It’s been a rainy spring for us Chicagoans this year which is less than ideal for us humans with aches and pains but is great for those of you who are keeping plants, fruits, and veggies alive this gardening season.
As someone with a brown thumb and as someone more comfortable with the dead than the living, I’ve shied away over the past few years from planting anything off of my own fear of killing the poor unsuspecting plants I’d dutifully acquire. (My husband likes to tease me about once killing damn near indestructible cacti while living on the west coast.)
Instead, I would support local farmers and hobbyist horticulturalists by buying whatever they had to offer for my spiritual workings and home decor.
But, I’m a stubborn Conjure woman and more importantly, believe that it is important as a spiritualist to get outside as much as possible. Whenever I teach, we work outside as much as we can because I believe connection with nature is tantamount to building a healthy spiritual practice.
At this point, you’re probably thinking ‘ok, that’s nice but why should I garden?’
If you have been working hard on building your personal altars, connecting with ancestors and deities that speak to you, and you’ve been spending time researching your lineage’s traditions, you have probably encountered the inevitable feeling of being stuck and not knowing where to turn your attention next.
As a nature-based spiritualist, I always encourage my students and clients to return to Earth (a corny joke but work with me here) and stick their hands in the ground. Breathe the fresh air, listen to the birds chirp, and most importantly strengthen their connection with Mother Nature.
Gardening can:
- Help you to pay attention to weather patterns to monitor for rain levels, heat advisories, and potential insect life cycles booming.
- Help you learn about your local plants and animal life by researching what works well in your area and what other gardeners have to offer for sale/trade.
- Reduce stress. Studies have shown that spending time in the soil and sun is healthy and can regulate mood, blood pressure, and stress.
How to Get Started
- As you move along your spiritual journey this summer, try your hand (get it?) at tending to a small batch of inexpensive flowers, herbs, or beginner-friendly veggies that have already sprouted.
- You can get free and low-cost seeds at local lending libraries and neighborhood discount stores like Dollar General.
- You can also look for farms that sell live plants. Search around for what your community has to offer.
- Research your planting zone and what thrives in your area and works well with the local wildlife. And don’t get discouraged if things don’t work out right out of the gate.
- Keep trying! Remember to have fun, keep it light, and stay grounded.
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After several quiet years, it’s returning with new energy and intention. I’ll be using it to share spiritual insights, tricks, and tools, and the first announcements for something special I’ve been brewing for the Coven of the Wise Women. If you’re interested in learning and exploring more along your spiritual journey, I invite you to walk with me a little further.
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