Nature Spirituality From the Ground Up: Connect With Nature Spirits In Your Ecosystem

by Lupa

Working with nature spirits isn't just about what we can get from them; it's a reciprocal relationship that requires us to know the land itself. Lupa shows you ways to create new connections with the nature around you, identify nature spirits who may facilitate that growth, and use rituals and other practices to deepen these bonds. Most importantly, you'll learn ways to give back to the land and the spirits with offerings that make a real difference.Enter into an animistic ecosystem populated not just with the spirits of animals, plants, and fungi, but landforms, celestial bodies, and natural forces. Deepen your spiritual connection to the earth, and rejoin the community of nature!

Genres: Spirituality

244 pages, Paperback

Published May 10, 2021

About the author

"I am an author, artist, and wannabe polymath living in Portland, OR. I've been a pagan of various sorts since the mid-1990s. My primary focus has always been on totemism and animal magics, though in recent years I've been expanding into the general totemic ecosystem, working with plant, fungus, mineral and other totems. I've written several books based on my practices, and you can read my blog at http://www.thegreenwolf.com/blog as well.

Also since the mid-1990s, I've created ritual tools, sacred costumery, and other meaningful art out of hides, bones, beads, and other organics. It's been a strong part of my spirituality, and I even wrote a book about it, Skin Spirits: The Spiritual and Magical Use of Animal Parts. You can see what's currently available for purchase on my Etsy shop: http;//thegreenwolf.etsy.com

I am very involved in environmental and sustainable efforts. I volunteer with local environmental groups with tree planting and litter cleanup efforts, and I even adopted a small stretch of the Columbia River to clean litter, monitor flora and fauna, and do water testing. At home I do my best to follow Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (in that order), and many of my art supplies are secondhand or otherwise reclaimed, and everything gets used one way or another.

When I'm not creatively working or volunteering, I love to hike, go out dancing, read voraciously when I have the time, and hit the gym a few times a week.

Reviews

[Mycelial Alchemy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I now own nearly every book that this author has (self) published, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every single one thus far!
This one took a nice turn, where other books that I've read by Lupa follow a layout of options/methods (depending on the topic), but most commonly I have seen across their books it goes (in no specific order):
a. Bioregional Model
b. Correspondences Model
c. Archetypal Model
And ofcourse, other chapters regarding more information/details regarding the topic at hand.
These 3 models work really well and Lupa always does a good job at introducing these methods to their readers, makes it easy to approach... I have always loved that Lupa encourages readers to take what works with/for them, and to leave the rest (also to be aware of the sources of which they are receiving their learning, knowing what is appreciation/appropriation, and being aware culturally of where you stand).

In this book however, it does not have any chapters that discuss any specific models! (Though it does discuss Bioregions/Local Ecosystems)
This book really is, from the ground up!
I honestly say that if you have interest in ANY of the topics that Title Lupa's books, then pick it up and give it a shot, and if you find yourself wanting more info, either more of their books can be found, or in nearly every book, there is a Recommended Reading section near the back (and even within the book itself or in the footnotes!)
Lupa is ALWAYS giving out sources/websites/books/content to reach out to that isn't theirs, and I love someone who is open and willing to share their inspirations or content/info that they know can be best delivered by someone who did the work themselves!

This book's chapter list is as follows, to give you a good idea of what's instore on this book:

1: The Importance of Reconnecting with Nature
2: The Basics of Bioregionalism
3: Introducing the Spirits Themselves
4: The Animistic Ecosystem
5: Practices For the Spirits and Yourself
6: Animism Every Day
Conclusion: Wonder and Awe at the World
+
Appendix A: Recommended Reading
Appendix B: Beneficial Nonprofit Organizations
Appendix C: Helpful Hints for Animistic Research
Appendix D: A Quick Guide to Guided Meditation
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Glossary
Bibliography

(I will probably just add the chapter list of each of their books to my reviews, that way for people seeking to know what each book entails, the chapter list does a good job at giving you an idea.)