The Ecstasy of Wilderness

There is a power that the multifaceted splendor of nature can create. David Cumes referred to this as “wilderness rapture”. I call it the ecstasy of wilderness. One can achieve profound shifts in awareness through the exposure to the elements and the diverse polarities that abound in the wild. In my experience, I have found that we need to experience the “whole” – from one extreme to the other to even begin to understand how we can achieve such ecstasy. From freezing to extreme heat, from wet to dry, from numerous days of solitude to experiencing solitude in a forest full of people. We have to find our own way to balance the opposites.

After spending years in the wilderness, from a few hours to over a month at a time, from being alone to going with people, I finally realized it was time for me to find other ways of experiencing wilderness more profoundly. A lot of people feel they have not had a wilderness experience at all if they have not encountered animals in the wild. It was just fine with me to not make physical or eye contact with and animal. It became enough just to be there and KNOW they were there as well.

John Muir said, “Only by going alone in silence can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness. All other travel is mere dust, hotels and baggage and chatter.” There is so much wisdom and experience in that statement.
When alone, you can enter the wilderness at YOUR choosing. You can approach it as if a child or seasoned shaman. The approach itself is in your total control. You may crawl like a baby, dance with the energies that reside there, touch the soul of a stream or become one with a mountain or a single tree. The choice is yours.

I think it was Martin Buber who wrote that “All men have access to God, but each man has a different access.” Sometimes I think my “access” is through a secret veil hidden in particular places in the wilderness. Lost Creek, Bearpen Branch, my dear Santeetlah….if there is not a solid cord reaching from my soup to the Gods in those sacred places, then surely no Gods exist. Some areas we visit can become so sacred to us. When one enters one of these areas, it is wise to honor them, if not for their magickal healing effect, then for one’s own sake in the hope that the Gods, spirits or energies of the place are not disturbed and in turn honor you for the respect you have shown.

Humans for the most part are hesitant to spend time alone. Some feel meditation, worship and contemplation are best done in a group setting. For some there is a fear of being alone, especially in the wilderness. Stories of mauling and attacks from bear, wolf, etc. place a fear among the majority. But if we look, how many more deaths, assaults, attacks occur in general population, in your own community, as compared to those things in the wilderness? Respect the wilderness, but never fear it. Respect solitude and never fear it. Once you reach a different psycho-spiritual space in the wild, it becomes second nature, it becomes you.

When I spent the majority of my time in the wilderness, I developed a storage of inner peace and harmony within myself. As time went by, after re-entering the “civilized, modern, social society”, this harmony would begin to dwindle. It would be time to go back, to make a restorative trip into nature to replenish myself. Only by doing this am I able to function in a healthy manner in “normal” society. It has become a part of me that society feeds on at times, an energy required to survive in this modern world, and this energy must be replenished is I am to survive. I realize all cannot “return” to the wilderness. However, connecting with nature and our more primitive roots in some small way is always a healthy start.

Wilderness to come is something to be conquered, rather than being a sacred space. This thought process can often be a deadly one, to oneself, to the inner soul and to wilderness itself. If you look at wilderness as a reality, as a sacred experience, the feeling and need to “conquer” will subside. Some people allow “ego” to control them, especially when with a group. This is why it is best to enter the wilderness alone at times. One can let go of that “ego”, of “self”, and release the feeling that it must be “conquered”. By doing this, you are free to feel, touch, taste and experience the reverence of wilderness freely. “Ego” dissolves us. IT can be the single most dangerous factor leading to disaster situations in the wilderness. We must become a PART of the wilderness for it to bestow its benefits. You must feel, touch, smell and taste, as well as see and hear it. Wilderness has been used for spiritual growth through the ages.

One cannot fight the difficulties of modern day society without the help of some method of going inward.

Wilderness can provide that method.

“Wilderness hold the answers to the questions we do not yet know how to ask” ~ David Brower

“Signs” are associated with an Element: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. It is thought that the Sun and Moon take on the quality of the sign it is in at the time. The sign is either fertile or barren. This helps us plan planting, pruning, eliminating pests and so forth.

The Earth signs are good for planting root crops or perennials. Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are Earth signs and are cool and dry.

