Speaking with Nature: Awakening to the Deep Wisdom of the Earth - Sandra Ingerman, Llyn Roberts 2015

Sandra
Corn

The nature being Corn has had a long life on this great Earth. Scientists have found fossilized corn pollen in sediment in Central Mexico that dates back 80,000 years. It is descended from indigenous wild grasses that were called teosinte.

About 7,000 years ago the Indians in Mesoamerica began domesticating corn—then known as maize—and there are several varieties, but the one we enjoy eating at cookouts is called “sweet corn.”

Eating corn on the cob is a tangible and rich experience. My mother, at 98, refused to have corn taken off the cob for her, though that would have made it easier to eat. She still wanted that experience of chewing each kernel off the cob.

When I look at all the corn kernels in ceremonial bowls that I keep around my house, I experience brilliant light coming through each kernel. There is a beauty in each kernel and a knowing that each kernel holds the blueprint of perfect health. I have ears of corn in a variety of places, and they serve as reminders to me that the universe is abundant and we are always given what we need to thrive.

Remember back to a time in summer when you were at a cookout. Bring yourself fully into this experience. Imagine how soft the warm air feels, perhaps even a bit humid, depending on where you are. Smell the wealth of fragrances of the foods being cooked. Listen to the laughter of friends and family during this time of fun and celebration. Many of you probably remember eating corn on the cob during a cookout. Visualize the bright yellow or white kernels waiting to pop between your teeth. Feel yourself holding the hot corn and taking that first bite. Taste the sweetness of each kernel as you chew it.

Now shift your attention and imagine being in the desert of the Southwest. As you gaze at the landscape, notice how the land looks dry. You wonder what might grow in a place like this where water is sparse.

As you look into the distance, you see a garden filled with stalks of corn growing. You walk closer, and once at the garden you notice and hear people with rattles singing to the corn. You are observing an ancient ritual of how people sing up the Corn—a spiritual practice that is used to honor the Corn, encouraging it to grow.

Modern agribusiness has changed our relationship to Corn. Many people no longer honor the spirit of the nature beings we eat; they are perceived simply as “food products” that we buy in stores. It is time to reflect on the sacredness of Corn and all the plants that sustain us.

When I first moved to Santa Fe, I received a message while performing a shamanic journey that I did not understand with my rational mind. I was told that Corn is the most sacred plant. At that time I didn’t fully understand why.

The native people of the Southwest call Corn “the mother” (Corn Mother) because of their mythology about its origin and its emergence from the primary mother, Earth. They also depend on it as their primary food source. Ground corn or corn pollen is used in ceremonies and prayers as an affirmation of the connection between Earth and all of life.

Among the Hopi, Navajo, Apache, and Zuni tribes, Corn has been elevated to a high cultural status. The Navajo believe that Corn is a gift from the Holy People. For the Navajo people the Holy People are the deities who live in a world beneath the earth’s surface or what some would call the Lower Worlds. The Hopi developed a dry farming technique for growing Corn based on the Earth’s cycles, which they incorporate into their religious rituals.

In pueblo mythology Corn Mother represents the feminine aspect of the universe. Beautiful and powerful Corn Dances are performed in many of the pueblos to honor her and offer her pollen.

While living in Santa Fe, I have had the wonderful opportunity to attend many different Corn Dances. There is always great excitement as the dancers come out in colorful costumes, dancing in a way that has been passed down through generations to honor the sacred living being we call Corn. Drumming supports the dance and the power is tangible and timeless.

The Zuni people are known for making fetishes that honor certain animal and plant spirits. Fetishes share power with those who feed them, honor them, and care for them. Fetishes are often offered cornmeal as a form of respect. The Zuni people teach that when you sprinkle a fetish with cornmeal as an offering, you will be blessed in return. Zuni fetishes are made from a variety of materials such as mother of pearl, coral, turquoise, fossilized ivory, bone, or deer or elk antler.

