what lies beneath our tree~

outside beneath our tree
something spectacular
was discovered

Crocus (golden) - "Mirth."

There are two exceedingly pretty legends concerning the origin of the crocus.

According to Ovid, this flower was once a beautiful youth, who fell in love with the nymph Smilax, a dainty shepherdess, but was transformed into the golden blossom on account of his impatience in love. Some say that Smilax was changed into a yew-tree, others that she shared the fate of her too-ardent lover.

The other tradition asserts that where the god Zeus once lay down to rest upon Mount Olympus a bed of golden crocuses sprang up on the spot where he had reclined. Homer described how "The flaming crocus made the mountains glow." In company with many other flowers that constitute natural floral barometers, the crocus curls over its petals, folding them together at night-time, or on the approach of a shower. This performance was thought to be the act of the fairies who nestled inside the flowers, and pulled the petals round them like the curtains of a fairy tent. Hence they are sometimes called " fairy-bowers."

 Medicinally, the crocus was once considered most efficacious in cases of lung trouble and consumption.

Crocus (white) - "Youthful gladness."

The best-known Greek legend about saffron is the story detailing the tragedy of Crocus and Smilax: The handsome youth Crocus sets out in pursuit of the nymph Smilax in the woods near Athens. During a brief period of idyllic love Smilax is flattered by his amorous advances, but soon is bored by Crocus' attentions. After he continues to pursue her against her wishes, she resorts to bewitching him, transforming Crocus into a saffron crocus flower, with its radiant orange stigmas remaining as a faint symbol of his undying passion for Smilax.
The tragedy and the spice would be recalled later by Ovid...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_saffron

“ Crocus and Smilax may be turn'd to flow'rs,

And the Curetes spring from bounteous show'rs

I pass a hundred legends stale, as these,

And with sweet novelty your taste to please ”

 

Crocus (striped) - "Reconciliation," or " union."

To find the universal elements enough;

to find the air and the water exhilarating;

to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter;

to be thrilled by the

stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring

these are some of the rewards of the simple life.

John Burroughs

In the same way, you were happy in spring,

With the half colors of quarter-things,

The slightly brighter sky, the melting clouds,

The single bird, the obscure moon-

The obscure moon lighting an obscure world

Of thing that would never be quite expressed,

Where you yourself were never quite yourself

And did not want nor have to be ...

unknown

There is something courageous about the tiny crocus.

Its flowers, blooming determinedly through the snow,

have the power to give the gardener the boost he needs to get through the last,

lingering days of winter.

Crocuses do one more thing

they inspire the gardener to leave the fireside

and go outdoors,

 long before spring is at his door.