The Noble Quest for Amyris

In the West Indies, the local people call Amyris “torchwood,” “candlewood,” and “white torch” because the wood is dense in essential oils and highly flammable. In olden times, thick branches were lit as torches in the nightly quest for crabs and crayfish. Amyris torches also guided farmers through inland trade routes before dawn while bringing their produce to coastal markets. Amyris was a favorite wood for the hearth fire because it was easy to light even when green or wet. Small branches were used as candles. This folio shares the wisdom of Amyris where we learn to “hold the torch” for others when life is flowing smoothly, “call our spirits home” when we experience misfortune. Finally, we cultivate resilience with self-soothing practices, and self-directed life-coaching.