Gifts to the Earth

[MistyNightWind]

I have been reading the book Druid Magic by Maya Sutton and Nicholas Mann, which I'm getting on OK with. They suggest giving gifts to the Earth in oder to develop a closer relationship with the place- which I like the sound of.

My question is what makes a good gift for the Earth?

I thought about water but the amount it rains down here it's not like the trees or plants need anymore water! So are there anyother ideas?

Love and Laughter
MistyNightWind

[Nightfalls]

im still pretty new to all this but i will give it a shot.
Maybe planting a few more trees? What about using a natural fertilizer or compost to give nutrients to the vegetation around you? Or it could be something more spiritual like going into the woods and just reflecting, spending some time with the earth there.

[Aitrus]

Birdbath, birdhouse, birdfeeder, garden, sprinkle granola and nuts for the local mice and squirrels, cut the dead limbs off living trees and cover with a sealant, compost grass clippings for use in gardening or mulch around growing trees...

There's lots you can do.

[Donata]

A simple daily offering can be tobacco or cornmeal, placed on the earth in thankfulness for all her gifts.

BB
Donata

[MistyNightWind]

Thankyou for your ideas. I am limited at the moment to what I can do as my living with my mother for the next few months and shes the one who takes care of the garden but I think I'll get some food for the squirrels and birds for now.

When I'm back in my own place that'll give me more freedom- I have a bird feeder ready to put up in the new place. It didn't occur to me before that this would be a gift to the Earth- but I guess it is as it's aiding the wildlife of the Earth.

All the ideas are good and it will certainly get me out in the new garden more- which is going to be needed due to its size!

Love and Laughter
MistyNightWind

[mwyalchen]

Sorry to be critical, but this:

cut the dead limbs off living trees and cover with a sealant

is not always a good idea -

1) sealants don't work (according to my tree surgeon friends), they tend to trap infection, making things worse for the tree.

2) there are lots of organisms that depend on dead wood, or indeed feed on the organisms that live in the dead wood. Some of them (woodpeckers for example) do better if the dead wood is still on the tree! Cavities in old trees may not be good for the tree, but are essential for pine martins and bats.

[Nightfalls]

but I think I'll get some food for the squirrels and birds for now.

Just curious, is bird food considered a gift to the Earth? Or would it be considered more a gift to the sky/wind/eagle spirit?

[MistyNightWind]

Could it be either?
The food is feeding natures creatures, which essentially come from the Earth...although at the same time I guess it could also be considered a gift to the sky. What do you think?
I just need a gift for the sea now then I can do all three!

[Suzanne Tumnus]

one gift I give is my menstraul blood. A bit drastic some might say, gruesome for others, but for me, it is the thing only I can truly give. It was made by me in my body, it is full of nutrients, and comes from a sacred place within me. what place could be more sacred than where my children were made and grew.

You should see how big the plants grow where my sacred blood has been given!

Suzanne Tumnus

[MistyNightWind]

Ah yes, I have heard of people doing this, using mooncups?

[Morag]

How about trash pick up in a local park on the beach? I think of that as a gift to the Earth.

[MistyNightWind]

Good idea, I wouldn't have thought of that Thanks.

[Suzanne Tumnus]

Ah yes, I have heard of people doing this, using mooncups?

yes that is one option, and its recycling in effect

How about trash pick up in a local park on the beach? I think of that as a gift to the Earth.

yes i done that, but watch out for broken glass, I did it in cornwall and the Land had blood from my hand!! Hurrah!

[MistyNightWind]

yes i done that, but watch out for broken glass, I did it in cornwall and the Land had blood from my hand!! Hurrah!

Aww, well I guess it was an extra gift for the Earth!


yes that is one option, and its recycling in effect

Yes it would be, didnt look at it like that before. Well I love recyling I've now started filling up my rucksack with paper from work to bring it home to recyle. This was once I found out that we don't recycle paper, only cardboard and plastic, which is not so bad BUT I work in an office so we get through alot of paper.

Misty x

[Marnelle54]

I think my gift to the earth is my time in not doing things that will affect the earth.

this are:

1.not burning plastics
2.not throwing garbage on the river
3.not cutting trees.
4.prohibiting people to stop their act that destroy the earth.
5.i will follow the rules and regulations about our environment.

with this small things i know i have a big contribution in saving our mother earth.

[MistyNightWind]

Yes that seems like a gift to the earth- so the way we choose to carry out our lifes can be in essence a gift to the earth?

[Nicholaas]

Yes that seems like a gift to the earth- so the way we choose to carry out our lifes can be in essence a gift to the earth?

If you make it so, yes. I'm of the opinion that intent can carry as much weight as the action itself, and in gift-giving this is especially true. My "gifts" may be totally secular in nature, but nevertheless serve what I feel are the two main purposes of gift-giving: 1.) establishing our relationship to the earth, and our place in it, and 2.) protecting the earth. Whether I offer a small clump of tobacco from my pipe or clean up trash at my local state park, I'm making some kind of connection to the land.

Like many things in life, you get out what you put in.

[MistyNightWind]

I'm of the opinion that intent can carry as much weight as the action itself

Indeed. I like this idea

Love and Laughter

[wolf560]

... Druid Magic by Maya Sutton and Nicholas Mann... They suggest giving gifts to the Earth... My question is what makes a good gift for the Earth?

My take on this fabulous book was a little different;
I set up a warded altar out in a twisted area in a nearby copse of woods.
It stank, it felt 'dead', and nothing grew right (if at all) in there.

I cleared out the trash, dead foliage, and residue the best I could.
I meditated there every day; sending every bit of spare energy I had into the altar.
I eventually set up a symbiotic link using stones from the altar that I carry with me now.

The area is a veritable patch of growth and inter-connected trees and vines.
The growth of the woods has grown over my path, the clearing, and the altar itself. Everything has almost completely been absorbed back into the forest.

Many of my Pagan friends say that that area of the woods seems to be alive now.
They feel it is "special" and actually prevent others from going in there.
They treat it as if it doesn't want intruders... and it probably doesn't

I still send what I can to that piece of Gaia as my way of 'giving of myself to the Earth'.
I have never told anyone that I set that altar up, and will not reveal where it is.
I have several such spots now; and interconnected symbiotic links to each of them.

We always say that we are "spirits of energy",
We always say that the Earth is comprised of energy
I think of this energy of ours as something Gaia can use to its benefit

[Huathe]

My greatest gift to the Earth is promoting forest conservation and getting involved with organizations like ENTS and NOD. I love to talk " trees " and my love for the natural world is my main reason for seeking a path as a druid. Our actions and attitude itself can be a great gift for dear old Mother Earth! Go Green!