The Air signs are barren. Gemini, Libra, Aquarius. Hot and moist describe the air signs. Although barren, Libra is good for planting flowers. Herbs will do well planted in Gemini. Hybrids do well planted in Aquarius.

The Water signs are the most fertile. Cancer, Pisces and Scorpio are the three water signs and are cool and moist. These are best for planting leafy crops.

The Fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are barren. Leo is the most barren of all. The time of these signs are good for weeding and destroying pests. You may also plant crops grown FOR seeds.

Cycles

Solar Cycle: Annuals are like the Sun that passes the Zodiac in one year. These herbs show a character towards the Sun. They are  usually large, yellow or orange and are orbicular shaped, radiating with an aromatic odor. They always turn towards the Sun. Sunflower, marigold and saffron are examples of annuals.

Lunar Cycle: Herbs that show a monthly periodicity and Moon shapes. Large juicy leaves and some are found growing in water such as watercress. The flowers are white or pale yellow. Fruits are large and watery. Examples are watermelons, pumpkin and gourds.

Mercury Cycle: Mercury has a three month cycle through the Zodiac. Its herbs have fine or highly divided leaves or stems. They have an airy nature like grasses, a subtle odor and are high in mineral and vitamin content. Anise and parsley are examples.

Venus Cycle: Venus moves through the Zodiac in 9 months and its herbs have beautiful pink or white flowers. They have a pleasant odor, smooth green leaves and may have fruits. Gardenia is an example of a Venus Plant.

Mars Cycle: Mars passes through the Zodiac every 2 years and this sign was formally used for biennials. Mars plants have thorns, prickles and spines. They grow in harsh dry areas and have a pungent or stimulating odor and usually have a cornical root. Raspberry, red pepper and beets are examples.

Jupiter Cycle: It takes Jupiter 12 years to pass through the Zodiac and this is how long perennials live. These plants are large, edible and nutritous. They have a pleasant odor. Examples are grapes, acorns, figs and olives.

Saturn Cycle: It takes 30 years for Saturn to make its way through the Zodiac. Woody perennials often live 30 years or longer. These plants show and annual ring, are grey or dill colored in foliage or bark and have an unpleasant odor or taste. Some may be poisonous.

Uranus Cycle: Hybrids, plants that can be transplanted.

Neptune Cycle: Plants that grow underwater. Seaweed, water mosses and fungi.

Pluto Cycle: Evergreen Trees, weeds, drug yielding plants and poisonous plants. Mosses, Cedar Trees, Palm Trees and marsh plants are examples.

A planet rules each sign of the Zodiac and they are:

Aries: Mars

Taurus: Venus

Gemini: Mercury

Cancer: Moon

Leo: Sun

Virgo: Mercury

Libra: Venus

Scorpio: Pluto

Sagittarius: Jupiter

Capricorn: Saturn

Aquarius: Uranus

Pisces: Neptune

Each of the 12 signs are represented in the human anatomy:

Aries: Head and Face

Taurus: Neck, Larynx and Throat

Gemini: Arms, Lungs, Shoulders and Nervous System

Cancer: Stomach and Chest

Leo: Spine, Back and Heart

Virgo: Bowels and Fingers

Libra: Loins, Kidneys, Lumbar  and Skin

Scorpio: Genitals, Lower Bowels and Urinary Organs

Sagittarius: Thighs, Buttocks and Hips

Capricorn: Knees and Bones

Aquarius: Legs and Ankles

Pisces: Feet, Lymphatic and Fluids

It is a good idea to patch test before applying anything to your skin. Rub a little on a small area on the inside of the arm. Wait 24 hours to see if there are any signs of irritation. If there is, do not use. Preparation is the most important past of making use of plants and herbs.

Gather herbs and flowers in dry weather of a morning before the sun evaporates the essential oils in them. Exceptions to this would be particular plants or herbs that should be gathered at night on certain moons and used for magickal purposes. If you are storing them, spread the plants out to dry in a well ventilated area. Hang dry bunches of herbs upseide down and then store them in airtight jars away from direct sunlight.

