"Snowflake" Bentley Saw What Others Missed
Can One Man’s Fascination with Snowflakes Inspire Wonder and Teach Us to Find Magic in the Everyday?
Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, a lanky teenager in rural Vermont in the mid-1800s, gazed out his frost-rimmed window at the breathtaking winter scene before him. Every blade of grass, every branch, and every pane of glass was adorned with crystalline patterns—frost, rime, and snowflakes—each one more intricate and mesmerizing than the last.
“The farm folks up in this country dread the winter, but I was supremely happy.” He tried to draw what he saw through an old microscope his mother gave him when he was fifteen. The snowflakes were too fleeting to capture. He attached a bellows camera to a compound microscope and, after much experimentation, photographed his first snowflake on January 15, 1885.
Eventually, he captured more than 5,000 images of crystals in his lifetime. The book of his images is still in print. Each crystal was caught on a blackboard and transferred rapidly to a microscope slide. Even at subzero emperatures, snowflakes are ephemeral because they sublimate.
Ice into vapor, known as sublimation, reveals the dynamic nature of water—a substance that holds secrets far beyond what we see. Masaru Emoto, a Japanese researcher, delved even deeper into water's mysteries, exploring how its crystalline structure responds to words, emotions, and intentions, offering us a glimpse into the profound connection between the natural world and human influence.
When others dreaded the long winters, Bentley found magic in the falling snow, marveling at the unique beauty of every snowflake. Armed with a bellows camera and a microscope, he spent his life capturing crystals, each one a reminder of nature’s boundless creativity. "No two snowflakes are alike," Bentley said, teaching us to see the individuality in what most never see.
Water into Frozen Miracles
Masaru Emoto, a Japanese researcher and author of The Hidden Messages in Water, conducted experiments to explore how words, emotions, and intentions influence the molecular structure of water.Emoto exposed water samples to different stimuli—spoken words, written phrases, music, and even thoughts—before freezing the water and examining the resulting ice crystals under a microscope.
The results were remarkable. Water exposed to positive words like "love" or "gratitude" formed intricate, symmetrical, and beautiful crystals, much like delicate snowflakes. In contrast, water exposed to negative words like "hate" or "fool" produced distorted, chaotic, and fragmented structures. For example, water labeled with "thank you" consistently formed stunning hexagonal crystals, while water labeled with "you disgust me" appeared asymmetrical and broken.
Emoto's work has faced criticism, but it has also sparked widespread fascination and thought-provoking discussions. The implications of his findings are profound, inviting us to consider how words, intentions, and energies might influence not only water but the world around us. Including the view out your window.
Just as Bentley revealed the hidden beauty and individuality of snowflakes, Masaru Emoto explored the unseen power of water to reflect its environment. While Bentley captured the artistry of frozen crystals, Emoto’s work showed how even the tiniest influences—words, emotions, and intentions—could shape water’s molecular structure, offering a deeper connection between nature and human expression.
What Does This Have to Do With Nature Study and Our Children?
Everything.
Emoto and Bentley’s work teaches us that even the smallest events of nature hold profound beauty and meaning.
Take the time to marvel at the intricate design of a single snowflake, or share the story of Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley or Emoto.
Teach your children to slow down, notice details, and appreciate the interconnectedness of the natural world.
Emoto’s work shows us that even water carries the imprint of its environment, just as our children are shaped by the words, emotions, and experiences they encounter, so too the world around us.
A Simple Crystal Experiment for Families
Curious about how frost forms and want to create your own icy magic at home? Try this fun and easy activity that parents and children can enjoy together:
Supplies:
A clean tin can or glass jar
Ice cubes
Salt
Water
Instructions:
Fill the can or jar with ice cubes and a generous amount of salt. Stir to mix the salt with the ice.
Wait a few minutes and observe the outside of the container. You’ll notice frost forming as the salty ice mixture rapidly cools the surface, causing water vapor in the air to condense and freeze.
Use a magnifying glass to observe the frost crystals up close. Discuss how temperature and surfaces impact their shapes.
Encourage your children to compare how frost forms on other surfaces in your yard, like leaves, car windows, or fences. Take the time to appreciate the delicate patterns—nature’s ephemeral artwork.
Inspire Wonder in Your Children
My new book, Nature Study Companion: Simple Ways to Explore Wonders Near and Far! 🌿✨is avaiable online. Inspire curiosity, nurture a sense of wonder, and invite your children to engage deeply with the natural world.
Click here to learn more: Nature Study Companion.
With a grateful heart for you.
Sheila Carroll
Nature Study Notes
Living Books Press
Loved this post! Much to ponder as we teach our children. 🩷