Honoring Earth Mother

Although there have already been two Earth-awakening sabbats, right now is when you can really feel Her moving and springing up here in our neck of the woods. Grass is appearing, trees are budding and the ants have come out. Last night we had our first bear visit, so we will need to be vigilant about our bird feeders again. Herds of deer have been grazing on the new greenery as they migrate through our yard, heading for higher ground.

Our Earth Goddess in Song

Lately, I haven’t been able to get our Earth Mother song out of my head, and it’s actually just like when I first heard it. “Magurkh, Earth Mother” was written by Carole McWilliams for an Oestara ritual she was leading a number of years ago and when she first sang it to us, I immediately heard the harmony spring into my head and began singing along. The refrain is so catchy it runs around my head like a heartbeat.

Magurkh, Magurkh, Earth Mother
Mountain Mother, canyon mother
Tumbling stream, roaring river mother
Tall tree mother, wildflower mother
Magurkh!

She wrote the song with our local settings in mind. Magurkh is our local Earth Goddess, and I began celebrating her in preparation for Earth Day this year. Our connection with our Mother Earth is what is keeping many of us sane in these tumultuous times. Whenever we feel anxious, hurt, exhausted or just out-of-sorts, resetting in nature can help. Even taking a few breaths outside can bring me back to myself. And whenever I see a crow, I Caw! in solidarity.

Raucous crows wheel and spin
Above the greening earth
Gather twigs and weave them in
Ready for rebirth.

Honor Your Mother

How do we honor our Earth Mother? How do we give back what we continuously take from Her? Carole has made some ritual suggestions in her blog about Calling the Elements, another of her Earth honoring songs. You can set up altars around the outside of your house in the four directions, and visit them with offerings from time to time. Marilyn wrote about this in an earlier post on  Elemental Altars. 

I have also been learning about plant communication, and it is wonderful to take some moments to sit, breathe and reach out to a plant friend. Birds will sing with you, too, if you make it a habit to sit outside and sing. It works even better if you can feed them! I began singing with birds as a young child while swingin’ on my swingset, and I haven’t learned to stop yet. I found this about how we can understand birds’ communications!

Communication with Nature

I learned about plant communication, beginning last spring during the COVID lockdown, by taking a remote class from herbalist and wise woman Kate Hustad. I have learned to listen, to ask if a plant is open to communication, and I have actually received messages from a sage plant in my back yard! Connecting to this plant’s spirit has even calmed and helped me to sleep. When I approach a plant, I introduce myself and ask if we can communicate. Often, I will sense its acceptance through smell; I will get an odiferous answer right after I ask.

The Goddess says that all acts of love and pleasure are her rituals, so when we are celebrating in nature we are honoring Her. A walk by the river, and hike in the mountains, or a lunchtime picnic on your porch can be celebrations to honor Her. Don’t forget to pour a libation onto the ground!

Planting as an Offering

Caring for nature, even in small ways, can honor our Mother, too. Planting xeriscape gardens using native plants is a great activity that adds to the ecosystems here in the southwest US. Instead of a lawn, in the dry regions it’s fun to see what you can do with less water. Birds, bees and butterflies will be attracted to a little slice of nature in your yard, and that is magick!

And you can learn more about the native habitat by investigating what to plant. Check out plants for your area here. Wherever you live, seek out a nursery that specializes in native plants and see what you can find that suits the space you have. Make it an offering to Earth Mother, and sing to her as you work. Here is a playlist of Earth songs from Alane.

You can find your own local Earth Goddess, using magickal arts like visualizations and meditation like we have done in our circle. You may find some inspiration as you choose and nurture plants that create a connection to Her. Even in an apartment, you can choose house plants for your magick. One of our Crow Sisters has a succulent garden in her city apartment. She plays music for them, gives them pep talks, and uses a humidifier to create a nicer atmosphere for them.

What do you do to ground yourself in nature? Where do you go to breathe Her in? How do you honor Her in your everyday life or in ritual space? Leave a comment here and share your own ways for loving our Mother.