A Druid of European Descent in North America

[Oona]

I can identify with so much that is being said. I want to immerse myself in nature, I just don't spend enough time outdoors alone just "being." I hope that will help me with connecting with the land. Living in a highly urbanized area I am afraid of being a woman alone in the "woods" for fear of being assaulted, etc. Plus our law enforcement is wicked uptight about things like being in a park after sunset or small fires, etc. So my "nature moments" are often superficial. It's weird, when I used to smoke cigarettes I felt much more "connected" but that was just BS and probably because I was compelled by my addiction to be out at all hours of day and night and in all weather. Stars help - even though there are so few visible - they instantly draw me into being in flow, if I let them. So, I don't know if these are challenges that might make others feel disconnected from the land here, or if these issues are faced by others in Europe as well. I have no idea what the assault on women issue is there, or if I have a higher fear of it than other Americans. Of course the news doesn't help - they've actually broadcasted video of several attempted rapes in the NYC area where I live. Creepy. But now I am rambling so forgive me. Just thank everyone for commenting!

[Aphritha]

I have no idea what the assault on women issue is there, or if I have a higher fear of it than other Americans.

I'm an American, and it scares me too, though not just assault because I'm a woman, but because I'm a lone human. In my experience, gender isn't as much a key to getting attacked as just being in the wrong place at the wrong time and outnumbered/overpowered. It keeps me from being out as much as I'd like at times, too. You're not alone.
Maybe if taking cigarette breaks made you feel more connected, you could take 'nature breaks'...just a set time each week that you'll go outside(even if just outside your home) regardless of the temperature/weather and just sit for ten minutes.

[Oona]

Thank you Aphritha. I appreciate your commenting. I like the nature breaks idea Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!

[Branflakes]

Being of mixed European descent, living in Kansas sometimes I get the feeling of "How can I connect to the land? I don't even know what the natives of Kansas believed." But I don't have to know; I approach the land as the Earth, a place where many cultures are born and coexist and die. And finding spiritual land in the smack dab of flat-as-a-pancake Kansas seems like a formidable task. But one of the most beautiful places I've seen in the US is in the center of Kansas, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. It's acres upon acres of flat, tall grass stretching from horizon to horizon. It's absolutely beautiful and makes you feel like on an uninhabited planet of grass. It's easy to forget the worries of mundane work-life, easy to feel the connection with the land. It's not about my heritage or bloodline, for me. It's changing my attitude towards the land and how we can connect with it.

[Oona]

Thank you, Bran. I can imagine the tallgrass prairie you write about. Thanks for sharing. Happy Spring.