Experience the Joy of Nature and Spirit Through the Graxean Way
 

Welcome to Earth's Joy
Thursday, June 20 2013 @ 08:22 AM EDT

Welcome

Welcome to Earth's Joy

Here at Earth's Joy, we share and teach methods of developing and/or enhancing spiritual practices through the Graxean Way. In these pages you'll find tools, information, and inspiration that appeal to both your practical and spiritual sides aimed at guiding you in your journey to experience the Joy of the Earth, of Nature, of Spirit, and of the Great Mystery of "All That Is." Graxeanism is a path of spirituality intended to inspire and guide one’s personal spiritual journey with primary focus on and reverence for Nature, taking its cues from science, mythology, philosophy, psychology, arts, and the personal experiences of its students.

Graxeans revere Nature as the material embodiment of Spirit and honor our connection to all its Beings, whether they are human, feathered, furred, scaled, plant, tree, stone, wind, or cloud. We recognize that regardless of where we are, we are one with Nature, even if we have forgotten this connection over time. Through Graxean teachings and tools, we define our own spiritual path and learn to benefit this world and ourselves during this life we have been given. We welcome knowledge of our world to enrich our spiritual practices and constantly seek to understand ourselves and the universe. It's not enough for us to do things the way they've always been done; we ask why, we seek the answers, and we embark upon our practices when we fully understand how it works and how we can make it work for us.

Do you feel there is something missing in your spiritual path or practices but can't figure out just what? Do you know exactly what you believe but have a hard time putting it into practice? Do you love being in natural surroundings and feel you need to connect more deeply, as if something is calling to you? Do you already have a spiritual practice but always wondered why a particular tool does this or stone does that without any real, practical explanation? Do you have trouble relating to existing spiritual pantheons? Are you perfectly happy with what you have but wouldn't mind adding something new?

If so, come on in and sift through this site. Be inspired. Motivate yourself. Have a chuckle or two. Open to new ideas. Define, refine, and strengthen your spiritual path. Take what works for you, leave the rest, share your discoveries!

 

Where to Begin?

Here are some topics and accompanying articles to get you started. Much more can be found in the menu on the left.

What is Graxeanism?

More Articles about Graxeanism

The Principles by Which We Practice and Live

Mission Statement and By-laws

How is Graxeanism Different from other Nature-centric or Pagan Paths?

How to Use this Site (Resize fonts for easier reading, what you can do with an account, etc.)

Spirit/God/Goddess/Divinity/All That Is

Mythology and Archetype

Weaving Energies to Bring about Change

Ceremonies

Developing Your Own Spiritual Path

  

This site is constantly being updated, so please check back often or subscribe to our site through an RSS feed. You can also subscribe to our calendar to keep up on holidays and events.

 

Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, psychological, or legal advice. Usage of any herbs and consumption of any wild edibles mentioned on this site is done so at your own risk. Follow your local laws regarding the collection of feathers, bones, shells, and stones as they may apply. The authors and Earth's Joy assume no liability in actions resulting from the use or misuse of information provided herein.


 

 

 

News and Recent Articles

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Lots of Updates

News and Updates

You may have noticed some changes in the past few days. I am working on making the site a little easier to navigate to get the information you need. Hopefully I have succeeded, and you can easily find what you're looking for. If not, or if you have any suggestions, you may use our new Contact Form to pass your word along. 

I have also added connectivity to my blog at Blogger where I'll be sharing the bulk of my experiences and inspirational messages and keep most of the articles here informational in nature. You'll find links to the articles at the top right of the homepage, or just head on over to Walking the Path of Nature and Spirit.

I'm still updating here and there, so check back often!

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Hiccups (hopefully) fixed!

News and UpdatesThus far looks like the menus are all working properly now. Thanks for your patience! Please report any wonky behavior and I promise not to take 10 years to repair it this time!
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Still working out hiccups

News and UpdatesHello all, still working out those hiccups. Seems the left side menu is still being wonky. Hope to fix it soon and start updating more frequently. Had a lot of life changes the past few years, and now that my little one is starting school, I'm hoping to start getting back to more inspirational updates, so check back soon!
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Website Updates

News and UpdatesPlease excuse any visual website hiccups while we sort out some funky features after having moved to a new domain name!
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A Sacred Space of the Goddess

Observations and ExperiencesHaving fasted for a few days, I'm in a very spiritual frame of being. This is the best fast I've ever had with the least reactions. So on my weekly hike, I go into the woods to commune with the Earth Mother and am blessed by such glory along the way that I am in perfect sacred bliss and harmony.

So at first things were hairy what with bad parking, but after meeting with a beautiful beech tree with the most amazing branches, to whom we made a very nice friendship as I stroked her bark, I finally get on my way. It's late, like near sunset late. I had a late start, clearly. Regardless, the sun is lighting up the land in a mystical yellow and the bugs are dancing in the light in this bizarre pattern that made me giggle out loud. The Lord's Light cast across the trees, many still with rusts and oranges in their leaves (the forest I go to has many beech trees which are the last to lose their leaves in these woods, sometimes they keep them all winter.) The last hint of sun goes behind the mountain and I bid farewell. I stare at the sky, Lord Sky in his glory, faint dustings of silvery white against a pure, childlike blue.

I turn down the path and am met with the beeches still holding their golden and copper leaves. I stop and look in awe. They are magnificent. I continue and go down the path to the sacred center, a valley of rock where water seeps from little holes in the stone. As I get there, I'm a bit annoyed by a bunch of yip yap on a nearby trail and too many dogs, but it's not enough to ruin my moment.
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New Articles in Progress

News and UpdatesI know it's been a while since new articles have been posted. I've had a minor health issue over the past few months that I'm starting to get under control and will be featured in one of the upcoming articles! Please be patient and stay tuned. There is a lot coming up!
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Ceremony--Midwinter Gratitude to Animals

Divinity and Spirituality

Materials:

Red glass candleholders
Tea lights
Hay or other vegetarian animal food
If snow is not available, then a white cloth or surface that will hold the candleholders
Meat, eggs, or if vegetarian, some other significant protein source
The winter tale of gratitude

 

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Graxemicu Tale--Midwinter Gratitude to the Animals

Mythology It had been weeks since the hunters returned with meat for the families. The winter had been a long, cold one, and now, without fresh meat, it was becoming a desperate one. The food stores were growing low, and the community was growing concerned.

Finally, they came to the shamans to ask them to find out what was going on. After all, the hunters were very capable and never let their families grow hungry. Something far bigger had to be at hand.
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Sacredness in the Small Things with Small People

Family Spirituality

It was a typical evening. I had just brought the toddler in from outside, and we were getting ready to prepare dinner. Then the light of the almost-full moon caught my eye. The little guy had just learned to say “moon,” and so I brought him into the temple (aka the enclosed back porch) to look at it.

I turned off the lights and sat with him facing the silver disk as she rose from behind the hill of the small valley that makes up my backyard (sounds impressive, but we’re really just in the middle of a busy suburb and happened to get a hold of some really neat property!) He looked outside and said, “Moon!” I said, “Yes, that’s the moon. Pretty moon!” Then he repeated over and over, “Peedee moon.” The still golden-laced silver light poured through the window and lit up his face. Those round cheeks were aglow, and it was as if I were looking at the human embodiment of a young moon. I looked out to see the light was dancing off of tiny puddles that collected in individual leaves in the woodsy space. Hundreds of silver reflections danced back at us.

 

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Women's-blood Healing Ceremony

Women's Spirituality

 A woman’s sacred, monthly, moon time is a wonderful opportunity to return the gift of life given by Mother Earth back to Her.