Nature
In this section, I would like to invite you to open up to the wisdom that comes from contact with Mother Nature.
We, humans, have always used plants with their nutritional and medical benefits to develop society. They have always had an important role in human life. Plants are necessary not only for food production and clean air but have always been significant elements for the development of culture, religions, and medicines.
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I believe that the key to building a sustainable society is a healthy relationship with Mother Nature. It is a big force that feeds and heals us or can even open doors to magical areas of our minds. That is why I believe that the knowledge of plants and their potential is very important.
In many parts of the world, we can find cultures that have a multi-generational tradition of working with psychoactive plants and fungi in a ceremonial way. It is believed that they can bring us into unique states of consciousness that open up areas of reality that are inaccessible to us on a daily basis.
phot. private collection
Celtic culture has a unique symbolic way of seeing the connection between people and nature. They placed the forest at the center of the universe. It was a place where people were able to find food or wood for building houses and boats which was essential to survive. The tree was the foundation of Celtic mythology and was seen as a sacred object. They believed in three symbolic levels of the tree that correspond to the dimensions of human life:
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Trunk - part from which we get wood to warm ourselves and food for life; symbol of human ability to taking care about ourselves and loved ones, also warming up the bodies of our lovers during sexual acts
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Roots - mysterious, not visible part of the tree but very important one because the tree is taking water and nutritions through its root system; symbolizes the wisdom that allows us to find deeper connection with Mother Nature that feeds us
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Tree crown - the highest part of the tree and the area not available for people; it is a symbol of our desire to rise above everyday life and find meaning beyond ourselves, symbol of a sense of seeking meaning and divinity in life
Shinrin-yoku
Many studies show how many benefits come from spending time in nature. It is like medicine. Even putting some plants in the house makes the air we breathe better for us. There is a beautiful Japanese tradition that focuses on cultivating contact with nature called shinrin-yoku, translated as Forest Bath, that we all can practice.
I invite you to read a post in Kali Temple Library about it.