Is there any corona entity in the whole world that would not make us plunge into the depths of despair, but rather uplift our spirits, give us hope, vitality and confidence in a better future?!
On the 13th of March 2020, at the beginning of Italy’s lockdown, our photographer friend Ilaria Mocali published a stunning photo on her Facebook page – a dandelion that I instantly associated, first in shape and form, and then in symbolism, with the current corona ‘being’ disturbing lives worldwide. Since I tend to listen to my sixth sense, to my internal voice and intuition, I embarked upon a quick research, the only one possible under the conditions of those days.
For the past months, we have been bombarded with lab and microscope images of this invisible creature that turned humanity upside down.
Famous Italian virologist, Dr. Maria Rita Gismondo, declared in an interview that the virus is, paradoxically, very beautiful, with these tiny sparks of “crowns”, like a sort of strange jewel, I might add. Look at the amazing similarity in design (copyright Mother Nature) between the virus and this dry dandelion!
The scientific name for ‘dandelion’ is taraxacum from the two Greek words tarace – meaning agitation, confusion, disorder, anxiety and akos – remedy. A remedy for a state of anxiety and disorder. In French it is known as “pissenlit” (pee-in-bed) for the diuretic properties of the plant, while it is not quite clear why in English it was chosen the Latin root of the word, dens leonis referring to its teeth-like leaves.
The depurative properties of this plant that we see everywhere in spring time have been known for centuries. In ancient times it was recognized for its curative powers of liver diseases (probably for the draining effects on liver). Chinese traditional medicine considers the liver as the organ generating our energy, the root of our heart, the force that animates us.
Through the purification of all negative emotions, free from hatred, we reach our vital life energy. Could the current situation the world confronts itself with be considered a sort of an alarm for us to change, together (yet socially- distanced), as a whole, as humanity, and to put aside all the darkness within us and re-emerge into a new life?!
Still mesmerized by the similarity of shapes…
Dandelions are to be found nearly everywhere in spring, be it in small gardens, parks or meadows. It is a spontaneous plant, with nice yellow flowers. Both flowers and leaves are edible – do ask your herbalist for detailed advice. In any case, leaves can be just rinsed and added to salads, omelettes or risotto (just like nettles).
Apart from their similar shapes, the dandelion and the corona virus, are connected by the same symbolic force – their innate capacity of dispersion into the air.
While the virus is spreading a disease, the flight of the dandelion seeds is connected to life as the seeds fall to the ground and give birth to a new plant.
The dandelion seeds flying with the wind symbolize the fight against all kind of inclemencies before being able to fall on fertile soil and generate life. Through a fearless detachment from an arid, sterile environment (the dry flower), the seeds of the taraxacum corona are ready to face a new voyage, welcome new challenges, accept wandering into the unknown before being born again into new life.
This is probably the transformative journey that we are all facing today.
“Here’s the Dandelion’s rhyme:
See my leaves with tooth-like edges;
Blow my clocks to tell the time;
See me flaunting by the hedges,
In the meadow, in the lane,
Gay and naughty in the garden;
Pull me up—I grow again,
Asking neither leave nor pardon.
Sillies, what are you about
With your spades and hoes of iron?
You can never drive me out—
Me, the dauntless Dandelion!”
Cicely Mary Baker (1923)
