Laying the cornerstone
I’ve been building since the start of the year.
Rebuilding, even.
Rebuilding myself - my physical, emotional, and spiritual health; my connection to Earth; my vision of a future for my family, and now this space. With the help of others (more later), my sense of purpose is also rebuilt and solid.
The Earth House is a home for all those things and many more.
So this isn’t just me tapping out a new post - not to me, anyway. It’s an invitation to a gathering space; a sanctuary for others who feel called to deepen their relationship with the Earth, nature, and the sacred within and around us. If, like me, you’re someone who believes you're meant to engage with the land in a meaningful way, come on in.
The Rooms
There’s a new name and a clearer dream. In the Earth House there’ll be ‘rooms’ dedicated to nature-based spirituality, holistic care, animism, and land-healing - topics as deeply interconnected and relevant now as they were thousands of years ago. I want to look at new ideas as informed by (but not just cos-playing) older practices and beliefs that’ve been honoured for millennia around the world. To see how those ancient ways can help us map equally devotional paths to healing ourselves and Earth. Life is still sacred.
Here’s a floor plan…
Devote
Nature-based spirituality is at the heart of the Earth House.
Let’s find Life in the trees, the rivers, the hedgerows, the mountains, and the wind. In moon cycles, seasons, or sunrise and sunset. However Source manifests for you, in the Earth House there’ll be reflection, ceremony, and inspiration to deepen our sense of love and wonder.
Animism knows that all things—plants, animals (that’s us too), rocks, rivers, clouds—are alive and have their own spirit or consciousness. Earth is full of Life and intelligence, connecting us all and reminding us we’re never truly alone. There’s a vast community of beings, seen and unseen, here and in the Otherworld, that we can learn from, communicate with, and honour.
Tend
The Earth House can be a home base for land healers, and I believe that women are natural conduits for that work. Earth is wounded and needs us to restore and care for her in every way we’re able.
Women’s strong connection to the spirit of the land is as present in the farmer as it is in the priestess. Regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and rewilding are all ways that’s embodied and I’m going to ask women working literally ‘in the field’ to share their wisdom. I’m certainly eager to learn more.
Meanwhile, the energetics of healing - where we engage through ceremony, prayer, or offerings - is more my zone. Listening to Earth, understanding her needs, and loving her, are good common ground on which we can all meet.
Nourish
Taking good care of the gift of Life that we’ve been given, always leads to simultaneously connecting with and caring for Earth. How can it not? We aren’t separate.
Our minds, bodies and souls respond to Life energy. What we choose to consume - as food, drink, information, environment - affects that flow, which in turn affects how (and if) it circles back around to Earth.
Self-care need not be selfish; it’s reciprocal. Nature supports us with almost all that we need to have a vibrant, beautiful, fulfilling life, and we’re inspired and energised to tend to her. The Earth House holds that synergy as a core value.
Gather
A large part of land-healing is about repairing the broken relationship between humans and Earth, acknowledging the harm we’ve done, and taking steps to restore balance. This work is both personal and collective, practical and spiritual. We can’t do it all alone.
A sense of powerlessness in the face of climate crisis and extractive, destructive business can paralyse even the most ardent activist, never mind Your Average Jo (I’m the problem, it’s me). Sometimes we need inspiration to take action. Sometimes we need reminding that activism can look like a tiny act of love. Sometimes we just need someone to listen, and sometimes we need to stand together.. I really hope we can find all that in the Earth House.
Of course, we don’t just gather with other humans. The More Than Human world is our family too. Gathering with wild beings and places, building relationships with them and knowing them to be our equals shows us the blueprint of Life.
Here
I want this to be a space where all are welcome, regardless of background or experience. Whether you’ve been walking alongside me on a nature-based spiritual path for years, or are just beginning to hear the call, you’ll find a place here. In my mind, it’s a peaceful and welcoming building, rich in beautifully simple, natural materials. Comfortable, homely, strong, solid and inspiring. Ancient and modern. Built around a deep respect for Earth and all beings who live with her.
There’s no right or wrong way to be here. Instead, I’d like to share dreams, ideas, practices, and reflections that you can take into your own life in whatever way feels most meaningful to you. And you can share too.
So much of Life’s healing power grows through joy and I’m determined to spread that feeling liberally. Together, we can deepen our connection to Earth, to each other, and to the mystery that surrounds us.
As I push open the heavy, wooden doors to the Earth House, I’m really excited to walk this path with you (there are gardens!).
Welcome to The Earth House.
