The symbolic meaning of chestnuts deals primarily with prevention and foresight. This is due to the fact that the chestnut (please note this post is detailing the sweet chestnut – castanea sativa – not the horse chestnut which is inedible to humans) has long been recognized as a highly nutritious food that has a high-calorie punch in such small package.
This is key as we consider its roots in symbolism. Most primitive cultures (particularly nomadic groups) would honor such traits in a food. Imagine being sustained and nurtured by such a small (and tasty) morsel! So here we derive the attribute of foresight and prevention within the symbolic meaning of chestnuts because upon planning a journey, or providing for the body, the chestnut fulfills the human need.
The symbolic meaning of chestnuts also deals with:
- fertility
- provision
- abundance
- longevity
- invigoration
Many Native American Indian tribes (indigenous to the northeast) held fertility & abundance as the prime symbolic meaning of chestnuts because of its prolific production of nuts.
The symbolism of longevity and provision were touted in the 12th century when Christian mystic Hildegard von Bingen extolled the virtues of the chestnut, including their propensity to prolong life when consumed in natural remedies.
Celtic druids were reputed to make handles and staffs out of chestnut tree branches as they believed touching these was a way do energetically draw out longevity and invigoration tree’s being.
Chestnuts drop [from their trees] in the fall. As such, they are considered a symbol of harvest, abundance and preparation. This serves as a message that now is the time to prepare for possibly tighter times ahead. It is also a message that now is the time to gather and rejoice in the bounty we have.
Chestnut symbolic meanings even have their place in dream interpretation:
If you are dreaming of picking chestnuts off the ground it is a message that you have shared trust in your love life. If you are picking the chestnuts off the tree, however, it is a sign of infidelity.
If in a dream you are observing a bunch of chestnuts, it is indicative of prosperous business opportunities.
Dreaming of sitting under a chestnut tree is symbolic of happy times on the horizon after enduring a spell of dissatisfaction.
When our minds continually encounter the chestnut, we may want to ask ourselves the following questions:
- Have I properly planned for my goals?
- Do I have the provisions to meet my needs or obtaining my desires?
- Am I letting in enough nutrients (physical/spiritual/mental/emotional) into my life, or am I neglecting these aspects?
- Am I prepared for the challenges ahead?
- Am I giving thanks for all that I have available to me now?
This article just proved how genius the show LOST is to me. In the episode called “Flashes Before Your Eyes” when Desmond is in the past talking to the “white haired lady from the jewelry store” (later to be known as Eloise Faraday)and he’s trying to prevent certain things from happening in the future and to save Charlie from dying, he asks Eloise, “Who are you” just before she tells him that he cant change certain events from unfolding, she responds with “Do you like Chestnuts?” Prevention and foresight, eh? LOST writers are insanely thorough!!
Thank You
i say thank you, and i say, you are beautiful. i was stunned when i saw your image on this site. much good fortune… avi
In Genesis 30:37-39 Jacob uses a secret fertility treatment to increase conception of his sheep and goats. And it worked. It is interesting you mentioned chestnuts for fertility as chestnut sap, green poplar sap and hazel sap were what Jacob used to increase his flocks. He peeled off the bark till the white sap appeared and put the sticks in their drinking water.
I suspect that eating raw chestnuts would enhance a woman’s fertility and I think this has been known for thousands of years.
It’s very interesting and very nice publication!
I also stumbled across your website when I was prompted by my spiritual guide to research chestnuts. Thanks for your insights on the subject, great article!
A lovely site too with excellent information reflecting many perspectives of spirituality on all levels. It’s great that you embrace the views of others – you seem to have a deep understanding that we all have different lessons to learn depending on our soul’s requirements. If you have a moment please take a look at my website, we seem to have common ground.
Thankyou!
Joanne Rivers
http://www.inspirationalteachingsfornow.com
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