April 2019: Magnolia
By Christina Wilke-Burbach PhD, RMT, CA
Mind, Soul, and Self LLC
mindsoulandself.com
2019 is going to be a journey into the world of non-verbal healing here at Mind, Soul, and Self LLC. I have come to understand, true ways to heal psychologically and emotionally are non-verbal: through art, music, movement, meditative states, and bodywork/energy work. The language of the soul/psyche is symbols, images, colors, vibrations, sensations, and patterns; we communicate this non-verbally. Many times talk therapies are Band-Aids and do not get to the root of the problem. Non-verbal modalities help individuals discover the underlying root issues causing their challenges and symptoms and enables them to gently resolve them; thus moving them closer to wholeness and wellness.
I have been on an incredible personal growth journey of my own the past few years into the world of art. I have become very involved with John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC) in Sheboygan, WI. I am the chair of the JMKAC Indoor Gardens, a member of the Friends of the Arts Council, and a museum docent (teacher/tour guide). I try to take a new art class every month (I was a workshop docent last week and assisted with a Botanical Silk painting class….Amazing!) Coincidentally, my old office space was located in an art gallery and my current office space is in an entire building of art studios. My preferred social media has become Instagram. I have enjoyed experimenting with art and photography as ways to express myself. So I have decided to have a photo blog this year to complement this personal and professional journey that I am on.
On April 6, 2019 I visited the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the United States and a National Historic Landmark. It is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Its Herbarium is the 2nd largest in North America. When I was there, all the Magnolia Trees were in bloom. I am a Herbalist and Master Gardener, so I was in heaven! I took dozens of photos and spent the entire day in the blossoms. When I returned home, I research the spiritual significance of this gorgeous flower. Magnolias are thought to be one of the first flowering plants to evolve on Earth with fossil evidence that they are close to 100 million years old. Ancient magnolias are still recognizable today as magnolias. Magnolias have found a great way to survive and may even outlast humans. These trees can live for at least a century. Therefore, a magnolia means stability and grace through the ages no matter the changes.
Below are some Magnolia pictures I took at the Botanical Garden. This month, I ask you to explore the beauty in you that you draw on to help you survive and thrive when times are tough. What traits within you make you resilient? What, who, or where is a source of stability for you?
**All photos are the property of Christina Wilke-Burbach. All rights reserved ***