Some cultures are more rooted to the
earth and connected to their inherent spirituality. But every one of
us, even those of us who have been disconnected from our roots for
hundreds of years, comes from a place that was once inhabited by people
who worshipped and honored the earth on which they lived. In other
words, we can all claim this wisdom as an essential part of who we are.
One way we can begin to rediscover our roots is to explore the early
earth-based religions practiced in the parts of the world that birthed
our ancestors. If we explore the ancient spiritual practices of our
ancestors, we will find that their practices and beliefs share many
elements with Native American, African, and aboriginal religious
traditions. People who are connected to the earth and honor her share a
fundamental philosophy that is part of our legacy because we, too, are
of the earth. Many of us have become so disconnected from the earth that
it feels foreign and awkward to imagine communing with her or
performing a ritual for her. If we are honest, though, we will find
within ourselves yearning to feel more connected, more grounded, and
more at home in this world. This yearning can lead us back to our
forgotten roots, which, of course, leads us right into the heart of the
earth.
As we begin to more clearly see the people we come from, we can begin to
alter our perception of who we are now, laying claim to our inherent
connection to the earth. We might celebrate this by observing the
ancient calendar of solstices and equinoxes, celebrating and honoring
the cycle of the seasons as our ancestors did, or exploring any one of
the many earth-based practices through reading or participating in
ritual. When we do these things, we tap back into our roots and can
often find nourishment through our earthly origins -- something we share
with all of humanity...<<<Read More>>>...