NATURE SPIRIT MAGIC
by Larry Cornett
(216)
583-0007 hugnome42@yahoo.com
INTRODUCTION:
Deity (God, Gods, Goddesses, the
Tao, etc.) manifests in nature immanently.
Animistic Pagans and others can work effectively together with Deity as
manifested in the Spirits of nature to heal the Earth – even though we may
differ about other levels of Deity.
Each plant, animal, rock, and other entity has a spirit
(consciousness resonance matrix). These
spirits can join together, in a hive-mind, as a spirit of an area. Nature spirits include real biological
intelligences, are psychically powerful, and are much less abstract and
controllable than the Elementals that many magical people who perform all of
their rituals indoors are familiar with.
They can be extremely powerful allies.
It is possible to sense nature spirits, to determine if they are receptive
to a ritual planned, and to have them actively participate in magical workings
if they are.
SOME EFFECTS OF
WORKING WITH NATURE SPIRITS:
Spectacular physical manifestations can happen when
working with nature spirits in the wild.
I have personally seen actual foxfire mark the boundaries of a magic
circle at a location that was identified as a receptive power spot and attuned
to a planned ritual the day before. I
have seen more than one site attuned for ritual be dry and comfortable, with a
round hole in the clouds overhead, on days that were cold and rainy at other
nearby locations. Birds have joined in
rituals, flying around the circle when energy was being raised; and insects,
birds and animals have joined in chants.
In addition, the wind often responds to invocations. Generally, these spectacular manifestations
happen unexpectedly.
With or without such manifestations, nature spirits
often will channel tremendous amounts of power into the magic being
performed. It is suggested that you do
not consciously try for specific manifestations. Let Nature channel her power into the magic
in her own way. If approached with
respect, Nature may give you many pleasant surprises.
Spectacular physical manifestations are not a necessary
sign of success. If you need a
spectacular manifestation and nature spirits know this, you will get it. The best success in magic is on the inner
planes and more subtle than such manifestations. This success involves beneficial changes in
consciousness that last and helpful chains of synchronicity. In addition, working with Nature Spirits can
also bring a deep sense of partnership with Nature, and bring new levels of
attunement.
To get the best results, perform nature spirit
attunement several hours to several days before the main ritual. The purposes of such attunement are to find
suitable power spots and to get the help of friendly nature spirits. This timing gives Nature time to gather her children
and to prepare to actively participate in the main ritual.
WHAT TO NOT DO:
If nature spirits are approached with disrespect by
attempting to command them rather than listening to them and inviting them to
work with you, nature spirits may flee, rebel, or attack. I once attended a ritual by some pseudo-Crowleyites who attempted to perform the “Ritual of the
Barbarous Names” at a power spot in a forest and then to extend the circle
several hundred yards in all directions.
While the forest in general had loud insect and frog
noises, the area at which the ritual took place got quiet immediately when the
main ritualist declared that all spirits were subject unto him. The vibes from nature could best be
characterized as “Oh yea, Motherfucker!”
One participant was quickly possessed by an angry spirit and kept
repeating: “You killed my children! Your children will never live in
peace!” When the priestess stepped out
of the boundaries of the original circle, she was attacked by bees; and bees
covered the Book of the Law.
Magicians should know better than to attempt to command spirits whose
true names they do not know!
CALLING NATURE
SPIRITS:
To make the most out of working magical ritual in the
wild, one should find power spots where nature spirits are receptive to the
ritual planned and approach the spirits with respect, as equals. In my experience, the most effective power
spots for working with the living intelligences of nature are located in wild
areas with diverse, active ecologies.
When entering a wild area to find a site for a ritual,
find a place that feels good. Then do
the following, either individually or, if in a group, as a guided meditation:
*
Relax, while
standing upright, and focus on your breathing.
Breathe deep breaths from the diaphragm.
Breathe together if in a group.
-
Feel the wind, and
let it relax you and awaken your spirit within, as your deep breathing takes
you into non-ordinary reality.
-
Picture, in your
mind's eye, a light inside you. As you
breathe, feel the light expand, purify and energize you - as it expands to fill
your aura.
-
Feel yourself
glowing, balanced, purified, and full of power.
-
Connect with your
inner self (your higher self), and feel your intuitive self-operating.
*
Feel yourself as:
-
The wind, full of
life and intelligence, communicating with all around.
-
The Sunlight, warm,
alive, channeling the power to communicate with nature and energizing all
around.
-
Water, emotional,
intuitive, refreshing, and connected with nature.
-
The Earth, and note
how your physical body is able to wander while remaining part of Mother Earth.
*
Focus on your
spiritual self, and:
-
Note the light
within and feel it as love,
-
Expand the light and
love beyond the immediate aura of your body to the surrounding area - where you
will go to find a power spot and contact nature spirits.
*
Telepathically (by
thinking while channeling the love and light energy) send out signals to nature
spirits to emerge and be aware of your presence.
-
Say why you have
come, and invite them to join in sharing, mutual celebration, and the work you
intend.
-
Visualize the light
and love energy you are channeling extending out and merging with the light
from distant places.
