Rooting Ritual for Nomads

Rooting Ritual for Nomads

Apr 12, 2021

Pictured above: Ficus Tree, maybe an Indian Laurel? On Mission Point in San Diego, CA

I've decided that I'm going to begin sharing a blog about the indigenous roots of each place in the natural world that I visit on our travels around the country! I'm hoping it can be both educational and a way for me to help spread knowledge about the people who once inhabited this land.

To begin that practice, I'm also sharing a rooting ritual I use in each place I go. It helps to provide stability in the instability of nomad life, gives me the space for myself I need at the start of each day, and allows me to connect more with earth and her natural beings.

To begin, let's look at the indigenous history of where I am now, in San Diego, CA:

Indigenous Roots


Knowing who once inhabited and took care of the stolen land that is the United States is important for acknowledging our country's wounded history so that necessary reparations and healing can begin to happen. In each place I visit, I find out whose land I'm on. You can find out whose land you're currently on or have settled on, at native-land.ca.

Here in Mission Beach, San Diego, I'm on Kumeyaay land (KOOM-yai). It is important to find out how to pronounce the tribe's name - don't guess. In this case, the nation has a couple of websites that provide information and history about them. That is not always the case.

Beyond land acknowledgement
Depending on how long I'm on that particular land, I might do more or less research on where I am staying. For example, native-lands.ca tells me that I'm on land once occupied by the Kumeyaay nation, but I would need to get in contact with them in order to know exactly which of the tribes occupied the Mission Beach area. There are 12 remaining "bands," as it seems they call them, of Kumeyaay people.

I also might reach out to the nation to ask how they define reparations and the types of allyship that are suitable to them. Some may have education they'd like you to share, some might ask for assistance with protests or advocacy, and most always, a donation is appropriate. On this particular website, it seems that in order to make a donation or get more information, you would need to contact the nation.

If you are able to, please help me honor the land I'm traveling over by making a donation to the Kumeyaay nation.

Rooting Ritual

You will need:

  • A natural partner in a semi-secluded space (I like to find a tree who I'm drawn to. Your natural partner may be different)

  • Information about your location from native-land.ca and tree/plant identification

  • A journal

  • A mug + spoon

  • 4 oz hot water

  • 0.5 oz cacao (get 10% off Heartblood cacao here). If you don't want cacao, find another healing herb that can serve as a plant ally

  • 1 tsp Ceylon Cinnamon

  • 1/2 tsp Ginger

  • Pinch of Cayenne Pepper

  • 1 tbsp coconut (or MCT) oil (optional)

Timing: I like to do this in the morning, but do it whenever suits you!

In all of this ritual, feel free to take pieces that serve you, and leave those that do not.

Prepare for the rooting ritual:

  1. Know whose land you are inhabiting. Go to native-land.ca and search your location. In some cases, you may need to do further research or clarify land stewardship with the nearby tribes (when multiple show up).

  2. Select and name a natural partner. I like to walk around my space to find a semi-secluded area where I can perform this ritual without being bothered or feeling too self-conscious. Ask permission from your natural partner to work with them in their space. Whether you select a tree like I do, or another type of plant/natural formation, you'll want to identify who you're communing with. Here in San Diego, I chose a Ficus Tree, who I believe is an Indian Laurel. Close is good enough, since these are only names we've given them in English. Feel free to ask them their name as well and see if there's another they prefer to use.

  3. Prepare your elixir. Heat 4 oz of water, and mix in your cacao, ceylon cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, and coconut oil into a mug - one that is special to you. Bring a spoon with you, as cacao tends to settle in the bottom of the cup.

Perform the ritual:

  1. Bring your drink to the space you've selected for the ritual, near your natural partner. Again, ask permission to approach and work in their space.

  2. Cast a circle if that serves you. You can do that by turning toward each direction and calling in the following energy guides:

    • Spirits of the East, of thought & beginning (know that in Lakota tradition, the color Red represents the East)

    • Spirits of the South, of spark and action (Yellow)

    • Spirits of the West, of resiliency and the underworld (Black)

    • Spirits of the North, of groundedness and knowing (White)

    • Look up/raise your arms to the sky and acknowledge the Source that you recognize (God, gods, Father Sky, etc.)

    • Bend down and touch the Earth and acknowledge your ancestors and the indigenous people (name them) who have learned lessons before you. I also acknowledge Mother Earth here.

    • Say, "The circle is cast."

  3. Take a seat with your natural partner and reflect on the intentions heated into your beverage:

    • Water, for renewal and flowing with change

    • Cacao, for grounding and connection

    • Cinnamon for increased spiritual connectedness

    • Ginger for healing

    • Cayenne for rooting and heart connection

    • Coconut oil (if using) for protection and purification

  4. Reflect on the connection between you, your natural partner, and the indigenous people who once occupied these lands. Both your natural partner and native people both were likely displaced without their consent. I meet a lot of trees who are not native to their current location. Sometimes you will meet a natural partner who does grow naturally in that part of the country. Journal on all your reflections and intentions!

  5. Take time to state your intentions for this day out loud. Include both what you plan/hope to accomplish/DO, and how you want to approach your day/BE. Feel into your body to know if you really, truly want those things or if they are coming from others' expectations.

  6. Find a way to thank your natural partner for their time and community.

  7. Uncast the circle, by acknowledging each energy source, in the opposite direction (starting with ancestors, and going counter-clockwise to end in the East). Say, "The circle is uncast but not unbroken. My intentions go out into the world to become what they will. Heck yes [or insert other energetic closing statement]."

Let me know how it goes for you to perform this ritual!! You can comment below to give feedback, ask questions, or share your experiences.

To your adventure

  • Beth

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