Early Snowdrops: A Springboard To Inner and Outer Wisdom

In the practice of nature connection, as you slow down and sense with all of your senses, a piece of wisdom may manifest before you. This may allow a gift of introspection, a chance to view what’s going on in yourself and in your larger world. You may decide to sit with it a bit to discover the wisdom before you.

Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) demonstrated strength this week as I witnessed them bravely rise a month early. They are some of the first flowers to shoot up in the garden. They embody an innate resilience to the cold and can withstand the normal freeze thaw cycle of early spring. It can dip down several degrees below freezing, many times, and they will continue to bloom. Their early arrival signals that we made it through the dark of winter and spring is soon on the way.

Much to my surprise and delight, they were not the only ones out for this very early spring. On a sunny afternoon, I noticed something a’buzz around me. There were bees with pollen pants (corbiculae) visiting the snowdrops. The animals are out early, too.

The small and mighty snowdrops reminded me of the times I was courageous as I faced the tougher moments of life. It was comforting to reflect upon my own strength through it all. Arriving a month early, the snowdrops also reminded me that we are in it: the climate is changing. The flowers and pollinators are adaptable and, to the best of their ability, they respond to the particular conditions of each year.

The wisdom I gained from this is that no matter where our strengths lie, it is smart to practice going with the flow and to adapt to our surroundings. Also, we are all connected. If someone seems to be a bit stretched, it makes sense to respond in the ways we can.