About two weeks ago I had the pleasure of traveling south to the Wicklow mountains for a walk in the rainy, mythical woods led by a wisewoman and herbalist.
As I’ve spent time in my sit spot and other enclaves around campus/this small country, for Paulson and for my own mindfulness and grounding practices, I have craved a deeper understanding of the history of this land and how its people have related to it. I have my own connection to the places I’ve visited and sat with, but I felt that I was missing a layer of depth that would come with learning the folklore and stories. I have seen and loved the nature here, but I experience it through the lens of being raised in California. That perspective will of course always be there, but I feel that I would be doing myself a disservice to not give the native perspective a shot.
When we arrived in Wicklow, the wise woman, Labhraín (pronounced like the anglicized version Lorraine), welcomed us each with big, warm hugs. I felt immediately at home, in the right place. She showed us the chestnuts at our feet, already getting us to notice the beautiful details before our hike had even begun. We started walking but didn’t get far before she stopped us again to talk about the Elder tree. I’ve grown up consuming elder products, such as elderblossom/elderflower syrups and bush drinks, elderberry wellness products, and elder bark tea, but I learned significantly more in those few minutes than I had the whole rest of my life among other herbalists and hippies. She discussed the tree’s properties, of course, but also shared the deep history of its association with wisewomen and folkloricists in Ireland. Since many wisewomen had elders growing in front of their homes for a variety of purposes, the trees also became a dangerous marker, alerting skeptics of who might be a ‘witch’, and could even be used as evidence in their tragic persecution. I cannot incorporate all that Labhraín taught us on our several-hour walk into this post, though I wish I could because I feel invigorated with my new knowledge and understanding of the Irish landscape and how humans have interacted with it. I do feel much more in community with this land and the Irish people since learning how they are in community with each other. Community to me involves bringing yourself into a shared group dynamic and creating a reciprocal relationship in which you affect the community and you let it affect you. Now that I understand how this dynamic has percolated Irish history and culture, and how the land serves the people (now including me!), I feel even more inspired to continue learning its stories and how I can contribute back. Both my semester-long project and my capstone project are informed by this.
My semester-long project started with my participation in the sustainability club on campus. We have weekly conversations about sustainability, Ireland, the world, and our place in it all. Through them, I’ve been working on several small projects and planning a petition to the College to implement motion-activated lights in the dorms, which are otherwise left on 24/7. I know that I will not be able to see this project through in the month or so that I have left here, but I want to get the ball rolling. My other project, or idea of one, is inspired by my love for wandering around campus when I can’t get off campus to go on a full hike. I want to create a more comprehensive map of walking paths, forest trails, and natural areas on and around campus so that students/community members can easily access them. I hope that this will help foster their own sense of community with the land and appreciation for nature. I might even include some notes and markers on the map informed by the plant knowledge Labhraín shared!
In this work, I am learning a lot about myself and how I can more deeply connect with nature. I am learning how it can help me build community with the other people here as well, I am learning how it is similar to or different from my home environment, and I’m learning what lessons I can bring home to inform my connection to and advocacy for California/the US’s natural lands. I am excited to seek out a similar experience in the States, led by someone who can share the more spiritual and historical intertwinings of the land and its inhabitants.
(elder not pictured… but here are some other very wise and beautiful trees)
