It’s a journey that will never end, so here are some pointers for starting off when the knowledge pool can feel very, very vast and let’s be honest, a little intimidating!
-Learn one thing at a time!
I get it! You are enthralled with connecting with plants and maybe even foraging a few, but by taking a small step back you are actually setting yourself up for greater success. The Internet makes us think we have to know all the things and maybe we even have a little imposter syndrome feeling like we don’t know as much as others, but remember all the time it took that person to be that knowledgeable. Passion is the key in the door and you need to direct it so that its a tool for you and a sustainable interest. I constantly have to reign in my Gemini moon and find my flow. I’m still learning too. IT. WILL. NEVER. STOP.
-Repetition
Once you pick one or two things to learn about, repetition is KEY! Just like how you see a red car once you think about a red car, the plants will come to you in waves. Listen and learn from this flow. Did you hear about a plant several times in a short period of time? Notice that, see how others are connecting with it. This form of learning is much more impactful because you will have experiential, sensory memories of the plant and the connection is that much stronger.
-Know Your Neighborhood
Plant ID is a skill that needs to be practiced. This includes learning leaf shapes, flower patterns, key identifiers and noticing how one plant is unique compared to others that grow around it. Noticing the diversity that grows in your yard or neighborhood is a great place to start. Not only that, but it will help you feel even more connected to the environment around you. Spring and Summer is a great time for this because you will notice as each plant takes its turn to shine while flowering. Watch as the dandelions, violets and wild mustard bloom, now peonies are reaching peak and soon the landscape will change again. It is an ever evolving cycle that will open your mind, heart and soul to the beautiful cyclical flow of nature constantly happening all around us.
-Take a walk!
Take all the tips above and head outside! As I walk I scan the area, noticing what is around me and when I see something I know, I greet it, name it and observe. Where is it growing, what stage is it in, the joy I feel interacting with it. Just because you see a plant doesn’t mean you need to know everything about it or take anything from it. Each interaction is a learning experience and is making a deep impact on your relationship with the world around you and you path within it. You don’t need to have the intention of foraging to go on a plant ID walk. By simply noticing the world around you you might notice a greater sense of awe, peace, and happiness within you. This is a form of meditation within itself. So head outside and enjoy!
*same can be done while driving and noticing the roadside changing
-Learn from others
Tis the season for plant walks and a variety of different plant/herbalism/nature classes. Search Facebook events, google search local herbalists and keep your eyes peeled for events that might be of interest to you. Learning from more experienced people in the area of your interests helps uplevel your knowledge base. In terms of plant ID, reading books is not enough. You need to get out and have first-hand experiences with the plants in order to fully get to know them. These classes also help reinforce safety and ethical practices, which are essential to working with plants and nature. You might even make a friend or two…or if you are like me have your mind blown open and realize a deeper calling within yourself! Possibilities are endless when you open your heart on a deeper level to mother nature.