{"id":23803,"date":"2021-03-01T01:10:06","date_gmt":"2021-03-01T05:10:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=23803"},"modified":"2021-02-27T17:12:00","modified_gmt":"2021-02-27T21:12:00","slug":"writing-the-magic-of-nature-by-author-jessica-marie-baumgartner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2021\/03\/01\/writing-the-magic-of-nature-by-author-jessica-marie-baumgartner\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing \u201cThe Magic of Nature\u201d By Author Jessica Marie Baumgartner"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Nature is magic. I mean that in every way: figurative, literal, serious, humorous. Like all creatures, humans hold their own place in the balance of existence on Earth. We may get a little out of hand at times, but Mother Nature knows how to keep us in check. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When I sat down to write my upcoming Llewellyn Worldwide release, \u201cThe Magic of Nature: Meditations & Spells to Find Your Inner Voice,\u201d I had no idea if they would accept it. That didn\u2019t matter. The work has its place and I knew it had to be written. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It seems that a lot of people aren\u2019t sure of themselves or their place in the world. Modern technology has advanced so quickly that a great deal of the population can live in comfortable discomfort, depriving ourselves of our basic natural needs to heed the \u201ccall of the wild.\u201d Depression, anxiety, or fear for the future is increased by numerous media messages hammering ideas of self-hatred into the hearts and minds of people everywhere. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There are reasons to be concerned. On the whole, we have <\/i>become imbalanced. There is an obesity epidemic in the United States and the UK while children in Haiti, Yemen, and Ethiopia suffer starvation. Freedom is heralded in Hong Kong and Switzerland while China still uses slave labor and currently holds 1 million people in concentration camps. There are constant clashes between movements for Nationalism and Globalism in various countries across the globe. These extremes are polar opposites.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Some days I think the Gods are laughing at us, others I wonder if they\u2019re taking a nap and we\u2019re running around like unsupervised children doing whatever we want, facing the consequences without proper guidance. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

No one ever has all the answers but I find my peace in recognizing what matters most. Nothing has to be any one thing. A person can appreciate their homeland while also wishing to improve it. We can be more conscious of what we support and turn away from destructive corporations and people. It is possible to take care of ourselves while looking out for others in the process.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s all about balance. Balance is a constant struggle in life, but it is everywhere in nature and Paganism. Where death occurs so does birth. When natural disasters decimate lands, new growth is found. Disease many plague one generation so the next can be stronger, and so on. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I have always found balance in the natural world. Hiking, swimming, fishing, and just immersing myself in the beauty of forests or natural waterways makes everything clearer. It pushes away self-doubt and reminds me to listen, to trust fate, and spread love. It may sound cheesy but all the best things are (unless you\u2019re lactose intolerant, and if you are, I hope it sounds more appley to you). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not just about balance. It\u2019s easy to say, \u201cWe need more balance.\u201d Living it is another realm. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So how do we find that perfect middle ground? That place where we can go for a walk but sometimes bring our cell phone along without it attaching itself to our face and blocking the view? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

That <\/i>is what this book is about. It doesn\u2019t matter if you live in a city, suburb, or a rural area, everyone can reclaim the natural instincts that properly guide them through life. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone has a compass within. It just gets drowned out sometimes. Modern technology can be a helpful tool that aids people in many areas of life, but when we get addicted to it and\/or cannot allow ourselves time inside our own thoughts without some kind of device draining our battery life, we miss a lot of messages from our inner voice, and in so doing, we drift farther away from the God(s)\/universe. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Rachel True said something in an interview with The Witch Daily Show<\/i><\/a> a few months ago that really spoke to me. She explained how she doesn\u2019t cast a lot of spells. She noted the reason being, \u201cI am the spell.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It perfectly embodies my approach to spirituality and my connection with everything. I consider spellwork a special gift meant only for specific needs, but at the same time, a lot of my daily practices are a ritual. Meditation is life. In essence, life is magic. Nature is magic because it is full of life, balancing itself however it needs to, regardless of how much we try to stack the odds in our favor. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The first draft of, \u201cThe Magic of Nature,\u201d was very natural. Writing is a difficult craft for me. I\u2019m a dyslexic who doesn\u2019t sit still well, but this manuscript flew from my fingers. At times I would message my husband and note that the book was \u201cwriting itself.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been a practicing Pagan for over two decades and writing professionally for almost 10 years now, so maybe I\u2019ve just reached the point of taking on a topic that suits me best. Having knowledge to impart definitely makes the words flow. There is also that silly romantic idea crying out from within that says: Dammit woman, the Gods have set you on a mission, give them some freaking credit! <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Whatever it is, my main goal is to get people back outside and reconnecting with natural ties. I know there\u2019s a lot going on. We should always work to stay well and care for others, but the trees are just sitting there offering clean oxygen and scenery. The birds keep singing, and no matter what happens, their songs remind us of our own meaning. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m not saying everyone has to give up their current lifestyle and wander the forests for ever and ever (as fun as that sounds to me). What I\u2019ve been writing about is finding that deeper part of ourselves which offers greater purpose. Our instincts have kept humanity in order for generations. They exist for a reason. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Those bonds are a direct link between ourselves and the land. Digging deeper, they hold the roots of humanity and what it truly means to live as an intelligent creature of this planet. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Meditation, rituals, and spellwork are best done in nature. They host the power to unlock our inner voice and draw out our higher selves to lead us with better intentions. I\u2019ve included various practices to be used on the trail, in the water, and beyond in, \u201cThe Magic of Nature.\u201d These workings were made with minimum materials needed so individuals can better focus on themselves and balancing the energies which flow from within throughout the rest of the world. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Simply put, I wrote a book about talking to myself and Mother Nature. There is magic in each page. If you look for it. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Magic of Nature: Meditations & Spells to Find Your Inner Voice on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

