Language is interesting.
There are phrases we pick up without ever wondering why. As humans we often have this subjective language that poses us as a figure of hierarchy.
“We do this, we do that.”
“I water the plant.”
“I feed the land.”
“I plant the seeds.”
Michael pollen describes it this way “we have a grammar that suggests that we are sovereign subjects in nature.” And I think that is so well put. Our diction often pronounces this with quite confident proclamation.
There are a couple phrases for me lately that have been feeling like empty buzz phrases. Often repeated by trend setters and figures in the media that in my opinion, have taken the power away from these phrases with their overuse.
Right now those phrases for me are “working with the land,” and “working with the plants.”
These phrases have begun to feel like they are uttered in repetition, and I believe that we can speak with even more curiosity and originality.
So when two of my teachers at Casa Curativa mentioned an interview with Michael Pollan, and opened up a conversation on the topic “are we working with the plants, or for the plants?,” I felt intrigued and curious to learn more. For me this topic highlighted this buzz phrase that I too have been using with quite a frequency- “working with the plants.”
This led me to look up the conversation with Michael Pollan- a ted talk titled “Plant’s eye view.” In this interview he goes on to talk about this concept that we are in fact working for the plants. That nature, and plants are actually orchestrating this gigantic show. A show in which we are the subjects. This goes beyond our subjective lanuage that often places us as the creator and end all simultaneously. As if we power of nature and make things happen to our desired affect. As if being the gardener or farmer meant we were the one orchestrating the show.
But what if this was all a part of nature’s plan. If these plants can emit chemical and physical signals that lures creatures into their grasp for protection, pollination and proliferation - then why wouldn’t they be able to lure us in this same way.
To get us to do their bidding for them with their extremely advanced yet simple evolutionary adaptations and abilities.
Michael uses the example of a flower and a bee. A flower that emits plant compounds attracting a bee, the bee then gets pollen on their body before traveling and pollinating another. All a part of the flowers master plan to proliferate. What sagacity and intelligence.
In this same way that a flower attracts a bee, the earth and plants lead us into tending for them. So that we too may help in their proliferation.
Just think of the way a plant in a pot will get root bound giving you signals that they need to be planted into a bigger space. This is a signal we are given, as the listener and dare I say chosen employee we then up pot or plant them into a larger space. So that, they can grow and have more space to spread their roots.
Or take corn for example. This staple crop has a very distinct way of telling you the harvest is here. The silks begin to dry up and look old and then give a clue to harvest being necessary. While this action does not cause biological proliferation in a primary way, I would say that it does in a secondary way. If the seeds of this corn are saved then there is the inherent possibility for more growth, and crops.
Growing corn changes the soil. It increases organic matter and biomaterial, and even helps to neutralize carbon dioxide in the environment. According to Michigan State University “The basis for this environmental remediation affect is corn’s and other crops’ tremendous potential to remove carbon dioxide (CO2), a major greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere.” This seems quite intentional to me. A plants power to actually neutralize and remove harmful carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Think of the way that when we harvest a plant or flower their seeds fall to the ground, spreading their seed with the possibility of more life & more food. Food not only for us, but food for the soil.
All of this is very intentional on the earth’s behalf.
I find this to be such an interesting topic. One that has me, as a farmer and herbalist realizing how much I truly do work for plants and the earth. How in so many ways they really are the one running the show.
And honestly, I couldn’t think of a better employer. So, willfully I oblige.
What do you think about this topic? In what ways do you work for the earth? Are there any ways that you can see more clearly how earth and plants are truly orchestrating the show?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic! Just send me a message on the contact page to reach out.
