Plum Tree | Zwetschke
The posts under the category "Erwin Thoma" showcase the knowledge and philosophy of the forester Erwin Thoma, a kind of hero of Pascal's. Pascal has read all of Thoma's books and, as a result, has convinced me of his beautiful ideas, as well. Learn more about Thoma and Holz100 here: www.thoma.at/.
Julia Gruber and Erwin Thoma's book and card set Bäume für die Seele, or "Trees for the Soul", consists of 40 cards. Each card includes the spiritual message and physical description of the tree as found in nature. There are corresponding pages in the accompanying book that discuss the history of the tree, best uses in furniture and rooms in the house, and practical recipes from traditional European medicine. Below I have translated and paraphrased the main messages of the cards to share Thoma's knowledge and philosophy with an even broader audience. Few of his books have been translated into other languages, but the content is invaluable and compelling. I have also put it into the context of other myths, culture, and philosophies of the world. I've chosen to write about those trees and bushes that actually grow on the property.
The Plum Tree According to Thoma
Prunus domestica
According to the card, the plum tree loves to have fun and loves others to have fun around it, to laugh at one's self and others easily. Under the plum tree, you can relax because she is not a competitor. The tree also celebrates loneliness, and as long as one honors loneliness it cannot grow into depression. Instead, it is an opportunity to make a deeper connection.
It's important to distinguish the two types of "plums" that are marked linguistically in German. In German, there are "Zwetschken/Zwetschgen" and there are "Pflaumen". In English, we only have the word "plum" to describe either. "Pflaume" is the umbrella term for several kinds of subspecies, one of which is Zwetsche, which is longer in shape and particularly good for cakes. The Zwetschke fruit is oblong-oval in shape, with a dark blue skin and yellow flesh. They are quite a delicious feast for wild animals. Meanwhile, Pflaumen are spherical and can be blue, red or yellow.
The main message of the Zwetschge tree is: "Love your crying and your laughter!"
The Plum Tree in Your House
Thoma recommends using plum wood for doors and windows where it can deflect negative energy.
In Chinese poetry, the plum tree is a symbol of transience, as it only takes two weeks from bud to blossom.
The Plum Tree in Asian Cultures
In Korean Feng Shui, it is suitable to plant a yellow plum tree on the north side of the house and a Chinese plum tree to the south (Hong-key Yoon).
During the Qing Dynasty, the plum tree represented fortitude and respect for old age (Richard J. Smith)
In Chinese and Japanese art, the plum tree is considered one of the three friends of winter, as that is when it blossoms (Farrin Chwalkowski).
Plum blossoms are celebrated like cherry blossoms, and families enjoy the beautiful and delicate white blossoms by having a picnic under the shade of the trees.
The Plum in Europe
In Christianity, the plum represents fidelity and independence. But it was often used in Renaissance painting decoratively (George Ferguson, George Wells Ferguson).
A beautiful botanical illustration of a plum was drawn in 1801-19 by Pierre Joseph Redouté (Belgian, 1759-1840) : Prunus Myrobalana. View it here.
Im Folgenden zitiere ich Julia Gruber und Erwin Thoma direkt aus ihrem Buch und Kartenset. Bäume für die Seele (2015). Man kann das Buch hier kaufen:
Zwetschkenbaum | Prunus domestica
"Seelische Botschaft:
Stets habe ich einen Spaß auf den Lippen. Die ganze Welt dient als Bühhe für meine tollpatschigen Einlagen. Und die Leute lachen übet meine Ausrutscher. Ich mag es, von glücklichen Gesichtern umgeben zu sein! Viele sind erleichtert, wenn ich ihnen die Rolle des Tollpatsches für eine Zeit abnehme. Neben mir können sie sich entspan'nen und sicher fühlen, denn ich bin keine Konkurrenz für sie. Meipe zweite Seite jedoch ist eine abgründige Einsamkeit. So-lange ich diese Einsamkeit in Ehren halte, kann sie sich nicht zur Depression auswachsen. Im Gegenteil -sie wird zu einem Brun-nen, aus\ dem ich eine tiefe Anbindung schöpfen kann.
In der Nature:
Der Zwet chkenbaum ist eine Unterart des Pflaumenbaums. Beide werden ck. 6 Meter hoch. Sie sind pflegeleicht und lieben sonnige, windgeschützte Standorte. Die Vermehrung erfolgt über Stecklin-ge, Ansaat, Wurzeltriebe oder mittels Veredelung. Die Zwetschken-frucht ist länglich-oval, außen dunkelblau und innen gelb gefärbt. Pflaumen wiederum sind kugelrund mit ausgeprägter Naht und kommen in blauer, roter und gelber Färbung vor. Zwetschken sind ein Festmahl für Wildtiere.
Liebe dein Weinen und dein Lachen!"