Why EarthSpirit Tending?

As you read through this website, you’ll find that I use the words Earth/Spirit tending as much as possible rather than shamanism or shamanic so that the language I use directly describes what I do, which is an animistic practice. I keep some distance from the shamanism group of terms when possible while trying to not confuse others or have my languaging appear as an indictment of those terms or those who use them; it is not. I simply asked myself over and over, who am I and what is it I actually do? Words are spells, so what words feel right to my blood and bones? My reply is that I observe and engage relationally in both the natural world and the realm of spirit; I listen, question, listen some more, then apply what’s appropriate and tend my relationships with the Earth and spirit realm. And thus the epithet.

For those interested in original, undiluted shamanism based in the roots of a culture, there are lineage holders available who offer to teach their tradition’s medicine rites representing peoples from Siberia, Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal and some others. These tend to be the ones who still have medicine people carrying the lineages intact and others who. have been directly initiated into the traditions by gatekeepers for those peoples.

I do not practice or represent any specific cultural tradition as I do not directly come from one and have learned my fundamental practices from undomesticated, long-term trial and error application and tracking of guidance received mostly from Earth and some ancient ancestral spirits. Much, much later I learned how to somewhat language, conceptualize, as well as refine these practices under the auspices of a few credible teachers within a companionable community. And my practice and work are constantly evolving. This is a way that is available to most anyone.

Many of us in modern culture have no lineage-based traditions or even subjective experience for living in balance and conscious relationship with our Earth or any of the beings of the unseen world with whom we are intricately connected. Without this awareness, we simply cannot live in ways that fully honor the intrinisic nature within ourselves and other beings, much less with the rest of life for we are just a small part of creation. Witness this beautiful planet; feel and sense it in your blood and bones, and acknowledge all the disconnect so many of us have from her and from our original nature to some degree. Know--through your gut--the struggle, pain or numbness so many live with. All the great destruction, fear and suffering of this world rises from not knowing who we are--what our magic truly is-- or our place and tasks in the Web of Life.

We are meant to be lavish dreamers, c0-creators and light-footed tenders of love and Beauty, committed to balance and goodness for all living beings......we are meant to experience ourselves within a family of relations and live with care for each other. Not much in our present culture fosters that deep knowing, connection and ability. But I've found many expressions of Earth/Spirit tending to be beautifully and remarkably effective in addressing this. So I offer this in therapeutic ways as well as illuminating ways for those who would like to learn about this as a practice or life orientation.

There are many, many beautiful expressions of Spirit; many forms, rituals and dogmas that can be helpful and others that may confuse and limit. I'm not personally focused on rules or dogma but love the spontaneous and mysterious play and flow of life essence; of the pulse within which is our aliveness in the moment. However, the essential step is to realize we live in a fully conscious world---all is alive, inspirited and has its own intelligence, purpose and ways. We are all connected and can communicate and relate to each other honestly, lovingly and cooperatively.

We need to be able to ask, earnestly.....we need to slow down and listen, deeply...and know how to trust what we receive. We need to experience that what we call the "physical" is not separate or all there is, but is an integral, vibrational expression of the continuum of consciousness we call Life. We need to realize that each part of creation deserves to be honored and cared for with absolute sincerity for its own sake, not just for ours,  although we are utterly entwined. We need to be able to feel deeply within our hearts and bodies the wonder of Life each part of our Earth is singing to us if we want to live in a sane and peaceful world. This is just a very little "some" of why....