Respect Your Mother
Every day really is Earth Day. Without Mother Earth none of us would
be here. So we should celebrate Her beauty, Her bounty, Her gifts, and
Her wisdom every day. Because I practice an Earth based religion, it
is something I am very conscious of. I am very aware of my (and society’s)
impact on the Earth. Every day I pay Her respect. I treat all Her plants
and animals with respect. I recycle everything I possibly can. I re-use
whenever possible. I save electricity and don’t waste water. I
even drive a Prius. All the “green” things we all need to
do to live in harmony with the rest of Nature.
Our ancestors knew how to do this, without political maneuvering, without
celebrity endorsements, without incentives. They did it because they
realized Earth gives us life. We are all connected. We are all part
of Mother Nature. All. No exceptions. Every animal, every plant, every
rock, every environment, every cell, every atom. All are connected.
The wise ones, elders, priestesses, shamans, witches, enlightened leaders,
and medicine men of the ancient tribes and early societies, going all
the way back to Prehistoric times and further (Atlantis & Lemuria,
for example), knew this and taught these spiritual traditions to their
people.
I am one of the many people living now who remembers this wisdom. And
I am certainly not alone. There are many wonderful, enlightened,
powerful people (my dearest friends are included in this honored group)
full of inspirational ideas and limitless energy here to help us all
take care of Mother Earth. Each person has a great gift to share; each
is unique; each is blessed. And each one can make a huge difference,
more than we may realize at first. When these remarkable people share
their magickal & healing gifts with others, the world’s consciousness
shifts to a higher level. We evolve, become more spiritual in nature,
become more connected. We want to share it with anyone who will listen.
It is knowledge, and a way of life that cannot be forgotten. Especially
as we grow ever more technologically advanced, we must be wary not to
go to far, lest we create something which we cannot fully control. It
is more important now than ever to live in harmony with Nature, and
to respect the Goddess of the Earth as well as of the Heavens. To respect
Her is to respect the Divine in each of us, in yourself, and in your
fellow beings – the 4 legged ones, the flying ones, the swimming
ones, the plant people, the stone people, all that is on Earth. If we
truly believed and practiced this - what a truly peaceful and beautiful
world this would be. That is the world I want to live in. Don’t
you…?
Blessings to all!
~~~Alicia
Hug A Tree
I can’t take credit
for this one. I have read this exercise or variations on it in numerous
books and online. Honestly I don’t know who originally came up
with this; it probably dates back millennia and has taken on different
forms and versions throughout history. And there is a reason it is in
our Universal Consciousness --- it is powerful, healing, and really
cool!
Visit a place where there are lots of trees.
(Duh!) Survey the area and while you look at what is around you, stay
conscious of your breathing. Slow it down a bit and inhale deeply. Notice
the aromas around you. Start to walk around this place and be conscious
of your steps. Slow them down and look down at the ground while you
walk. Look at what is on the ground and appreciate it for its beauty.
If you want, remove your shoes. Become conscious of the sounds around
you, any animals you hear, the wind rustling, noises from a street nearby,
perhaps. Become conscious of anything you might taste. Does the air
taste crisp and cool? Is it raining? What does the rain taste like?
What you’re doing is training your senses to become more aware
of Nature, and to become more present in the moment. It can be very
meditative and calming.
Find a tree that you like. It can be any kind
of tree at all. As long as you like it and want to get to know it better.
Approach the tree, still being aware of your senses and taking your
time to observe. You may want to greet the tree, say something to it,
bow to it, whatever. Don’t worry if you feel silly. The tree won’t
laugh at you. :) Touch the bark of the tree, touch the leaves or needles,
if it has flowers or fruit smell them, are you in a grove of pine-scented
air?, are there any animals that have made their homes in or around
the tree?, examine a flower or a leaf on the tree, notice in as much
detail as you can everything about this tree. Sit down against the trunk
and look at where the tree meets the Earth. Can you see any roots exposed?
What does the ground around it feel like?
Take as much time as you wish to enjoy the tree’s
presence with all your senses, including your psychic sense. You may
already be picking up on the subtle energies of the tree.
When you are ready stand up and actually hug
the tree. Lean up against it with your chest against the trunk and wrap
your arms around it. It may sound goofy, but I have done this and it
feels wonderful. Especially after you have been concentrating on your
breath and getting into an altered state of consciousness just by doing
the things I mentioned above. What can you sense form this tree? You
will undoubtedly feel some kind of energy from the tree. Is it powerful
and intense, or calm and subtle, or whizzing and energinzing, soft &
spiraling & feminine, or strong & vertical & masculine?
