So You Wanna Be a Guardian of Nature, eh?
Or maybe you’re wondering what a guardian of nature is, now that I’ve brought it up.
Well if there’s an existing witchy term for this, please let me know, but I’m using “Guardian of Nature” to mean someone who protects, maintains, and honors a natural space, thereby establishing a stronger connection to that space and the forces within it.
If that sounds cool to you, I have two pieces of great news:
It’s easy to become a guardian of nature
In fact, I’d go so far as to say everyone should, and that if everyone did, our planet would be in better shape, but that’s a rant for another day.
How to Become a Guardian of Nature
Start by selecting a natural space with a reasonable size that you have access to. So, like, probably not a whole forest or your neighbour’s garden.
You want somewhere that you can safely spend time without getting in trouble, and that you can reasonably commit to maintaining. Spaces you already visit or pass by often are great. It definitely doesn’t have to have a lot of vegetation or be deep in the wilderness: places closer to humans are typically the spaces that need help most desperately.
If you feel it’s appropriate, you can do a ritual or ceremony to cement your commitment to the space. You can declare your intentions, make an offering, ask for acceptance from the space and/or any beings within it, ground yourself there to establish an understanding of the space’s needs, etc.
Congrats, you are now a guardian. As for your duties, they are to:
Guard, Maintain, and Honour
There’s so much you can do for the space you’ve adopted.
Clean litter and trash in the area
Water the plants during dry times
Research the life cycles and needs of the plants in the area and care for them as you would a garden
Researching the geology and climate of the area is useful, too. Learn as much as you can about the space
Sprinkle fertilizer or compost-soil on the ground
Plant wildflowers and other area-appropriate things
Erect a shrine or altar for any spirits present or even just to the space itself
Leave offerings for local spirits or animals
Erect a shrine or altar to a deity whose domains intersect with the space, ask their blessing on the space and those within it.
Spend time meditating, centering, or grounding in the space. Let the space and those within know that they are loved and appreciated
Try to connect with the spirits in the area; find out what their needs are, what they like and don’t like, and how you can best serve them.
Use things from the area (stones, flowers, etc.) to cast protection and vitality spells on it from home
Carry a piece of the area with you as a sign and reminder of your commitment
Leave talismans or sigils in the area to help your work. Make sure they are safe for the animals, insects, and spirits who live there.
Lastly, remember to take care of yourself. There will be times when you have to decrease your visits or lighten your workload and that’s okay. The main thing is just to remain committed to protecting, maintaining, and honouring as best you can.
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