Druid’s Corner

A druid is a member of a high-ranking professional class in ancient Celtic cultures. Druids revered nature, the wilderness and the earth. The first time I learned about druids, was when I was a child reading adventures about Asterix and Obelix. The only person who had any sense in their village was the wise old druid Getafix (Panoramix in France), who was always searching for mistletoe to make his magic potion. 

 In my former house, in one corner of the kitchen was a wood counter under a window, between wood bookshelves on one side and a wall covered with a large white pin-board on the other end. This was my “Druid’s Corner.” It was where natural treasures I found in my garden or on walks, were carefully displayed. It was the perfect spot to dry seeds I’d harvested in the garden, hung up out of the sun, like cilantro or marigold seeds, spread out on large pieces of recycled brown paper on the shelves. It’s where glass jars with fresh wild fennel fed swallowtail caterpillars until they spun cocoons. Orange peels dried on the windowsill, sharing space with sprouting lettuce seeds. It was also my photo studio. The natural light from the window was just right for shooting seeds, pods, feathers, luffa, seaweed, shells, and many more beautiful natural treasures.