Performing Spiritual Practices on Indigenous Land
Art by @soni_artist found on Pinterest.
In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, I’d like to briefly touch on ways I have honored and observed the space I am in as a spiritual practitioner.
Growing up in New Mexico and Texas, indigenous food, art and culture were often around me in my home, and the communities I lived. The desert felt like home. I loved whenever I got to visit my aunts in Santa Fe and attend the markets, often buying beadwork and turquoise pieces. When I moved to Bucks County PA, I lived near Washington Crossing and was a block away from the Delaware River residing on Lenape land. As an evangelical, I had no understanding of colonization in any way at eight years old. No one was talking about it.
I intuitively understood the land I was on was much older than the American colonies, but I didn’t know what that meant. Many of my own beliefs subconsciously before indoctrination were more aligned with indigenous teachings than I realized; respect the Earth, your Elders, and treat animals as your partners. I was an equestrian for a majority of my life and studied Native American teachings on how to communicate with animals and the earth. These lessons taught me to be patient, how to be present in nature and influenced my relationship to horses as a rider and collaborator as well as how to be a part of the environment without destroying it.
Gerald Nailor, Diné of the Navajo Nation Painter
I spent most of my time playing outside and had some intimate encounters with what I now know were land spirits/guardians. They were very kind to me! When I moved back in before the pandemic, I was new in my spiritual journey but I knew I needed to ask permission to do any workings or tarot on their land.
This is what has worked for me:
If doing any workings, make an offering first. Acknowledge what land you’re on. If you don’t know there are many resources with maps to find what tribe resided on the land
Give thanks for protection and humbly petition for what you want to be able to do. An offering can be considered, however be mindful of what/where you’re doing it.
If it’s in alignment with their values and you come correct, they will send you a sign. Don’t be afraid to ask for a specific one, they have always given it to me! If you are given the privilege of collaborating with them, it will be one of the most enriching experiences of your life. When I was in dire straits they used nature to hold me. When I lost my cat, I petitioned and they brought him home the day I left my house for the last time. When I needed protection, they gave it. There are many other occurrences, but I like to keep them to myself.
If you reside in an indigenous area:
- support/patronize local businesses, people, art and communal events
- donate and speak out in support of land back initiatives and help those who have been taken advantage of through colonization.
- stay in your lane. It’s really that simple
If anyone else has value to add or ideas on this topic I welcome your thoughts!
Happy Indigenous Peoples Day. Give the land back. Not just here, but from the river to the sea may every colonized place be free. 🌊
Coming Up:
My Monthly Witchy Journaling Circle is this Wed!
Agenda:
Intros/Stretching/Sensory Activities
Current Astrology Transit Report
Tarot/Oracle Reading
Journaling Prompts
Closing with Guided Meditation
This is a free call where all are welcome! Very casual drop in as needed and the invite is recurring for the months you need to miss.
Full Moon in Aries 10/17:
Tempers and impatience are all around us right now 😵💫 and I have been reflecting on the ways anger can be a powerful impetus to spur action and can inform many things, but it can also be destructive and poison everything you touch if left unchecked.
And for some of us….it may be pushing you to walk away from your past once and for all.
I pulled the 10 of Swords this week and it begged the question: Holding yourself accountable is different from being your own worst enemy or self flagellation. Does your body know the difference?
What I’m watching:
Believe it or not, I have never read any Anne Rice, but after watching this I will be! The books seem much better than the show, but it did strike scratch my southern gothic witch itch and made me very homesick for Nola. And well, Alexandria Daddario is hot ok? It was fun for the camp, but the plot and some of the acting left much to be desired.
What I’m Listening To:
Jon Bellion is in my top ten artists. A Capricorn with a Sag mercury like me, his work and creativity has been an endless source of inspiration. Something in this song has me crying and screaming it at the top of my lungs in the car. There is a breakthrough of joy after a long period of being checked out of your life that I needed to hear.
What I’m Reading:
Tracking my Own Tarot Readings
A very handy automated google sheet by my new witch friend Matt Stine has been rocking my world and keeping me accountable to daily pulls with myself. You should make your own copy and try it out!
I am LOVING Threads by the way…if you have an account come find me! It’s way better than Insta/Tik Tok for me and I found it Thread’s Birth Chart has a Scorpio Rising (twinnnn) so….no duh ofc I love it. Come say hi! I like being active on there and am building community and would love you to be a part of it.
My bookings are open for spiritual consultations for spellwork if you’d like help with your own, or would like me to do spell work on your behalf Here
