in their numbers is due to the decrease in milkweed plants, the Monarchs main food source. Deforestation and urbanization have been significantly altered habitats. But the most critical is that of HT (Herbicide Tolerant) crops such as the GMO corn and soybean crops which are sown with weed killer in their genes. Without these, there was adequate room for milkweeds to pop up here and there in cultivated fields, providing nourishment for the Monarchs on their migratory route. But in the last 17 years there has been an incredible boost in corn and soybean acreage due to the increased prices for both corn and soybeans in Canada and the U.S. Ethanol production from corn has given farmers high prices for a crop that before didn’t provide much income. Deforestation and illegal logging in Mexico have also destroyed the site of many hibernation colonies.

Why does it matter?   Monarchs lead the most spectacular and incredible migration journey of any species, traversing thousands of kilometres navigating territory they have never seen. These iconic butterflies are key pollinators for many species besides milkweeds. And as the same habitats for monarchs, are essential for other pollinators, they are fragile prophets we need to heed. Without pollinators our own food sources will come under risk. What can we do?

Ministry of Learning & Action :   

Monarch Waystations:   At Villa St. Joseph Ecology Centre we have left significant parts of our fields uncut to preserve the milkweeds for the nurture of monarchs .We are now a designated Monarch Waystation with signage, bearing witness. But anyone can create a designated Waystation, in a backyard, a congregational home, a church. There are lots of other plants that provide sustenance for monarchs. Check out: http://monarchwatch.org

Ministry of Prayer & Presence:  Our thoughts and prayers a have a special energy of the spirit that can lift the fragile wings of this butterfly and so many other species. Minds and hearts need conversion, to the sanctity of all life. Let us pray wing beats of hope!