Little Witch, Big City: Channelling Mother Earth Anywhere and Everywhere

How do you find connection with Nature in metropolitan areas?

It’s hard to feel in-tune with the earth when the sound of sirens and neighbors never cease, when the only patch of grass is your front yard, when “walkable” only applies to your path from the bedroom to the kitchen.

How does a modern witch stay aligned with Mother Earth in an environment so keen on separating from her?

I’m here to tell you. 

There have been times I felt closer to Earth 3 stories high than in the woods (jk- but you get my point). One specific memory I have is in the bath, performing a root chakra bath meditation. 

I'm sitting in the red-tinged water, surrounded by candles and crystals. My legs are crossed and I start to even my breath. I count five out, then begin my favorite grounding exercise: visualizing my legs becoming roots and burrowing into the earth while my head and arms become branches swaying high above me. As I begin my trek downward, I feel a strong and sudden feeling of something pushing up from underneath me. It was warm and more solid than the porcelain tub. I explored this sensation and felt Her. Mother had reached up to meet me. She felt me burrowing down, and came up to meet me. It was so affirming and exciting. 

I continued on with my imaginative transformation to a grand, tall tree. From there I continued with my intention. 

Why had this momentous occasion occurred? Why was this moment so powerful? 

I live three stories up, there is much that separates the space between me and the ground. Yet at that moment, I felt more connected than I had in a long time. To experience her response to my call was something I’ll never forget. 

But how did I do it? 

I simply asked. 

See there is no one tried-and-true way to experience magic, or to connect with Gaia. She’s everywhere, all of the time. We come from her and return to her when we die and she is in us all the time. So no matter where we are, whether it's in a cave or mid-flight to Nashville, her energy is always accessible to us. 

Once you realize this, you realize there are no limits. You can be in the middle of a subway station and still connect with Her. 

Now understandably it's hard to meditate and concentrate when there is much noise. But that's not the only way to connect with her. I often do when I feel the wind. She speaks to me that way, blowing one way or another. Blowing harder after I ask a question. Warning me, urging me forward. 

And these are inconsequential moments. I'm walking the dog or taking out the trash, I'm not even trying to feel Her. But she speaks to me anyway, and I connect back by listening. Taking a moment to close my eyes and just feel what she has to say. 

I also feel her when I watch the squirrels play. Or when a hawk swoops across the sky when I am driving. I feel her when a drop of rain falls on my face unexpectedly. When someone’s dog stops and insists on sniffing my hand. When the sun peeks out from behind a cloud. The key is presence. 

I’m challenging you this week to channel Earth’s energy in an unexpected place. Your desk at work, in the elevator, or when you mow your lawn. Building this practice makes it a reflex, not a chore. And the more you connect the easier it gets. 

You don't have to float full lotus in a meadow fully naked for the connection to find you. She’s in the little moments. She's everywhere. Just pay attention.

<3 Ryan