There are so many different types of energies you may feel from trees.
Some trees do tend to be more feminine or masculine in nature; some
are androgynous. Some will immediately feel healing and nurturing, and
others will almost knock you down with their vibrant energy. Allow yourself
to feel and appreciate the energy of the tree.
Notice your breathing again. Has it changed at
all? Is it faster or slower than it was before? Can you feel yourself
breathing at the same rate of the tree? Yes, you can feel them breathe.
And often, without even realizing it, your breath comes into harmony
with the tree’s. Trees also have heartbeats. Don’t be surprised
if you feel the pulsing heart of the tree. Again, you may experience
your heartbeat coming into synch with the tree’s. For those people
who really enjoy the tree’s energy, they may want to do healing
work with the tree now, or align their chakras at this time, or enter
a deeper mediation now, or they may choose to sit quietly next to the
tree and receive inspiration. You may hear the voice of the tree; it
may give you a message. A question you have had in the back of your
mind may suddenly be answered. You might get a great new idea. This
is the tree talking to you and helping you. You may want to draw a picture
of your tree, write a poem about it, sing a song to it, dance around
it, take a photograph, or try to identify its species.
When you are finished experiencing the energy
of the tree, remember to thank it for its presence and assistance. I
suggest giving the tree some water or leaving another type of offering
to it. Mindfully ground yourself again with your physical body to emerge
from the meditative state.
Do this type of “waking meditation”
with trees often. You may want to revisit the same tree again and again.
You may want to experience the energies of many different trees. Often
people find a particular type of tree they feel affection for of enjoy.
Sometimes a certain type of tree becomes a totem for a person, or represents
their personal World Tree or Tree of Life. I have a mini-pantheon of
7 trees that are my favorites. They represent different thing to me,
and each one has its own unique magickal properties, healing abilities,
and symbolism. I am constantly drawn to these 7 species of trees. But
when I feel the time is right, or I encounter a new type of tree I want
to learn about, this is a good technique to use to get in touch with
its energies.
A few books you may want to check out with variations
of this exercise and other cool stuff:
NatureSpeak by Ted Andrews (plant correspondences,
archetypes, seasonal rites & rituals, magickal properties of trees
& herbs)
The Healing Energies of Trees by Patrice
Bouchardon (great meditations & healing exercises)
Earth Power by Scott Cunningham (all kinds
of nature & elemental magick)
Heal the Earth Ritual
Last week I did a meditation called “A Journey to the
Earth Mother”. I cast my magick Circle with a large crystal point,
and included some crystals inside the Circle. As well as reacquainting
myself with the Earth Mother, and receiving a message from the Goddess,
I also wanted to get in touch with what these particular crystals wanted
to teach me. I knew I wanted to send out a special edition newsletter
for Earth Day, and I asked the Crystal People for some guidance. I was
inspired to write this Earth Day ritual.
Plants communicate with each other through energy and though their
roots systems. We will use this knowledge in our ritual. This ritual
will be of particular interest to gardeners, nature magicians, and other
Earth healers.
The best time to do this ritual is on a “planting day”, right
before you actually plant the tree or flower. (You can find out when
the best days are to plant and harvest in magical, astrological, farmer’s
almanacs; and info is also online. Check out this site: Farmer's Almanac
- Planting Days) Do this ritual on a “planting day” a few
days after a New Moon, when the Moon is waxing to Full. These energies
are productive, good for creation and manifestation magick, and helping
things to grow. (Energies of a waning Moon, which occurs after a Full
Moon, are better suited to banishing, cleansing, and magick where
you are getting rid of something.) I know it’s extra cool and
mystical to do magick at night, however for this, try to do it during
the day, even outside under the sun; that would be ideal.
This ritual will be at its most effective when done within a magick
Circle. But if you do not cast, then you may adapt it as you see fit.
It can also be changed to suit more than one person if you are doing
it as a group.
You will need:
1 live plant, flower, or tree that you plan to plant outside
in a private garden or public space, like a park. 2 pieces of Quartz
(to amplify the energy), 1 Amethyst (for Divine healing), 1 Moss Agate
(for growth, strength, nurtures plant life). Inexpensive tumbled stones
will work fine. Choose ones that you find pretty or that resonate well
with your energy as you hold them.
Cleanse your 4 stones (see my newsletter
about cleansing crystals for tips),cleanse yourself & your ritual
area. Create your sacred space, represent the 4 Elements, and cast your
Circle as you would normally do.
