Plant and Human Relationship

If you explore the creation stories of cultures around the world, in nearly all of them, Humans are first formed from one of two common sources: Trees, or the Earth itself; in our own creation story of Genesis, HaShem formed Adam from Clay. It therefore shares this same age-old connection to soil.

Since both plants and Humanity came out of the soil, Human Beings and Plants must be similarly connected as a result. And plant life, being also created by HaShem, must likewise be imbued with their essence in a similar way as Humanity.

From the account of Genesis, however, the Plant Kingdom has one primary function vis-à-vis Humans: To provide them succor and sustenance. Thus, Plants can nourish Humans in three ways:

1. They can restore organic deficiencies in the physical body through their consumption.
   
   
2. They can restore deficiencies in the electromagnetic body through their use in herbal therapeutics.
   
   
3. They can restore deficiencies in the astral body through their integration into somnambulistic, ecstatic, and divinatory practices, and into rituals of ceremonial magic.

And yet the Plant-Human relationship should by no means be a one-sided alimentary relationship. Humans can thus, in turn, nourish plants in three ways themselves:

1. They can cultivate them using the methods of occult horticulture.
   
   
2. They can restore them using the methods of vegetation magic.
   
   
3. They can resurrect them using the methods of plant palingenesis.

A Garden is such an environment where plants gather together to create a sense of place. More importantly, that place is where Human Beings may dwell to the benefit and enjoyment of both plant and Human. And when we work with plants, we become closer to the presence of HaShem, working hand in hand with HaShem’s creation and essence.

Plants are not abstract beings which are unresponsive to us, however. They are their own creatures with intelligent thought, with which we may build relationships. And as in any social situation where you would like to meet someone, introduce yourself, ask a question, or make a connection, we typically begin with the approach.

How we approach one another- including potential plant allies- is important because it shows our desire to connect and establish a relationship. It also invites us to check our intentions towards others; before we step up to any plant, we should spend some time considering:

1. What is it about this plant that calls to me?
   
   
2. What am I really hoping to gain from this relationship?
   
   
3. What do I have to offer this relationship?
   
   
4. How connected to my everyday life is this plant?
   
   
5. What past encounters have I had with this plant?
   
   
6. What do I already know about this plant?

The answer to these questions by no means needs to be ‘yes’ or even clear. They aren't there to determine whether or not you should work with a plant. They're there to invite more intentionality in one’s relationship to and with them.