Blackberries

Blackberries boast dark tales to tell. One from Tierworker (Teevurcher) on the Meath / Cavan borders has many versions, the foundation narrative being that a lady, fasting in order to take Sunday Mass ina virtuous state, was lured by blackberries on the roadside and took a bite. She travelled with a man and horse and they watched in horror as she shape-shifted into a terrible monstrous animal.

Too late to flee in terror they were attacked and eaten, both man, horse and then anything else in her path. St Patrick heard of this approaching scourge and remedied the situation by throwing holy water over the ravenous beast, or some say by plunging his staff into it.

Overcome, the creature horribly broke into four quarters, one flying up into the air, one into the ground, and the others east and westwards or into nearby lakes. A strange tale full of symbolism.

Harvesting Mindfully:

Dark luscious temptation awaits as we stroll along autumnal roads.

Blackberrying in adulthood takes us down memory lane, back into childhood days of scavenging ripe fruits for sweet apple and blackberry crumble.

Blackberry picking is a task requiring patience and care. The fruit demands blood offerings entwining your legs and arms, for you will certainly be scratched. Again we step amongst the thorns and dye our fingers and lips with succulent juices. Hedgerows everywhere are invaded and decorated with the spiky bramble garlands of fruits.

Growing on poor ground or on the north facing land often brings out the sourness of the fruit whilst those on gentler southern facing slopes may be sweet-scented and delicious. We watch eagerly as the hard green balls turn red through late summer, then finally become shining black jewels, all three stages often present on the same stalk.

The triplicity of life is revealed, the goddess of the land symbolically represented as the green maiden, turning into the deep red vibrant mother and finally the black wise crone containing the seeds of rebirth, carrying the knowledge of life into the next cycle.

Life Lesson of Beauty and Beast:

Yet come Michaelmas Day in September, or Old Michaelmas in October, the devil's cloven hoof touches the fruit and it is no longer edible.

The story goes that Satan was thrown out of heaven on this day and landed in a bramble patch, cursing it and spitting on the fruits. If they survive this assault the Phooka aka Púca, an evil goblin or goat bearing large curling horns, urinates or defecates on the remaining berries at Samhain Eve, the start of winter, and end of the harvest season. Of course, generally a wisdom lies within a taboo. Blackberries can become mouldy as the wet rains of autumn arrive, turning them sour and even toxic.

Life Mirrored in Nature:

Ancient and modern sacred texts often use the metaphor of the fruit tree or bush for our spiritual life. In meditation it is useful to consider the form and growth of the physical plant.

Contemplate the whole plant, rooting, stem, branches and leaves.

Find words to describe how it appears in nature and in doing so discover the essence of the blackberry. In the autumn the focus is on the plant coming into fruit and how that process occurs in our own lives.

As we become familiar with the external qualities we grow in awareness of our inner strengths that resonate with the plant. Our soul is mirrored in some part by the blackberries habit and structure. A great basis for meditation and creativity.