Cottonwood's wisdom of slow connection + renewal

As I write to you my fingertips are stain yellow by the resinous cottonwood buds I harvested earlier today, and the scent of cottonwood wafts up to greet me every now and again.

I love this time of year because it heralds the promise of spring, and I get to work more closely with my plant friends. Cottonwood is always my first harvest of the year, and it feels so good to be out gathering again. (Please note - you never need to harvest the leaf buds off the living tree - there are always plenty of fallen branches to harvest on the ground around the trees)

Cottonwood is a medicine of regeneration and renewal. Both topically and internally, the medicine helps our cells regenerate, making them a potent ally in wound healing.

And spiritually, Cottonwood is an elder soul that helps us regenerate our spirit. They invite us to reclaim our playfulness, our inner child, and reawaken warmth, laughter, and joy in life. Cottonwood has a beautiful golden spirit that's both enlivening and nourishing, grounding and illuminating. They help us stay true to our path, and trust in ourselves and the guidance that's all around us.

Last year at this time we sat with Cottonwood in our Plant Wisdom Circle (see below for the next one on March 7th!) I was told very clearly that we can't regenerate when we're moving too fast, and to let myself linger in slow moments during this emergent time of year.

Let that sink in: We cannot regenerate when we're moving at a pace of desperation, quickness, or urgency. Regeneration happens in the slow moments of connection. It happens in presence, in care, in tending, and love.

I know these times feel urgent. And they are. And in the words of Bayo Akomolafe, "The times are urgent. We must slow down."

We must take time to do things that matter. To our hearts, and to the world. We must take the time to greet our conscious earth-kin with presence, and invite relationship to return.

In that last Plant Circle with Cottonwood, I also felt very strongly how much it matters to the trees when we take the time to go over to them, place our hands on their trunks, and make connection.

I was shown the distinct difference, in their experience, between when I just walk by, smile and say hello with my heart, and when I make the effort to go over and actually touch them.

They couldn't emphasize enough how much it matters. This was an illustration of how I could slow down. To let those moments of connection really settle in to the nervous system of both myself and the tree.

I always look to the plants for wisdom during times of uncertainty, hardship, or pain. They have insights and answers for us from a perspective that humans often don't get, and desperately need.

We are currently being forged in the fires of Imbolc, as a country, as an entire world. We don't quite know yet what shape we will be forged into, and Cottonwood can help us trust that we can emerge from this, transformed and ready to bring a new wave of illumination to humanity.

It's so important to allow ourselves to be changed. To slow down, and sit in these fires of transformation.

To not rush the process of becoming. To be shaped into who we must be for the world. Shaped into who we must be in order to live out our prayers and visions planted at Winter Solstice.

Who do you need to become in order to manifest your vision?

Who do you need to become in order to carry out the prayer that's in your heart?

This is happening now. Happening within our bodies as we prepare to emerge in the Spring.

So lean back, and let the plants support your shape-shifting ways. Allow Cottonwood to anchor you in slow-trust as you find your new footing as who-you-are-becoming.

2 ways to work with Cottonwood this season:

I have a pre-recorded class up in the Golden Stone Wisdom School:

The Spirit of Renewal with Cottonwood.

In the class you will discover how your body relates to this moment of late winter in the wheel of the year. You'll call in the allyship of Cottonwood to promote the energy of renewal as we come out of the winter months and into spring. You will discover a part of your body that is desiring renewal, and you'll then connect with the energy of cottonwood to help infuse that area of yourself with the golden balm of renewal.

Learn More

Already a member of the Golden Stone Wisdom School's Mighty Network?

Access the class here.

For those of you in Portland, in the next Plant Wisdom Circle we will be sitting with the medicine of Cottonwood.

If you haven’t come to one of these yet, know they are powerful ceremonial spaces to commune with the spirit of a plant. We get to experience the power of community medicine sits, have a chance to share our own visions, and receive wisdom that’s come through other members of the community.