Hyacinth

Yesterday a blue pot filled with earth and bulbous secrets. Today, a shoot torpedoing up through the potting compost full of green energy and, if it fulfils its potential, will grow into a flamboyant, classically beautiful and highly scented hyacinth in a few week’s time. Like most Spring bulbs it will live fast and die young.

In Greek mythology Hyacinth was the name of a beautiful human boy whose history also followed this quicksilver path. He became the lover and companion of Apollo, travelling with him in a chariot drawn by swans to Hyperborea – land of eternal Spring. But those whom the Gods love die young. One day the two were practising throwing the discus. Apollo threw it so hard that it bounced off a cloud. Hyacinth running to catch it was hit on the head and died in Apollo’s arms.

His life’s blood ran out a deep blue and as it soaked into the earth sprouted up as a hyacinth. He became the bittersweet focus of a Spring cult of joy in life at its peak and sorrow at untimely death; the transitoriness of existence and constant resurrection.

So, I’ll join in with my own mini-cult here in the North, and watch my fast-growing hyacinth every day with the mixed feelings of looking forward to its blooming, celebrating its perfection and feeling a little blue eventually, at the inevitable droop and disintegration. 

And, hopefully - back to life Spring 2023!