FOR MOUNTAINS
Beloved Mountain, you are a guardian of Mother Earth; you inspire us with your magnificence, presence, and wisdom
Mountain Gratitude Ceremony
Mountains, with their awe-inspiring heights, stand as sentinels of the Earth. They have witnessed the passage of time, shaping landscapes and nurturing life for eons. Their enduring presence fills us with a sense of stability and permanence.
Mountains are more than geographical features; they are living, breathing embodiments of Earth's wisdom and beauty, entrusted as guardians and caretakers by Nature herself.
Mountains have long been considered places where the Earth and the divine are connected, making them sacred spaces, and in cultures around the world, sacred Mountains hold profound spiritual and cultural significance. They are revered as the very embodiment of Earth's sacred energy, places of worship, meditation, and deep reflection. Mountains carry the collective stories, traditions, and wisdom of generations, preserving the sacred bonds between humans and Nature.
Mountains offer a sacred refuge from the noise of our modern lives. In their silent presence, we find solitude and a profound sense of belonging. The gentle rustling of leaves, the whispers of the wind, and the songs of birds become a symphony of nature's own making. Here, we reconnect with our inner selves and remember our intimate bond with Earth and all her beings.
Gratitude is a powerful practice, and Mountains, as guardians of life provide us with endless reasons to be thankful.
The Mountain Gratitude Ceremony
Printable Ceremony Instructions
Mountains are living, breathing embodiments of Earth's wisdom and beauty, and all life depends on them. Mountains around the world are facing many challenges, and so we offer our gratitude to nourish them.
In the universal spirit of ritual and remembrance… Set your intention and put into motion these simple, sacred actions.
GATHER
A cloth to define your altar space.
Offerings: small bowl of water, plate or bowl with
small amounts of favorite foods, sweets, herbs, etc., flowers
Dried herbs for smoke purification.
CREATE
Locate a quiet spot in nature for your gratitude ceremony. It could be in your yard, a forest, a meadow, or at the base of your special Mountain. Although it is not required, having a line of sight to your Mountain is ideal. Lovingly assemble your altar and offerings, including the small bowl of water. Burn the herbs, and with the smoke, cleanse yourself, the altar, and the offerings.
STATE YOUR INTENTION
Standing or sitting in front of your altar, express your gratitude for your Mountain and all Mountains sustaining life on Mother Earth
ENTER SACRED SPACE
Give thanks to the ancestors of the land (plant, animal, fungal, elemental, and human).
Breathe, hum, rattle, sing, ring a bell, light a candle or incense.
OFFER YOUR BLESSING
Place your hands on the Earth. Breathe deeply into your heart center and when you exhale,
with love and gratitude, stand with your offering bowl of water. Offer your blessing (repeat 3 times)
Beloved Mountain, you are a guardian of Mother Earth, and I am grateful for you.
You inspire me with your magnificence, presence, and wisdom.
You nourish life with your snow, springs, and rivers and by directing the clouds.
You are a powerful source of water and food.
You are home to the unseen, to diverse plants, animals, birds, and fungi.
You have watched over life for eons, and you are woven into our stories and culture.
I honor you and thank you for holding us and all creatures in your embrace.
May you be respected and nourished.
May your energies, slopes, and waters be kept pristine.
May all humans everywhere remember and give thanks for Mountains.
I send my deep love and gratitude to you, beloved Mountain.
CLOSE
Offer your bowl of water and favorite foods (if you have them on your altar) to your Mountain by giving the water and food to the Earth under a tree or plant out of foot traffic. Give this offering with your own words of gratitude for the magnificent Mountains sustaining all life.
*Notes:
Feel free to insert the name or names of your Mountains into the above blessing.
The use of the possessive in the blessing is used as a belonging to one another as in familial relationships, not as in ownership. For example, “your Mountain” is intended as you belonging to the Mountain.
