Clan Shaw - Heraldry and Tribal Totems

I was lucky enough to be able to accompany my grandmother on a trip to England, Wales and Scotland (our ancestral land) nearly 20 years ago. Already interested in gardening, I was looking forward to seeing the lush and tended lawns of Chattsworth House, the flowers sure to be encircling each tiny yard and the thick hedges along every twisting country lane ... Sadly, I was there in the midst of the driest summer since official records-keeping began sometime in the 1500s. The lawns were brown, the fountains turned off as a conservation measure and the early fall temperatures in the 90s. None the less, I still did see plenty of flora. I also learned to appreciate the hardy thistles, heather's and stone that make up the harsh Scottish countryside.

One of my fondest memories was a rare afternoon when I escaped the tour bus during our carefully choreographed visit and hiked into the hills of a glen (I forget which one now, it has run together with the names of many fine scotches I have enjoyed in the years since) There, I sat beside a small stream trickling through the boulders, admiring the golden grasses and tiny alpine flowers, and felt a shared connection with generations of Shaw's before me. I have ever since admired the tenacity of those plants and the Scottish heritage they represent.

I recently visited a website featuring my Clan heritage and was surprised to learn that each Highland Family had a designated Suaicheantas, or Badge Plant its members are suppose to wear in their bonnet or helmet to indicate which clan they belong to. According to the site:

"This continuing tradition of having a venerated or lucky clan plant symbol or badge again goes back to the early Dawn Religions that held that certain plants contained a stronger essence or lucky spirit. Strongly connected with the environment, in mind, body and soul, our ancestors felt the tribal spirit was enhanced by a near worship of the sacred or lucky plant or tree." 

Apparently Clan Shaw is identified by the Red Whorleberry (Vaccinum vitus-idea) which they know as "lus nam braoileag" and though I can't say for certain if there was one nearby, maybe there was something more to the way I felt that day. The botanical connections of my Clan do not end there, the site goes on the describe the importance of totem plants and animals (ours is the wolf) in the ancient Scottish Law by saying:

"Since the dawn of humankind, our ancestors' inherit links to the environment go well beyond the obvious physical and tangible aspects necessary for mere survival. Whether as nomadic hunter, gatherer or from pastoral/agrarian family groupings, each primitive clan or tribe also had many strong spiritual and emotional links to the earth and nature. One consistent aspect of this earth oriented "reverence" is evidenced in all tribal cultures both ancient and modern throughout the world by the adoption of significant animals or plants as symbols or totems. It was felt that some of the beneficial, powerful or protective properties of the adopted item would shamanistically flow into the individual person or collective clan entity."

Of course each Clan also had a Tartan - made using natural plant dyes - and a crest used to identify its members. There are four main totemic symbols of significance that are found in most Shaw Arms registered in the Court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms for Scotland, the ancient heraldic court of Alba. These are: a Lyon Rampant, Galley, Dagger and Fir Tree on a Mound.

"The "Fir Tree on a Mound" represents Rothiemurchus Forest, the original tribal homeland of all branches of Clan Shaw. Rothiemurchus was rich in fertile Speyside farmlands and timber resources as well as being in a strategic geopolitical position. The 'mound' is also thought to represent The Doune of Rothiemurchus, the ancient timbered hill-fort once occupied by Shaw ancestors, that guards a strategic ford over the oft flooded Spey. The Doune is now held by the Clan Grant Chiefs (as well as the Bodach an Doune)."

Finally, the Clan Shaw crest is accompanied by the phrase "Fide et Fortitudine," meaning "By Faith and Fortitude" (or "Fidelity and Fortitude"). Fitting, I think, to represent a people born to a landscape so harsh and unforgiving who yet managed to thrive and give rise to many poets, writers, inventors (McAdam, anyone?) and millionaires. I like to think of myself as being as tenacious as any of the Scottish weeds - able to thrive no matter what nature throws my way. To this day I cannot bear to cut down a noble purple thistle in my garden and will wait until the flower blooms before removing it (before it goes to seed, of course) in it is the spirit of my people after all.

