Wild Gardens

Who is cultivating who? The idea of a garden stretches far beyond a picket fence. There are entire ecosystems ready to welcome our attention.

The Word “Animism”

The origins of the word “animism” don’t just have an unsavory past - they also define the worldview incorrectly. 

Science as Religion

Art and science were historically practiced side-by-side, with each informing the other. It is only in modern times that they have been separated.

Of Dogs and Gods

It wasn’t until my dogs died that I understood what it meant to have a god. Losing their physical presence forced me to relate to them in new ways to keep the connection alive.

Riding the Broomstick

Considering who your narrator is can be just as important as what they are saying. As an example, we explore the real history of the phrase “riding the broomstick.” 

Belladonna’s Fall From Grace

There are centuries of documentation that celebrate this plant for its medicinal contributions - which makes it all the more interesting that it is so feared today.

Technology and Poison Plants

Devices have evolved to entice us like brugmansia’s mesmerizing scent and I am not immune from becoming a human sacrifice.

The Only Poison Plant I Fear

I sit with the deadly poisonous plants as a spiritual practice. I handle flowers historically used in human sacrifices with my bare hands. I save seeds that disfigure animals and drive people insane. 

Personalities of Plants

Anthropomorphism is a bad word in our language, especially when it comes to plants. We’re taught that plants and humans are nothing alike - none of our physical parts are similar, after all.

The Value of Poison

“Why poison?” is something I’m confronted with on a regular basis. This prompt makes sense - I understand how weird it can seem for someone to be waxing poetic about poison plants, of all things.

Meeting a Poisoner

An older woman arrived at my house, a grandmotherly type with an unhurried walk. We said hello with tears streaming down my face. I asked her if she got tired of people crying when they met her.