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Quick Ways to Connect with Nature at Home, by Jessica Marie Baumgartner

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

The natural world thrives. It is balanced, clean, and wild. Humanity has lived at one with its surroundings before, and I believe it can do so again, but modern society moves so fast that many people find it difficult to connect with the land.

When we're working to make ends meet, caring for family members, or looking out for friends and somehow trying to find our place in the world, life's natural rituals often fall behind. We forget the birds' song. The swish of the breeze in the trees doesn't even register. The buzz of modern technology takes over that place in our lives and we must work harder to listen to the voice of creation singing through rain, snow, and hail.

It's easy to feel left behind. Catching up sometimes seems impossible, but it's not as complicated as climbing Mount Everest. We do not have to venture out into the wild for weeks at a time to regain our sense of self and reconnect with nature (though, if you ever get the chance, grasp it with both hands!).

The days of religious figures and mystics abandoning their people for the secluded voices of the gods/universe are past. Our power and energies grow best when we integrate that part of ourselves into society and live out our "holy" quests for meaning, purpose, and love in simple daily actions.

Some pray in temples, others travel great distances to find what is no further than their doorstep. Our connections to our existence are not only found under these special circumstances.

Not everyone has the means to give up everything and wander freely?especially with the recent events of the world. Getting "back to basics" is the perfect way to strengthen our spiritual ties. When bringing ourselves down to the earth and remembering to focus on the physical elements that make everything, our internal fires ignite passion and guide us through fate.

That is the entire premise of my latest book, The Magic of Nature: Meditations & Spells to Find Your Inner Voice. Nature gives us everything we need. It hosts the most powerful magic, but it is up to each individual to explore their relationship to that energy.

For anyone not knowing where to start, or those who are well-versed but just need more focus, support, and wish to expand on their practices, I developed this book from my daily and seasonal work. I was raised poor and pride myself on "making do with what I have." Many of my exercises require little to no materials. It seems to me that ingenuity is more often found in resourcefulness than a cluttered altar.

However one works, I wish everyone all the best, and have included three simple practices that will not only strengthen one's bonds to nature, but also to their inner-voice—that instinctual magic resting inside our subconscious.

Spring Window Meditation

1. Sit near an open window or sunbeam coming through the glass.
2. Feel the air's energy?how it revives your skin and strengthens inner power.
3. Breathe deeply. With each breath, rock back and forth.
4. Relax your mind and close your eyes. Explore the images that materialize.
5. See yourself in relation to these visualizations. Where are you going? How far have you come? Are you sad or happy? What are you seeking?
6. Follow these questions through the trails of thought.
7. Let the air guide you. Remain conscious of yourself in relation to the light and air. Feel the pulse of life rushing through your body and how it matches the pace of your meditation.
8. Now, open your eyes and look out the window. Really see beyond where you sit and extend your energies.
9. Bow to the answers that greet you. Continue your day with a stronger purpose.

Porch, Patio, or Doorstep Greeting

1. Go outside and stand before your doorway. Doorways host a special power.
2. Turn and face the door as if you are a guest about to knock. Focus on the air surrounding you. Block out everything else.
3. Rest your palms on the door and closer your eyes. Think of what home means?how it protects, secures, and enhances life.
4. Visualize life without a home. How the land would look without the structure. Feel the energies that flow between yourself and your dwelling.
5. Now turn to face the outside world. Whether a road, garden, other homes or structures stretch before you, focus on the plant life and creatures that have adapted their wild ways to live alongside your domesticated structure.
6. Let their companionship strengthen your energies. Close your eyes. Feel the warmth inside and push it out into the surrounding area. Let the power grow, flow, and reach out.
7. Breathe deeply and bow your head. Now gaze back at the world ready for whatever the day brings.

Backyard/Garden Connection

1. Fill a bowl with water and bring it to your garden or yard. (If you do not have a yard or garden, do this at a park or common ground.) Sit on the ground or by a patch of flowers/plants with it. Place your fingertips on the surface of the water and feel its energy, its purpose.
2. Now, clear your mind. Focus on your life source. Where does it come from? The head or the heart are most commonly recognizes. Place your hand over that space and plunge the other hand fully in the water.
3. Focus on the link between life and water. Visualize your energies going into the water and returning anew with the ripples.
4. Now place both hands on the ground. Skim fingertips over the soul. Feel its energy, its purpose.
5. Again, clear the mind. Dig with both hands and cover the hand that went underwater as much as you can. Once more, place the hand that did not get submerged over your internal source of energy.
6. Focus on the link between life and the soil. Visualize your energies going into the ground and returning anew.
7. Raise your arms to the sky and close your eyes. Feel the powers combining. Think of your ancestors who lived closer to nature and how their spirits must have felt. Imagine a future where that connection is restores. Visualize your place in that future.
8. Call upon the elements to aid you. Thank the gods/universe for the means.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2021. All rights reserved.