Excerpts from: http://www.theclanshaw.org/heraldry.html

PS - The other half of my family is German. You may recall from my "Death by Gardening" post how fiercely the tree worshiping Germans of Medieval times punished anyone caught stripping the bark from a tree:

"The guilty party's navel was cut out and nailed to the injured tree.The culprit was then driven around and around the tree until all his innards were wound about the trunk of the tree. The life of a man for the life of a tree."
- From: The Golden Bough, Sir J. G. Frazer, Macmillan and Co. Limited, 1933, pg 110

Admiring Martha

It should come as no surprise that I am a fan of Martha Stewart as, I think, every woman of my generation who grew up with her brand of domestic bliss is. Does that mean I think she is a nice person? No, but I respect her for that; she is a perfectionist, she is a smart businesswoman and she has impeccable taste. 

She bundled together so many of my passions in life - gardening, decorating, food and craft - and she packaged them beautifully. Thanks to Martha I no longer have to hang my head in shame when giving a handmade gift: "That's right, I MADE it!"

So when the publication I work for covered her last year I was really disappointed to learn the interview would be conducted by our South Jersey office (she IS a Jersey girl after all) Even so, my name is on the masthead. I thought that was as close as I would ever get to Martha, that is until this fall when we hired an intern who just this summer interned for MSL Omnimedia. SHE has actually eaten lunch in Martha's presence at an intern luncheon - and, by the way, said she was very nice. 

Just to celebrate this new smaller "degree of separation" I thought I would re-run our article...along with a fan letter I wrote but never sent. And, if anyone ELSE I know is even closer to her...well, maybe she will see it and I can get that signed edition after all. 

M is for Martha

Catching up with the always-on-the-go lifestyle guru

by Peter Proko

Mogul. Magnate. Martha.

Just mention her name and there’s no confusing who you are talking about. But Martha Stewart is more than just a wildly successful entrepreneur; she is an icon in every sense of the word.

For decades, Stewart has been the authority for millions around the world who religiously rely on her expertise surrounding everything from preparing an unforgettable meal to decorating a home in dazzling fashion. The merchandise she endorses can be found on shelves everywhere from Macy’s to Staples. She publishes four magazines and, as an author, she’s penned more than 70 books. Her TV show can be seen on Hallmark Channel through the end of the summer and she has her own satellite radio station.

Seemingly, there aren’t enough hours in the day for someone of her ilk. But, then again, no one said building a lifestyle brand was supposed to be easy; Stewart just makes it feel that way with a homespun approach and her everywoman personality.

We sat down with the Nutley, N.J., native to discuss her latest book, “Martha’s American Food.” It’s a comprehensive collection of some of the most familiar fare you’ll find across the country and loaded not only with the recipes, but the history behind the dishes. Stewart also tells us about her love of gardening, her unique ability to talk to animals, and why she considers herself a teacher above all else.

SUBURBAN LIFE: So, tell us about the new book and the inspiration behind it.

MARTHA STEWART: I’m very excited about the book because there are so many interesting recipes throughout the country that are quintessentially American. We tried to compile them all into this one volume and it really works—the recipes are delicious; the facts and the dialogue are interesting.

SL: In the introduction of “Martha’s American Food,” you cite how much research and effort you and your staff put forth on selecting which foods to highlight. Was it a conscious decision to include the backstories, because while these are all foods people may be familiar with, they may not necessarily know their origin?

MS: It was very much a conscious [decision]. So many don’t know what’s indigenous to America. We’ve been collecting these recipes for a lot of years.

SL: You break down the different cuisines by region. Did you discover anything new about the distinct tastes and cultures across the country?

MS: All the research for this book taught me a tremendous amount about regional flavors, regional crops, indigenous botanical and biological foods all discovered in the Americas. And the recipes that we have chosen for the book include those foods: blueberries, cranberries, wild rice, squash, chilies, various nuts, various sea foods … indigenous, edible species: wild turkey, crab, lobster, oysters.

SL: You published your first book in 1982. Looking back, did you ever anticipate growing such an empire?

MS: I was hoping at the time the subject of living would expand enough to cover a number of subjects; it has proven to be more expansive than I thought. We have done so much with collecting, entertaining, crafting, good food, decorating, design, weddings, and kids … it’s been extremely expansive and rewarding as a result.

SL: You’ve served as inspiration for so many others, but who inspires you?

