When the Invasive Becomes Sacred: Lessons from the Scottish Thistle

I have continually been praying about how to best prepare for the days ahead. When I lie down to sleep I ask for dreams to guide me. Last night I dreamed of bull thistle. We have them in our field and they are considered invasive here in NW Georgia. They’re native to Scotland. In the dream we were gathering them as if they were a good thing instead of trying to remove them like we usually do as invasive species.

When I woke up I felt like they held some meaning to me. Medicinally they are ok but nothing of any spectacular confirmed use. So I decided to look up their symbolism and found this:

“The bull thistle, also known as the Scottish thistle, holds significant symbolism in Scottish culture. It represents defense and strong pride, symbolizing the Scots’ protection of their heritage. The thistle’s sharp spines are seen as a metaphor for the Scots’ ability to defend their culture and traditions. In addition to its cultural significance, the bull thistle is also a symbol of resilience and endurance, thriving in harsh conditions and reflecting the Scots’ spirit of toughness and adaptability. Its prickly exterior serves as a reminder of the Scots’ resilience and determination to overcome challenges.”

I have Scottish ancestry on my father’s side so as i read this I thought of my patriotic roots, the resilience and endurance of my ancestors, my 4th great grandmother who was a tough adaptable, resilient and determined 14-year-old girl performing heroic acts in the American Revolution. The tradition of patriotism and traditional Christian values in my family.

Perhaps how I navigate the future is by drawing on the legacy of my ancestors and their stand for God, family and country.