Spirit Of The Earth

An extraordinary compilation of legends and rituals about nature's ever-present signs. From the birds that soar above us to the insects beneath our feet, Native American healer Bobby Lake-Thom shows how the creatures of the earth can aid us in healing and self-knowledge. “There are ancient secrets and lessons hidden in nature. If you seek for guidance, you will discover truth.”—Bobby Lake-Thom Much of the ancient knowledge that has been passed down from Native American medicine men, or shamans is in danger of being lost. Bobby Lake-Thom, a Native American healer known as Medicine Grizzly Bear, has sought to preserve this powerful heritage by sharing his wisdom and experience learning from the world around us. What does it mean if a hawk appears in a dream? What are the symbolic interpretations of a deer, a skunk, a raccoon? Lake-Thom, who has studied with the elders of many tribes, explains the significance of animal figures as manifestations of good or evil, and shows how we can develop our own powers of awareness and intuition. The first book of its kind, this practical and enlightening resource includes dozens of fascinating animal myths and legends, as well as exercises and activities that draw upon animal powers for guidance, healing, wisdom, and the expansion of spiritual influences in our lives. You'll discover here: • How animals, birds, and insects act as signs and omens • The significance of vision quests • How to make and use a medicine wheel • The role of spirit symbols—and how they affect the unconscious • Exercises for creative dreaming • The power of the earth-healing ceremony • How to increase your spiritual strength and create sacred spaces • And more....

For 14,000 years, the Indigenous people of Southern New England survived and thrived despite experiencing extreme and dramatic climate and environmental changes. Like our present and near future, they faced dramatically warming temperatures that brought about a radical transformation in the climate, ecology, and biodiversity of their environment. Why were they successful? Despite enormous environmental challenges, they adapted and prospered because of their perception of and conscious relationship with every single living and non-animate element within their environment. Unlike our current society which views humanity as separate from nature and therefore free to exploit all of creation for our benefit, Indigenous people understood deeply that we humans are part of a web of interconnected and interdependent energy and consciousness within a Living Earth. They lived in spiritual harmony with all of creation honoring all its aspects with gratitude and a sense of reciprocity. If we embrace the perceptive and consciously interconnected view of all creation that has sustained Indigenous people for thousands of years, we can begin a transformation that will heal our relationship with the Living Earth for ourselves and future generations. The future of life on the planet is up to us.

Earth Spirit Living is a revolutionary approach to lifestyle design and personal space. Author Ann Marie Holmes, an expert on earth energy systems, reveals that by picking up subtle cues from the natural world, we can create healthy, enjoyable, and sustainable living spaces. She shows how we can effectively incorporate principles of sacred geometry, human intuition, and the power of space, shape, and layout to become aware of -- and collaborate with -- the earth's energies. Perfect for homeowners, renters, business owners, professional designers, and builders, Earth Spirit Living illuminates the benefits of living in cooperation with our environment, including: * a more comfortable home * increased effectiveness in your work * healthier, calmer living conditions * enhanced work and personal relationships * improved prosperity * smoother construction or remodeling process Insightful illustrations, ceremonies, cures, attunements, and visualizations will help you hone your natural instincts and strengthen your connection to your physical space. With client stories and personal anecdotes, Holmes guides you on the journey toward a balanced life and living space that harnesses the energy and wisdom of nature.

Between A.D. 700 and 1100 Native Americans built more effigy mounds in Wisconsin than anywhere else in North America, with an estimated 1,300 mounds—including the world’s largest known bird effigy—at the center of effigy-building culture in and around Madison, Wisconsin. These huge earthworks, sculpted in the shape of birds, mammals, and other figures, have aroused curiosity for generations and together comprise a vast effigy mound ceremonial landscape. Farming and industrialization destroyed most of these mounds, leaving the mysteries of who built them and why they were made. The remaining mounds are protected today and many can be visited. explores the cultural, historical, and ceremonial meanings of the mounds in an informative, abundantly illustrated book and guide. Finalist, Social Science, Midwest Book Awards

Discusses how various ancient cultures worshipped the Earth and shows wells, sacred rocks, standing stones, and symbolic earthworks

America's most renowned witch and eco–feminist offers a sequel to her bestselling classic The Spiral Dance, weaving together the latest findings in environmental science with magical spells, chants, meditations and group exercises to create the ultimate primer on our relationship to the earth. From the earliest times, respecting our interdependent relationship with nature has been the first step toward spirituality. Earth, air, fire and water are the four elements worshiped in many indigenous cultures and celebrated in earth–based spiritualities such as Wicca. In The Earth Path, America's best–known witch offers readers a primer on how to open our eyes to the world around us, respect nature's delicate balance, and draw upon its tremendous powers. Filled with inspiring meditations, chants, and blessings, it offers healing for the spirit in a stressed world and helps readers find their own sources of strength and renewal. Will appeal to Starhawk's traditional Pagan, New Age, and feminist readership. Young women newly interested in magic and witchcraft. A new and growing generation of those involved in ecology

This book includes quotations on the beauty and meaning of nature from men and women of nearly fifty North American tribes. The illustrations include historical photographs of American Indians, as well as a wide selection of contemporary photographs showing the diversity of North American landscapes. These quotations and photographs beautifully present something of nature s timeless message. This message can be summed up in the well-known Sioux phrase often used in prayer: We are all related. "

In Spirit of Earth, author Kirsty E. Green shares her spiritual journey as a healer through the forests in her home state of Victoria. Many visions of earth mother were presented through meditation and reflection as she travelled through the various landscapes and experienced the spirit of earth. This included meetings with mountain divas, elementals, animal totems and sacred spirit energy. Green tells how she was guided and pulled toward meetings with animal totem energies during her spiritual quest for healing and merging with lost parts of the self. Green narrates how, through quiet and reverent practice, you, too, can surrender to a timeless quality of conscious awareness and deep peace that is your birthright. From this deep peace, you can reawaken and redirect your potential. She reminds you of the fragile state of rich ecosystems and the abundance in many forms of life within old growth forests. A thoughtful summary of a fascinating and ongoing deep relationship with sacred Mother Earth, Spirit of Earth alerts you to the sacred treaty of unconditional love and protection of forest and ocean areas that are essential to survival of all life on this planet.

National Public Radioís Connie Goldman and co-author Richard Mahler explore the role played by gardening in developing a sense of spiritual well-being. Testimonials describe how gardening has helped people work through grief or improve their spirits.