A great way of connecting with the element of earth, or even another form of grounding or meditation, is to connect to a tree. Here’s how:
Find a large tree and sit down with your back against its spine. (You can also climb the tree and sit with your back against it in it’s branches)
Close your eyes and feel the tree’s solid strength as you rest against it.
Breathe in and out in a relaxed manner. As you do, visualise the energy of the tree being absorbed into your body. Breathe in and out thirteen times, each time taking in some of the tree’s energy until your whole body is enveloped. Feel yourself becoming part of the tree.
Call to the tree’s spirit, commune with it, and settle into the feeling of being a tree. Rest in this state for as long as desired.
When you wish to return to normal, bid farewell to the tree’s spirit and breathe in and out thirteen times, this time releasing the energy of the tree. Open your eyes.
Notes:
If for any reason, you feel uncomfortable or “rejected” by the tree, simply disconnect from its energy, apologise for intruding, and leave the area. It doesn’t happen very often, but it’s possible.
For more advanced witches, this exercise could be evolved to include transplanting your consciousness into the tree.
If you’re going to do a magical working that conducts energy through a tree (e.g. drawing energy down through a tree, using a tree to symbolise the element of earth in a circle, etc.), it’s polite to use the exercise here with the tree, and when you feel a connection, ask the tree’s permission to participate in the magical working. Aside from being polite, this also help’s align the tree’s energy flow with the rite’s, starting things off in the correct manner.
This information was collected from the book ‘Spellcasting: Beyond the Basics’ by Michael Furie.
Heatherwitch 