There’s always so much to do, so much to keep up with, and stay on top of. The modern world is quick. It’s always: Now! Now! Now! Do! Do! Do!
Our lifestyles have been pressed to follow a pace that gets away from us and quiets our inner voice. Thankfully, there is magic all around. It’s easy to forget or even overlook, but when taking a little extra time to be more conscious of our surroundings ─ and the role they play in our health & wellness ─ we can redefine our purpose to fit more suitable needs.
Stepping back from the pressures of everyday life to listen to myself and the connections I have with the land and its creatures has aided me through turmoil and tragedy, and enhanced each triumph and success.
As a child, climbing trees, running through fields barefoot, fishing, hunting, and hiking densely packed forest paths raised me to be resilient. Growing into adulthood, these activities remained a constant unifier. They taught me to trust myself and care for others.
But that is not all, the longer I immerse myself in meditative practices, which explore the natural world, the deeper my connections grew from the inside out. My calling is clearer. My instincts are sharper. They speak of ancestors, ancient lands, bonding with others, and honoring creation.
A greater purpose is born from the clarity found in nature and all its wonders. Not everyone can just up and wander around mountains and rivers; I certainly don’t have that opportunity at any given time, but I do find a greater purpose in achieving daily works which set my path on a more direct course. Because of the fulfillment I have found and maintained in this form of dedication and discipline, I wish to share a bit of what has enriched my life and my links to others to offer a bit of aid to anyone who may need an extra boost of motivation.
When I sat down to write my book, “The Magic of Nature: Meditations & Spells to Find Your Inner Voice,”, I worked to incorporate practical exercises which allow anyone in any setting to redefine their relationship with the natural world. My mother has had both of her knees replaced. My late grandmother was not often able to go outside in her golden years, but just sitting on the porch with her was always a treat.
No matter what physical level a person is at, there is something waiting to be discovered in the natural realm. Humanity has lived at one with the planet before, and we can do so again. I truly believe that.
Whether tending a houseplant, stopping to appreciate raindrops falling to nourish your skin, or sitting before a fire pit, there is no reason that our lives cannot incorporate natural magic at a level we are comfortable with.
To display this, I would like to offer up a couple of easy meditations that anyone can try. The first is and indoor gardening exercise for spiritual health. For years, my green thumb was more grey, but after accepting that indoor plants can be set outside in a sunbeam when looking down, I’ve gotten a bit of a handle on it.
To build a deeper bond with a plant:
- Meditate on it by opening the senses and clearing the mind of all other thought.
- Focus on sight first (it is easiest). Stare at the plant. Study every detail. See the life as an integral aspect of the planet’s survival.
- Close your eyes, and focus on hearing. Plants do not have verbal abilities—a lesson for us in itself. Let the stillness be a friend. Do not play any kind of media in the background. Give in to the silence and imagine how the world grew for thousands of years in this kind of quiet long before modern noise.
- Keep your eyes closed. Breathe in and focus on whatever you smell.
- The scent of dirt and earthy aromas should grace your olfactory prowess.
- If you are growing floral vegetation, admire the sweet perfume in the air.
- Again keeping the eyes closed, reach for the plant with soft hands. Brush it with your fingertips and gently rub leaves or petals between the thumb and forefinger. Every living thing on this planet releases powerful chemicals when touched. Absorb that great healing energy and be content.
For anyone who loves rain, or isn’t afraid to get a little wet (make sure you dress for the weather, but “Swimming in the Air,” is a practice that also offers insight which can be done anywhere at any time:
- Go to the outdoor space as the precipitation starts. Hold out your bare hands palms up.
- Look up and Close your eyes. Feel the force of the water beating on your skin.
- Look down. Open eyes. Watch the water accumulate or puddle around your feet.
- Now press your hands together. Whisper, chant, or sing about connecting your spiritual self with the water falling around you. Think of the animals and creatures that weather this kind of storm without modern technology.
- Now rub your wet hands on your face. Close your eyes and meditate on the sound of the precipitation, the smell in the air, the feel of the icy drops.
- When the energies are spent, go home and drink a warm beverage to ground yourself.
Don’t be afraid to stop and really take in everything around you. Quite often, we are trained to drain out excess images, noises, and so on, but these little details hold the real life elements that wait to offer kernels of wisdom. It may sound silly, but even just touching a plant leaf or acknowledging a cool rain can introduce an awakening. That is where the magic resides.
From The Magic of Nature by Jessica Marie Baumgartner. © 2021 by Jessica Marie Baumgartner. Used by permission from Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd., www.Llewellyn.com.
