A few days ago, on coming back home after a longish work trip, I was sitting sipping my morning tea and journaling, absent mindely looking and saying hello to my plants. I almost know each of them and how they are changing.
My eye immediately went to a new plant, that wasn’t there when I left. I saw these big green leaves, and immediately knew what it was, but.. then it couldn’t be. Because I know I have certainly not planted it.
My curiosity now piqued, and journal forgotten, I went to have a closer look. And sure enough. It was what I suspected . A Mulberry plant, a short less than 3 feet plant and it already had fruits.
I was shocked !!!!
A Mulberry Plant …with Fruits?
For starters , mulberry trees are large, deciduous trees that feature distinguished, attractive bark. Perhaps the most famous use for mulberry trees is in the feeding of silkworms. These silky-cocoon spinning caterpillars almost exclusively eat mulberry leaves. A fact that was proven by this beautiful butterfly that came and sat on it. ..hopefully contemplating.
My mind kept on wondering HOW could this be. I have not planted, since this tree does not really have flowers, it could not have been birds. I felt pulled to figure this out.
How…
I kept looking at this plant very closely..and after two days I noticed something..that made me, stop in my tracks.
Few months ago, when I moved to this new house, I had planted a creeper. And picked up randomly a dried stick from somewhere to support this creeper.
This dried stick…was now Blossoming. And how.
I almost had tears ..thinking just how generous nature is.
How even a stray stick dried up, given up on but still willing to support the creeper…and in doing so..it had now found a New Life….a miracle indeed.
As I began to read more about mulberry trees and seeing closely the pink and white fruits which have popped, the “miracle” kept growing…
Mulberry trees (Morus spp.) are a species that are gender fluid—they may first be male, then female, then change back again. You can find individual mulberry trees that are dioecious—with only male flowers or only female flowers and right next to it may be a monoecious specimen, bearing both male or female flowers . The leaves have huge medicinal properties as well.
[Garden Guides]
Legend has it:
The usage of this tree has made it popular, and that is why it has got so many legends attached to it. It has been the symbol of faith, wisdom, abundance, growth and death in many cultures.
The Mulberry tree does not bud until all signs of frost are gone, and everything is dry.
It is a patient tree; therefore, it signifies patience.
The tree produces buds so fast to the extent that people think the process happens during the night. This physical characteristic is a representation of wisdom.
For this trait, the Greeks dedicated the Mulberry Tree to the goddess of wisdom, Goddess Athena.
I am still in awe. At this miracle. And how the genesis was from a dried stick.
And even as I sit and see, the butterflies have started to come already.
I was sitting and chatting with my house help, Anita. And we both were admiring this fast growing tree. And, who would have know..ever ..that the stick I picked up would one day be this beautiful plant. and that it would hopefully lead to many many butterflies…
Anita became quiet..and she suddenly said, Sant Dnyaneshwar has blessed you.
I stopped and looked at her..
Just last month, she had gone on a pilgrimage to a place called “Alandi, in Maharashtra, close to pune, which was home to the saint Dnyaneshwar. .Who translated Gita in Marathi 800 years ago, and performed many other miracles in his short, 21yrs of life.
I must mention, this special connection, because in the last six months or so, I have been delving in my Ancestral my healing and stories. And My great grandmother, who of Course I never met, and who I do have a connection with, came from Alandi.
Back to Anita. She told me the story, which I later researched and found about, how Saint Dnyaneshwar gave his “staff” and which then grew to a large tree. (Must like this stick is growing into a mulberry pnat)
This tree is called “Ajan Vruksh” .
Sant Dnyaneshwar was a great Marathi poet , philosopher and saint who lived 800 years ago. His work Dnyaneshwari is very popular in Maharashtra.The tree Ehretia laevis is called Ajan Vruksha in Sanskrit. The tree in the temple complex is said to have sprung from his staff, which he left behind as he took Samadhi. His devotees believe that it is a wisdom tree
And with this “wisdom connection” – we circle back to the Mulberry tree.
I don’t know if this connection is true. But it feels real. It feel like my ancestors are letting me know they are here ..literally to protect me and provide their wisdom.
And I Feel blessed.
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