On Wednesday at the Spiritual Community Cafe (aka Witchy Weds), I open up RONS Coffee House for a safe space for anyone to come and chat, share and practice with like minded people in the community (and wider London community). This week, I lead a discussion on Plant Spirit, what it means for me, ways to communicate, understand and use the power of plants.
I want to firstly add a point that while there are many strands to self practice and different schools of thought and paths, that I personally believe there are no singular correct or incorrect ways in which to communicate and learn from plant spirit. I personally do not believe in using any kind of human experience to bring about negativity to others, as the saying goes, it all comes back to you to the power of three. But if the spirit of the plants are asking you to explore this darker side, and to do so safely, then there are no repercussions, only the effects that you will bring about to your own self if used without knowledge, understanding and care. Take warnings from the instinct that naturally resides within you, and always ask for advise from others who have trodden the path before you. Do not imbibe or eat anything you do not understand or know the nature of, and even if you 'think' you know, don't until you know, you know...you know?
There are some paths of plant spirit communication and work that strictly do not imbibe, smoke, burn or eat the plants they are in communication with. There are some that only do one of the actions. Within my line of work, I use all methods of plant usage. I make and drinks teas to help aid health and spiritual connection, I smoke plant matter and burn them for incense. I use their essences and essential oils to anoint and indulge, I go for walks and speak to the weeds as I do the trees, with the same attention and love. We are highly evolved beings, that would not have made it in the world without the plants that are around us. Every single one, even though some are only with us for a day or two, are an important and integral part of our eco system and evolution. And are highly evolved beings themselves. From the dandelion to the oak tree, all are strong allies, natural healers and effective communicators. And most importantly to get to know plants, you must be with them!
So...why do I talk to plants? Simply, because they talk to me. Ever since I was a little girl, I would wander off into the trees on dog walks in the country park and 'get lost'. I would stand and just listen. Looking about, even in winter, managing to find the plants that are awake and thriving. Some would give me the feeling of peace, some, I would be a little scared of, and others I was in awe of. I would always want to walk a specific path along Colwick Lake, making sure I went along the same way so I could see the same trees, shrubs and any new ground dwelling greens sprouting or snaking through the ground. Even then I would never pluck a plant from the ground or rip a branch from a tree. As I got older I would collect blossoms, hiding them in a bowl under my bed, because it felt right. I would make floral water, collect branches that had fallen from trees, a little delighted and thankful if it contained blossoms - the horse-chestnuts at my local park would always be in bloom for my birthday (they come much earlier now due to the warmer temperatures) and we would sit under one and have a picnic. The best birthday present was to have one of their blooms to take home. Having a birthday in May is quite magical. This year was the first year in a while where the Hawthorns were in bloom for Beltane, they usually arrive a few weeks before in London, thank the gods for the wet spring! It was quite something to feel the old springs of my childhood and made the Beltane rites all the more special with flowering sprigs of hawthorn, rowan and horse-chestnut.
To summarise what plant spirit is would be doing an injustice to all paths, so please understand that this is my personal view point and experiences within my own practice.
It took me quite a while to realise that I was in communication with plants, at first thinking that I wanted to be a herbalist, or someone that worked with plants on a health viewpoint. When I was walking with a friend recently and I was describing plants, "Look at that Hemlock, doesn't she look a little scary?" She asked what I meant, so I turned to some cow parsley that was growing nearby "Well look how gentle and friendly the cow parsley is in comparison". She looked at me, and simply said "I think you're possibly the only person who sees them like this. but yes I see it now!". It hadn't even occurred to me that others couldn't identify this part of the plant. Being able to feel the personality of the plants is just as important to me as the health of the plant when you are choosing specific things to work with. I may choose a rather moody, tough and rough hawthorn and her berries instead of the large, overladen, brighter shade of green tree across the path. For these berries have character and strength, I won't take my entire pick from one tree, save the majority for the birds, and I will save these for work I need that extra vitality and oomph. When my practice needs that extra character and strength, I look within and I look to the plants.
Vitality of the plant, dried, alive or freshly picked is another important marker of the spirit within. Its like choosing the best bunch of basil, you don't go for the one that has been bashed up and bruised and is no longer usable. You know that this has been misused, abused even! You go searching for the bunch that has been carefully placed upright, nothing leaning or squashing it. When choosing dried plants, the source of origin is very important, as is the harvest date, and the distance it has travelled and of course, organic will always be preferred, although becoming more and more less likely with all the pesticides used throughout the world. However, if you take a look at all the shops and health food stores and check out their dried section each time you visit, you will soon be able to spot the difference by sight, from that which has just been harvested and chucked in a bag, left on a shelf for a year or more, to those that have been packaged correctly, has harvest and use by, tells you where it has come from. Familiarise yourself with all the brands and plants, some sellers choose one plant over all. For example, Donya a very popular brand at Khans Bargains (Peckham), although don't say organic, are the number one rose bud brand chosen by those that work there as they know where they come from, know how they are harvested and of course, taste like rose, look like rose, are a lovely colour and it very frequently out of stock. You look at another brand close by and you can immediately see the difference : rose silk worms have managed to get into the pack (dried petals hang on to loose threads within the pack) , they lack vitality, they appear old and 'dead'. It is all about the perception to the plant that you have. If it feels like it isn't good, chances are, it isn't. If it looks like it is good, looks as close to its original undried state, chances are it has still got its vitality. Yarrow is a good one to to look out for, sometimes I don't even recognise the plant within the packet as its so dry, and faded, all the flowers have been crushed and squashed.
To make contact with a plant is the easiest and the hardest part of plant spirit work. There are a few ways of communicating :
Direct
YOU make contact with the plant by being with the plant and chatting to it, meditating, asking for direction. You can for example pick a particular plant or flower (asking permission and not forgetting to thank it), take it home, set it upon your altar and meditate with it, or simply enjoy its presence.
Working through plants
Imbibe, smoke, eat. You are working with the plants and using its effects to help communication, through other work or to communicate directly to a specific plant and ask for help. Can be used in ritual to amplify or weaken, change states of consciousness or help you in the dream realms. This is by far the most challenging and rewarding - as the plants may decide not tot help you for years and then all of a sudden they work with you!
Calling
The plant calls to you - you walk along the path, and you notice a new plant you've never noticed before. Or a particular tree has caught your attention, and every time you walk by this tree you must go to it. A flower pops its petals out of the corner of your eye and you can't help but notice it. (This, my husband tells me, is what happens on every walk we go on...they all shout HELLO to me as I walk by). You may be drawn to a particular herb or floral tea and it makes you feel a certain way. There is no right or wrong way of the calling, work with the plants and keep revisiting with it and ask it to guide or communicate with you.
Changing Bonds with Plants
Now there are plants that like to take advantage of us, and us take advantage of them, and if left unchecked can start to rule our lives. Such plants like tobacco, marijuana, coffee, tea, that have addictive qualities, I like to bring attention to the fact that these are all ceremonial plants used ritually and now used as a commodity. Misuse of the plants, means misuse of our bodies and the ceremonial and original use of these plant medicines. You can break these bonds, or change them if you still want to reap the benefits they can have spiritually. There are ways of communicating with a particular plant, and visualisations in breaking the bonds and stepping away from the dependancy. Get in touch if this is something you would like to learn and I will of course arrange another workshop and then followup blog.
This was all about time we had to discuss during our spiritual cafe, the subject is HUGE and of course has many many veins and branches within it. Our next cafe on 28th August will be looking at Ancestor Communication, check out the eventbrite page for more information and to book your FREE spot.
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