Sam was born with an empathic nature to plants. She gets real emotional knowing that she can't save all of them, and that she can hear them. She despises how her kind can just up and destroys forests, and nature in particular. Quote from Moro (Princess Mononoke) "The trees cry out as they die, but you cannot hear them. I lie here, I listen to the pain of the forest, and feel the ache of them within my chest..."
Even before Urban Jungle, plants have always responded to her, vines always followed her or appeared out of the ground. When she's near a potted plant, it's barely discernable, but said potted plant(s) lean slightly towards her. When she's alone, it's very noticeable when they lean towards her.
She goes out within nature, surrounded by trees and meditates sometimes. She just lets herself be embraced by the calming aura and voices of the plants, and flora that which soothes her soul. Undergrowth knew this about her the moment he laid eyes on her, as he could tell by her aura. Can communicate with them.
When in danger plants form a shield of sorts to protect her. It can either be an aura shield (when she's near them or has them in her backpack or hands, or vines that form a shield.
She can surf on vines. She can also enhance seeds to manipulate growth.
She is able to read the auras of plants in order to gather correct ingredients for elixirs, healing ointment, and spices. She can heal with plants. This girl can make a mean salad.
Sam is able to also manipulate fruits and vegetables, manipulating their DNA strutures and is able to mutate them. What's a Oraberry? (Orange and Strawberry)
PSA Stop picking flowers, ferns, and other plants to take photos or for some 'æsthetic' bullshit. Like Osho said, if you find something beautiful, don't pick it, don't kill it. Please stop killing plants for your tumblr/Instagram ego.
Ah, plant empathy. Okay, let’s go backwards a few minutes.
A few weeks ago, I posted an illustration and a few paragraphs about [natural empathy] and to a lesser extent, geomantic empathy. To recap quickly, natural empathy is the ability to connect and share energy with nature. Geomantic empathy, a branch under natural empathy, is the ability to be attune to the natural occurrences of the earth.
If we think about it in Hebert’s terms--like his definitions of [cognitive] and [emotional empathy]--natural empathy is similar to the abilities of a shaman empath, an empath that has the ability to connect with nature and speak with plants and animals*. I’ll tackle shamanic empathy in the future.
Now that we’re up to speed, let’s talk about plant empathy. Guessing from what’s recapped above, it’s the ability to be attuned to plant life and their energy. Like the [animal empath], a plant empath--also known as a flora empath--can sense a plant’s emotional and physical state. They are able to sense if the plant is sick or dying from natural occurrences (storms, disease, rot), or feel a plant’s pain if it had been stepped on, cut, or pruned. They may feel happy around a plant or know if the plant needs food, water, or sunlight. Have you ever felt at ease around a plant? Nervous?
Like animals, plants can also return this connection. There’s an old discussion about plants [here]. Please keep in mind, the main focus of the post is not about plant empathy but the comments do discuss a few behaviors plants may have toward energy.
Anyone can be empathic to plants, empath or not. Some empaths do not have plant empathy, others do. Welcome all the same. :)
Notes (some are a repeat from the natural empathy post):
1. Links are in brackets.
2. * There isn’t a surefire way to communicate with plants or animals. It varies. Some people can understand just from body language, while others can hear a voice in their head, see an image in their minds, or feel the emotions from that plant or animal. None of these ways are wrong. It’s how you perceive the information between you and the plant (or animal).
3. I was hesitant of tackling the different branches of empathy because there are so many! I understand that some people may not agree with this branch or the consideration of many types of empathy in general. So, a disclaimer: you do not have to accept this information. Really, it’s okay. Study what you can about how empathy affects YOU as an empath. Get to know yourself and what makes you, you.
4. A while back–months back–I drew a series of illustrations that discussed types of empathy. This illustration, although depicting a type of empathy, is NOT a part of that series. The series relates to [an article] that listed some types, but not all types. In the future, I will draw and discuss the final three (I’ve already touched upon animal empathy), but not right now.
Source:
Luna, Aletheia. “Empowered By Sensitivity: What Type Of Empath Are You?” Loner Wolf. 2014. [http://lonerwolf.com/what-type-of-empath-are-you/].
Hebert, Tyler J. “Empath: The Extra-Sensitive Being.” Academia. [http://www.academia.edu/2611976/Empath_The_Extra-Sensitive_Being]. Same article as the one linked in note 4.
Extras:
If you have time, here’s a thread that touches experiences of plant and natural empaths: [http://empathcommunity.eliselebeau.com/group/natureconnectedempaths/forum/topics/feeling-a-plant-s-pain].
My wish for all the posts I see with flowers squished inside books and picked flowers for 'æsthetic photos': Oh I hope they were already found dead and not brutally picked from their lifeline! :(
Okay, so I went shopping at Walmart recently, because my mom needed some soil and plant pots. On the way there was a lovely rack of succulents, and I got one for discount price, simply because I need to add to my succulent bowl.
Take a look.
Looks fine, right? A little droopy maybe, but that's how store succulents are.
I got it mostly for this lil dude, isn't he cute?
Except this one is dying. Overwatered and cramped.
THERE'S NO DRAINAGE. These plants are sitting in literal, actual rotting water. And worst of all?
Take a look at this gravel. A nice long look.
IT'S GLUED TOGETHER.
all of it.
I couldn't even chip off one pebble with my hand.
It's also glued to the side of the pot, and I don't believe there's even soil underneath it.
Shop at a nursery, y'all. I'll be doing that from now on, too.
