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CATALPA (Catalpa x erubescans)
Key: joy
The catalpa, also called the Indian bean tree, is named from the native American tribe, the Catawba of the Louisiana and Florida regions. Catalpas are sensitive to frost so they are usually only found in the south of Britain. They come into leaf very late in June, and it flowers in August or September. Flowers appear on large spikes, somewhat similar to horse chestnut “candles”, but more open. The flowers of the Hybrid catalpa, a cross between the Southern catalpa and the Yellow catalpa from China, was introduced into Britain in 1891 and has a sweet, powerful scent. In winter the tree is characterised by its long, bean-like seed pods, in summer by its huge leaves.
The quality of catalpa is primarily in the increase of peace and the calming of anxieties. There is a stabilisation of the emotions.
The Small Intestine meridian is supported. This is the channel that becomes stressed by sadness and sorrow, and energised by joy and happiness. There is a general calming of the emotions and of the energy pulses at various parts of the body. Very often these pulses can be felt to be out of synchrony when a person is under stress, falling back into rhythm as the stress is lifted. Catalpa essence placed on these pulse points (like the wrists, the frontal eminences on the forehead and the tops of the little fingers), would help to regulate these subtle energies very quickly.
As the body calms down the mind can achieve a new state of balance and discrimination. The energies of this tree are largely focused on balancing the polarity of the intuition and the intellect, the personal wants with the appropriate needs, the flow of personal expression and will, and the balance of happiness and fear.
The lifting of conflicts, both emotional and mental, can lead to a greater sense of security and connectedness into the surroundings and even an increased ability to use psychic and other skills in a useful way.
Signature: The tree remains dormant and at peace for much of the year – when it comes into life it does so with exuberance and abundance. The long purple bean pods may suggest the channels through which the subtle pulses can be felt.
Comment: There are several mature Hybrid catalpas planted around Exeter. For most of the year they remain inconspicuous until they come into magnificently huge leaf and then later infuse their surroundings with the light, sweet, complex scent of their flowers.