Quick Summary
Asking permission shows respect to Mother Earth and the spirits currently occupying a space.
When asking permission, I usually also leave a gift, a small token of appreciation.
Deeper Dive
Most humans currently living on Earth have been removed from Earth-based beliefs for eons so the concept of asking permission does not occur to a high majority of people. Indigenous peoples, on the other hand, generally have carried forth the Earth-based beliefs over the eons and so the concept of asking permission is deeply engrained in their culture; to not ask permission is unfathomable to them.
Asking permission is a common courtesy, a showing of respect, an honoring of spirits occupying a place. A simple comparison: a friend needs to borrow your car. Of course, you will allow them to do so. However, for them to take it without asking permission is rude and disrespectful. The same with the land. To take without asking for permission if rude and disrespectful.
Permission Granted or Refused
I have worked on building my awareness of my actions so that I honor Earth and her land spirits as much as absolutely possible. If I know our destination, I send an energetic message ahead letting them know we are coming and asking them permission to stay in the perfect campsite. Once we arrive and locate a campsite, I ask permission to stay there. If I move a rock, I ask permission. If we need to trim branches, I ask permission. Always permission is granted in these scenarios.
If one asks permission and senses nothing or senses an energetic welcome, then permission is granted. If one asks permission and feels resistance, senses discourse, or hears a ‘no’, then one should please respect the fact that humans are not welcomed. This simply means the place is working on its energy and should not be disturbed. One can try again the next day or at a later date.
Here is an example of permission notgranted. We were staying with friends on land that we cherish. They have a labyrinth there. Upon arrival, I visited the labyrinth and permission was granted. A week or so later, I wanted to again visit the labyrinth. I went to its entrance and asked permission. I felt a resistance and this told me I was not allowed in that day. I respected the request, of course, and settled down on the trail well outside of the labyrinth to do my meditation.
Gifting the Land
When I am granted permission, I will leave a gift. It is a small token of appreciation, a showing of respect. A gift is a small self-sacrifice, giving of something one values, or giving of a piece of oneself. Examples: corn, sacred tobacco, water from one’s water bottle, hair, a rock one was drawn to carry from another place. Sometimes I create a beaded ornament and hang it in a tree.
And – this might seem odd at first read – if one needs to urinate outside, like during a long hike, offer your bodily fluid as a gift to the land. A humorous story on this subject:
In August 2017, Steve and I went for a hike in Capital Reef National Park near Torrey, Utah, USA. As usual, upon arrival, we asked permission and left a gift of sacred tobacco at the trailhead. As we walked, I was in awe of the ancient beings stoically standing on the top of the canyon walls. About half way through our 5-mile-long (8 km) loop hike, I decided to speak to the land spirits. I introduced myself and asked if they had any messages for me. I felt a welcome and a warm feeling of companionship as we walked. Shortly thereafter, I heard voices on the trail ahead of us. Then I heard the land spirit say with some disgust in the voice “they peed on us!” This caught me by surprise, and I had to smile. We went around a bend in the trail and came upon two women. We greeted them, but they were preoccupied and a bit confused. They said “do you know where the trail goes?” Evidently, after the women peed without leaving it as a gift to the land, the land spirits obscured the path to them temporarily. I internally laughed and then mentally asked the land spirits for permission to help the women. I received no reply so I knew I could assist them as much or as little as I chose. Not wanting to be pulled in to their drama, we kept walking and compassionately said “we believe it is this way”. One of them said “no, we’ve already tried that direction and the path stops at those rocks.” We continued on our way. When we followed the obvious path around the rocks, we waved at the women. They could choose to follow if they wanted. All the while, a smile on my face at the obvious, innocent trick being played.
Conclusion
I encourage the reader to become aware of actions taken on a daily basis. What can one do to be evermore respectful to Earth and her spirit occupants? If people asked permission before cutting down a tree or digging a hole of any size, we as humans would begin understanding our relationship with Earth and her other spirit occupants at a much deeper level. And we would begin to truly see that we are all One, all Divine.
Read our Healing Reservoirsseries of posts to learn what work Crystal Weavers are doing to assist places in healing old wounds and in raising their vibration. Earth’s vibration is rising, and it is time for these places to do so as well.
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Aho, Nakeetah.
With loving intentions, Lila