Marigold in process of becoming seeds. Circa 2022 at Somos Espejos.

it has been 3 very transformative years, hasn’t it? sometimes I question what is real and what is not. maybe you have felt the same way at some point in your life. where the winds of change have come for you. yes, you, me, all of us. and when we find ourselves in the eye of the storm there is not much left to do but surrender completely. give in. let go. and there is where we find our freedom.

there has been too much loss to name. so many shifts and changes in how I relate to the people I love. some are no longer on my path by choice and others may not be physically with me but I think of them daily and pray for them every morning. at 41 I learned that love is not enough to keep me close to my loved ones. that was a hard lesson. one I am still learning to accept. sometimes walking away and saying no to a dynamic that does not serve us is the best medicine we can give ourselves.

and here we are in midst of multiple genocides, an immense amount of loss, and a grief that reaches the core of the earth. In these times I am looking to the earth and our ancestors that somehow survived circumstances like the ones we find ourselves in now. I find refuge in our healing modalities, in our smiles, in photos, and in our foods and cultural practices. all that was intentioned to be taken from us lives strong in our blood lines and memories. I think of the lessons jerry brought to my life. the way he danced to his oldies music, the way he felt grief so deeply. I rise daily in the knowing that teaching hope, gratitude, and love to my pre-teen is of utmost importance right now.

Some of the earth based rituals that I recommend as we enter the depths of Fall season:

1. Learn a new movement modality. Something that you have always been curious about learning. For example, tai chi, qi gong, walking meditation, or swimming. Some of us live in our trauma bodies very aware of our heightened sense of “readiness” to respond to whatever it is that life will bring that day. Incorporating a movement modality that helps process trauma in ways that move energy out of your bodies can be helpful in moments of immense grief or deep rightful rage. Moving with and through these and other emotions can help us sustain our energy towards whatever global or local cause that you are participating in, after all we are here for the long haul, we will not stop until the land is free ~ until we are all free.
2. Sit with your favorite seeds. Pray to them and their future roots. Intention the seeds to nourish you in the visions you hold for yourself and our world. Seeds hold the future. Journal using this question: What futures are you helping to plant in your very own garden?
3. Participate in local and/or global struggles for liberation in your own unique ways. Remembering the lessons that the earth teaches about interdependence and collectivity. Write in your journal or reflect with a friend about how these liberations struggles begin in your own bodies and homes. Bring the interdependence home – how do you create a new vibration for our world starting with your very own willingness to grow, change, compost what no longer serves you?

Plants that can aid in our movement work right now:

I recommend bringing together rose, rosemary, and rue in a bath. Using water and herbs to heal and cleanse our bodies is an ancient practice that goes back to most if not all indigenous people globally. Make the tea first and then pore it into your warm to hot bath. If you do not have a bath, use a 3-5 gallon bucket to pore the tea into and bathe with this tea water. The key to this cleanse is your own intention that you put into the tea water. Remember to speak directly with the plants as you harvest them, thank them for showing up for you and your healing process. Energetic cleanses not only help us as individuals but it is a way to take responsibility for the energy that we share with others. In our movement work it is vital that we become aware of how we are impacting other people and how we are co-creating the worlds and spaces we want to heal in and build from. Bathing in this way supports us to show up with less energetic baggage. This is key to success in our relationships and movement spaces.

Lastly, if you have not already done so, research your own indigenous roots so that you may find the plants traditionally used by your lineage to aid in spiritual and physical cleansings. My teacher has taught me not to overthink my relationship to that which belongs in my bloodline and to be open to learning from and honoring the lineages that present themselves to me to teach me as well. I share this with love and in hopes you are encouraged to connect with the plants closest to you physically or in your lineage.