Morph-o-genesis: connect, involve, reciprocate

29.04.22

cool cloudy patchy sunshine 10 degrees Celsius

With guest artist Suzie Greaves, a weaver of plant fibres and magic who creates vessels and cordage from foraged plant materials.

Suzie came to research the site to see which plants could be used as weaving material. Her intuitive understanding of plants reminded me of our female ancestors who inhabited the land and foraged for herbs for protection and healing. 

In the woods we found a trail of human destruction -tree's felled, tarps and plastics burned in campfires, beer cans and broken bottles. It was sad to see such disregard for the environment and reminded me of the current dissociation between human and more-than-human.

goose grass tea

On the day of the forage 9 sisters attended to learn more about Suzie's weaving craft. As we walked we noticed the greenery emerging all around us - harts tongue ferns, primroses, violets, marsh marigolds, wood anemones and wild gooseberries and alums in the hedgerow. We identified an old elm tree on the edge of the woodland and snacked on elm seeds, then gathered close to the tarn while I foraged for goose grass to make tea. There were tadpoles in the tarn and more birds song than usual. Suzie had brought some plant material with her (April isn't the best month for fiber foraging as new shoots are coming through) she showed us how to make a juncus spiral and dandelion stem cordage. We tied the woven spirals to the branches of a pine tree close to the waters edge as an offering.

On the walk back we gathered dandelions and ivy leaves that were in abundance for the dye pot. The event was a quiet and contemplative experience. Returning to the woods regularly is interesting - observing the changes as the seasons pass it's reassuring to remember how resilient the natural world can be.