What does it mean to feel ourselves part of the We that encompasses all living beings? We’ll explore this in my 2021 Witchcamp workshop. Through experiential exercises, we’ll connect with Earth/Nature—our kin—and ask what they wish to share with us. We’ll ask what we two-legged kin can do for them, for the Earth.
How can we best de-center us humans and listen? In the woods with a few other Witches recently, we opened to the land. The message I’ve been hearing lately came through once again:
We are here. We are the teachers. Listen.
To many First Nations, Indigenous people, this is not news. As a white settler, it took opening my senses, sharpening my ability to observe and perceive, hearing the Mysterious Ones and Allies all around, falling in love with the land, to begin to understand. It took getting out of the way. It’s on
e thing to connect with beings from other realms as Witches do (Ancestors and Fey, for instance). It’s another to deepen connection with all beings in this realm.
Teaching in Reclaiming
My path, the Reclaiming Tradition of Witchcraft, is an evolving tradition. Decades ago, it was common for us to invoke and devoke the Elements, similar to other Witch traditions—to ask other beings to come and join ritual for our purposes, then direct them to leave. Over the years the “invoking” and “devoking” parts of ritual segued to acknowledging, honoring, and thanking Elements and other beings who are here whether we notice them or not. Now, you’ll often hear “Air is Sacred” rather than a directive or summoning type of call in our rituals. Less often are we asking the Elements (Air, Fire, Water, Earth, Spirit) for help, and more often we’re asking how we might help them.
My focus is deepening my connection with Earth kin. Opening, listening, being guided by them. I hear the instruction:
Be a priestexx of the land: priestexx humans’ connection with us. We are the teachers.
Think: dropping the kids off at school. It’s cool to help them get on the bus and navigate their way to and from school. While you can help with their homework, it’s best not to sit in their classroom and explain what the teacher is saying or try to change the teacher’s curriculum. Leave the pedagogy to the teachers: to the trees, the insects, the plants, the birds, the rocks, the soil, the fungi, the forest, the ocean, the sky, the stars–you get the picture. (Sidenote: I’m thankful for the many Indigenous educators who bring Indigenous science instruction to K-12 and college classrooms. Such curricula incorporates wider and more inclusive ways of thinking and knowing. Much more in this article.)
Witchcamp Workshop
In my upcoming Vermont Witchcamp workshop, we’ll begin in zoomland (online). We Witches have perfected our ability to forge deep connections and work with energy over the internet. (Another sidenote: one of my specialties is singing together—unmuted—and creating a beautiful sound tapestry, something few dare to facilitate. Yeah, it’s risky. Doesn’t always work. But when it does, wow!) As much as we’ve found wonderful ways to work together in zoomland, this Witchcamp workshop will include a large chunk of time for participants to go outside and connect with the land using tools we’ve shared for opening, perceiving, listening. We’ll gather afterwards to hear what our non-human kin say.
I love hearing all the messages and instructions that come through. Collecting these together and “reading” an overarching message is potent. About three years ago, I created and co-taught a Reimagined version of Elements of Magic, our first core class in Reclaiming. Rather than teach about the Elements, we offered tools for people to listen and learn from the Elements directly. I have chills remembering what came through each time I offered this class. The power of the portents and directions! The interconnection of the Elements! The way they spoke with one another! Whew!
Witchcamp Ritual
Participants and I will priestexx a ritual for the wider community based on what comes through in the workshop. As you might guess: we’ll create a ritual as our non-human kin instruct. I look forward to finding out what they ask.
While I’m writing this ahead of offering We, the Earth at Vermont Witchcamp this month (August 24th), I will offer similar work online and in person in the future. Let me know if you are interested. You might also sign up for my infrequent newsletter for seasonal musings, notice of workshops, and updates on my writing.
If you’d like to take part in We, the Earth, you need to register. It’s free: register soon (here) as there are limited slots.
Regardless of whether or not you join me, I hope you’ll spend a lot of time outdoors listening and acting from what comes through.