Neo-Pagan Earth Healing Ritual

“Study nature as the countenance of God.”
– Charles Kingsley

Every day should be earth day in the way we act toward the planet. Unfortunately, many of us get so busy that we forget to walk gently on this planet that we steward. Earth-healing rituals, therefore, are designed as a magical salve to fill in some of those gaps in time and space with powerful, spiritual energy that protects aid heals.

Earth Shine (Pre-Ritual Thoughts)

It’s dusk, and the beautiful crescent moon rises overhead. The remainder of the lunar sphere glows gently, outlined by the visible crescent. This phenomenon is called Earthshine – the Earth reflecting light onto the dark side of the moon. More romantically, the early Astronomers described it as “the old Moon in the New Moon’s arms.”

Have you ever thought of the Earth giving off a light, let alone anything that reached so far as to touch the heavens? This event would seem to be a mirror of “as above, so below.” The Earth does, indeed, return some of Her energy to the moon, the stars, the sun and to all living things. There is also a glimmering concept here about a bigger picture that includes a sacred Earth vibration – one that is uniquely Hers.

The word Earth has a lot of connotations for spiritual people. It’s our classroom, it’s the soil that grows our food, and it’s an element. So, what does Earthshine tell you of the Earth’s element – the sun’s element, and all the elements of nature? The earth is, well … EARTH (that part was easy). But the earth is also fire… it is giving off LIGHT! It is also air and water. In short, our planet is the perfect teacher regarding the elements, their meaning, and their interactions.

Mother Earth in Paganism and WitchCraft

Now you may be thinking “well, we knew that!” And it’s true. Wicca, Paganism and other New Age traditions have been teaching about the elements, their correspondences, and applications for a long time. We also speak of the Earth as our mother. Nonetheless, it’s different somehow when a clear, moonlit night brings all this awareness into focus and you are – at that moment – one with all elements, all time… all things, and it’s a particularly amazing opportunity to expand our perspectives on the Earth’s presence. But what happens when parts of that great Teacher are broken?

As children of the Earth, it makes us sad to see nature struggle. We cannot fix all the wrongs of our planet through one ritual. What we can do is make ourselves more mindful of Her, and strive toward extending some of OUR light back to the Mother.

A Magical Earth Healing Ritual

Begin by finding an outdoor location for the rite. Use natural, fallen greenery to mark and decorate the sacred space. On the altar have a cup of spring water, a bowl of seeds, burning incense, and a handful of feathers (you can obtain these at a craft store).

If you are fortunate enough to hold this ritual on a night when Earthshine appears, in the words of Van Morrison: “It’s a marvelous night for a moon dance!”

Pagan Earth Healing Ritual Invocation

This invocation appeals to the earth’s elements and elementals (the beings that abide in a specific element-medium) for help in the healing of the planet.

In the East: Say, “Winds whose breath gives life to all creatures, come be my guide. Protect this sacred space and activate my magic.”
In the South: Say, “Fires whose warmth maintains and cleanses all things, come be my guide. Protect this sacred space and energize my magic.”
In the West: Say, “Waters whose waves inspire and heal all things, come be my guide. Protect this sacred space and purify my magic.”
In the North: Say, “Earth whose soils sustain us and grant life, come be my guide. Protect this sacred space and give roots to my magic.”
In the Center: Say, “Great spirit, whose power abides within and without all things, come be my guide. Protect this sacred space and give life to my magic.”

Body of the Pagan Earth Healing Ritual

Go to the altar and take the feathers in hand. Stand facing the eastern Quarter, visualize the feathers being filled with pale yellow light and say, “I release the power of air to carry transformation and healing to the land and all living things.” Release the feathers to carry the magic.

Take the incense in hand. Stand facing the southern Quarter, visualize the smoke being filled with pale red light and say, “I release the power of fire to burn away pollution and warm the land and all living things with clean energy.” Blow on the smoke so that it streams out in all directions, carrying the magic.

Take the water in hand. Stand facing the western Quarter and visualize the water being filled with pale bluish-purple light and say. “I release the power of water to cleanse, inspire, and give hope to the land and all living things.” Pour the water to the ground so it saturates the soil with magic.

Take the seeds in hand. Stand facing the northern Quarter and visualize them being filled with rich brown and green light saying, “I release the power of earth to nurture and sustain the land and all living things.” Scatter the seeds to the soil so magic takes root.

Finally, consider adding any of the earth-healing meditations, spells, or charms on this website to round out the proceedings.

Ritual Razzle Dazzle

If you want to add a little more of the dramatic flair to this ritual, find three other people to join you. Each one of you represents one element (preferably the one they relate to strongly). Each wears clothing with colors that correspond to their element and lights a similarly colored candle on the altar.

Closing the Earth Healing Circle

This closing ends in the North to focus all your magic toward the traditional earth-center.

In the West: Say, “The waters recede, yet their dew remains to feed each root and creature, making them whole. So, too, feed my soul. Hail and farewell.”
In the South: Say, “The fires die down, yet their warm coals remain to sustain and energize all things. So too warm my heart. Hail and farewell.”
In the East: Say, “The winds calm, yet the air remains to breathe new life and hope into all things. So, too, give hope to my mind. Hail and farewell.”
In the North: Say, “The earth rests, yet the seeds remain fertile to bring new life to all things as the wheel turns. So, too, give new life to my spirit. Hail and farewell.”

End with one of the earth-healing prayers. Then, sit down where you are and talk about (or write about) what it feels like to be close to nature. Extend all your senses. Really become “one” with the Earth, and appreciate the unity. Carry that feeling with you so that each time you touch a plant or walk on the soil, you can return some positive energy to the world that so generously sustains us.

If you would like to learn more about the Earth Element visit our sister site BuildingBeautifulSoul.com.

Adapted from “Wicca 2000,” by Patricia Telesco. All rights reserved.