Your Beginning Guide to Plant Kinship

Written By Elaine Sheff

Beginning to connect deeper to nature and plants doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be easy to incorporate a simple daily practice to nurture this relationship.

In addition to connecting to plants, we can connect to other natural elements such as the wind, ocean, or a river

A Five-Minute Practice to Reconnect with the Anima Mundi (the Soul of the World)

Connecting with the soul of the world doesn't require a forest or a pharmacy. It just requires your presence. Use this checklist to begin your friendship with the green world.

1. Choose Your Companion

Look for a "generous" plant friend that is easy to find and eager to meet you. As discussed in my last post, here are a few friendly “beginner plants:

  • Dandelion: For grounding and resilience.

  • Peppermint: For a lifted spirit and clear mind.

  • Calendula: For warmth and solar energy.

  • Marshmallow: For softness and soothing comfort.

2. The Sensory Handshake

Before you "do" anything, simply be with the plant.

  • Check your pulse: Does your heart rate slow as you sit down?

  • Soft Eyes: Look at the patterns and colors without trying to "name" or "classify" them.

  • The Velvet Touch: Gently feel the texture of a leaf. Is it fuzzy like a kitten's ear (Marshmallow) or cool and smooth (Peppermint)?

3. Take in the Essence

If you are 100% sure the plant is safe and edible:

  • Scent: Inhale deeply. Don't just smell the flower; smell the crushed leaf and the damp earth at the roots.

  • Taste: After asking the plant, place a tiny piece on your tongue. Notice if your body feels a "spark" of cold, a grounding bitterness, or a soothing sweetness.

4. Close the Loop

Relationship is a two-way street.

  • Gratitude: Offer a simple "thank you" to the plant before you leave.

  • Reflect: Use a "Plant Journal" to record your experiences, including any sensations, thoughts, memories, or dreams that arise after your visit.

Sitting under a tree is a beautiful place to begin

A Gentle Reminder

This is a friendship, not a chore. Just like all relationships, they develop slowly over time. Some days you will feel a deep, buzzing connection; other days, you might just be sitting under a tree. Both are exactly where you need to be.

© Elaine Sheff, Clinical Herbalist, RH (AHG)

Elaine Sheff
Next

Reclaiming the Anima Mundi: Our Journey Back to the Soul of the World