Blessing the seeds

The 6th source of our UU tradition is “Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature”. For those of us who grew up in Jewish or Christian traditions, we were taught that you can take your religion with you, like a book, wherever you go. But earth centered traditions are, by definition, tied to a specific place. We learn not from ideas about earth, but from the earth herself.

Long before my family and I arrived in this region, this land was cared for by the Haudenosaunee confederacy of first nations peoples. The Haudenosaunee are still providing guidance and leadership today for those who would listen. They are still doing ceremonies which grow out of the wisdom of the earth herself, and this ecosystem we share.

The Haudenosaunee have 13 ceremonies representing the 13 moons throughout the year in rhythm with seasonal changes. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy website tells us that “Most ceremonies are a way of expressing thanks to the people, the natural world, the spirit world and the creator. It is hoped that this will help to maintain the health and prosperity of the nations.”

This time of year is marked by the Seed Ceremony in the middle of May. The first peoples of this land have long known what your neighbors who garden know, that where we live right about now is the time for planting many things. That these seeds we plant will feed ourselves and many in our ecosystems for the coming year. We are beholden to these seeds and to the mature plants they become for our lives.

Donna tells me that “Chief Bill Lazore of Eel Clan Haudenosaunee would come down to Towanda in early Spring and Summer and Fall to collect medicines. We were taught when coming upon a plant (all are medicines) whether for humans, animals or the earth we never gather the 1st or 2nd but start with the 3rd plant. Gather in respect and with a good heart. Before starting on the path we gave tobacco as an offering of thanks and that we would be mindful of the gifts given. We were told that was ceremony. Each person planting seeds may choose to hold their own ceremony in a way that shows their respect and love for where the seeds began. The soil, the rain, the sun all connected to us - as we began as a seed also. The circle is unending.”

So today we take time for or own Unitarian Universalist seed blessing, each in our own way with respect and love. With gratitude to the first nations peoples for their wisdom, we remember the importance of approaching life with respect and with a good heart.

I invite you to take your seeds in your hand right now, or just imagine a seed if you don’t have one. We begin by cultivating a good heart. Gently bring your attention, your presence inside your own body, gather your attention into your own chest, where your physical heart resides. Remember the basic, ordinary goodness of life, the goodness of breathing in and breathing out. Of food, of shelter, of a community to gather. If you are having a hard morning, allow yourself to soften in compassion towards yourself, and those around you - the kind of compassion you would offer a new being at the start of life.

Now bring your attention to the seed in your hand.
Consider the miracle that this small, hard seed can grow into a plant hundreds of times its size. And that our plant siblings not only feed us, and feed non-human animals, but produce the very oxygen we breathe. Feel the texture of the seed in your hand, and honor the amazing intelligence of nature that could store everything an adult plant needs to unfurl into life in this sturdy beginning.

Offer now, in this spirit of love and respect a blessing for these particular seeds in your own spirit, in your own way

Now we expand our blessing to all those seeds that are being planted at this season, all that new green life we all depend on. Bless these in your own way

Consider now what seeds need to grow and flourish- clean water, living fertile soil, space and time to grow undisturbed.

All the other plants and animals and fungus necessary for the complex web of life. Offer a blessing to the whole ecosystem, and your commitment to support and protect your ecosystem.

Finally we pause to ask our inner wisdom “is there anything in myself that I would like to plant this season?”

Blessed Be.