Season of Grief
This blog is written by Georgia Fickes, a bright soul and Earth Keeper, who is an herbalist and full of wisdom. She wrote this blog with intention to connect us on a collective level, as we are all experiencing different levels of grief in our current world.
The season of shedding that we currently reside in brings up feelings of melancholy, sadness, and reflection of past mistakes. As these regrets start to surface many of us lack the ability to confront the rawness of these mishaps. Instead, we numb out by keeping busy or having ourselves a forget me brew and hope that everyone, ourselves included, forgets.
I think of so many stories told by friends and family of generation trauma. As no one escapes this reality, whatever the story may be. I received a call last night that my uncle Richie passed away. He one of 6 on my maternal side of the family. As many stories go, he grew up to witness the self-destruction of his father after his return home from the war and turmoil ensued. I understand why a young man sent to war, to return home to start a family would be a challenge. That his self-regulation was beer and cigarettes. This is not to shame my grandfather or any family that have similar stories. It is to acknowledge and have compassion for the sad reality that took place in many households. I don’t think my uncle could shake what happened throughout his life or the misfortune of his childhood. My heart hurt every time I saw him. He was quiet, troubled, and sad. Yet his gentle soul always shined through. I wished I could’ve helped him shift his trajectory, but as I sat and prayed for his journey to the other side, I saw him beaming. He said, “it was never anyone’s responsibility”.
Each of us has a shameful experience, a regret, or story of grief that lingers in our mind. Holding onto this past self only keeps us weighed down. When you can confront yourself, forgive, and self-regulate in a mindful way you allow yourself a new start. I’ve had plenty of cringe worthy moments thus far in my life. I also held onto a lot of grief. Yet, I have come to realize that no one is doing better by me holding onto this bag of old rotting pain. That it actually is starting to smell and it’s time to go dig a hole and bury it in the earth. Allowing mother earth to compost it, turning it into some fertile magic. Each month I allow myself the gift of renewal through my moon cycle, but seasonally we can welcome this practice in. Fall asks us to let go, to grieve what was so we can show up in full presence for what lies ahead.
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Ritual
Write on a piece of paper or leaf the answers to these prompts:
What can you forgive yourself for?
What can you learn to accept?
What shame, guilt, or grief are you holding onto?
What keeps weighing you down?
What do you need to offer up to the earth?
Dig a hole and bury it in the earth or place in your compost bin. Allow the earth to take it. Release it into the soil, bury it down and not within your body. The earth has a miraculous way of transmuting energy into rich fertile soil.
Mushrooms for guidance on the beauty of transformation through decay.
About Georgia:
Georgia has completed two years at Gaia School of Healing, with Sage L. Maurer, graduating with a certificate in Herbalism. This course has taught her not only how to make medicine but how to be an advocate for the earth through reciprocal practices and ceremony. Georgia was taught to connect with plants through guided tea meditations, building a relationship with each plant spirit one by one. Georgia continues her journey by getting outdoors in her local habitat and communing with the plants that surround her. Connecting with local herbalists and wisdom seekers from all over.
Turn to Nature, is a way to share her journey with plant medicine. She finds herbalism to have healing qualities that can support one’s process in coming back to themselves, allowing each person to be their own guide. She believes that individuals have the ability to heal themselves through earth based education and internal listening.
She loves to lead plant meditations as a way to let the heart guide you to the wisdom that is available to us all. Allowing Gaia, the earth mother, to guide us back home.