There are Zuni fetishes that contain the power of Corn—Corn Maidens and Corn Mother. The six young Corn Maidens have the task of keeping people supplied with Corn—the Blue Corn Maiden, Red Corn Maiden, Yellow Corn Maiden, White Corn Maiden, and Black Corn Maiden; the sixth is Spotted Corn Maiden. There are varieties of corn that grow in these six colors.

Corn is food and is seen as the seed and symbol of life. The Corn Maidens bring the power of life to the people. Corn is given life by the sun; the Corn Maidens bring us life through the power of the sun, giving us the health that the Creator designed for us.

There are various stories of creation taught in the Native American traditions of the Southwest as to how Corn came into being. The stories are so numerous and contain such a wealth of symbolism that an entire book would need to be written to share them all.

In the Hopi tradition blue corn represents the rising sun and the beginning of life, wisdom, and understanding. The Hopi believe that blue corn symbolizes long life. The Acoma Indians teach that corn seeds hold the potential to generate life.

Corn seeds are literally kernels of ancient wisdom. They can be stored for many years and remain vital until they are planted. Then they sprout with new life as a new plant is born to nourish life.

You can only imagine that growing food in the desert during times of drought and intense weather is challenging. The people who have inhabited the land here have always honored the spirits of the plant and animal life that bring nurturance.

Corn is not that easy to grow in the desert and needs a lot of attention. I tried to grow blue corn—blue is my favorite color—and planted kernels in my garden, where the land was dry and hard. There was rock beneath the top layer of soil in my garden so it took a lot of effort to dig holes where I could place the seeds. I felt enriched by giving my attention to growing blue corn and doing my own ceremonies that came through direct revelation to honor the plant and give thanks for its growth. I have been so inspired by how the Hopi people sing up the corn that I did this myself and was excited to watch the corn grow. Due to the condition of the soil, the plants did not grow tall, but they did produce corn.

I remember cooking up the first ears of blue corn that I grew in the hot summer. I bit into the small cooked kernels and was overwhelmed by their sweet taste. As I ate the blue corn, I felt the potency of this ancient plant. I fully absorbed the wealth of nutrients that are known to support health and a long life.

Every solstice and equinox I walk around the land where I live giving offerings to the ancestors of the land, the Spirit of Santa Fe, the Hidden Folk, all my helping spirits, and the spirit that lives in all things. I join my heart with them to welcome in the new season and also give gratitude for all the protection and help I am given in my life. For my offerings I sprinkle blue cornmeal as I chant words filled with gratitude and blessings to all of life and welcome in the change of season. I give thanks to earth, air, water, and the sun. I end by giving thanks to my personal ancestors and also for my life. I offer gratitude for having the opportunity to be a caretaker of the land where I live.

In addition to the corn kernels in ceremonial dishes around my house, I have a corn doll on one of my altars and Zuni Corn Maiden and Corn Mother fetishes that remind me of the power of life and the abundance that is shared through the creative forces of the universe.

There are a couple of sayings I love that originate in different traditions in the Southwest. When someone is about to embark on a business venture, it is often asked: “Will it grow corn?” The meaning of this is, “Will your venture bring abundance your way?”

I also share a teaching in my workshops that I learned from some Native Americans in the Southwest, which is that as long as you have two kernels of corn, you will never go hungry—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. I often give two kernels of blue corn to each of the participants to carry with them in a medicine bundle or to plant. In later seasons I have been gifted back with ears of blue corn grown from the two gifted kernels. These ears of corn represent sacred blessings I receive.

Practices

Buy a small pot, some potting soil, and herb seeds. Parsley is very easy to grow, and the seeds germinate quickly.

Plant the seeds and begin a daily practice of singing to them. Notice how you feel as you share your energy with this growing plant. Feel what it feels like to establish a deep connection with a plant.

As it grows continue your practice of singing to the plant. Nurture your plant with loving words and thoughts. From time to time close your eyes, open your invisible ears and psychic senses, and intuit any messages the plant shares with you. You might see an image, hear a telepathic message, or get a feeling in your body or “in your bones.”

