Growing up immersed in Ukrainian culture, mushrooms hold a special place, reflecting a deep bond with nature and traditional ways of life.
Foraging for mushrooms, or “hrybivnyk,” is a cherished practice passed down through generations, one that my entire family participated in on fall Sundays.
Mushrooms are also woven into Ukrainian folklore and superstition, often associated with mystery, transformation, and the cycles of nature. Fungi remind us that what we see on the surface is only the beginning. The miracle of mycelia and their life-giving force show us what it truly means to nurture.
Much like our bodies, what we see externally is only a mere glimpse into the complexity of systems communicating and surviving without our conscious thought to do so.
But when we bring light to these networks, just as mycelium moves light and energy across soil systems—we begin to unearth the roots around us and, in turn, recode the roots within us.
Communicating. Providing. Receiving. Protecting.
Nurturing. Trusting. Bringing expanded awareness, self reflection and ego dissolution.
