Fig Tree   (Ficus carica)

The earliest record of figs in Britain is from the beginning of the 16th century, though there are references to much earlier plantings, and certainly the Romans may have established figs in their farm villas.

The fig is part of the large and important Ficus family that ranges across all the warm and tropical areas of the world. Some are large trees, some are climbers or vines. The fig tree that we are familiar with originates from Persia, Syria and Asia Minor and was a major food plant around the Mediterranean area.  Warm, south–facing sites in Britain suit it well and the tree will fruit successfully. Fig will set seed and grow into mature trees only where there is very fertile ground or extra heat. Colonies have formed on the banks of the River Donn in Sheffield fed by the warm waters from local steelworks. Others have set seed down-river from sewage works and in cemeteries.

The fig tree is a low, widespread tree growing to 25ft (8m). Trees of over three hundred years have been recorded in England. The leaves are easily recognisable with thick, leathery, hairy surfaces with between three to five deep rounded lobes. The flower of the fig is completely inside the immature fruit and is pollinated only by a small gall wasp that burrows its way through the skin. Figs fruit twice a year: in May the fruits ripen in the warm weather but these are often destroyed by the cold of the autumn months. Edible figs tend to be those that bud later in the year and survive the winter to swell in the following spring and summer. 

The fig tree was sacred to Bacchus and was thought to have been discovered by Saturn. Figs can be fermented when ripe and made into a wine or brandy.  Fig trees are important sacred trees in India – the Bo Tree, under whose branches the Buddha gained enlightenment, is a species of fig. Sacred trees, found in every Indian town and village with their roots painted with vermilion,  are often of the Ficus family. Medicinally, the fruit of figs have been used for their mild laxative action. As they are also demulcent, figs have been used to reduce catarrhal build-up in the nose and throat. The roasted soft, pulpy interior fruit have been used as a poultice for boils and abscesses. The milky sap of the stem can be used for removing warts.

The Essence

Keywords: “Generator”; expression of needs; soul food; feelings of emptiness resolved; letting go; belly dancing; energy to achieve.

The fig tree has a tightly defined sphere of action: it echoes the moment of creation where a single burst of energy manifested the universe. It contains the compassionate energy of life and the awareness of dynamic love. It holds the understanding that all things exist as part of one single creative impulse, fragments of a single creativity bomb.

Fig tree will work very well whenever there is a healing required within the pelvic area of the body. It will be restorative and energising to the subtle flows here. It helps to energise areas of stagnancy and coolness, where the natural flow of energy has ceased to move in a normal way. The cause of this particular form of static energy will be the failure to express honesty – the inability or reluctance of the individual to maintain and uphold their own energy integrity, their own right to exist as a unique entity.

The Governor meridian along the spinal column will be given a boost of energy that may release pent-up and unexpressed feelings and ideas. With this there will also arise a clearer message to others of your personal need for space and freedom. There may also be a new ability to identify and resolve feelings of lack or emptiness. Perhaps there exists an inappropriate longing or even a greed to own or possess, or to be someone or something else. This is simply a misdirected attempt to restore balance and calm instead of achieving a real freedom in one’s life. Fig tree will turn the attention back to the causes of discomfort within oneself and help to resolve it there where it started, instead of continually mirroring dissatisfaction outwards onto the world.

The mind is helped to become calm and creative, allowing one to see what is needed to flow into harmonious living again.

At spiritual levels, too, fears are calmed and clarity increases. It becomes easier to communicate ideas and information. There may also arise the ability to access far memory – memory from deep parts of oneself or from the akashic records of creation once this new openness has cleared away the tensions and frustrations blocking personal energy.

Signature:

Fig arises from fertile and warm ground (the energy of creation); the flower within the fruit (the originating energy still existing deep within every aspect of creation, also, returning to the causes of discomfort)