Rose Ariadne's Chitchcraft Blog

Dear Friends,

While puttering through the garden this morning, my mind wandered as it usually does, to the wonders of Gaia and the gifts of nature that she brings to us. Think about it, not only does Gaia provide us with the flowing waters that are essential to all living creatures or the growing trees that provide us with the necessary oxygen we need to breathe, but she also provides us with the ever-yielding bounties of her harvests that give us the food we need to survive.

It is often easy to forget while we’re perusing the produce section of the grocery store that the food we are buying is a gift from the Goddess of Nature. Even more so, we can sometimes forget to be thankful to her for that gift. Even we modern witches that are generally attuned to nature and thankful for its bounties can forget to be thankful to Gaia when we’re picking up that package of tomatoes or bag of apples while we’re rushing through the store and trying to get everything done in time to pick the kids up from school.

I can’t help but feel that this must sadden Gaia, that her children have become so wrapped up in the rat race of life that we forget to be thankful for the fruits of her labor. Imagine how you would feel after cooking a special meal for your family, and having it go unnoticed. Admit it! You know it would bother you at least a little. Everything that Gaia provides for us is a special meal. From the smallest leaf of basil to the giant and juicy watermelon, the fruits of her labor have been provided to us with the utmost care.

It is important for us to recognize these gifts, and be thankful they are there for us. One of the easiest ways to do this, at least in my opinion, is to have your own special garden. Even if you simply grow one tiny little pot of herbs to harvest, you will really be surprised at how much of an impact it has on you and how much it makes you remember the bountiful gifts of harvest that we receive.

I can’t begin to tell you how many people have told me this is impossible. That they rent, and can’t plant a garden. That they live in an apartment and don’t have the space. With all of the gifts that Gaia has bestowed on us, one of those is plants that will grow in almost any condition! Some of the most creative edible gardens I have ever seen have come from those with limited growing space. If you get creative, you can grow at least something to harvest, and it is the perfect way to help keep you in touch with nature and appreciate the gift of harvest.

When we stop being thankful for the gifts of food that Gaia has given us, she will stop providing. Being thankful for these gifts means being appreciative for the food we are given and not taking more than we need. If we continue to just take and take from Gaia, eventually there will be nothing more for her to give. Harvesting your gifts from nature is the perfect opportunity to be thankful for these gifts and honor Gaia in all her glory.

When you partake of the harvest, whether you are picking a single tomato or a bushel of fruit, never forget to ask the plant for its offering and take what is given to you with sincere thanks. This ritual of doing so will help you to not only give credit where credit is due and acknowledge the blessings Gaia has given you, but will actually serve as a reminder that we should be thankful for all the fruits we receive, whether they are from our own garden or from the grocery store down the road.

Picking up that head of lettuce from the grocery store in a mad rush may be a necessity, but it generally lacks the spirituality that should be felt when receiving nature’s bounty. On the other hand, when you take the time to nurture and care for these plants and ask for an offering from nature, it is a very spiritual and moving moment that puts you back in touch with Gaia, and allows you to thank her with a truly grateful heart.

Brightest Blessings,

Rose Ariadne
Your Warm and Caring “Resident Witch In Charge”