Healing the Earth

Just a quick peak at the news (or frankly a walk outside) and we can see that the Earth is struggling. Wildfires rage, historic floods wash away entire villages, storms are intensifying, and we’re experiencing a significant species collapse.

The destruction of Earth, including climate change, is a major stress for my clients. Eco-anxiety impacts most of us even if we don’t recognize it. Once upon a time, we may have been able to bury our heads in the sand or say, “Not in my backyard.” However, it is obvious now that we all share a backyard, there is no escaping the impacts.

We can quickly feel helpless and hopeless; however, we have the ability to create change. Nature, our more-than-human kin, are asking us to remember, to step into our sacred role as partner and steward. 

While healing the Earth may feel daunting, small shifts can have huge impacts. Engaging in efforts to heal the Earth is one of the most healing things that we can do for ourselves, our clients, our culture, and of course, Earth. We have the capability of creating Eden.

How We Heal the Earth

Earth is incredibly resilient and able to bring kiself¹ back into homeostasis. The issue is that we may not enjoy what is necessary to return to homeostasis. So really, we are asking how do we help Earth heal in a manner that is less dangerous for humanity? Or that allows humanity to thrive?

There is a tendency among Earth healers and environmentalists to think that they are responsible for all, there’s no one else who is doing this work, which leads to burnout and frankly, illness. This belief is partly due to power structures who want us to believe we are separate and diminish our ability to create change. I have had the great fortune to meet many people from cultures around the world who are engaging in incredible efforts to create a better, healthier, more loving world. Whenever I start to feel like it’s all on my shoulders or am getting overwhelmed (which fortunately, is quite rare now), I remind myself that this is a false narrative. Often, I simply need to spend time with Nature, connecting with Plants to remember that I am not alone. It may be helpful to search for others engaged in this sacred work who can act as inspirations.

It’s important to remember that for ages, humans understood that our wellbeing depended on the wellbeing of Earth. Engaging with Nature in a way that helped all to thrive was a primary focus. Examples include the prescribed burns by the Potawatomi to manage the Prairie Grasslands, the creation of African dark earth in Ghana and Liberia², and the standing stones and stone circles of the neolithic people of Britain. Of course there are cultures and peoples who continue to live in relationship with Nature for the benefit of all. We can learn from them as well as our Ancestors, including Nature, our more-than-human kin.

To help prevent the overwhelm, I focus my efforts on areas that I can generally manage. To assist with this, rather than thinking of healing the Earth, I like to engage in healing the Land or Land healing work (which encompasses all aspects including Water, Air, Plants, Animals, etc. because of course, there is no separation what effects one, effects all.) Focusing on a client’s property or perhaps even one small area of a property, enables me to see (at least some) of the impact of my efforts. I know that these impacts reverberate out. We call this working on the micro to affect the macro. For example, creating the rain garden at Heart Springs Sanctuary helped to slow down the Water from our neighbor’s farm and lessened the amount of fertilizers that travelled into the Creek. These efforts benefitted the little Creek that flows through Heart Springs as well as all the other Creeks and Rivers this Water came into contact with as ki flows into the Chesapeake Bay.

How Does Earth Heal

Healing occurs both physically and metaphysically (or energetically) and both impact the other. This is true for Land healing or healing the Earth as well as our own healing.

The first step in any healing process is to pause, rest, and observe. Resting means that we stop doing what is harming us (to the extent that we are able to) or at least switching to less harmful acts. In the case of healing the Earth, this may look like eliminating (or lessening) our use of fossil fuels, reducing emissions, ceasing the use of pesticides and herbicides, and so on. Simply stopping the harm is one of the most potent things that we can do. This enables Earth to utilize ki’s innate healing abilities and more easily move into homeostasis. Much focus of the environmental movement has been on reducing harm. While this is incredibly important, we can and need to do more than that as we have pushed Earth’s systems into crisis mode.

Physically healing Earth may include: remediation of toxic soils or clearing plastics from waterways or even planting a garden. These efforts remove and transmute poisons and toxic substances (including excess carbon dioxide). We also engage in physically healing efforts through repair and support, such as: nourishing the Land with compost, creating habitat for Birds or our other kin, or planting Trees or meadows.

