Our ancestors knew how to relate to the spirits of plants. We can too.
As I continue to learn about the lost ancestral folkways of my European ancestors, it’s clear my ancestors viewed the plants as spirits. This isn’t a unique idea. In fact, this concept shows up in most folk plant healing traditions in cultures throughout the world. Each having unique relationships growing out of the landscape where people live.
Children know this too. Many instinctually speak to plants. Automatically drawn to the beauty and wonder of flowers.
Children live in the world of wonder and what we call imagination. But most of all, they live in a world where they recognize the inherent spirit in all living beings. Plants included.
It reminds me of this beloved children’s book that found its way to me many years ago, Wild by Emily Hughes. The main character is a young girl raised in the forest by the beings who live there. The birds teach her how to speak. The bears teach her how to eat. She understands the language of the forest and she is happy. Until one day when strange animals arrive who take her away from the forest and try to domesticate her. Adult humans.
I shared this book in a recent session with my mentor and therapist. And reflected on how I felt like the main character coming back to my essential essence through my relationship with the spirits of the plants.
“I feel domesticated,” I said.
“You are,” she said. “You were born wild and your trauma domesticated you.”
Regardless of our history with trauma, many of us have been culturally domesticated away from a direct relationship with the spirit of plants. But we can reclaim this relationship and ancestral wisdom.
On this week’s episode of Tune In with Marci, I explore how to relate to plants as teachers and elders.
I share:
A personal story about discovering I’m a plant person when I thought I wasn’t.
How leaning into communicating with the spirits of plants is ancestral healing for many of us.
The difference between healthy and unhealthy skepticism with spiritual experiences.
Rewilding, lost selves, and how we’ve been “domesticated” away from relating to plants.
And three important questions for reflection to open up your relationship with the plant kin.
Plants can be our teachers and allies through seasonal changes. If you’d love to learn how to work with plant spirits to support your inner growth and healing, check out my Autumn Plant Spirit Series HERE.
Much love,
Marci
PS. What would shift if you related to plants, trees, and fungi as spirits? Tell me in the comments below.