Dandelion thoughts

I believe I have written before about my admiration for Jennifer Heath's book The Echoing Green: The Garden in Myth and Memory. For me it is a goldmine of information and inspiration.

She begins with November, and moves through the winter. On Friday I began to read her chapter on February. She calls February a Liminal Month, the seasonal gate between winter and spring.

The temperatures are fluctuating wildly here, from very low last week to almost sixty today.

I love what she observes about dandelions:
"Dandelion is the Flower of Brigit, bearnan Bride, little notched of Bride. Its uses range far beyond its reputation as a weed. … The dente de lion - lion's tooth, the white, incisor-like taproot - has been used by herbalists for centuries to treat diabetes, cure anemia... Blowing on the dandelion seed head fulfills wishes, tells the time, calls spirits, or answers questions about the future."

I loved Ray Bradbury's novel  Dandelion Wine when I read it years ago...  I remember the line
"Dandelion Wine for dreaming". Have never tasted it, but remember hearing that my Irish grandmother used to make it.