Wild Tobacco Friend

Nature journal wandering and listening to plants

The Wild Tobacco grows in my garden on its own, it has been catching my attention in recent times.

Today I collected Wild Tobacco (Nicotiana trigonophylla) seeds, spread a few of them around my garden and nearby desert, saving some seeds to plant on later days. These plants sprout mostly in the late Winter here so I will save the remaining seeds until Autumn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I visited with the Tobacco plants, touching the sticky leaves, getting to know the individual plants. They like the company of humans, that is for sure. I started a relationship with one particular Tobacco plant and am going to care for it in return for a gift of leaves. I removed the dead leaves, making room for new growth, and felt the plant giving its thanks. I can still smell the musty odor of fresh tobacco on my skin. I'm contemplating what it means to collect leaves from this plant long held sacred by the people of this land. I asked the plant if I could take some of the leaves. It does not feel like the right time to collect the leaves. I trust my instincts. It may be that this message came from the plant.  I've often wondered if plants communicate with us through touch, taste and smell, a universal language understood only in our subconscious minds. I will probably dream of Tobacco tonight.

 

I will wait until the new leaves come out before asking for a few leaves from this plant.

I have much to learn about Tobacco. I know it is useful as medicine and yet I am unsure what I will do with Tobacco leaves.

I never thought I would be interested in the ways of the Tobacco plant. Commercial growing of Tobacco and the image of cigarettes really turned me off to this plant in the past, but still the Tobacco grows in my garden and I have left it there.

I want to rediscover the sacredness of Tobacco, not to smoke it, but rather to learn how this plant is useful as medicine, to listen to the voice of the Tobacco.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd probably smoke tobacco if it were in meaningful setting, but since I am sadly not in a position to ever experience that kind of traditional use, I think I'll just enjoy the scent of the leaves.

 

I do know that Tobacco is useful for healing skin, taking away inflammation, especially from insect bites and stings. I am going to try it, there is no lack of a need for healing in a place where everything has thorns.

 

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I fell asleep thinking about Tobacco and its earthy scent, and I had meaningful dreams...

All night I followed faint trails into nature, knowing these paths were ancient and no one had followed them for a long time. I felt it was important to rediscover the path, to not let these trails be lost.

I had dream after dream, I walked in the desert, in the woods, near the ocean, into the mountains, from the familiar to the unfamiliar.

In one dream the path led to the edge of a giant river, white with rapids. I jumped in terrified of being swept away, but knowing I had to follow the path to the end, letting the water carry me away, finally depositing me at the beginning of another path.

I take this as a sign that I am heading the right direction....

 

...somehow Tobacco is part of my next step along the path.

 

Author's Note

Photos from my garden.

Reviews

[Laughing-Bear]

My Dear Writing Friend Alleqaq Cakaar Eluciq,
I loved your write as you have painted a beckoning picture of a sacred plant not seen in its proper light these days. Most today know tobacco in the context of the Marlboro Man.
An Indian myth based in Deep Time has it that the land was barren and the Unhzah’ Ina were starving, the Great Spirit sent out a maiden to save the Unhzah’ Ina. She traveled all over the North America and everywhere her left hand touched the ground, corn sprang up. Everywhere her right hand touched the ground, potatoes grew. After she had accomplished her task this maiden sat down to rest. When she arose to go back to the Great Spirit, in that place there grew tobacco.
We mix our tobacco with sweet smelling herbs, barks and roots. This has been done since the beginnings of Deep Time for our sacred prayers, to show respect, to heal, and in storytelling. Our sacred pipes help us travel the road of balance. The smoke coming from the mouth symbolizes the truth being spoken, and the plumes of smoke provide a path for prayers to reach the Great Spirit, and for the Great Spirit to travel down to Earth.
Our Sacred use of tobacco does not include the use of commercial tobacco products. The traditional use of tobacco by Unhzah’ Ina doesn’t resemble common cigarette smoking, as inhalation of tobacco smoke is not
proper in ceremonial contexts.
And as you wrote it has many other uses besides smoking. I just have to wonder with your love, respect, and understanding of nature might you be a healer? Has the gift of the tobacco plant been given you as part of this possible next chapter in your life? Those who have understanding how to heal with nature are highly regarded as they so carefully prepare natural tinctures, dry herbs, and make ointments. I shall watch and see, and thank you for writing your thoughts that may seem to some as out side the box, I am there with you.

Blessings, Laughing-Bear

[ScaryTrees]

very cool and enlightening

[Poetic Beauty]

Tobacco is good for spider bites. If you chew it and put it on the bite. This a great way to look at plants. I love to help my mom in her garden. I have never seen a picture of a tobacco plant before and I am glad you posted it.

[Chris]

Awaiting...

Chris