Artist Statement: The Living Earth: Twinflower and Bunchberry

The Earth holds the memories of all lives lived since the beginning of time, stored in the soil beneath our feet. Every song, every emotion and every word spoken leaves a shadow behind, marking its place in the never-ending passage of years..
These shadows, these ghostly footprints of time-passing, are either the good energy or the bad of lives lived. They are our memories interwoven with the other lives we shared, whether equal in purpose with ours or alone in intent, but always in a struggle of balanced stewardship.
This timeless collecting of memories is the Earth's reminder to us that we are more of a burden to her than a benefit. She turns the wheel of time with the tips of her fingers, so each life lived is kept alive, yet each life is a ghost, following behind us like a small breeze. In the dark of night they become whispers, child-like songs that cling to our very souls. The beauty of the Earth is the greatest gift we have been given. It is the path we all travel.

Twinflower
The Twinflower is actually a vine which grows in abundance in rich soiled shady areas. It favors ground that is littered with rotten logs, moss covered rocks and hanging evergreen branches.
Any claims to its medicinal value are based on old time stories. The whole plant was steeped into a tea for the relief of cramps and fevers. Personally, I have no knowledge of anyone using this plant.

Bunchberry
The Bunchberry is a low ground cover plant that can carpet large areas of the forest. Like the Twinflower, it too grows in rich acidic soil shaded by evergreens.
Some plants have only three leaves, but plants with four or more leaves produce a beautiful white flower that brilliantly lights up the forest floor.
The entire plant can be used. Teas are made from the leaves and roots. In the fall the berries can be eaten, preferably cooked.

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