Nature is intelligent, carries the wisdom and memories from the beginning of Life on Earth, and wants to work in community with us.  Humans are incredible creators.  When we combine the wisdom and guidance of Nature with the creative ability of humans, we conceive something of Beauty, we open a whole new world of possibilities, beyond our imaginations.

When we work in co-creative partnership with Nature, our projects (be they a building, a garden, an art installation) create a resonance of wholeness. This is something that cannot easily be described, yet is clearly felt, similar to artwork or designs which incorporate the Golden Ratio. Plus working with Nature (rather than against) is more efficient, both in terms of time and energy, and creates a more successful experience. In order to do this, we need to communicate with the Beings who are involved in a particular project. This could include a specific Being, such as a White Pine Tree who is blocking the South Side of a building site; a group of Beings, such as the Deer who are eating the Trees we planted; or the overall Being of a particular place, such as the Spirit or Deva of Heart Springs Sanctuary.

Ideally we want to connect with the Beings who are involved and ask permission to create a particular project or to ask for guidance and information. Sometimes we are communicating with these Beings about a particular perceived problem, as in the Deer eating the Trees. When we do this, we often discover that the “problem” situations actually present as an opportunity for improving the success of the project, healing the Land, and deepening our own connection with Nature.

A Land Consultation is a custom process facilitated by Jen Frey to help your project align with Nature.  This process can be a simple reading of the energies and well-being of the Land, an investigation of an “issue”, or consulting with the Nature Beings throughout a design and/or implementation process.  Just like her personal healing sessions, this process is tailored specifically for your unique place and of course, the Beings with whom you want to work.  No one is more connected to an area of Land as much as those who Love ki and spend their days there.  Therefore, the ideal Land Consultation process includes Jen helping you or your organization to communicate directly with the Nature Beings of your special place.  By participating in a Land Consultation, you are accessing the energies, memories, and wisdom of Nature beyond our human frames, assumptions, and beliefs.

Land holds knowledge and memory, including trauma.  This held trauma can interfere with your project if it is not cleared or healed first. Sometimes the project is the healing (such as the Children’s Labyrinth at HCFC). If a project feels stagnant or is a constant struggle, that may be an indicator that trauma needs to be cleared or that the project is not in alignment with Nature.  Healing trauma is unique to each area and project.  This may include ceremony, Essences, offerings, particular Plants or Stones, music, or something else entirely.  Sometimes we may need to create a special structure, such as a Labyrinth, a garden, or a mediation center to enable the healing of people and Nature together.

We are living during a time of extraordinary change.  We can see clearly the consequences of what happens when humans impose their will on Nature.  There is a growing movement towards regenerative agriculture, regenerative systems, permaculture, biophilia, etc.  These are wonderful developments and yet, often they too only take Nature into account from the human perspective alone.  In other words, no one is communicating with the non-human Beings of an area.  These projects are missing the abundance of wisdom and support which Nature can provide.  While well intentioned, they may actually be causing harm.  It is time that we move from the old paradigm of dominion over towards co-creative partnership WITH Nature.  The Nature Beings have been trying to get our attention and have been patiently waiting for us to remember our co-creative role.

There tends to be a fear that if we consult Nature about a building project or cutting down Trees, Nature will respond negatively.  Along with this, is a fear of Nature being intelligent.  Of course, it is easier to clear-cut and mine resources, when we refer to Nature (stones, mountains, waters, etc.) as a thing or being dead.  After all her years of working directly with Nature, Jen says she continues to be amazed at the amount of forgiveness Nature carries for humans.  Yes, whenever we ask for permission, we need to be willing to hear “No.”  However, often there is more information that accompanies this response, which can lead to a stronger project.  For instance, perhaps we want to cut down a large Tree for a garden or a building.  We might receive a “No” because that Tree is providing an important function for the Land. We would then be shown a better place to plant the garden or put the building.  (Trees have volunteered to be cut down to make way for a project, when removing them was not even a consideration.  So the answer is not always no.)  Plants, Animals, and other Nature Beings know their role in Nature, it is us humans who have forgotten.  When we work with these other Beings, we open an opportunity of remembering who we really are.  Suddenly these projects become part of our own healing and growth process.  Nature appreciates when humans want to work in partnership, ki recognizes our attempts, and generally, is a very generous partner.  

For years, Jen has worked with the other Beings she shares her home with to create a healthier environment, where all Beings are honored.  Sometimes this includes a small project.  For example, every year when the Japanese Beetles arrive, Jen communicates with them to discover what they need so that they do not destroy the Rose bushes.  One year, they wanted Basil plants.  Another year, they enjoyed the Asiatic Tear-thumb and asked Jen to let ki grow.  Last year, they showed her a red flower that they wanted.  This took some time, as she did not recognize the flower.  A couple weeks later, she discovered this was a Red Dahlia.  Other times, she works with the Nature Beings on a greater scale to discover the next focus area or the solution to an issue of the Sanctuary, such as flooding. [You can read about this project here.]

Through her years of experience, what Jen has discovered is working with the Nature Beings creates a more wholistic and successful project, which also requires less time and energy.  Communicating with Nature gives a sense of the overall health and well-being of the Land.

Several years ago, Jen was collecting large rocks for months to be used in a future Labyrinth. She asked permission from the Nature Spirits of Heart Springs Sanctuary to build this Labyrinth and to collect rocks from a particular area. They agreed and also laughed, saying that the Labyrinth was their suggestion. One day she went to grab a smaller rock, about the size of three fists. The rock would not move. It was sitting on the surface of the ground, only a small part beneath the surface. However, for days Jen tried to remove this rock without success. Finally, she decided to grab her shovel. As she returned to the rock, she heard, “You did not ask for help.” She realized this was true. While she did ask permission, she never asked the Nature Spirits, particularly in this case, the Gnomes, for help. So she did. This time she bent over preparing to grab the rock and accidentally gently brushed ki. Suddenly, the rock came loose and was in her hands! Reminding Jen of the importance of working with the assistance of the Nature Spirits and demonstrating how often we waste human effort and resources as we struggle through a project.