WHAT ABOUT HERBALISM AND SPIRITUALITY?
Upon examination of the ancient belief systems of the Chinese, Indian, and Native Americans, a mutual earth centered religion is evident. This religion shaped humanities view and relationship with the Great Spirit, and the relationships between all of humankind. This was a belief system, which also demonstrated a medical view of illness, and utilized herbs in concordance with religious belief.
An Earth Centered-Nature religion still permeates herbalism today by various expressions. Herbalism is part of the RELIGION of NATURE, representing a balance of head and heart; that relies more on artful intuition than precise scientific reasoning.
Nature religions ascribed a divine expression to the forces of nature, and to the earth itself, and advance a philosophy of divine inter connection with all of its inhabitants.
In working with nature, pagans are simply respecting and paying homage to the spiritual forces they observe. Nature is perceived as the domain of the gods and of spirits.
The philosophy of paganism usually recognizes a state, in which, spiritual beings on earth, and in the rest of creation, become aware of the "oneness of creation".
Herbalism is a vehicle to express the oneness of creation, and foster the divinity of nature and the earth.
The more we turn our attention toward the nature of our relationship with the environment, the more profound become the insights into the close embrace we share----of the many ways, in which, our ecological inter-relatedness shows itself. The art and science of herbal medicine is, for many people, the most unexpected----we are ALL ONE.
The Gaia concept of our earth as, "The Greek goddess of the earth-a living entity with the equivalent of senses, intelligence, memory and the capacity to act-she is the earth spirit-she is ecology"
The Complete Illustrated Guide to Ayruveda demonstrates the Hindu concept of oneness: "Today for instance, people everywhere, are beginning to understand concepts like Gaia, the ONENESS of the organism of earth. This happens by Pitta, the force of the intellect, or Vishnu the preserver (a Hindu god), who keeps balance on earth between the spiritual and demonic."
Herbalism is incorporated into this Gaian philosophy in The Elements of Herbalism, where; "Healing is a Gaian quality, as it is a personal expression of balance and wholeness. The relationship between healing plants and people, can be seen as Gaia in action----the context of ecological embrace." Herbal healing is "an expression of very real and practical links with Gaia, there is an activation of ecological cycles for healing. A unique opportunity is created by the simple act of taking herbal medicines----such healing, goes beyond the treatment of pathologies and alleviation of bodily suffering-rather, it is in the realm of the transcendental, the ineffable transformation that comes through the touch of the Great Spirit.
According to Wicca-a guide for the Solitary Practitioner, Wicca is a "religion, centering on reverence for nature, as seen in the Goddess and the God. The Goddess is nature, the Universal Mother. The God is the consort of the Goddess."
The Roots of Healing-A Woman's Book of Herbs, conveys: "We understand that the primary "LIFE FORCE" of earth is contained within plants. We trust in earth's healing abilities, and therefore, have continued to call upon herbs for nutritional, medicinal, and spiritual help. Our reverence for the mysteries of birth, life, death, and renewal, guides us to live in harmony with nature, closely following her rhythms. We are connected to changing seasons, the weather, and the cycles of the moon----We are known in our communities as herbalists, midwives, witches, nurses, and wise women----We have continued to practice our healing arts despite centuries of persecution by religious organizations, governments, and medical establishments----Over time, I realized that a presence of unconditional love was emanating from earth herself through herbs. This presence, I came to realize, is divine female wisdom, the great Goddess."
Consider the view expressed that, "herbs are gifts that teach and heal. Through them, we can learn to hear the whisperings of earth herself. Listen for their songs. Let yourself remember the wise woman, who lives within you."
In Witchcraft, we discern that, "Wicca (an alternative name for modern witchcraft) is a positive, shamanic, nature religion, with two main deities honored and worshiped in Wiccan rites: the Goddess (the female aspect and a deity related to the ancient Mother Goddess in her triple aspects of maiden, mother and crone) and her consort, the Horned God (the male aspect). Wicca (which is also known as the 'craft of the wise' or often just 'the craft') is considered, by many, to be both a monastic and pantheistic religion. In simple terms, it is a positive nature based religion, preaching brotherly love, and harmony with, and respect for, all life forms. It is very similar to Native American spirituality."
According to the late Scott Cunningham, a well published author, "Earth is a manifestation of divine energy, and reveals her secrets 'to Wiccans', who listen to the earth. To be outdoors, is to be in the temple and surrounded by sanctity."
