The Spiritual Practice of Organic Gardening

I've discovered an interesting and sad thing in trying to get the word out about my book Sacred Land: Intuitive Gardening for Personal, Political & Environmental Change (Llewellyn, 2007). There seems to be a fear or perhaps a disinterest among gardeners in talking about spirituality. I find this strange, because most gardeners I know would attest to the spiritual nature of their organic garden. Growing food and working with the land brings us face to face with Spirit, the Goddess, God, Life, the Powers That Be. But no straight garden blogger, radio show host, or magazine will talk about that. (Possibly it's the Goddess part that scares people? Is it safer to talk about God in the American garden?)

I think we dearly need a spirituality that includes the planet in order to save ourselves from our current environmental crisis. When the Earth is sacred, we will shift our values to live sustainably. We will stop the coal burning, gas guzzling, chemical spraying, and strip mining. We will honor our neighbors of all species. We will spend our money on living well in right relationship, and not killing ourselves, our children, and our planet.

These are goals most gardeners share, by nature of their reliance on and love for the soil, sun, and water that bless their hobby or profession. So what is it about naming the process of gardening integral, intuitive, and spiritual that leaves the gardeners so silent?

If you are a gardener, and you think gardening is a spiritual practice or brings you in contact with Spirit by whatever name, stand up and be counted. Our very lives may depend on it. I invite you to share your stories and thoughts here.

Preparing for Spring: Celebrating Ostara on the Urban Homestead

Today is Ostara, the first day of spring! I got the perfect Ostara gift in the mail - my spring shrubs! I was so excited. Felt like Christmas, only better. I put in two grape plants, three blackberries, five tiny junipers, and a red stick dogwood. Oh, it felt good to dig in the dirt and get to know my garden again. I cannot think of a better way to honor the growing days of light. March 25th used to be the first day of the year, and I'll tell you, it feels that way to me. I begin again.

These plants are part of my vision to have an urban homestead where we raise much of our food. I hope to get chickens this year as well, and as always have big plans for the vegetable garden.

Whenever I put in seeds or new shrubs or landscape elements, I feel more at home here. My house is home, my land is home, and the planet is home, a place I can grow and learn and wonder. I am living more and more in direct relationship with the earth that supports me. It will feel even more so when I taste those first fruits in a few years.

Now is the time to listen to the land. Let it speak to you, invite you to become more a part of your home. Maybe that means putting in fruit trees, or starting a window box of herbs, or installing solar panels and looking into an electric hybrid car. What will you do this spring to care for your eco, your home? I'd love to hear about your dreams, plans, and ideas.

Happy Ostara!