Collards and
Dependability
Brassica oleracea
var. viridis
In late summer, collard leaves spread out from their center stalk in multiple spiraling layers. The large elongated, oval leaves form a rosette, looking like a huge jade-green flower. Collards are well-behaved in the garden. They can get tall, but they don’t get unwieldy or invade their neighbor’s space. Collards are a reliable leafy green that provide lots of healthy eating in a range of temperatures. They don’t bolt in the heat like some other greens, and cold actually improves their flavor.
Collards have not been promoted the way kale has, yet collards have many of the same nutrients and functions in recipes. They are a good source of calcium, as well as vitamins C and K. Young leaves can be included in salads and smoothies. Larger leaves can be steamed and used to wrap rice and vegetables before baking. Collards are great in soups and stews, but my favorite method is to chop and steam them with lots of garlic and a touch of balsamic vinegar.
Once collards are in the ground and mulched, I don’t have to fuss with them. They are hardy and dependable. The plants will take a light frost and keep on producing. I often have greens until winter solstice. They are the essence of dependability, which is their energetic correspondence.
A key feature of dependability in others is that you don’t have to think about them a lot. In contrast, if something is undependable, you often spend a lot of mental energy on it. If you have an undependable vehicle, it might be on your mind all morning as you get ready for work. Is it going to start this morning? Will I get to my destination? If you have an undependable friend, you can’t fully trust that they will do the things they tell you they will do, whether it is walking your dog or attending a party. You might love an undependable person, but their unreliability will always be in the back of your mind as you make plans.
Dependability means that someone or something is solid and trustworthy. There is ease and safety in interacting with dependable entities. They don’t take up a lot of your energy, allowing you to focus on other matters. The downside is that it is easy to let dependable entities slide off your radar into forgetfulness, and you might not always acknowledge their value.
When exploring this correspondence, begin by considering your own dependability and if it is a trait that others would use to describe you. Is it a value you personally embrace? Push that awareness into the world around you and consider the people, places, and other entities that feel dependable. As you bring this concept into your awareness, be aware of the dependable entities you count on and send them thanks.
Morning Attunement Questions
• What connections do I have with collards and dependability?
• Where else in the green world or in my life do I observe the concept of dependability?
• What does this correspondence feel like?
• How can I describe this energetic attribute of dependability in words or pictures?
• Where does this correspondence of dependability resonate most strongly in or around my body or in my life?
Daily Integration Questions
• In what ways is the world reflecting collards or dependability back to me?
• What nuances and shades of meaning do I notice about collards and dependability?
Evening Reflection Questions
• Where and how did I experience collards or dependability today?
• How did I embrace dependability?
• What wisdom does the collard’s correspondence of dependability bring to my life?