-
Feel the power of
the Earth flowing up through your body and feet.
-
Feel the power from
the sky, and channel this power also to further energize the carrier signal of
light and love for communicating with nature.
-
Visualize the light
expanding and merging.
-
Continue to send out
telepathic signals.
*
Now go deeper:
-
Close your eyes, sit
on the Earth, and feel your connection while you channel more light and
love.
-
Continue modulating
the light and love with your thoughts -inviting receptive spirits to join with
you and to make themselves known.
-
If in a group,
someone should start playing a drum at a rate of about one beat per second; and
you should listen to the drum and let the drum take you deeper.
-
Affirm that you are
a nature magician, a medicine person, who knows and communicates with
nature. Let this part of yourself emerge
to full consciousness. Let the drum and
the connection to your inner self awaken that part of yourself that naturally
communicates with other life forms. Let
it awaken your telepathic senses.
-
Continue sending
telepathic signals to nature.
-
When you feel ready
and an inner urge to begin, open your eyes a crack and look around, while
continuing to channel love and light and telepathically calling for a
response.
-
You may see light
coming from certain areas that are receptive.
You may get other signals, such as a feeling of power or love returning
in a certain direction. Perhaps the type
of response to this work will be unexpected; follow your intuition in
interpreting it.
-
You may test your
connection by communicating (mentally) instructions for signals for yes/no
responses (such as light getting brighter for less and darker for no) and then
mentally ask questions and observe the responses.
When you have found an area that seems to be responsive
and receptive, begin walking to the area, while beaming love energy. Extend your aura to the area and sense the
energy.
ENTERING A POWER
SPOT:
*
Before entering a
power spot, ask permission to enter. If
the response is good, enter; if not, locate another more receptive area.
*
When entering the
power spot, look around. Perhaps the
responsive energy will be concentrated around some singularity (a bush, a tree,
a specific branch, a moss covered rock, or other entity that stands out). Perhaps the energy will be more general. Use your intuition and feedback from the
spirits to guide your actions.
*
If it feels right,
send out a signal that you would like to touch the singularity (or the ground)
for better communication. If the
response is good, approach beaming love energy and then touch or hug the
singularity (or the ground).
*
Treat the spirits as
you would other Pagans you meet for the first time - be sensitive, open, and
listen.
DEEPENING
COMMUNICATION WITH NATURE SPIRITS:
*
Now that you have
made contact with spirits that seem receptive, deepen the communication:
-
Breathe deep breaths
from the diaphragm, and with each breath, feel more refreshed
-
Now imagine that
your spine is the trunk of a tree; and, from its base, roots extend deep into
the Earth. Deep into the rich moist
Earth.
-
With every breath,
feel the roots extending deeper,
-
Feel the energy deep
within the Earth and within the waters of the Earth. Feel your roots absorbing nourishment from
the Earth and from its waters.
-
Feel the moist, warm
energy rising.
-
Feel it bursting up
from the Earth and rising up your spine, like sap rises in a tree.
-
Feel the energy rise
to your crown chakra (at the top of your head).
-
Now imagine that you
have branches, branches that sweep up and then bend down towards the Earth,
like the limbs of a willow.
-
Feel the branches
extending and interweaving with your surroundings.
-
Feel the warm, moist
energy of the Earth flowing through your branches. As it flows, feel yourself being purified,
centered, and connected to the Earth.
-
Feel the power from
the Earth flowing through your branches and then down back to the Earth, like a
fountain.
-
Note how your
branches absorb energy from the air.
Also, feel them receiving light (fire) from the sky.
-
Feel the energy from
above penetrating deep through your body into the Earth.
-
Feel the warmth of
the Earth rising also.
-
Feel the energy
circulating.
*
Notice how your
branches intertwine with the branches of energy surrounding you.
-
Feel the energy
dancing among your branches and the branches around you.
-
Notice how your
roots also intertwine with underground energy channels.
-
Feel the energy
dancing between your roots and the surrounding energy patterns.
-
Notice how you and
the life around you are rooted in the same Earth, breathing the same air,
receiving the same fire, drinking the same water, sharing the same underlying
essence. You are one with the magical
grove.
*
Telepathically
mention the time in the past when nature spirits and people communicated
regularly and the need to establish such communication now.
*
Test your connection
by asking questions and observing the responses.
WORKING WITH NATURE
SPIRITS:
*
Explain to the
spirits the purpose of your coming to them and the nature of the ritual you
plan.
*
If the spirits you
contacted are receptive:
-
Explain to them the
details of the ritual and invite them to provide ideas.
-
Listen, you may
receive suggestions on how to improve the ritual. Such suggestions may come in the form of
hunches, visions, answers to yes/no questions using pre-arranged signals, or in
other ways.
-
Explain what type of
space is needed and ask what the best place to perform the ritual is.
-
You may see light or
get other psychic signals leading you to other sites, or you may be at one of
them.
-
You may also ask
what the best places for other aspects of the planned work are (picnicking,
individual vision quests, etc.).
