The Greenwood

and Hildegard's Veriditas

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From the lush leaves of trees to the vibrant grass beneath my feet, green is everywhere now in my neck of the woods. Green has many benefits for the body, mind, and spirit. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of green and explore why it’s such a beloved hue.

The trees are gentle and newly clad in chartruese. The leaves are only about half the size they will be by July. The wood feels airy and open, yet as I gaze at the woods, the green appears as a cloak or veil draped across every branch, hiding what lies just across the way or around the bend of the path. Where I live, it takes about three or four weeks from the spring equinox, the official arrival of spring, for the land to respond to the lengthening days and the winterwood to become the greenwood.

This moment in the year offers a particular feeling in the body. Somatic experiences of the earth are always significant; they tell of our deepest connections to the planet and highlight our ancestral inheritance of knowing the earth, the land we live on, intimately and intuitively.

At this time of year, it is not uncommon for me to feel the vibrations of green coursing through my body. Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179), a German Medieval prophet, scientist, mystic, and Doctor of the Church, also known as the Sibyl of the Rhine, was a Benedictine abbess and polymath. She was a writer, composer, philosopher, mystic, and visionary. Hildegard often created new words to help her express her ideas and theology. Viriditas is her word for the supernatural greening power that brings vitality, fecundity, lushness, verdure, and growth. It also refers to spiritual and physical health, as a reflection or an aspect of the divine nature.

Viriditas is what I feel in my body this time of year. Sometimes, it feels like waves; other times, it feels like a hum, buzz, or pulse. It’s real and amazing. It shows up each year in May, stays through June, and fades away in July when a summer stillness settles over the woods and gardens on my land.

Let’s talk about the light frequency of green. It sits in the middle of the visible spectrum, which means it’s balanced and harmonious. This balance can have a calming effect on our minds. Studies have shown that being around green spaces can reduce stress and anxiety, making us feel more relaxed and at peace. It’s no wonder many hospitals and wellness centers incorporate green into their designs! Just a glimpse of greenery can help lower blood pressure and promote well-being. So, if you’re feeling frazzled, a stroll through a park or even just a few potted plants at home can work wonders.

Green is the Color of the Heart

When the woods turn green in May, it’s like the earth is wearing her heart on her sleeve, showing her tenderness and her vulnerability. In light of that notion, I find it interesting that green is often closely associated with the heart chakra, known as Anahata in Sanskrit, the fourth chakra in the body’s energy system. Located at the center of the chest, the heart chakra is the bridge between the lower and upper chakras, symbolizing balance and harmony, so perfect for this season, just following the spring equinox. The vibrant green color of this chakra represents love, compassion, and emotional healing. When the heart chakra is open and balanced, it allows us to give and receive love freely, fostering deep connections with ourselves and others. This connection to green encourages us to cultivate empathy, kindness, and forgiveness, creating a nurturing environment for our emotional well-being.

Viriditas in your heart chakra speaks to spiritual and soul-felt health, balance, and harmony. It reflects your relationship to the Divine, that loving power that heals and brings wholeness to our innermost being.

Traditional symbolic meanings associate green with growth, renewal, and fertility; green embodies the essence of life itself. It’s the color of spring, when everything comes back to life after a long winter. In many cultures, green is also linked to prosperity and abundance. Think of the lush fields of crops or the green of money—both symbolize growth and potential. In some traditions, green is seen as a protective color, warding off negative energies and bringing good luck.

Green crystals hold the same kind of energy as the green woods, viriditas in crystal form. They are a joy to have in your home and are positively lovely to hold during prayer and meditation especially if you need calm, balance, compassion, or comfort. They are beautiful to look at, and if you can see your way clear to embracing the idea that crystals have and conduct frequencies, and in fact vibrate because they were formed over millions of years under immense pressure, which created a unique molecular lattice structure conducive to passing on vibrations then you will certainly benefit from using them as part of your prayer and meditation practice.

Entrance ot the Otherworld, Jan Blencowe ©2021

Let’s touch on some myths that feature green as a significant element. In Celtic mythology, green is often associated with the Otherworld, a mystical realm where fairies and spirits dwell. The green hills and forests are seen as gateways to this enchanting place, inviting us to explore the magic of nature. In ancient Egypt, green was the color of fertility and rebirth, often linked to Osiris, the god of the afterlife. His green skin symbolized regeneration and the cycle of life, reminding us that death is just a part of the journey.

In the medieval poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," the color green plays a multifaceted and symbolic role that weaves through the narrative, representing themes of nature, chivalry, and the complexities of human morality. The Green Knight himself, with his striking green skin and attire, embodies the wildness of nature and the untamed aspects of life. His appearance challenges the courtly ideals of King Arthur’s Round Table, introducing a sense of the supernatural and the unknown. In this context, the color green symbolizes both the vitality of nature and the potential for growth and transformation, as Gawain embarks on his quest to confront the Green Knight and, in the process, confronts his own mortality, faces the testing of his integrity, and learns the lessons of humility.

So, whether you’re basking in the glow of a green landscape or simply enjoying your house plants or crystals, remember that this color is more than just a feast for the eyes. It’s a powerful force that nurtures our body, calms our mind, and uplifts our spirit. Embrace the green, and let it work its magic in your life!

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