Teas and Infusions

Leaves and flower petals are used. You should never boil herbs unless the recipe specifically calls for it. Just pour two cups of boiling water over the fresh herb and let it steep for 10 or more minutes. The amount of herb to water varies so you can make your own recipe, experiment and strain before drinking. Infusions and washed require about 3 times the amount of herbs as teas and needs to steep for 30 minutes before using.

Decoctions:

 These are made from bark and roots. Grind your recipe amounts into a pan, add water and bring to a boil. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes. Carefully strain while still hot. Sometimes a decoction is what one would soak a rag in to use as a compress or poultice.

Syrup:

Add 1 pound of honey or sugar to a pint of infusion or decoction and heat until the sweetener dissolves. When cool, pour into a clean jar or bottle, seal and store in the refrigerator or Sring House/Root Cellar

Ointments:

Native Americans made creams by cooking plants in animal fat. Today it is a bit easier to use cold pressed olive oil or beeswax. I prefer as often as possible to use animal fat as often as possible. You cna put 1 pint of Olive Oil and 2 ounces of beeswax into a heat prrof dish. Let this melt over a double boiler and then add the fresh herbs to be completely covered by the oil mixture. Continue heating over a double boiler for a few hours. Once cooled, strain the herb through a muslin bag into an easy to handle container. Most people will use gloves so they can squeeze the bag real well to get all of the liquid out. Pour the liquid into small jars and seal. I will sometimes put these ina  hotwater bath to seal them well. They will solidify and then should be stored in a cool place such as a root cellar or basement if the home does not have air conditioning. Once opened, the jar should be refrigerated until all of it is used. Do not use Paraffin wax when making herbal ointments. You can give the small jars as gifts to your friends.

Tinctures:

Grind plant parts with a mortar & pestle (Blender or food processor is OK if you choose, I prefer doing this by hand as it gives one a better feel for the plant.) Add just enough high quality whiskey/vodka/moonshine to cover the herbs. Grain alcohol is OK to use if the above is not available. Let this sit for 21 days and then aff about 2 tablespoons of glycerin and 10% volume of fresh, natural spring water. Strain this and store in anber or smoky colored glass jars. If kept in a cool place, it cna last up to 5 years. A dose is about 20 drops per cup of tea or warm water. The glycerin is optinal but is used as a preservative. Non-alcohol tinctures are made by steeping herb in milk and keep refrigerated.

Poultice:

Soak herbs in boiling water until soft. (Do not boil in the water, just soak IN boiling water.) Wrap in a clean soft cloth and apply to affected area. Cold poultices and compresses are used to draw heat from an inflamed or congested area. Use this hot poutice to relax spasms and for pain.

Meditation is often described as a tool that can be used to enhance certain aspects of ones life by relieving stress, frustration, tiredness and assist with concentration and focus. I personally feel that meditation is a gift to the human mind. With it we can do something as simple as clearing our mind of stress within a few minutes or something as sacred as enhancing our spiritual awareness and developing true inner peace.

Meditation is done in various ways and can be defined in many ways as well. One can meditate for mere minutes or days if desired. This should all be decided by looking at the intent of the meditation, the desired outcome and what roué one chooses to achieve those ultimate goals. I have recently found that five minutes of meditation in my office can relieve tremendous stress, clear my mind when the input is extreme and focus appears to be impossible, as well as lowering pulse, blood pressure, heart rate in order to remain a calmer…and more productive individual.

One of the main goals one can develop through meditation is to rid the body and/or soul of the negative that taints our lives and makes us very unhealthy people. Naturally, but clearing our body of the toxic waste that can bring one to stroke level, we begin to grow in peace and develop a healthier outlook, body/soul and therefore bring more positive into our lives.

Inner Peace has always been my ultimate goal. I may need it at various times for many different situations. I have found to be able to clear my mind, basically taking out the trash, has restored a peace within myself that allows me to not only be a happier person in general, but also allows me to grow and develop on a more spiritual level and form a connection with the other PEACEFUL things that reside on that level I have achieved.

