As society races forward into the new era of touchless tech, digital surveillance and incessant infomania, it’s more important than ever to stay grounded in your body. For centuries human beings have used food as medicine and retreated into nature to restore and recalibrate the nervous system. For many, this begins with slowing down so that we can truly awaken our five senses, feel our feet on the earth and quiet the mind. Others may look to dreams, myth or visionary art for the archetypal muses that inform our awareness of cosmic oneness. When we reside in a big city lacking nature in its most pure and sublime form, when the buildings block out the clear blue sky and the artificial lights obscure the stars – we have very little visible evidence to remind us that human beings are connected to an intricate, interconnected ecosystem. When magic becomes scientific fact we refer to it as medicine. But let’s not be so quick to erase years of ancient wisdom earned from and preserved within those human societies which have existed in deep reverence with Earth. What is your medicine today? Where does your magic lie? Recall this ancient Homeric Myth to Gaia, or Great Mother:
Gaia, Mother of All
foundation of all
the oldest one.
I shall sing to Earth
She feeds everything
That is in the world
Here are a few ways I’ve learned to come home to my body. Some of them involve going out into nature, when possible. The hope is that somewhere during the process of reconnecting, we find that nature was always there within.
Earthing
In his autobiography Gandhi writes about something known as an “Earth cure,” also called “earthing.” One approach involves rubbing soil on your body or simply touching your feet to the bare grass. It’s an amazing feeling to take off your shoes and socks and activate all of the thousands and thousands of nerve endings on the soles of your feet. An erogenous zone for some, the feet hold many sub-chakras within the Hindu pantheon. Another version of this practice, which I recommend during the winter months, or for those days when we simply can’t access a green space, is the use of Bentonite “Healing Clay.” Used in ancient cultures throughout the world to cleanse and detoxify the body, it can be both applied to the skin, added to your bath or taken internally to remove built-up toxins. When done with the right healing intention it can also clear the emotional body. Bentonite clay is particularly good as an earth cure because when mixed with water it has the ability to produce a charge that is electrical in nature, removing heavy metals and other impurities from the gut, skin and mouth. Charged Bentonite clay naturally seeks toxins in the body it can bind to and expel as waste. It can be applied topically to heal rashes, eczema or poison ivy. Bentonite clay helps increase the oxygen count in our cells, alkalizing minerals that bring the body’s ph level back into balance and promoting the growth of good bacteria – with an overall positive effect on the body which elevates our mood and brain function. It can remedy nearly any digestive issue and boosts immunity by targeting harmful bacteria and viruses. Use of bentonite clay and simple “earthing” practices have been demonstrated to defuse inflammation and improve or eliminate inflammation-related disorders and chronic pain, improve sleep and increase energy, lower stress hormones, normalize the body’s biological rhythms, improve blood pressure and flow, and protect the body against EMFs.
Find Healing Clay HERE
Superfueled Greens
We can do all sorts of mindfulness practices, move to the ocean or meet the guru of our dreams. But if our diet is poor, if we fuel up on processed, over-stimulating foods, our mental, physical and emotional health takes a huge tole. Rather than working against your wellness regimen, why not nourish yourself with whole foods that promote health of body and mind? Farm Fueled Nutrition brings you all that and more with whole food nutrition made conveniently sippable. If you’re health-conscious, you probably already know that leafy greens naturally detoxify the body, aiding in weight management and healthy elimination while boosting immunity and energy with key vitamins, especially iron. Superfueled Greens is your daily source of greens cross-pollinated with potent superfoods.
Easily added to a smoothie, water or juice – start your morning off right with six essential greens plus medicinal plants like Ashwagandha, Elderberry, Papaya, Chlorella, Barley Grass, Beet Root, Turmeric Root and Lycium Fruit. Superfueled Greens provides key vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids to promote healthy digestion while boosting energy levels and immunity. One cup a day brings the freshness and nutrients of the farm home, wherever that may be! Farm Fueled Nutrition’s popular powder supplement is farm-grown, gluten-free, vegan and non-GM0.
Find it HERE
Ground Chakra Oil
When you’re on the go, or simply need a reliable and sweet grounding method, I recommend aromatherapy. A unique facet of Ayurveda’s Ancient yogic science – essential oils – often made from flower essences, ground the physical body by stimulating the sensory body. Natural plant-based aromas have been used as medicine for centuries as they have a subtle, yet extremely powerful influence on our mind and body. While popular perfumes pack stealthy endocrine disruptors called phthalates (linked to diabetes, liver and breast cancer as well as infertility) they also dysregulate our nervous system. Aromatherapy can be used to protect prana, regulate digestion and metabolism and boost immunity.
As someone that’s rather shall we say, cerebral, I work with more calming and earthy blends such as this Ground root chakra oil by Thara Sacra. An energetically formulated aromatic essential oil blend created to nurture and strengthen our base, Ground evokes the feeling of being, gently. Brought to you by a company committed to working with small, natural, environmentally conscious, sustainable, organic, and wild-crafted sources – Thara Sacra’s mission is to bring sacred self-care into every day life through vibrational alchemy, aromatherapy and ritual. “We believe beauty radiates from the inside. Our products are designed to help bring that to light,” boasts company founder, Tara Gangadharan. A seamless blend of natural, high-quality ingredients with intentional energetic formulations, Ground Chakra Oil is your key to unlocking the transformative potential that lies within. Begin by simply taking a deep breath and letting the essence energize and invoke its instantaneous energetic shift.
Find it HERE
Moon Lab
Women around the world have been circling up for ages to celebrate and preserve the original calendar of the Goddess, the Lunar way honoring the life-death-rebirth cycle connected to the tidal pulsations of the oceans, the water in our body and women’s menstrual cycles. For six moons and counting, a group of fierce femme-forward millennials have been holding sacred space in Bushwick at a boutique movement studio known as Alchemia.
Co-organized by Sal Chan, Fanny Perez Gutierrez, Juliet Rania and others – Moon Lab is a femme-led, femme-only space created with care and made accessible to all through a sliding-scale fee and no witch turned away policy. In anticipation of the Solar eclipse on October 2nd, Moon Lab is offering ‘Eclipse Portal Prep’ on Saturday, September 28th 4-6pm. The afternoon circle opens with an Astro-forecast by myself @midheavenornah as the Sun and Moon coming together at 10° Libra, illuminating the energies of balance, harmony, and deep reflection.
Come with an open mind to explore what the wild card energy of eclipse season means for both personal and collective growth. Following the forecast, Fanny @fannnsystem will lead us through Ritual Body Postures, a practice designed to help you tap into the ecstatic trance state. These postures, found in ancient objects, are considered ritual instructions and are used for healing, shape-shifting, journeying, accessing heightened states of awareness, and opening portals of spiritual connection and self-exploration. Bring a journal, water bottle, cozy clothing and anything you may wish to share or place on the communal altar. To learn more follow @moonlab.xyz on Instagram.
R.S.V.P. HERE
NOTES
Excerpt from a Homeric Hymn to Gaia, translated by Jules Cashford, The Myth of the Goddess, p. 303 in Sacred Sexuality A.T. Mann and Jane Lyle, eds. ELEMENTS BOOKS: Great Britain, 1995
Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers and Other Pagans in America Today by Margot Adler, Beacon Press: Boston, 1986
