The Muse in the Mirror

Each year I delight in the opportunity to hitch a ride on the blue hued magic carpet, courtesy of the humble Bluebell. Living in the UK with its abundance of ancient woodland, I’m never a stone’s throw away from this delicately dazzling flower, which thrives in the mossy undergrowths of fresh spring leaves from late April to mid May. The vision of springtime transformation moves me every time, gasping with wonder and awe at the majestic sight of these intense blue carpets decadently draped across the countryside. Shimmering hues of violet-blue and delicate scents permeating the air serve as a perfect portal into the Summer Months ahead.

Standing among the millions of bell shaped wild flowers, stretching as far as the eye can see, the forest takes on an unearthly, enchanted quality. It’s easy to see how in folklore, bluebells were also known as ‘fairy flowers’ and it is believed that to call fairies to a convention, the bluebells would be rung.

Other folklore tales would have us believe that by wearing a wreath made of bluebell flowers, the wearer would be compelled to speak only the truth. Or that if you could turn one of the flowers inside out without tearing it, you would eventually win the one you love.

 

 

The most popular meanings for bluebells are:

 

• Delicacy
• Humility
• Gratitude
• Loyalty
• Constancy
• Everlasting Love
• Sorrow
• Regret

 

Needless to say, with the bluebell as my muse, and camera at my side, I’m never happier than when I’m out frolicking in the woods, getting snap-happy with the blissful bluebell. If you are not fortunate enough to experience beautiful British bluebell woods for yourself, I hope you can be inspired by these heavenly bluebell pictures and poetry.

‘The Bluebell’ – Poem by Anne Brontë 

A fine and subtle spirit dwells
In every little flower,
Each one its own sweet feeling breathes
With more or less of power.
There is a silent eloquence
In every wild bluebell
That fills my softened heart with bliss
That words could never tell.

~ Anne Brontë 

 

Bluebell Time – Poem by Fay Slimm

Million bells waving bright bonnets of blue
Flaunting tall ranks of incredible hue.
Groundbreaking columns of stalks fill the shade
Assailing our senses from every dull glade.

Mid dapple-dim woods we tred without sound
Breathtaking armies of blue all around.
Sun shedding Spring over cold woodland dew,
Highlighting patches of mystical blue.
Sheer seas of colour all billowing there
Dance to perfection their Show of the Year.

~ Fay Slimm

 

 

”A beautiful flower begins its life in the dirt”. 

~ Unknown.

 The Bluebell is the sweetest flower
That waves in summer air:
Its blossoms have the mightiest power
To soothe my spirit’s care.

~ Emily Bronte

 

Bluebell Woods – A poem by Elizabeth Mason

Come walk with me through bluebell woods, 
And see the proof of God’s sweet love. 
Long rays of sunlight trickling down, 
Among the trees in search of ground.   

A piece of heaven here below,
Creation at its best on show. 
With perfume drifting on the breeze,
To guide us through this deep blue sea.

Bright sapphires dance in flickering light,
While silent butterflies take flight.    

And echoes of a distant thrush, 
We know that He is here with us.
~ by Elizabeth Mason

 

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