In the past, I have helped spirits cross over with the assistance of angels. I once saw an angel zip a spirit into the light by using something like a Judo throw. (I used to do Judo.) It was a very easy move for the Angel to make. Last night, I saw an oldish man in spirit sitting down. He looked at me and something very strange happened that has never happened to me before: He drew my spirit forcefully toward him, and placed me on his knee. I thought, You cheeky old man, sitting me on your knee! I never gave you permission! I felt very strongly about this at the time. With a strong will to get up, I regained my power and stood up. Then to my surprise, I judo threw the old man through the air and he landed head first on the sofa where he had been sitting. He remained there upside-down in shock at what had happened. I have never moved a spirit before, so this is very new. I almost donít know how I did it. It must have been my strong will power that took over. I have noticed that some spirits do not fully know what's good for them and do not walk peacefully into the light when it's time to cross over. Is this the beginning of me learning how to push them in if I can't talk them over?

Em

Susyn:

Spirits have no mass or form, as they are primarily composed of energy. They can, however, take the form of an apparition or appear in human form. This form is usually similar to the physical body they occupied before passing over.

Because of this, spirits may seem to move or respond to certain directives. When you are in a state in which you can move or influence entities, it may appear that you are physically shifting them. This appearance is a result of our own perceptions combined with the form the apparition takes.

You can move spirits on your own without the help of an angel or guide, though it is safer to have protective entities nearby while attempting such an endeavor. There is no higher purpose in getting them to physically move, as in your experience with the old man. It would be like attempting to move gelatin or mercury: once you move them, they can immediately morph right back into their original place or form.

Your work focuses on moving spirits into the light. These are typically entities or discarnates who either do not realize they are dead or are afraid to leave the earth plane. It is your prayers and guidance that urge them forward, though when you visualize their form, it may be easier for you to observe their progress.

Keep in mind that when working on this spiritual plane, it is always a good idea to have other positive spirits and divine light surrounding you. Even though it appeared that you had power over the old man spirit and were able to control him, that may not always be the case. You must practice caution and give dark entities a wide berth.

Your ability to help spirits cross over is a wonderful gift that I'm sure you will want to further develop. However, when we feel that we have more power over spirits than they do over us, we can get ourselves into some trouble. It's a bit like electricity: if used properly, this is a wonderful tool that improves our lives. If we take it for granted or ignore its inherent dangers, however, the result can be fire or electrocution.

You are correct in assuming that some spirits do not know what is good for them and need strong direction. When working with these entities, we do have to exert more willpower to direct them. For example, when one is dealing with a malevolent spirit, exorcists or psychics with a strong command of the spirit world must often be called upon.

As long as you remain aware of what type of entity you are dealing with, you should be fine. However, it is always good to take a guide or angel with you into these situations. Just like walking through a bad neighborhood, there is safety in numbers.

*****

Mata:

There is great power in being totally congruent with what you desire and knowing that you are right. The reason you had power over this old man spirit was because you were congruent: you knew that what he was doing was wrong, and you knew that you wanted him to stop.

Further, each one of us has dominion over our own being. When we stand up to those who mean us harm, we will eventually prevail. Of course, this also works the other way: When we attempt to help people who don't want to be helped, we prove just as powerless.

The problem with trying to force spirits to cross over is that, like us, they all have free will. If it were possible to force a spirit to go into the light, I'm sure angels and other metaphysical helpers would be widely employing that tactic already, which would eliminate earthbound spirits altogether.

I'm actually a bit more concerned about your spiritual well-being than the well-being of the spirits you're trying to help. The fact that you had this experience tells me that you are vulnerable to the influence of negative entities. If you decide your mission in life is to help earthbound spirits, then you will attract more and more interactions with beings who are far from angelic. Further, if you go into such interactions with the attitude of a warrior, you will create one battle after another.

Perhaps this mission to save lost souls came about simply because you are able to perceive spirits and want to help. While that is noble, it may not be enough to ensure a smooth journey.

The higher our own vibration, the better we are able to perceive angels, spirit guides, and loved ones who have passed, and the less likely we are to interact with earthbound spirits and negative entities. If your goal is to work with the dregs of astral society, you'll have to vibrationally dwell in or near the ghetto yourself, which will make you vulnerable to psychic attack. If, however, you get tired of all this battling and decide you want to be free of the influence of lower astral entities, your best bet is to simply move to a better neighborhood by raising your own vibration.

In any case, I think earthbound spirits should be treated with the same kindness and respect we would show living human beings. There are living people who are too dangerous for us to try to help; since these sorts don't want our help anyway, I wouldn't bother with them. Should we encounter a spirit that is simply lost, confused or conflicted, we can help them best by offering them love, respect and understanding, for if we can uplift them, they'll naturally find their own way to the light.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.