Honoring The
Spirits of Place
By Rev. Chris Allaun
Author of the book
Underworld: Shamanism, Myth, and Magick
In modern paganism, we are taught to honor the gods and the ancestors in our spiritual practice.
Over time we begin to forge a deep connection with our chosen gods. We learn their mythologies, energies, and
stories. When we call them in our rituals and ceremonies they bless our space and give power to our magick.
We build a personal relationship with that that cannot be broken. They are in our minds and hearts constantly.
Whenever we need the aid of the gods and ancestors, we only need to call on them and they come to our aid.
But what about the spirits of place? Who are those spirits and how do they benefit us?
The spirits of place, sometimes called genius loci, are the spirits that naturally inhabit the land or space where
we work our rituals. When we hear a Native American Shaman refer to “the spirits” the spirit of place is one of
those spirits that they are calling. The earth is inhabited by many spirits. We have spirits of the forest, the oceans
and lakes, spirits in the mountains, and the spirits in the vast deserts. They take many shapes and forms and not
all the spirits of place look the same. With each location, the spirit of place will look different. They may take
human form, animal form, or a combination of the two.
So what is the benefit of working with the spirit of place? One of the major reasons we work with the spirit of
place is we must honor the spirit’s natural habitat when working out door rituals. One would never walk into a
stranger’s home and say, “Hi. You don’t know me, but I’m going to do a full moon ritual in your living room.” We
have to give the spirits of any outdoor space the courtesy that we give anyone. Before doing a ceremony with my
circle, I will often establish a relationship with the spirit of place before the day of the ritual. If I do not have time
do go before ritual, I will certainly take a few moments to connect with the spirits who live on the land and give
offerings.
Another reason to work with the spirit of place is that they will give you protection and guidance while you are
working your ritual. Once the spirits understand who you are and what you are doing on their land they will do
their best to make sure you are not disturbed. A
usually busy park or forest preserve will suddenly
stay quiet and not a soul will pass by. Likewise
people strolling through will go out of there way
to go around your ritual space.
The spirit of place can add strength to your ritual.
If they are inclined, they will help open the veil
that separates the worlds and act as an energetic
battery giving your ritual much more power than
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Pagan Living Magazine Litha 2017