Why Would Anyone Care About Pomona Goddess Now?
Honestly, I just stumbled across Pomona – you know, that old Roman goddess hanging out with fruit trees and orchards? Seemed totally ancient history. What's she got to do with my modern, phone-glued life? Felt irrelevant.
But then I started thinking. Life feels so... disconnected sometimes. Rush here, rush there, packaged food. What if this Pomona thing could help me chill a little? Maybe slow down and actually see stuff? Anyway, the idea stuck. So, last month I decided: fine, let's actually try this. See if any of it makes sense today.
My Attempt to Bring Pomona Home
First thing I did? Totally obvious – I bought a fruit tree! Not an orchard, obviously. Just a small dwarf lemon tree. Got a decent pot, special citrus soil mix (surprisingly pricey, let's be real), and dragged it onto my tiny balcony. Action number one: Done.
Second, I tried being... present. Sounds cheesy, right? Pomona's all about tending, nurturing. So, for two weeks, every single morning with my coffee, I just looked at the tree. Seriously. Felt silly at first. Checking the leaves, poking the soil to see if it felt dry. Started noticing tiny changes – a new bud, a leaf unfurling. Simple, but actually kind of calming. Didn't take long, just a minute or two.
Third, I got weirdly symbolic. Pomona wasn't just about eating fruit, but appreciating it. So, okay, experiment time. Instead of grabbing that banana for breakfast while scrolling emails, I tried something different one Saturday. Put a small bowl of fruit on the table – an apple, the lemon from my tree (tiny and sad, but mine!), some grapes. Just looked at them. Felt the apple's skin. Smelled the lemon peel. Actually tasted a grape properly. Didn't say a prayer or anything spooky, just tried to actually see the fruit instead of shoving it in.
Failed spectacularly one bit: I tried researching old Pomona prayers/rituals. Most of it felt super weird and formal. Lighting incense near my computer desk? Nah. Chanting? Not happening. Felt forced and awkward. So I dropped that part quickly. Way too disconnected.
What Actually Stuck (Surprisingly)
Okay, so what did I really get out of this? Honestly, a few simple things:
- Slowed down my breakfast. Still eat fruit most mornings, but I try to at least look at it first. Sounds stupid, but it starts the day less frantic.
- Got better at noticing my lemon tree. It's not a majestic orchard. But paying attention means I water it properly now. Saw aphids early and dealt with them! Might actually get a decent lemon someday.
- Appreciation for seasons. Went to a local farmers market specifically to see what fruit was actually in season here now. Not much! But it hit home how disconnected supermarket stuff is.
Tips If You're Curious (No Woo-Woo)
So, should you worship Pomona? Probably not like the Romans did. But if you're feeling that nature gap, here’s what kinda worked for me:
- Start tiny. One plant. Herbs on a windowsill. Anything you can easily see daily.
- Make it routine. Tie it to something you already do – coffee time, lunch break. Just observe it for 60 seconds.
- Buy in-season fruit intentionally. Maybe just one item. Eat it mindfully. Focus on the taste and texture.
- Forget the complicated rituals. Seriously. Tend your plant. Notice the fruit. That’s the core, I think.
Bottom line? Pomona for me became a reminder, not a religion. Just a nudge to slow down, pay attention to the simple growth and sweetness around me – even if it's just a lemon tree on a noisy balcony. It feels good. Grounding. And honestly, my lemon tree looks way happier. Small wins, right?
