I’m not sure if I should be surprised that the tiny snowdrop – so seemingly unassuming – would have such a vast and interesting history. As well as being harnessed by modern medicine, the snow drop plant has been written about it famous works of art, been seen as both beneficial and baneful, as a sign of hope or bad luck in turn.
Though Galanthus Nivalis is considered a winter blooming flower, she often shows her face here in Southern New England around the Spring Equinox – at most she is a one week of winter flower. In that sense, she carries the very real hope of Spring as the crocus, lamium, dandelions, and grape hyacinth are not far behind. I have always connected with that energy but my partner, on seeing my photos of her, commented that she looked lonely.
That, too, is a piece of the Snow drops past, she has been associated with shyness, purity, and consolation. Due perhaps to her low stature (closeness to the earth) and her penchant from growing the graveyards of the British Isles, she has a strong association with the dead. Indeed, in Europe she blooms around Candlemas and Brigid’s Day and it is said to be very poor luck to bring one of her blossoms inside on February 2.
Though, in the end, I connect mostly deeply with her as a flower that can grow in the snow. As a New Englander, I am drawn to the very first and the very last plants – the ones that can thrive in adversity.
To honor her, I made a page for my herbal Book of Shadows, I’ve decided to share it with you in case anyone else would like to have use it.
You can download a copy without my watermark HERE for free. I simply ask that if you like it and you are able that you Buy Me A Ko-Fi to help support me being able to write and photograph more for you.
The BoS art is designed to print to size 5.5×8″ – I hope you like it! You are welcome to print it out and use as you want – just please credit me if you share it with the world and link back to this page. – Minx