I have been doing a lot of weeding lately.
As often happens when doing this kind of mindless chore, my mind wandered. I found myself thinking about how closely we identify and define ourselves by animals when perhaps plants, particularly weeds, might be more apt. We think of ourselves as being “wily as a fox” or “strong as an ox,” and enjoy musing on what our spirit animals might be. But no one would ever say “I’m as hardy as a dandelion” or “My spirit plant is a burdock.”
You nourish the soil and bring hope. Bees love you and if you have four leaves, everyone wants you.
Well maybe we should. Weeds are more like us than typical spirit animals such as the majestic lion or the soaring eagle. Weeds aren’t glamorous or big. Like us, they’re just trying to thrive in hostile territory. To do so, weeds have devised many and surprisingly complex strategies, none of which involves being an apex predator.
So what is your strategy for getting by? What is your spirit weed? Are you a….
Dandelion: You may have deep roots and bitter leaves, but your head is a cloud of ethereal seeds.
Bindweed: You are slender and agile, but inside your graceful stem is a force that can bring down plants bigger than you. There is no obstacle you can’t go around.
Lambs’ Quarter: You are easy to uproot, but when you are, you come right back, just like before. You grow fast and can become taller than anyone expected. Nevertheless, your stem is tender.
Plantain: Your roots may be short, but they are tough. You are squat and unlovely. Like Napoleon, you don’t have to be big to be a menace in the field.
Poison ivy: You are a toxic psychopath.
Japanese knotweed: You are a psychopath AND a bully.
Clover: You nourish the soil and bring hope. Bees love you and if you have four leaves, everyone wants you.
Wild raspberry: You root wide and far. Hidden on your thorny stems are sweet, sweet fruit.
Wild strawberry: You are a cheerful weed. Your runners jump high and far. Your flowers are dainty and your fruit tasty.
Ajuga: You are a subtle one, spreading your runners by stealth. No one can guess where you’ll pop up next, but surprise, there you are with pretty, purple flowers!
Flashy and colorful, you stand a head above everyone else, oblivious to the haters, who are allergic to you.
Burdock: You have deep roots and strong stems. Your leaves may be furry, but you’re no cuddlekins. Once you find your place, you stick around, loyal to the last.
Goldenrod: Flashy and colorful, you stand a head above everyone else, oblivious to the haters, who are allergic to you.
I realized a few things as I compiled this list. One thing is how many plants, such as lilies of the valley, Queen Anne’s lace, or English ivy are weeds for some and attractive plants for others. One man’s weed patch is another man’s garden. It all depends on where you are.
To live your best life as a spirit weed, maybe what it is all about is finding the place where you can thrive and someone will love you.