-
If preparation of
the site is needed (removing briars, preparing a fire circle, etc.) ask
permission of the spirits before proceeding with such action.
-
Before you leave the
power spot, tell the spirits you have contacted when you plan to return to do
the ritual (visualizing the associated lunar and solar aspects can help with
this communication).
-
Invite them to join
in the ritual when you return and to bring their friends.
-
Ask if it would be
best to return silently, with drums, with chanting, or with some other form of
approach.
-
You can also ask the
spirits to provide guidance for working in balance and to provide a teacher to
provide further guidance.
*
Before you leave the
power spot:
-
Thank the spirits,
-
Channel love energy,
-
Trigger your memory
of the experience, and
-
If it feels right,
leave an offering of tobacco, or beer and honey poured on the ground (or other
suitable material).
*
Leave in peace and
love.
*
Proceed to other
sites that were indicated by the spirits, doing similar meditations at each
site.
*
If you need
something, like a staff, a Maypole, or a wand, you can also ask where you can
find it and follow the guidance you receive (not slavishly, but as you would
guidance from another Pagan).
*
Before leaving the
general area in which you found power spots and contacted nature spirits:
-
Channel love energy
towards the receptive sites you found,
-
Thank the spirits of
the land,
-
Pull back your roots
and branches,
-
Ground any excess
energy into the Earth (placing your hands on the Earth, breathe in any excess
energy, and channel the energy down your arms, while visualizing and feeling
the energy going into the Earth), and
-
Leave in peace and
love.
*
Naturally, you
should leave the area at least as clean, and preferably cleaner, than you found
it.
*
If you work with
techniques of Wicca or Ceremonial Magic, you may find that by casting a circle,
calling the Elements, the Goddess, the Gods, and the local nature spirits while
you are at receptive sites, you may be able to greatly increase communication.
*
Through the use of
drums and other power raising techniques, it is even possible to energize
receptive nature spirits. The results
can be very interesting. If with a
coven, such circles can be done as part of a group attunement to a power spot
you have located.
*
If you do not get
good feelings in response to your explanation of the ritual and are unable to
come up with a ritual that gives good responses, do not try to force a good
response. You would only be fooling
yourself.
-
Thank the spirits
for their attention.
-
Ask them why they
are not receptive (if it feels right and they are communicative).
-
Trigger your memory.
-
Pull back your
"roots and branches," return any excess energy you feel into the
Earth.
-
If it feels
appropriate, leave an offering of tobacco or other appropriate material, out of
respect for the spirits.
-
Move to a more
receptive site.
*
If it is hard to
find a site that is really receptive, you should:
-
Consider any
impressions you got of why the nature spirits were not receptive in the area
you were in, and re-think your plans for a ritual, as necessary and appropriate.
-
It may also be
appropriate to look for another general area in which to find a suitable power
site that is receptive to the work planned.
WHAT TO DO WHEN
RETURNING:
It can be very powerful to purify and center yourself
and to attune to the spirits of the land using the techniques previously
described for calling nature spirits immediately upon returning to the
site.
Often, individuals may have found small specific power
spots to which they have a special attunement, where the spirits are interested
in participating; but where the site is too small, has too much vegetation, or
is otherwise unsuitable for the main ritual.
Individual attunement to the spirits in such areas and inviting them to
participate in the main ritual can be worthwhile.
Then approach the main ritual site using the previously
arranged technique. You should have the
details worked out with the spirits of the land. An exceptionally powerful technique involves
doing a procession through or past receptive power spots, inviting nature
spirits to join as you pass each power spot, and then moving to the central
power spot for the main ritual. If
participants are at individual power spots, they can join the procession as it
passes nearby.
When consecrating space in the wild, or casting a
circle, do not set up the perimeter as a barrier to all outside forces; it
should be a beacon to attract friendly nature spirits, a container for holding
magical power, and a barrier to spirits who it isn't right to be with.
One thing that is fun and worthwhile in nature is to
bring instruments, such as a rattle, a flute and/or a drum, to tune in to
nature's sounds, and to make music in time to nature's sounds. You may be able to get some very interesting
back and forth exchanges of music going with selected creatures of the wild,
and get into an amazing jam session.
After the work is complete, be sure to thank the spirits
for their participation. Libations and
other offerings may also be left for the spirits during and/or after the
ritual.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
There are other ways of working with nature
spirits. This is one approach. The author thanks Selena Fox for teaching the
basic guided meditation technique for locating and contacting nature spirits at
a tranceworking session sponsored by the Chameleon Club
(part of the Association for Consciousness Exploration) in 1981, Vicky Smith
for editorial review of this article, Isaac Bonewits
for the outline of the expanded tree meditation, and Carlos Castaneda, Black
Eagle, Pasha, the Goddess, the Gods, and various nature spirits for teaching
the rest of the good methods.
RIGHTS TO
DISTRIBUTE:
This article is copyrighted l988. Permission is granted by the author to copy
and distribute the article, providing it is not modified without the explicit
permission of the author, providing no fee is charged for copies other than
printing costs, and providing the author is acknowledged.