Trowels are Ritual Tools Too!
Many of the pagans I personally know are a little lost outside. Years ago I went to a Samhain ritual held on the night of a full lunar eclipse. As a Wiccan rite, four directional altars had been set up and the site was really lovely. I arrived in a flurry of excitement because the eclipse had visibly begun and just cleared the treeline. I announced this to all assembled and stood horror-struck as the High Priestess, at home in the circle she constructed in her own backyard, turned in a circle trying to locate the moon. I silently pointed high to the eastern sky. The moon and the magical shadow of the Earth our Mother were not mentioned in ritual.
Since that time I have noticed that many Pagans do not instinctively turn to the natural world around them for inspiration or education. While they are tacitly part of the movement of Earth-based religions and are indeed aware of their responsibility to the earth, there is not a deep and abiding alliance or an in-the-bones connection.
In my experience, the spirits inhabiting and animating the world around us are interested in creating partnerships with us. I believe they are as invigorated by relating to us as we may be by relating to them. The work involved in forging those alliances leaves one with a constant flicker of awareness of the world through which we move. I say "work" but "time" would be more accurate. Spending real time in the green world, mindful time, seems to be sufficient to germinate the heightened awareness of the energy and spirits inhabiting that world. By mindful time, I refer to time not split into tasks, time for which the end goal is simply to have passed through the time without other accomplishment. Hiking to hike and be near trees and lichen and leaf mold, and maybe feel the power of the wind at the top...not hiking to conquer a mountain, or be the first to top (for never was man the first sentient being at the top of any mountain, what arrogance!)
While spending time is a fine way to engage in a little Earth-worship, or at least faith-based appreciation, one can do more...
A garden is a great place to do it. Containers on a patio, a flower bed, a plot in a community garden, or some larger-scale work in the yard--any of that is an opportunity for religion and/or faith to seep into the everyday. The plant you set in soil becomes a living prayer. Christian mystics devote much time pursuing the idea of praying without ceasing; praying with every breath and heartbeat. Pagans have it easy, all we have to do is plant a seed, or pile up some kitchen scraps and Ta Da...perpetual devotion.
Since that time I have noticed that many Pagans do not instinctively turn to the natural world around them for inspiration or education. While they are tacitly part of the movement of Earth-based religions and are indeed aware of their responsibility to the earth, there is not a deep and abiding alliance or an in-the-bones connection.
In my experience, the spirits inhabiting and animating the world around us are interested in creating partnerships with us. I believe they are as invigorated by relating to us as we may be by relating to them. The work involved in forging those alliances leaves one with a constant flicker of awareness of the world through which we move. I say "work" but "time" would be more accurate. Spending real time in the green world, mindful time, seems to be sufficient to germinate the heightened awareness of the energy and spirits inhabiting that world. By mindful time, I refer to time not split into tasks, time for which the end goal is simply to have passed through the time without other accomplishment. Hiking to hike and be near trees and lichen and leaf mold, and maybe feel the power of the wind at the top...not hiking to conquer a mountain, or be the first to top (for never was man the first sentient being at the top of any mountain, what arrogance!)
While spending time is a fine way to engage in a little Earth-worship, or at least faith-based appreciation, one can do more...
A garden is a great place to do it. Containers on a patio, a flower bed, a plot in a community garden, or some larger-scale work in the yard--any of that is an opportunity for religion and/or faith to seep into the everyday. The plant you set in soil becomes a living prayer. Christian mystics devote much time pursuing the idea of praying without ceasing; praying with every breath and heartbeat. Pagans have it easy, all we have to do is plant a seed, or pile up some kitchen scraps and Ta Da...perpetual devotion.