Magnolia Meditation

Meditation is an ending of ourselves and an opening into the life-stream which flows invisibly behind the visible world of forms - a flow of beauty,... more

by Connie Handscomb

Title

Magnolia Meditation

Artist

Connie Handscomb

Medium

Photograph - Photography - Fine Art

Description

Meditation is an ending of ourselves and an opening into the life-stream which flows invisibly behind the visible world of forms - a flow of beauty, peace and love.
~ Robert Rabbin [fr. Invisible Leadership]

* ---------------------------- *

Magnolia
Family : Magnoliaceae

These showy blooms are one of the first blooms ever in existence: fossils indicate they were around about 100 million years ago.

While their ancient history offers us beauty and scent to appreciate in our gardens today, they also have a history of medicinal use. The American aboriginals used the bark to make a wash for sores and to treat heat wash. It was also used in steam baths, after it was crushed, for water retention. The Mexicans used the seeds as a sedative (they contain magnolol and honokiol). The Chinese have used the bark & flowers as a tonic in traditional Chinese medicine. The fruits are used as a digestive tonic, high blood pressure, heart problems muscle spasms and epilepsy.

They can live a long time - to 100 years, and they can grow quite large - the Makgnolia campbellii in the Himalayas can grow upwards to 150 ft.

White magnolias symbolize purity and dignity.

Source:
Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America : Peterson Field Guide [Foster & Duke]
The Botanical Garden: Trees and Shrubs [Phillips and Rix]

* ---------------------------- *

Gazing into the magnolia blossom, I can't help but be reminded of the purity that it represents. Its petals are luxuriantly thick, smooth, calming ... I relax into its softness ... adrift .... floating within its soft contours.... then beyond ..... ; at peace with myself and with everything that exists ... all is beautiful....

My original magnolia macro image .... painted digitally : Nature in all its zen-like harmonious splendour ;)

💕 Heartfelt Gratitude to Digital Works for featuring this artwork

Uploaded

May 31st, 2017