At first you might feel as if you are forcing the communication. But once you settle into a relationship with this plant you will notice a flow of conversation emerging. Children easily communicate with nature beings. We have to open back up to the psychic gifts we had as children.

You can also engage in this practice with a houseplant you have been tending. And if you have a garden, sing to the plants you grow.

May this practice inspire you to do the same with the seeds of the words and thoughts you plant in your inner garden.

This practice will create a desire to be conscious of energies you share through your thoughts and words. For we want to feed our inner garden and our Earth garden with love.

In shamanic cultures people sang and drummed up the sun to thank it for coming up another day and bringing the energy for all life to thrive.

Find days when you can sing to the rising and setting sun, the moon, the stars, the land, the trees, and the spirit that lives in all things. Notice how this practice of singing to the nature beings makes you feel more connected to nature and the cycles of life.

There are many creation stories in Native American traditions, and Corn is often featured. It is seen as sacred food and a gift from the gods and goddesses who created the Earth and all of life.

Take some time to meditate on how the creative forces of the universe collaborated with the Earth to bring together energies that created spirit into form. Imagine how you also were created as spirit into form. Feel the power, intention, and love that all came together to create form with power, intention, and love.

Find a way to express the energy of collaboration between sky and earth, the alchemy that brought forth the elements of life.

You may want to use watercolors, acrylic paints, or crayons to go beyond a rational expression and just let color and shapes flow through you onto paper. Or put on some music and dance the flow of creative energy that birthed you into form. You can also use your imagination to write a story about how the sky and earth joined together in love to create you and other nature beings. If these ways do not speak to you, let what I have suggested inspire your own form of creative expression.

Then go outside and either lie on the earth or sit in a chair with the soles of your feet touching the earth. Close your eyes and take some very deep breaths. Open yourself up and feel the vibration of the Earth. You might feel the power of the inner fire of the Earth. Let yourself feel the love of the Earth flow through you. Soak it into your being.

In spiritual teachings it is understood that there is a web of life that connects us all. Part of the practice of shamanism is exploring practices where you can honor and respect “the spirit that lives in all things.” It is important to find ways to honor the plants and trees where you live. And it is important to honor the animals, insects, fish, reptiles, birds, rocks, and minerals that live with you in harmony.

As I wrote in Wild Rose, the more we can respect nature, the more nature respects us, which goes back to the shamanic principle of reciprocity. In native cultures it is taught that when we live in harmony with nature, it will bless us and reflect back to us a state of balance.

Engage in simple practices that align your energy and harmonize you with nature. Find simple ways to honor the nature beings where you live. When you feel called to do so, you can leave an offering for the nature spirits. Hold your intention that this offering is a way to express gratitude for earth, air, water, and fire (as the sun), which sustain you. Give gratitude to all the beings that live in your area. You might wish to offer gratitude for the helping ancestral spirits where you live and also to your personal ancestors who gave you life. Give thanks to the spirit of the land, the Hidden Folk, and your own helping spirits. Reflect on other nature beings you would like to honor.

You might wish to research indigenous edible plants in your area. What plants were gifted from the holy ones? Give thanks to the plants for the nurturance they share.

I leave offerings during each equinox and solstice, as I like to perform a ceremony during this potent time of seasonal change. You can find your own times when you desire to give thanks to the nature beings.

It does not matter where you live, in a city or in a rural area. There are plants and trees in all urban areas. You might live by the ocean and can visit a beach; you can leave offerings as you connect with the power of the ocean. There might be a park you can visit or a garden where you can leave offerings. Find other places in nature where you can walk and offer gratitude in ways that call to you.

There are no “correct” offerings to give. I leave blue cornmeal as an offering because blue corn has deep meaning for me, but you can leave a bit of your favorite food, flowers, water, drink, and so on as an offering. Please remember that animals and other nature beings might eat the offerings you leave. So please be conscious and make sure any favorite foods you leave are safe for them to eat. The key is holding a strong intention in your heart to give gratitude and to share your love with the Earth. Nature reads your heart, not your mind.