An Interview with
Clea Danaan, Author of Voices
of the Earth
by
Llewellyn
1.
In both Sacred Land and Voices of the
Earth, you speak of “green spirituality.”
How exactly would you define “green spirituality?”
We are both spirit and body,
manifest
here on earth to learn to love and grow and evolve towards God/dess. I
believe the earth offers us key insight into who we are and who the
Creator is, and by tuning into the natural cycles of the earth
(seasons, life, death, birth) we can grow as souls opening into
God/dess. Including the earth in our spiritual practice is what I call
green spirituality. This path may be a part of Paganism, Christianity,
Buddhism, or another sacred path. Or all of the above! The planet does
not follow a religion. It is miraculous, though, and we can participate
in that miracle daily by being present to nature.
2.
Another term you use is “intuitive gardening.” How
do we
take gardening from just the act of planting to something that is
innately spiritual?
By becoming aware of the
spiritual nature
of the craft of gardening. The gardener actively participates in a
miracle: soil microorganisms, sunlight, rain, the transformation of a
seed into a plant that creates more seeds. We place our hands on these
miracles. That to me is deeply spiritual.
We can also tune in more deeply to gratitude. What a blessing to be
here on earth! To have food to eat, to watch something grow from seed
to fruit. A garden teaches gratitude, a deeply spiritual quality.
3.
For many, the idea of an earthly connection conjures up images of
gardening, with hands connecting with the soil. Are there ways that we
can connect to the earth besides gardening?
Playing outside. This might
be fly
fishing, hiking, swimming in a lake, sledding, or building fairy towns
out of sticks in the backyard. Returning to play opens our creative
energies. Then we can take time to slow down and listen. The earth
speaks constantly, though rarely in words. By simply being in nature
(from a park to wilderness) we can hear her. Once you truly hear the
earth speak, your life will never be the same.
4.
For you the connection to the Earth is more than just a simple
appreciation. When did you first realize that you had such a strong
union with the natural world?
I’ve always been a
nature child. I
grew up in rural areas near beaches, so my playthings were often trees,
rocks, and waves. In high school I read about fairies at Findhorn, and
started my own herb garden. My deepening connection grew when I began
to study Reiki and magic. My connection is still growing.
5.
“Going
green” is the hot trend these days. However, it seems like
many
people do so more for the label than for the results. To you, what is
the importance of being green?
Click here to read
the full interview.
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