Genius Loci: Spirits of Place, Modernly & Globally

“Consult the genius of the place in all; That tells the waters or to rise, or fall; Or helps th’ ambitious hill the heav’ns to scale, Or scoops in circling theatres the vale; Calls in the country, catches opening glades, Joins willing woods, and varies shades from shades, Now breaks, or now directs, th’ intending lines; Paints as you plant, and, as you work, designs.”

Alexander Pope

Noted as being Roman in origin, looking deeper do I believe this? No. Maybe they named the practice, sure, but also doubtful. The spirit of spaces–of a pond, of a home, of a city, of a tree, of a server?–this is animism, and we do not give credit to Rome for that which exists everywhere.

The protective Spirit of a place. These places now, or what we have left of them, are often in nature preserves—sacred places that some were further emphasized with built structure, the planning structures large and small where astrology was consulted in tandem with the request of the spirit of the land, contributing to complexity, all matter, elemental influence—when natural form is stretched thin it becomes unrecognizable to the senses.

Anciently + traditionally working with the Genius loci was instilled in life. In the motion of knowing and honoring that which provides + the spirit that exists in everything that has been created and will be created.

It is hard for me personally to get on the bandwagon of ‘we are all connected from the perpetuated appropriation & hypocrisy of those that wave the flag—being all connected includes the grit of it all, sand between your toes can and sometimes is romantic but in all honesty, it can be annoying and scrap away that which is delicate abrasively—all that which is beautiful is a rose at every stage

Though this name is rooted in the classical Roman religion, I want to expand in that we all have something similar, not homogeneously so…but within the folkloric tombs of what has survived and what is being resurrected. Today you might make the relationship to the name or common term zietguiest.

I attempt a deep dive into this topic, the primary examples given are that of the North Eastern Hemisphere. The Western & South Eastern Hemisphere has been left out in the notation of common information–but what’s new, these spaces have been looked past and through for centuries–imperialism in academia is alive & well. I did find much in the form of recent UP’s and some peer reviews, unfortunately, these are also not up to the standard many stating that the Aztecs, Mayans, and the like were ancient, continuing the erasure.

I have found in my personal praxis venerating this spirit as they are in all names of those etched in my bones this has amplified my ancestral journey and holds protection for me.

I found this to be a foundational ritual and opens a connection to the living, breathing world of our home + so much more.

As later posted in this space you can begin this work traditionally if you do not have a hereditary tradition, it can and will ease and guild the way. It is open and if you are on your reconnection journey it holds a marker-like placeholder that will evolve in your growth and recovery.

If you like this keep an eye out for more in-depth downloadable content that digs deeper into the spirit of spaces and how in some traditions our ancestors are within, so to speak.

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