Wellbeing notes: The meaning of dragonflies

01/08/2023 at 9:31 am | Posted in Uncategorized, Wellbeing notes | 4 Comments
Tags: , , , , , ,

One of the nicest things about my garden in the summer is the presence of dragonflies. These iridescent, winged creatures waft and whirr around in fast motion, and they always leave me feeling uplifted. 

I read recently that dragonfly numbers are increasing in the UK, refugees from hotter landmasses where freshwater habitats are unfortunately drying out. 

Despite (or because of) their delicate build, these fairy-like creatures are proven survivors. Dragonflies have been around for an extraordinary 300 million years; their gigantic ancestors were among the first of the flying insects. Today, they’re found in every culture of the world and have an unrivalled place in folklore. 

When you see, or dream of, a dragonfly, it is often said to be a sign of change and self-transformation. The dragonfly’s own journey embodies that truth: it may begin life as a dull, water-bound creature – but it becomes a miniature master of the air. 

This remarkable transformation is a reminder that change is our own natural state. We are always moving into an airy and unknown future – an ultimately comforting truth during difficult times. The dragonfly’s message is optimistic: when the time is right, you will soar.    

Wellbeing notes: This is the colour for growing and flourishing

01/02/2022 at 10:00 am | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
Tags: , , , , ,

We’re focusing on colours in my Thursday meditation group – a different band of the rainbow for seven weeks. The latest colour we’ve been studying is green. My local countryside is still wintry, not yet verdant, so meditating on green brings a dose of early summer to the imagination, and tranquillity to the mind. Picture yourself, right now, in a lush green landscape. How does it feel?

The word ‘green’ comes from the Proto-Indo-European root, ‘ghre’, meaning ‘to grow’, signifying the way natural landscapes gain a colourwash of green as the weather warms up. Somewhere between the passion of red and the purity of white, green is associated with the heart chakra and can be viewed as a colour of healing, freshness and balance, a wonderful hue for feeling relaxed and calm in mind, body and spirit. 

If you feel the need for more green in your life, seek it out. Imagine it. Plant it. Grow it.

On the windowsill in my study are three flourishing plants. Each is beautiful in its own way. The frequent attention they receive helps them to thrive – a reminder that what I care for is more likely to do well. This principle applies equally to people and work projects as well as plants. 

So these are my questions to you. What in your own life is currently becoming green? What aspect is flourishing? And how can this be honoured and encouraged?

Website Built with WordPress.com.
Entries and comments feeds.