MS: Every single day I get inspired by artisans, by fine growers of plants, artists, by chefs, every single day.

SL: You clearly state in the new book that trying to define American food is difficult. Does that also make it more exciting in a way, that there are no definitive boundaries?

MS: Totally. Finding a new way to make something, a new recipe for an apple pie or a chili, is always very exciting.

SL: What’s your favorite recipe from the book?

MS: I love the fried chicken recipe, the cioppino recipe; there are a lot of good ones.

SL: Your products are currently in 8,500 different retail outlets across the country. Do you ever shy away from the term “mogul”?

MS: No, I don’t mind it at all.

SL: Does being considered such an icon ever become a burden in any way, in a sense that sometimes you wish there was a little bit of normalcy in your life?

MS: Oh, I lead a very normal life, I do. I raise animals on my farm, grow my own vegetables, I garden, I visit friends.

SL: Having accomplished so much in your career, are you still looking for new challenges in life?

MS: There’s so many things. … I have a couple of new businesses that I really want to get off the ground and I want to expand our merchandise internationally.  

SL: Obviously you spend a lot of time in the public eye, but is there anything that people would be surprised to know about you? Any hidden talents or guilty pleasures?

MS: I don’t think people realize how much I really do garden. And I go horseback riding every week. I am intensely aware of the environment and what’s going on and pay a lot of attention. I’m also extremely interested in my Center for Living at Mount Sinai Hospital [in New York]. It’s really an important initiative for me, as it helps people over the age of 65 grow old gracefully and with dignity.

SL: I’ve read that you have a special language you speak with animals. Care to elaborate on that?

MS: I speak to my horses in a horse language, my dogs in a dog language my birds in a bird language. I have lots of ways to talk to people [laughs].

SL: How many pets do you own?

MS: Six cats, three dogs, 25 red canaries, three donkeys, five horses, 200 chickens, geese. … I have a lot of animals.

SL: If you could entertain any five guests in the world, who would it be and what would you prepare?

MS: President Barack Obama, [President of China] Hu Jintao, [President of Russia] Dmitry Medvedev, [President of Brazil] Dilma Rousseff and [President of India] Smt. Pratibha Devisingh, and I would prepare an all-American dinner.

SL: There are so many different avenues you do business in. How often are you approached with an idea that you turn down?

MS: Quite often—some ideas are just too offhand or random.

SL: What’s the one gadget or tool in the kitchen you couldn’t live without?

MS: A very good, sharp knife.

SL: Being as successful as you are, how important is it for you to give back and impart some wisdom to fledgling businesspeople, especially women who are inspired by what you’ve accomplished?

MS: I feel being a teacher is my role in life. I impart a tremendous amount of knowledge.

… I have a channel on Sirius, a very good how-to radio channel. You can learn about food, about gardening, lifestyle, design, decoration and pets. We write the books, we have a well-read website, and of course our daily TV program. Free advice is so hard to come by these days, and I’m in the business of imparting information to the broadest audience.

Originally published in May 2012 Suburban Life, Love-letter - not published:

Dear Martha -

I guess you wold call this a "fan-letter," though that sounds so unprofessional. I have been a 'fan' of yours though since my mother began subscribing to your publication in the early 1990s and between the two of us we have maintained an unbroken collection of Martha Stewart Living - because of you she now raises Araucana chickens. You have been an inspiration to my career, that of a landscape designer and construction company owner and now magazine editor (but also hobbies as a writer, radio host, marketer and community garden organizer.) I admire your vision, ambition, drive and strength as a business woman, the style and clear direction your brand has maintained and the seemingly boundless energy with which you have pursued it all. 

Your name has always portrayed elegance and quality in all things home and garden and made it chic to be a home cook, collector and crafter, all of which I personally enjoy and believe make a woman both capable and diverse. On more than one occasion when asked about my career goals I have said "I want to be Martha Stewart," because, to me, it is a goal that encompasses unlimited topics and forms of media and allows me so many options to pursue. You can imagine, then, my excitement at learning an interview with you would be the cover story for the May issue of our parent publication, South Jersey Magazine. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your responses and am proud to have my name on the masthead. I have sent you two copies and it would mean so much to me to have a signed copy of the edition that I work for (Suburban Life).