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A Song of the Land

When I’m out with a tree or in a field or elsewhere in nature, I sometimes find that a melody comes to me. The song contains qualities that I’m experiencing about the place, plant, etc. Sometimes I refer to these songs as medicine songs, because they hold the medicine of the land or being for me. Sometimes I call them deer songs, because they arise when I am in a state of deep listening.

Or I call them just ‘songs’, because that’s what they are!

Here’s one that came to me when I was out in a field one day. What music or magic arises in you when you’re feeling deeply peaceful in and with the natural world? Remember, ‘music’ comes in forms (as does magic!), not just as a song you can hear. Please share in the comments below!

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Medicine Song: An Honoring to the Milky Oats

Okay – I sing to just about everything, and songs come to me just about any time. In this short video, recorded five years ago, I sing an honoring song to the Oats (Avena sativa) in my garden as I harvest the milky oat tops for a tincture. Songs and melodies like these just come to me, especially when I’m with a plant or out on the land.

Since the song in the video is a response to the Oats when their seeds are ripening (i.e., “milky” tops), I have to wonder if it carries some of Avena sativa’s nutritive, restorative, nerve-soothing, and gently grounding medicine. Listen to the song, and learn it if you wish. Don’t worry about getting the melody exact, or about learning the vocables the way I’ve sung them. You can let the song transform and attune to you.

[Note: in some traditions it’s important to learn a plant’s song exactly. In the way I work with plants, it feels right to allow — at least in this song — for shift and change].

Absorb the song, sing it if you wish. How does your body, mind, spirit feel as the song moves through you? Relax into the song, and into the healing magic of Milky Oats.

Does this song carry Milky Oat Top medicine? You tell me! Please do so in the comment box below.

Read more about Milky Oat Tops here.

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Innovative Elegance, Musical Magic

I just had to share this lovely video of electric harpist Deborah Henson-Conant and renowned guitarist Mason Williams playing “Classical Gas”.

As a harper myself, I’m always delighted and impressed when harper/ists (or any musicians, for that matter) make what they do look so relaxed and easy. These two musicians have a great synergy, and Deborah Henson-Conant’s lever flips are simply and elegantly executed themselves (very impressive to me!).

Enjoy!