This is the time when anemones bloom in the place where I live. We are in the middle of the winter and these flowers with their spectacular colors and delicacy always amaze me when they start popping up all around. Right at the point I accept that the following days are going to be dark and cold they come with their freshness and an air of spring.
Anemone coronaria is a very common wildflower, that here chooses to unfold all its beauty in the wintertime instead of choosing the ease of spring. And she has all my respect. I was looking at the medicinal properties of anemones, especially Anemone pulsatilla, and they all make sense to me, but what attracts me more in them is the way I feel and the way they make me feel about them.
Their strength and resistance inspire me to be strong and resistant. Everything around is so unstable, the Northern wind is usually hard and cold and yet they are so elegant and alive. I mean, we are in a (currently even more) messy and unstable world, and we all try to do our best and who says no to some style, too? These ladies certainly have the whole package.
The photo below is blurry because the wind was quite strong, but if you see the core of the anemone, she seems so untouched by what's happening around.
Even though in a while her petals might be blown away.
Or maybe she will manage for a few more days...
How can you not admire her dignity facing the impermanence?
I don't know to explain it, but she takes loneliness away. And all dark thoughts. Wherever she grows I feel that the air is lighter and the energy is lifted. How can they not be afraid at all? Why they choose winter to blossom?
I guess bees are even more excited than I am since there are not so many choices for food around.
Don't look for the bee in this photo, the wind was strong and they were all in their hives :)
And those colors!
This one below looks a bit sad, though... It was one of the first to be captured and the sun hadn't reached her spot yet. The humidity was also high, so maybe this is the reason, too. Some say that you can predict if it is going to rain soon by observing the anemones. If they close their petals, rain is not far way.
And this electric blue!
It is believed to protect from negative energies. But only in some cultures. I was surprised to read that anemones in Eastern cultures are believed to bring bad luck. I will try and find more info, because it seems a bit weird. Maybe they only mean the white anemones (that by the way are pretty rare here) because white is the color of grief for many Eastern cultures. If anyone knows, please share!
This one looks playful! I feel as if she is asking me through the photo "Are you crazy? Really, do people still think anything can be permanent? Hahaha! You made my day! I am ready to be blown away! Playfully! I had a few days full of life, what a bliss!"
For those who don't know it, anemone comes from the Greek word anemos which is wind. It seems that they go hand in hand with wind :)
deep into the lightning
anemones
Haiku by monk Symeon
(hopefully a discent translation by me)
Anemos! Beautiful flowers, they deserve a Greek name. I still can't believe that they grow spontaneously, that they are wildflowers. In my country they are rare and as cultivated flowers, in the past, I could only see them in florists.
You took some very good photos, I think Stefanos is starting to feel the competition...
In this indecisive and atypical winter, your anemones are a hope!
Well, they are all over here! In the following days we expect even more of them to show up. The weather stopped being indecisive today, he decided it's winter and proper winter needs some snow, so we had some snow today. I hope it didn't ruin the plans of the future anemones!
Haha! That's exactly what Stefanos said! But a pro is always a pro. I have the feeling that when the photos are very good, it's because of the gorgeous light and not just my skills :)
Thank you @bluemoon!
I'm just trying to imagine a field full of anemones... and I can't! Only the snow can't damage them, the excessive cold might.
"But a pro is always a pro." Definitely!
I feel exactly the same way about myself(as you say about yourself), even though there were some photos that Stefanos praised.
We count on the good lighting and good luck to us both :)
So be it!
Amazing violet....
It is gorgeous, isn't it?
Thank you for stopping by @apasteem!
Thank you for an amazing post and these beautiful photographs of anemoes as well as the stories behind them and their etymology! These flowers seem to go hand in hand with wind indeed! All the best, take care, stay safe, and keep up the good work here on HIVE! Have a great evening! :)
Thank you for your beautiful comment @vikthor!
Same to you!!!
You're most welcome! Thank you as well and have a great evening! :)