Plant Spirit Medicine

Introduction

Plants are essential in many ways; they give life to all beings on Earth by producing oxygen, which we need to survive & be active; they are teachers who show us the holistic importance of conserving life in its due form and necessary conditions. They can help all of us to know the depth of our spirit and art of healing by discovering our own creativity. Because the beauty of nature moves people to show reverence, fascination, and respect for the extent to which the forests give shelter to our Souls.

The Consciousness of plants is a constant source of information for medicines, alimentation, art, an example of the intelligence and creative imagination of nature. Therefore it is important for us as human being to be more conscious about the nutritional, medicinal and scientific value of the plants since we rely on them for our life.

When ever we spend time in a little bit of green space, we notice a remarkable difference in our health and perception of life, the world and ourselves. We get a glimmer of a gentle, simple and expansive universe (that sometimes we feel hard to find). It is ideal to see the plants as our friends and allies when ever required. Converse, speak, share, laugh, cry, whatever comes up, they may provide a kind of solace that remains subtle, powerful and very useful. What do trees mean to us besides the fact that, life would cease without them? How do we approach the natural world? Can we learn and live together rather than just constantly using it, forming a solution based society or simply for one’s benefit. In a way receiving abundantly yet always giving at the same time. We always tell our students that we are never alone, so here you go!

This will be a 5-7 day immersive retreat into the woods, to reconnect, re-live, re-create our natural selves. And BE.

WORKING WITH 5 ELEMENTS

Fire – collecting woods, plants, barks, leaves etc consciously from nature and doing small fire ritual on own by sitting silently in front of it to release and heal discordant negative energies through its rays

Water – Dipping or swimming in the water, and releasing deep rooted mental/emotional blocks by asking mother sea to heal it with her warmth

Air – Sitting in silent meditation, understanding the touch of air on the body, through breathing technique inflow-outflow of breath and getting healed through it’s rhythm

Earth – walking onto the mother earth or touching, smelling and feeling it consciously by observing the thought patterns or emotions to arise and be released & healed through energy of mud

Aether – Connecting from the heart space, writing or saying a healing prayer about the unconscious patterns in life to be released and healed through words

Opening Ritual

Creating Sacred Space – Music – Making of Axis Mundi – Invocation of the directions

This is a foundation of what you are required to do in Plant Spirit Shamanic Medicine!

DAILY ACTIVITIES include: Grounding Meditation, becoming Tree

Day 1 –
There will be a list of preselected Trees for each day. You will choose one tree, ask permission and connect.
Draw the tree by leaning against the trunk and connecting with its heart.
Make a mandala or grid out of natural elements (going out into the wild and collecting stones, leaves, twigs, etc).
Building relationship with the plant, gather the plant, share the plant, diet the plant and then journey to the plant spirit.
Drinking the Tea concoction after journeying the plant
Sharing circle

Day 2 –
Floral Bath : Flower pouch will be given to each participant to bathe themselves
Exploring and Invoking the 5 Senses: touch, taste, smell, sound and sight
Choose another tree in the vicinity for specific meditation
Tea concoction of the chosen tree
Nature Walk, barefoot & choose a stone that calls to you for divination
Sharing circle

Day 3 –
Divination with the stones
Understanding and working with Crystals
Drumming and a bit about it
Select another tree in the vicinity for specific meditation
Journey into the Lower World to connect with Plant Spirit Medicine
Tea concoction to reconnect and understand the plant medicine
Sharing circle

Day 4 –
An Oil Ritual: Application of the oil on the pulse points. Connecting and receiving its healing energies
Nature Walk, River/Sand Walk, Barefoot.
Choose another tree in the vicinity for specific meditation
Tea concoction of the chosen tree.
Take a shower after keeping the oil on for 3-4 hours.
Sharing circle

Day 5 –
Making Offerings, Making Mojo or Talisman : Sacred Talisman making – The material for this (herbs and spices) will be locally sourced.
Select another tree in the vicinity for specific meditation. Tea concoction of the chosen tree
Connect your heart with the heart of the tree. Become that Tree and ask to shower you with its medicine & cure, then thank it by asking how to honour…. And also getting the guidance on how you can keep receiving its medicine & in which form.
Song of the Shaman and Closing Ceremony