Metaphysically healing Earth means that we work on the energetic or spiritual realm to shift or enhance the energies involved. This may include artwork, labyrinths, or again gardens. We may utilize Flower Essences, Crystals, biodynamic preps, or blessings. Metaphysical Land healing also includes prayer, ceremony, singing, meditations, visualizations, and engaging in reciprocity.

We can see that some actions directly work on both the physical and the energetic/spiritual realms, The rain garden that we created at Heart Springs is an example. In addition to slowing down the Water and collecting the fertilizers, we also added crystals, artwork, Plants, and prayers to help shift the energy both of the Land, as well as, the Water flowing through.

How Do We Know Earth is Healing

We know Earth is healing, we know our actions have an impact by observing and noticing the differences. Perhaps there was an area that was prone to accidents and has been accident free for a while. Or perhaps you didn’t want to spend time in a place or felt afraid when you were there and after healing work, this place now feels good to you. Sensing how our bodies respond (as well as the bodies of others) is one way to notice if the healing work had an impact.

Often we know that our efforts were successful because the Land becomes more vibrant and biodiversity increases. We can watch “new” species moving into an area. One of my great joys is seeing Birds resting on Trees that I either planted or who sprouted with help from me (usually from not mowing). Other times we can test the quality of the Water or Soil.

Sometimes we won’t know the impacts of our actions. We simply need to trust that we did the best we could at the time and that the Nature Spirits are in control. Any attempt to bring more Love into this world is greatly needed and appreciated.

Healing Earth or Healing People

Many years ago I was sitting in an herbal training when someone asked the group, who do we focus on healing: Earth or humans? People shared their answers and explanations. However, my response was, “Aren’t these the same?” Once we have the understanding that there is no separation between humans and Nature, we recognize that healing ourselves creates a healthier Earth and healing Earth creates healthier people.

Much of my work has been focused on helping people to heal, connect more deeply with Nature, and step into their fullness. However, a number of years ago I began to be pulled towards more actively engaging in Land healing work. Even though I know that we are innately connected, I saw my Land consultations and Land healing work as separate from my personal healing sessions. I now know that they are two sides of the same coin.

Yes, helping people to heal helps the Earth to heal and evolve. However, we are impacted by the buildings and Lands where we live and work. If the energies are unhealthy in these areas, that is, if something needs to be addressed, our healing progression will be hindered. Let’s consider an extreme example, if you are living on a toxic waste site, you could engage in a number of healing modalities and yet, you most likely will still experience the physical impacts of the toxic waste. Or if you lived in a place where a massacre occurred, it’s possible that the energies from this trauma continue to affect you and your wellbeing, including your relationships.

Likewise, if we pour great effort into healing Earth and do nothing to help the people heal, they may for a short period experience a relief, but then the patterns and behaviors that got us to this time of destruction will only resurface. It would be like trying to drain an ocean with a dropper. Personally, I like my efforts to be effective and I’m guessing that you do too.

The greatest impact occurs when we heal both ourselves and our Lands together. As we do this, our healing is magnified. Suddenly we become free of the energetic impacts that distorted our light and unknowingly created pain. We experience a renewed vibrancy (or perhaps a new level of vibrancy.) Together we begin to vision a better future and more importantly, we know that this is possible.

Steps for Healing the Earth

It would be nice if I could give you a 10 point checklist for how to heal Earth. While there isn’t one clear path or set of actions, the good news is that there is a plethora of possibilities. Which means you can engage in whatever way resonates with you. Here are some steps that we can all take for healing the Earth.

Recognize that Nature is intelligent. One of the primary driving forces that has led to the destruction we are experiencing is a disregard for the aliveness and sacredness of Nature and a belief that humans are separate from Nature. There are many studies and books that demonstrate what Indigenous Peoples have always known, that Nature is intelligent and able to communicate with us. Having this understanding shifts the way we interact with Nature.

Give offerings. Our relationship with our more-than-human kin has very much been take, take, take. If we want to engage with Earth for healing, we need to demonstrate that we would like a different relationship. We do this, through reciprocity or giving offerings. Ideally your initial offerings are biodegradable – food, wine, prayers, songs, etc. Give something that has meaning to you and/or the Land. As you present your offerings, introduce yourself and let the Spirits of the Place know that you would like to work with them.

