Reconnecting with your spirituality â§ĚŁĚ˳¡Ëâś
I gathered a few really simple rituals I do to reconnect with my spirituality after some time without practicing magic or when I feel like I lost my touch.
Firstly, itâs important to remember your place in the universe. If youâve never taken some time to consider the nature around you, do that before trying anything else. Of course itâs ideal that you explore the nature that surrounds your home frequently, but itâs possible to connect with it while being someplace else. Ask yourself:
â How do the seasons change where you live? Which changes can you see and feel throughout the year? How is it right now?
â How does the moon influence you, in particular? Which phase of the moon is it today?
â Which plants that are native to your region can you find around your neighborhood? Which ones are most abundant?
â Which animals are native to your region? Do you see them around sometimes?
â Whatâs the nearest body of water? In which direction is it located? How do you think it must be today? (The sea must be agitated because itâs a full moon, the river must be at high tide cause it rained, etc.)
Knowing the natural spaces around you is what forms the solid base you need to connect with nature on a larger scale. Thereâs some simple exercises that help you gradually build a relationship with the world around you, starting small and expanding as you gain experience:
Choose a plant or a rock that youâre already familiar with, like a house plant you may have. Approach it like itâs the first time you really see it. The purpose is to gain some form of intimacy with it. Pay attention to its appearance, texture and smell (and if itâs an edible plant, its taste), and to the sensations it gives you. After trying it with a plant or a rock you already know, move on to one youâve never interacted with before.
Connecting with plants đ¸
This method is used by a lot of witches to gather information about a plantâs energy based on their own energy. Different people may perceive the same plant differently cause each of us have our own, singular energy thatâll interact with it. Thatâs why gathering information from personal experience is so important. A herb that is said to help with something might affect you differently than it does to most witches, thatâs normal. So:
â Choose a plant youâre already familiar with and touch it in a way that makes you comfortable.
â Close your eyes and imagine your palm glowing with light. Focus on how that feels. Some people say they feel their hand tingle or warm up at that. Either way, imagine your palmâs energy vibrating, into the plant.
â Visualize the plant is glowing as well, and that both your energies are connecting into one. When you feel youâve achieved that, concentrate on how you feel. Is it an specific emotion or sensation? Do any thoughts or ideas pop into your head? It can be a pretty vague feeling, thatâs okay; itâll grow into something stronger and more defined as you work with it, if you decide to.
â When you feel youâve observed enough, be thankful for the plantâs cooperation and visualize your energy separating from the one emanating from the plant and retrieving itself back into your palm as it stops glowing.
â Open your eyes and let go. You might want to shake your hand around as if youâre trying to dry it off after washing your hands; some witches do that to make sure theyâve really disconnected.
After trying it with a plant youâre familiar with, repeat the exercise with one youâve never interacted with before.
Connecting with the earth helps you stay balanced. If youâre feeling anxious and all over the place, you can discharge that excess energy into the earth; if youâre feeling lethargic, the earth can energize you. To do that, you need to ground yourself. Some spells and rituals are so draining that you need to ground yourself beforehand so it doesnât take too much of your energy. Hereâs a simple grounding method I think pretty much every witch has used before:
â Take a deep breath, slowly, three times. Be aware of your own energy going through your body. You may close of eyes, if you want. Focus on your chest, and visualize a beam of light in its center. Imagine thatâs your energy source.
â Visualize a branch growing from that center and reaching downwards, into the earth. Let it go beyond your body and touch the ground. I like to imagine that Iâm a tree and that my roots are digging into the earth, and take a moment to appreciate how deep and strong they are, and how strong and stable that makes me.
â When you feel youâve formed a connection, you can let your energy work with the earth, and let go of any excess thatâs stressing you or receive whatâs lacking.
Connecting with the elements đ¸
Thereâs several ways to connect with the 4 elements, and a lot of witches renew their connection periodically with an exercise. For that, gather something to represent each element. For the element earth, use fresh dirt, salt, a rock or a crystal. For air, use an object thatâll make an air current; preferably a hand fan. For fire, a candle. For water, a small bowl of water will do. Touch each object, close your eyes, and visualize their energy connecting with yours. (Since you canât touch fire, obviously, hold out your hand over the flame, from a safe distance where you can still feel the heat.) Do that for a minute or two, and try to put into words what you feel. Be sure to disconnect yourself from an element before connecting with the next one. What I said about the plants goes for the elements as well: different people may perceive them differently, which is why you need to gather information from personal experience, and build your own relationship with them.