Invite the Goddess to join you in your ritual. Thank Her for Her presence
and help with your ritual. If you feel it necessary to call upon any
other benevolent spirit guides to assist your magickal work, you may
do so now. Thank them in advance for Their presence and help.
Place the plant in front of you, either on your altar if it is small
enough, or on the ground if it is too large. Place the 4 stones in a
square around the plant, with the Quartz crystals in opposite corners
of each other, then the Amethyst and Moss Agate in the remaining corners.
You have just created an empowering grid with the stones. The square
is a good shape for this type of grid, as it represents stability, strength,
the 4 corners of the Earth, and is one of the symbols for the Earth
element.
First you will awaken & empower the Amethyst. Reach your arms
up to the Heavens and create a “cup” with your hands. Envision
a vibrant golden and purple light flowing down from the sky & into
your hands. Once you feel the energy is strong enough, place your hands
over the Amethyst and “pour” the healing light you’ve
collected into the crystal. Feel it fully fill the Amethyst with pure
healing power from the Goddess. State: “I dedicate this stone for
Divine healing of Mother Earth.”
Next awaken & empower the Moss Agate. Hold your arms down to the
ground, again cupping your hands, this time the opening of the “cup”
faces the ground. Envision a vibrant silver and green light coming up
from the Earth & into your hands. Once you feel the energy is strong
enough, place your hands over the Moss Agate and “pour” the
strengthening light you’ve collected into the stone. Feel it fully
fill the Moss Agate with strengthening power from the Goddess. State:
“I dedicate this stone for strength, growth, and nurturing of Mother
Earth.”
Lastly take each of the 2 Quartz crystals in your hands. Gently blow
on them, breathing into them energy. Their natural powerful energies
will amplify the power of the other 2 stones. And your added “breath
of life” has awakened the power within them. State: “These
stones are empowered for the highest good.” Place the Quartzes
back in the grid.
Encircle your arms around the plant and stones, almost as if you are
embracing it. You can get down on the ground to do this if necessary
or remain standing, whichever feels most comfortable to you. Focus your
eyes and attention on the plant. Start at the top of the plant, noticing
the beauty and form of the leaves, stems, flowers (if any), then follow
the stem, or trunk if your plant is a tree, to the base. Look at the
soil it is planted in, and think of the vast amount of soil and land
it will have when it is planted in the ground outside. Imagine what
the roots of this plant must look like; see beyond the soil, through
it, and to the roots of the plant. Envision the energy with which you’ve
just empowered the stones, seeping out of the stones, traveling through
the soil, and into the roots of the plant. As this happens the roots
grow, become stronger and stronger. Continue to do this until the energy
around the plant feels powerful, strong, steady, and consistent.
Recite this spell as you send the energy:
With healing and strength, this plant I do empower;
May it send its gifts to each tree, plant, and flower.
After you have completed the magick you may need to bring your own
energy back down and become grounded again if you feel at all “spacey”.
However, you may actually feel quite balanced because you’ve just
worked with the energies from above and below. Thank the Goddess (and
any other beings who have helped you) for Her Divine presence and guidance
in your ritual. Bring your Circle to a close as you usually do, and
end your ritual.
You can leave the plant inside the stone grid overnight if you wish.
After the ritual is done give your plant a new home outside. As you
plant it, think of your ritual. Focus again on the power within the
stones and place them in the same grid around your healing plant. You
may place them on top of the soil or bury them under the soil. Either
way is fine. Either way is effective. As it rains outside the soil will
move and settle, and your stones will most likely embed within the soil
over time anyway. If you do leave the stones on the top of the soil,
remember do not remove the stone grid at a future date. If a stone is
moved or buried or even blown away by Nature, let it happen. This is
Mother Nature placing the empowered stones where they will be most effective.
She is using the gift you have given to Her plants and trees.
When you plant this plant outside, as it grows its roots will reach
deep into the Earth and touch the roots of other plants, trees, grass,
and flowers. As is grows it spreads the healing and strengthening energy
to other plants through its roots. The energy moves through the soil
and through the water in the soil when it rains to nourish, heal, and
strengthen all the other plants around it. These plants then send the
energy to their neighbors, and so on, and so on. By the power of the
Goddess’ healing & strength from above & below, plus your
crystal grid, you have created a network of energetic healing that will
help Earth’s plants to grow steady, strong, healthy, and beautiful.
You have just helped to heal Mother Earth.
I thank the Earth Mother for letting me deliver this healing ritual
to the Earth.