True meditation requires discipline and focus. Although some people successfully perform “walking meditation” or sitting with legs crossed with hands upturned in the lap to be successful, I prefer to sit comfortably while meditating. One must work with different kinds of postures and meditations to discover what works best for them. Some people find they are able to meditate more successfully when chanting, using prayer beads, breathing techniques, playing relaxing music, humming or even rocking back and forth. I personally prefer to sit comfortably in silence.

Another aspect you must take into consideration is your eyes. It truly matters not if you have your eyes open, half closed, closed or slightly rolled back in your head. It is what works best for you and experimentation with this will help you find what does work best. You may choose to focus on an object, the prayer beads with eyes closed, a candle burning with eyes open, a stone, grains of sand, a tree or close your eyes and enter an empty room that you being to design in your mind, slowly adding one item at a time until the room is where your soul enters and remains through your time of meditation.

Regardless of the method you choose, it may take some practice to achieve a state of pure clearness, focus….meditation. This is normal and perfectly alright. The journey to that inner self, the inner peace is rewarding and a learning experience of its own.

Below I am listing my general form of meditation. Although I vary often from this general form, this is my preferred method and one most often used. I should add that I meditate for various reasons. It may be to relieve immediate stress I am facing in life. To calm myself from a traumatic event or thought. To help develop a more positive me inside my ridding myself of any negativity that may cloud my thought process. To make a connection with things on a higher level, whether they be deity, nature spirits, ancestors, or guides. There are times my goal is nothing more than to shed myself of the trash of modern, materialistic society so that I may enhance my awareness of a particular nature spirit (ie: stream, tree, animal or stone) so that I may form a communication with that spirit on a higher level.

I often have problems with too much input into my brain. It makes it difficult for me to focus, especially if that input is from unnatural sources such as radio, television, etc. I draw on strength from my connection with the natural and prefer to practice meditation as close to nature as I possibly can. My preference is in the forest, beneath a strong, old, wise tree. Grant you mediation can be practiced in a room in your home, in your office, in a restaurant or even while using public transportation. I am merely stating my PREFERRED method is in the forest, where I feel most comfortable and most at home. I first introduce myself to the spirits in the immediate area. I will introduce myself to the trees, stones, all flora and fauna of the area, as well as any streams that may be close by. I acknowledge their presence and thank them for allowing me to intrude on their privacy for a brief time. I then find a comfortable spot beneath a tree and ask permission to meditate there. Believe it or not, when you form a strong connection with those spirits of Nature, you may be surprised that some trees would prefer that you did not meditate beneath them. Trees have as many vast personalities as humans. Once permission is given, I make myself comfortable and begin clearing my mind of needless trash. I do this by first developing a repetition in my breathing pattern, slowing my heart rate while doing this and calming the soul. I close my eyes while obtaining this pattern, so as not to be easily distracted by the surrounding spirits. After reaching a level of calmness that I am comfortable with, I will either open my eyes and focus on a sound or sight around me and continue the clearing of my mind or I will remain silent and still, with my eyes closed and gently clear my mind of each needless thought that rises until I have reached a level of positive. At this time I begin to invite input into my soul from the natural peace that surrounds me. When dong this, at this state in my meditation, I will sometimes open the line of communication with one particular spirit that appears to have the desire to communicate. If there are none, I enjoy that peace as it feels my soul to a level that can only be described as true inner peace. You will know when you have reached this, because it is something that does not simply disappear when you choose to stand up, walk away and dive back into the modern, materialistic society with live in called….LIFE. I always, before walking away, make an offering to the spirits, especially the spirit of the tree, for allowing me to invade their own privacy in order to search for and achieve my peace.

As I have said, that is merely one way in which I prefer to meditate. Sometimes I am not afforded the opportunity to rush out into the wilderness and meditate under a Hemlock Tree. Sometimes I “cheat”. I have a video of a stream I am very fond of that is about 5 minutes long. I will sometimes close my office door, or if at home I will put in earplugs or turn the volume up on my PC and slap the headphones on and I will play the video. Within minutes of watching the video I am able to clear my mind and gain some peace while meditating this way. Other times I will meditate with grains of sand, stones, candles or a photo. Regardless of what method you use, how often, when where or why…I think it is beneficial for anyone to practice meditation. In the least you will gain a few moments of silence to “take out the trash” in your mind and that alone is well worth the effort.