Words, Crazy Words
A Sweet mix of the secular and sacred
A Word on Wednesday: Heliotropic
Heliotropic: Turning or growing toward the light. Heliotropism can be easily seen in sunflowers, which slowly turn their large flowers so that they continually face the sun. However, the adjective heliotropic can describe any noun and any light source.A heliotropic student turns toward
the light of knowledge.
A heliotropic flower turns toward
the light of the sun.
Plants classified as heliotropes have flowers and leaves, which turn toward the sun. Marigolds, poppies, sunflowers, and daisies are examples of heliotropes.
Daisies are commonplace both as a wildflower and in the beds of intentional gardeners. The daisy’s hardy character survives perennially. Many a season of indecision has been soothed by pulling petal by petal — loves me, loves me not. I consider the daisy to be my favorite flower. Despite its simple, common presence, it stands out to me. Perhaps, it was the daisy that really picked me to guide me in moving to the light.
There is grace when one can turn to face the light and absorb its radiance. Like the daisy, I long to move toward the lights of inspiration, the lights of my life, and the light offered each dawn.
Turning to the light, and thereby from darkness or shadows is not a new bright idea. The phenomenon of heliotropism was known by the Ancient Greeks, demonstrated with the word heliotropium, meaning sun turn.
As spring builds momentum, I am again reminded to turn to light, to chart with optimism, to navigate with intention to the moving source of good.
WiscoPoet
Words, Crazy Words 