Crescent Shadows On-Line Newsletter of the Hudson Valley Pagan Network, Inc.

Earth magick, also known as folk magick is a type of magick that incorporates Nature or natural objects into one's arsenal of magickal tools. Rather than "using" Nature as a means to an end, however, the approach in Earth magick is more one of forming magickal alliances with the spirits of the Natural World.

The theories of Earth magick rest upon certain understandings that were universally recognized in tribal times. One such understanding is that like humans, all of Nature is alive, a combination of material and spiritual aspects and infused with varying degrees of consciousness. Another such understanding is that it is possible for us to communicate with the creatures and spirits of Nature, and they with us and that if they are willing, they can grant us magickal assistance. For many of us these ideas seem almost common sense. For others, however, there is a need to overcome some modern cultural prejudices that inform our subconscious mind with doubt. Prejudices of this sort may include ideas that "Nature is without consciousness", "humans are above/separate from Nature" etc. To overcome such prejudices, one must get out in Nature and observe it first hand. Communing with Nature, remaining mindful of its diversity and our personal impact within it is an intergral part of the process.

To begin, prepare a small container with dry oatmeal or uncooked popcorn. Go to a place in Nature ...a forest, river or even a public park. Become aware of the numbers and kinds of beings that surround you in this natural environment. Use all of your senses; outer and inner senses to become aware of them. Allow yourself to consider the great diversity in Nature yet despite the numerous and various individuals there remains a balance amongst them. Focus your attention on this awe-inspiring creation that is Nature. After some time find a tree that you sense will be good to work with and sit at its base with your spine against the trunk. Relax and deep breath. Express either inwardly or outwardly your desire to communicate with the tree and affirm you come in respect and with good intentions. Feel yourself melding with the tree...sinking into it so that your back becomes the trunk, your feet the roots, your arms the branches. Ask the tree to show you what it sees, to reveal to you how it feels. What do you hear? What do you see? What do you feel? Let the information come and then let it pass. Ask the tree if it would be wiling to assist you in magickal work and wait for the response. The answer may come in words, a feeling, or an inner knowing. If the answer is affirmative, ask the tree what goals it can help you with and wait for a response. Then ask the tree what kind of offerings it would like in exchange for the magickal work. When ready, thank the tree for this communication and offer it a blessing. Withdraw from the tree, return to your own body consciousness and allow yourself to waken fully. Sprinkle the grain offering at the base of the tree. It sometimes requires repeating the process more than once to get good results so don't be easily put off. This kind of communication is the foundation for all types of Earth magick and it gets easier with practice.

These techniques can be used in a variety of ways. Typically, tree magick involves healing or with fulfillment. A tree spell may involve writing a symbol of your goal on a leaf, tying a knot in a twig to represent the goal, or tying a piece of fabric to a branch of the tree. At times the tree may instruct you to take a piece of its wood to be used as an amulet or a wand. One can work with a patch of soil in the same way as with the tree. An earth bed is often helpful for healing, protection, grounding, and calming one's emotions. The earth bed may instruct you to take some of the soil with you to keep as an amulet, or it may instruct you to bury a symbol of your problem into its depths. Stones often offer themselves at amulets of protection, grounding, healing or other goals. Herbs have a multitude of traditional uses and means of preparation, but in Earth magick one seeks guidance from the herbs themselves as to which herb and which method of use is appropriate to meet our needs. The animal kingdom has a variety of species who specialize in helping us with our various endeavors or problems. As power animals they can become our allies on inner world journeys and loan us their special skills for facing life's challenges. If we allow them, they can teach us of animal wisdom and be wise messengers. They may even provide us with feather, bone, teeth, claw, horn, antler, or hide amulets. The natural bodies of water are most helpful in the areas of purification, love, protection, healing and divination. They may offer us amulets of shells, stones or a portion of their own waters for our use. The sky works with us in a variety of ways. It may send us rainwater to collect, offer us lightening to "energize" our visualizations or winds to energize a prayer stick. The sky may ask for herbal offerings released into the air or for burnt offerings of incense. Fire offers us many ways to use its energies, whether in candle magick or in bonfires. It is helpful toward most any goal and offerings to fire can be anything from paper, wood, wax or oil. The spirit of the flame will guide you in these choices.

As with any type of relationship, magickal alliances are each unique. One will find favorite Nature beings to work with and others that don't seem worth the effort. But if one approaches Earth magick with sincerity, humility, honesty, and respect it can be a rich and rewarding experience.

- Allan Patnode

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Last Updated: September 24, 2002
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