Practical Druid Paganism

The Earth Mother

The honouring of the Earth Mother is undoubtedly the most "New Agey" portion of the more common Druidic ritual formats. This does not, however, negate it's importance or detract from its beauty. By honouring the Earth, no matter what manner we do so, we re-establish the interconnectedness and interdependence of the people and the natural world.

This interdependence is the heart of all nature religions, including Druids. By re-establishing these basic blocks of the ancient religion, we begin to reform its spirit within the present day.

The honouring of the Earth Mother may take many forms. Probably the most symbolic and beautiful is the casting of seeds/grains to the Earth itself. Some possible suggestions include:

cornmeal or flour blended with herbs
wild bird seed
wildflower seeds ( a blend of native wildflower seeds may be obtained at your local garden shop or nursery)
Don't use rice, barley, corn or wheat unless ground to flour. These grains (especially rice) swell in the bellies of small birds who eat them, and thus become potentially lethal for the birds.

A perpetual Earthmother offering

Depending upon your climate, you may have birds or other small wild things which have difficulty in finding food part of the year. A simple suet feeder can be made for pennies, and can help sustain birds, squirrels, and other small wild folk during lean winter months. The frame itself is a 'box' of sorts made of chicken wire and small pieces of lumber. The suet itself is a mixture of lard and wild bird seed: enough lard to make the seed stick together in globs or cakes. The feeder can be plain or fancy, hung from a post or tree. Once you've started a suet feeder, remember to keep it stocked as some creatures will grow to depend on that food source.

For those of you who live in rural enough areas and see deer or similar creatures, you may want to place out 'feeders' for hay or pellets (be sure to place these away from the house or garden). The principle here is the same: an offering to the Earth Mother (and some nature spirits) while providing a benefit to the local fauna (and a chance for you to see them up close and personal).

Rite of honouring the Earth Mother

Earth Mother, giver of life
We return to you
A measure of the bounty you have provided
May you be enriched,
And your wild things be preserved.

Click the banner to return to page listings!