Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ve tasked myself with exploring the concepts of pronoia (the belief that the universe is conspiring to shower us with blessings), quiety (serenity) and peace – all through the lens of unusual, obscure, or simply delightful-to-me words.
X is for…
xanthic – yellow; yellowish
Today, the last Friday in April, also happens to be Natonal Arbor Day. Being the tree lover that I am, there can never be too much praise of trees in my opinion, and I delight in a holiday that celebrates them. It seems only fitting to somehow relate my word of the day, xanthic, to trees.
That’s not a problem. One of the things I love about Spring is taking walks and watching the trees as they change day by day, week by week. Every year I think I’ll make a project of it, photographing certain trees (or every tree depending on my ambition) but I’ve never gotten around to it. I just look with my eyes, and delight when the trees start budding and then the leaves start unfurling. I never cease to be amazed – it feels so incredibly magical. And that Spring green – that luminous xanthic-infused green that appears ever-so briefly is one of my favorite colors. I swear when I see it I literally feel my heart chakra open.
One of my favorite tree are ginkgos. There’s so much magic about them. They belong to one of the oldest known plant families, and with a fossil record that goes back almost 300 million years they’re bridges from prehistoric times to now. With their history of survival it seems only fitting that in Japan they are known as the “bearer of hope” as four ginkgo trees were the only things that survived in the epicenter of the atomic bomb blast that devastated Hiroshima. Hope is such a beautiful blessing and we all need more of that these days.
In autumn ginkgos are the most wondrous examples of xanthic majesty. The leaves themselves are lovely, leathery and somewhat waxy, and once you’ve seen ginkgos you’re unlikely to forget their fan shape.
I created this piece quite some time ago, and have always loved it because the xanthic leaf came to me under magical circumstances.
Speaking of love, I’m much taken with Rabindranath Tagore’s observation:
“Trees are the earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening heaven.”
Isn’t that a lovely sentiment to hold especially on Arbor Day?
So tell me, are you celebrating trees today? Have plans to plant any? Keeping your eyes peeled for some xanthric treasure to delight you? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Autumn is now the season we’re in Deborah and the trees provide a kaleidoscope of colour. I will ask my son who recently returned from a long trip to Japan if he saw the ginkgo tree. I love your leaves and the words alongside as well as RT’s observation on trees. I’ll keep that in mind as I go walking.
Autumn is such a lovely tree time as well. Well, let’s be honest – I think all the seasons are tree celebration times. 🙂
How fabulous your son had long trip to Japan – that’s a dream of mine. I’m imaging he got to see the cherry blossoms as well.
Happy walking – and crunching through the autumn leaves.
omg, i JUST go nuts over spring green. On my hikes, looking out over the landscape and seeing those lush greens (mostly flowering oaks right now) just gets my heart going!
Affirmations for a Good Life
It’s such an amazing thing isn’t Beth! Hope you get to fill yourself with lots of it during the brief time it lasts.
Thanks for the fascinatingly beautiful post, Deborah . Happy Arbor day! 🙂 i love your creation with xanthic leaf. so nice to learn about the ginkgo trees . Thanks also for sharing Rabindranath Tagore’s beautiful quote.
Best wishes,
Moon
Thanks Moon. May we always have trees around us to appreciate!
Hi Deborah – clever use of X … I was walking into town earlier on and taking time to be amazed at the different way the trees leaf up for us — some almost at full leaf, others just starting … National Arbour Day … didn’t know that … cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/x-is-for-x-war-facts.html
I’m fascinated by the differing cycles as well. We don’t have any trees in full leaf yet, but many started and some well on their way. But the tree across the way which likes to hold onto its leaves later than any other, apparently is still sleeping in late. 🙂
Happy Arbor Day to you! Your post today reminded me of Robert Frost –
Nature’s first green is gold
Her hardest hue to hold
Her early leaf’s a flower
But only so an hour
Then leaf subsides to leaf
so Eden sank to grief.
So dawn goes down to day,
Nothing gold can stay.
Tagore and Frost – I’m crazy about both! 🙂
Oh goodness, I can’t believe I didn’t remember that Frost poem – it’s so so perfect! Thank you for bringing it back to me. Here’s to noticing the gold when it shows up.
I can’t believe I’ve found someone else who has done xanthic and here I thought I was being so original. I love your image using the Ginkgo leaves – I love their shape and even have a brooch that uses the Ginkgo leaf in it. Really enjoyed your post.
Pamela @ Highlands Days of Fun
LOL – what a delight to find a kindred xanthic-ist! Your post about the word is wonderful, and your photos are balm to this flower-loving heart. So happy you stopped by – thank you.
Last year for the challenge I think my word was this but with a phobia twist. I like spring too. Everything starts to bloom and warms up and it’s wonderful after the long winter.
How interesting – I wonder how common a fear of yellow is.
I think Spring is particularly welcome transition after all that inward diving that the long dark months of winter invite. Moving outward and blossoming feels like such a delicious contrast and relief.
Dear Deborah,
Such beauty, such lightness in your words–I surrender and flutter like the fan shaped ginkgo leaf.
” I will grow more translucent with each passing day….” love the evanescence of the words and the message.
Didn’t know the Hiroshima fact. Wow!
X is for X shaped stitches on a Xmas stocking
Oh Arti – I could listen and read your words all day long.
May we all be steeped in ever-growing lightness.
Oh how I would love to be out planting trees… On Christmas Day we moved from 4 acres on the coast of Australia, to a shoebox in central London. With sunlight jours increasing, I have introduced a small potted plant, and even my husband commented how lovely it is. Normally he wouldn’t notice if I redecorated the entire apartment. But we go to a farmer’s market every Sunday in a carpark in Marylebone and I can buy daffodils of many types for £1 per bunch and exquisite tulips for £3, so that helps keep me a little less insane.
That is a huge shift in environment Wendy, requiring quite an adjustment I imagine.
Yay for potted plants. I bet you’ll be able to find some low-light tolerating varieties that will work even in the darker months, so that might be a help. But there’s nothing like farmer’s markets and fabulous flowers to brighten things up.
I am also a big fan of trees. Something tree related invariably makes it’s way into my stories. The trees here are starting to bud, and I’m happy Spring is finally here. I had no idea ginkgos were so durable. They do indeed seem to be an excellent symbol of hope.
I think if you have a tree connection it shows up in all kinds of ways, and I love that it makes it into your writing. And hooray for Spring arriving – it’s such a magical time.
“When I am a crone…”
Thank you. You made my heart beat harder.
Oh Sue – what a lovely thing to say. Thank you!
That’s so funny – I was going to choose xanthic for my letter X post too! But changed my mind at the last minute hehe. It’s such a nice word to say though – great sound as it rolls off the tongue.
I agree about the xanthic-green leaf colours, they’re really pretty! I missed seeing the trees change the past few years (we lived in FL, where it’s green everywhere year round). But now we’re the other side of the country we get seasons again and it’s great! 😀
Here’s my “X” post 🙂 http://nataliewestgate.com/2017/04/xanthium-secret-diary-of-a-serial-killer
LOL – the Muse doesn’t always agree with our planned choices.
Oh fun you get to experience seasons again. I seem particularly attuned to seasonal cycles, and wonder what it would be like to live where they aren’t as obvious. I think I’d have a hard time.