I guess I need to get used to seeing the UK English spelling of words in this course 😄
I skimmed this booklet. The opening paragraph sums it up pretty well:
p. 5 - In ancient times, Sacred Groves were places of sanctuary and worship for the Druids. Like a temple or chapel set within the natural world, they were places of spiritual refuge: places to calm the mind, refresh the spirit, and give comfort in times of distress. Druids today continue this tradition of seeking tranquil clearings in woods and forests, in which to meditate and hold ceremonies. And in addition, many contemporary Druids are creating new sacred groves - in their gardens, on their farms or on public land.
Most of the booklet has to do with the practicalities of accomplishing this. Because of the limitations of my current living and health circumstances, I can't do it. But I will keep an eye and ear out for opportunities to have a small part in helping a group who is planting trees.
One thing did stick out to me in reading the above quoted paragraph. In Fall 2020, I was going through a tough time in my life. I didn't have access to a vehicle most days. I felt like if I could get out in nature on a regular basis, it would help me cope. Long story short, we ended up getting a Quest 2 VR headset and the Nature Treks app. It has multiple nature locations that you can immerse yourself in. I thought my favorite would be the beach. Although I spent a lot of time there, I found myself drawn to a heavily forested area with a creek. At that time in my life, it was my Sacred Grove. I would "walk" through the forest, watch the wild animals, and "sit" in the creek. It had a similar calming effect to me actually being out in nature. I didn't have the terminology for it, but the effect on me was the same as described. I need to get back in the habit of visiting those places again!
Next up, the beginning of my posts about the ritual celebrations... But first, I have a delivery to grab from outside, and peanuts to toss into the yard 😉
Thinking green,
LilacPhoenixCMB 💜
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