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 Putting the 'Earth' Back in Earth Faith: Simple Ideas for the Modern Pagan
Author: Mickie Mueller
Posted: April 24th. 2005
Times Viewed: 9,080
I awoke this morning to the sound of cracking wood and machinery. I knew that the property on the edge of my neighborhood had been sold to the developers of a new strip mall, but it just didn't seem real until I saw the "corpses" of trees just beyond my backyard. The trees run along the edge of a cornfield that was always a lovely reminder of the changing seasons and the part of my faith’s roots that lies in the cycles of early agriculture. The previous autumn’s harvest would be the last. As I looked around my yard, at everything blooming on this lovely spring morning, and the woodland carnage beyond, it got me thinking about our Great Mother Earth.
Can I Really Make A Difference?
It's easy for us sometimes as modern Pagans to get so caught up in everyday living that we let the big picture get put aside. We may grab coffee in a Styrofoam cup instead of a refillable one, or toss the can in the trash instead of the recycle bin. Most of us have jobs, families, deadlines, and mortgages. As we bustle through our everyday lives, sometimes it's just easy to go for convenience and forget, dare I say it, the basis of our faith: Reverence for The Great Mother Earth. In much the way a child may take for granted their mother and the care she offers unconditionally, we also sometimes forget our Great Mother, and all she gives us. Now, if you realize that you have done this from time to time, don't beat yourself up over it: Just decide to make a change. Even little things can make a difference. We must make a conscious effort to not only remember The Mother Earth and honor Her in spirit, but in deeds. If we ask so much of Her and offer nothing in return except our prayers and hopes, she will eventually wear out, and who will care for us then?
There are so many ways that we can honor Her in deed as much as we do in thought; it's not that hard in our modern society. Clearly recycling any items that we can is a good start, as well as purchasing items that have been recycled. Carpooling, especially with the gas prices being so high, can help the Mother and us as well. Trying to use reusable items instead of disposable: For instance, bringing a nice cup from home to the office for coffee instead of using Styrofoam ones that you toss every day. Over a whole year that really adds up!
We also should remember that the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Writing letters to our heads of government and big corporations to let them know that the environment is an important issue to us can give the Great Mother a voice where she needs it. Let the powers that be know that our votes and our buying power can be affected by the environmental policies they address. She speaks to us, so we have to bring her message to those people who can make the big difference. We are her voice, we are her hands, and we are her heart. She needs us just as much as we need Her.
Make It Magick
How can we ask the spirits of nature to help us with our magickal workings if we offer nothing in return? I'm sure they appreciated the wine we pour on the ground or the cakes we leave, but wouldn't an effort, even a small effort, to preserve the environment that sustains the nature spirits be equally, if not more appreciated?
Why not add magickal intent every time you drop something in the recycle bin, or reuse that butter dish as Tupperware, or wait an hour to go the grocery store so you can pick up the kids at the same time, thus saving gas. By simply acknowledging that your actions are part of your faith, it becomes not a chore, but a spiritual act. A simple charm may help enforce the idea, something like:
"In this I act to honor you,
My Mother Earth, my faith is true."
Then intend that the energy that is saved by your actions will go to heal the earth.
How about physically healing the earth? What I mean is, getting some dirt under your nails on your next day off, and planting some life back into the earth! Gardening is a great way to balance some of the damage done to our planet. The more growing places on our earth, the better. The more trees we plant, the better off our air is, and our good vibes as well. There are a lot of good books on Magickal Gardening out there; pick one up and see where it takes you.
A Spell To Heal The Earth
You will notice that I have saved this for last. That is because the spell, without backing it up with mundane acts of kindness to our Earth, becomes merely a hollow act.
Set up your circle outside if you can, but inside will do just fine. You will need: - One small, cheap quartz crystal - either a point or tumbled is fine
- Healing incense - rosemary or sandalwood work nicely
- A small brown or green candle - white is an all purpose substitute
- Healing oil - rosemary or a blend
- A garden spade
Cast your circle and call in the elements as you normally do. Anoint the candle with healing oil and carve healing symbols on it if you wish. Place the crystal at the base of the candle. Focus on the healing power coming from the candle and incense, and feel it filling the circle. Repeat the following incantation several times until you feel the power strongly...
"I call upon the Universal Power
that flows through everything.
My Earth, my Mother is in need,
I bring to her this healing deed.
By warming sun and cooling breeze,
to ancient mountains, towering trees,
to mysterious oceans pulled by the moon,
to fertile soil from which life blooms.
I send to her loving energy,
healing power, so mote it be!"
Channel the power you have raised into the crystal, as you visualize the earth healed and whole. Feel the visualization pulsating inside the crystal, filling it, the way an entire oak is contained inside a tiny acorn. Close your circle as you normally do, then take the crystal to a place outside that you will remember, but that won't be disturbed. Bury the crystal in the ground. The crystal is an offering and should not be retrieved, but the spell may be repeated later if you feel it is necessary. Raise the power as before, but charge a chalice of water or wine instead, then pour it over the place where the crystal is buried.
Being True To Your Faith
Either right before or after doing the previous ritual would be a great time to haul that bag of cans off to the recycling center, or write a letter to your Congressman. Remember, not only right thoughts, but right action. We can all find ways to better live in harmony with our planet.
Now, don't get me wrong: I am not about to give up my car and refrigerator and go live off the land and eat berries and roots. As much as the idea of it might appeal - and on a certain level it does - I have accepted the fact that I am indeed a modern Pagan. If I didn't, I would not be in my comfortable home writing this essay on my computer to post on the Internet, would I? And if you weren't a modern Pagan, you wouldn't be reading it! I know that machines had to tear trees down so that I could have my home and the land it is on. But I can make an effort to take care of the resources that the Earth has provided me with, to replace what I can, and to not take more than I need. I do want to do my part to give back to the Mother Earth all that she has given me. Maybe with a little faith, I can even find a way to give a little more.
Article Specs
Article ID: 9174
VoxAcct: 255319
Section: earth
Age Group: Adult
Days Up: 1,924
Times Read: 9,080
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ABOUT...
Mickie Mueller
Location: O'Fallon, Missouri
Website: http://www.mickiemuellerart.com
Bio: Mickie Mueller follows an earth-based spiritual path, and is an ordained minister with ULC. She is a Reiki Master/Teacher in the Usui Shiki Royoho Tradition. She has just completed artwork for The Well Worn Path divination kit created by authors Raven Grimassi and Stephanie Taylor. Mickie’s spiritual artwork has appeared internationally on magazine covers and can be seen on her online art gallerys.
Other Articles: Mickie Mueller has posted 1 additional articles- View them?
Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE
Email Mickie Mueller... (No, I have NOT opted to receive Pagan Invites! Please do NOT send me anonymous invites to groups, sales and events.)
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