Ask for guidance. Just because you’ve identified an area that needs healing, does not mean that the Land wants this healing nor that you are the person to do it. We want to seek permission before doing anything. But even more than that, we want to know what the Land and the Nature Spirits need and want. The Land has sovereignty and generally the Nature Spirits have access to information that we do not. Letting them guide the process, helps it to be more effective and smoother.

Work with the Spirits of Place. We can call these many different names: Devas, Nature Spirits, Faeries, Elementals, . . . no matter the language used, they are Beings who are more attuned to the energetic/spiritual realms than we are. There is so much more to this world than we can see. Nature Spirits are able to accomplish things on the energetic level that we could not do (or at least with more ease and grace than us), which then manifest into the physical realms. Working with the Nature Spirits helps us to do more with greater ease. 

Remember humility. Recognize that we are not in control but are one partner among many. We also have been operating from a place of amnesia, including our connection to Source and the guidance of the Multiverse. We are very much the younger sibling who has much to learn from our Nature kin. Too often well-meaning humans enter into a project thinking that they know what is best, only to end up making more problems. Humility goes a long way. As a part of this, engaging in power-over, oppression, or making demands negates our efforts for healing. Remember to ask, court, and if necessary, negotiate, but most importantly, remember to listen and learn.

Start small. While there is so much that needs to be addressed, every small action has potentially large energetic impacts which ripple out. Rather than getting overwhelmed with the enormity of the work. Focus on one small area or task. Once you complete this and notice the difference, you will have more confidence to try something else. Remember, if you are being asked to do something that feels inundating, ask for support. The Nature Spirits do not always understand our human needs. Reminding them that we need to sleep or eat or even have a paying job can help to adjust the expectations.

Shift your own actions (and energy). Trying to heal Earth, while pouring poisons into the Soil and Water is not very effective. Of course, in our modern world, it is next to impossible to avoid causing at least some destruction (use of petroleum, mining of minerals for cell phones or computers, etc.), so this isn’t about perfection. But what actions can you take to bring your life more in alignment with Nature? Be mindful of your own energy and emotions, these too have an impact on our Lands (and homes).

Experiment and be willing to “fail”. The only way we can discover new solutions is to experiment and explore. Sometimes this means that our efforts will seemingly “fail”. However, if we are learning from them, then they are simply informing our next steps. All of the great innovators and visionaries have attempted acts that had never been done before, some were immediately successful and others were part of a process of learning

When in doubt, bless. Blessing is a powerful way to bring healing to Land. In blessing, we hold an intention: healthy water, clean air, release of trauma, etc., by doing so we add energy to this potential. We bless Earth through prayer, song, offerings, visualizations, chants, ceremonies, and so much more, including simply bathing the Land with the vibration of Love.

These steps may seem simple or even small; however, if we utilize these, we can create profound change for the Land we are working with as well as  for ourselves. Of course, they are just the beginning, there is so much more that we can do. We have caused such harm to our more-than-human kin (and our human kin), it is our imperative that we do what we can to support Earth’s healing, knowing that we are also healing ourselves and our ancestors. Together we can thrive.

If you would like to engage in healing the Earth or learn techniques for healing and enhancing the energies of the Land that you or your clients steward, join us for Foundations of Land Healing.

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1. Ki is an animistic, genderless third person pronoun which recognizes the aliveness of our more-than-human kin. To the best of my knowledge, in her book Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer was the first to suggest using ki. ↩︎
2. Penniman, Leah. Farming While Black. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2018. p. 94. ↩︎

Since 2003, Earth advocate and author, Jen Frey, has supported courageous, conscious groups and individuals return to a deep connection with Nature. She founded Brigid’s Way in 2010 offering classes in Plant communication, personal healing consultations, and apprenticeships for those who are ready to transform through remembering Sacred connection. Jen continues to support other practitioners and seekers through her keynotes and workshops while also traveling the world providing land consultations and making Plant Spirit essences for our awakening to wholeness.