Rose Quartz In Evening Light

Portrait of an energetic entity in its woodland setting

Its energy and presence are hard to miss within the landscape, noticeably cool to the touch, even on a ninety degree day and strangely, both warm and cool to the eye.

And in a shadowy, ten foot deep rupture, just out of frame to the right, a mysterious, Phantom Orchid cluster (Cephalanthera austiniae), arises and blooms, year after year, a partnership with specific, ectomycorrhizal fungi from which it derives both its energy and nutrients. A wonder.

I had not imagined, did not even begin to anticipate the energetic countenance a six hundred pound crystal could have within a landscape until I was introduced to several of them, until I spent time in woodlands and wildflower meadows with them, sensing the flow of energy to and from them, shifting and flowing around them.

This is not some man made piece of ‘garden art.’ It is so much simpler, absent arrogance and ego, absent confrontation. More conversant. Elemental.

Wildflower institute’s founder and caretaker, Andy says, “I have no idea why the crystals were placed where they are. They just seemed to want to be there.”

And so they are.

And magic, well, it happens all around them.

Those very Phantom Orchids (Cephalanthera austiniae), mentioned above.

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Grande Ronde Overlook Wildflower Institute Serving Ecological Restoration