***<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

About the Author: <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jessica <\/b>is a Pagan mother of four, whose children\u2019s books about diversity and acceptance have received critical acclaim and multiple awards. She is the author of \u201cWalk Your Path,\u201d and the new upcoming Llewellyn release, \u201cThe Magic of Nature.\u201d Her work has been featured by, \u201cSedona Journal of Emergence,\u201d \u201cLight of Consciousness Magazine,\u201d \u201cConscious Shift Magazine,\u201d \u201cThe New Spirit Journal,\u201d \u201cChicken Soup for the Soul,\u201d \u201cCircle Magazine,\u201d \u201cThe Witches\u2019 Voice,\u201d and many more. Find her at jessicamariebaumgartner.com<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Nature is magic. I mean that in every way: figurative, literal, serious, humorous. Like all creatures, humans hold their own place in the balance of existence on Earth. We may get a little out of hand at times, but Mother Nature knows how to keep us in check. When I sat down to write my upcoming Llewellyn Worldwide release, \u201cThe Magic of Nature: Meditations & Spells to Find Your Inner Voice,\u201d I had no idea if they would accept it. That didn\u2019t matter. The work has its place and I knew it had to be written. It seems that a lot of people aren\u2019t sure of themselves or their place in the world. Modern technology has advanced so quickly that a great deal of the population can live in comfortable discomfort, depriving ourselves of our basic natural needs to heed the \u201ccall of the wild.\u201d Depression, anxiety, or fear for the future is increased by numerous media messages hammering ideas of self-hatred into the hearts and minds of people everywhere. There are reasons to be concerned. On the whole, we have become imbalanced. There is an obesity epidemic in the United States and the UK while children in Haiti, Yemen, and Ethiopia suffer starvation. Freedom is heralded in Hong Kong and Switzerland while China still uses slave labor and currently holds 1 million people in concentration camps. There are constant clashes between movements for Nationalism and Globalism in various countries across the globe. These extremes are polar opposites. Some days I think the Gods are laughing at us, others I wonder if they\u2019re taking a nap and we\u2019re running around like unsupervised children doing whatever we want, facing the consequences without proper guidance. No one ever has all the answers but I find my peace in recognizing what matters most. Nothing has to be any one thing. A person can appreciate their homeland while also wishing to improve it. We can be more conscious of what we support and turn away from destructive corporations and people. It is possible to take care of ourselves while looking out for others in the process. It\u2019s all about balance. Balance is a constant struggle in life, but it is everywhere in nature and Paganism. Where death occurs so does birth. When natural disasters decimate lands, new growth is found. Disease many plague one generation so the next can be stronger, and so on. I have always found balance in the natural world. Hiking, swimming, fishing, and just immersing myself in the beauty of forests or natural waterways makes everything clearer. It pushes away self-doubt and reminds me to listen, to trust fate, and spread love. It may sound cheesy but all the best things are (unless you\u2019re lactose intolerant, and if you are, I hope it sounds more appley to you). But it\u2019s not just about balance. It\u2019s easy to say, \u201cWe need more balance.\u201d Living it is another realm. So how do we find that perfect middle ground? That place where we can go for a walk but sometimes bring our cell phone along without it attaching itself to our face and blocking the view? That is what this book is about. It doesn\u2019t matter if you live in a city, suburb, or a rural area, everyone can reclaim the natural instincts that properly guide them through life. Everyone has a compass within. It just gets drowned out sometimes. Modern technology can be a helpful tool that aids people in many areas of life, but when we get addicted to it and\/or cannot allow ourselves time inside our own thoughts without some kind of device draining our battery life, we miss a lot of messages from our inner voice, and in so doing, we drift farther away from the God(s)\/universe. Rachel True said something in an interview with The Witch Daily Show a few months ago that really spoke to me. She explained how she doesn\u2019t cast a lot of spells. She noted the reason being, \u201cI am the spell.\u201d It perfectly embodies my approach to spirituality and my connection with everything. I consider spellwork a special gift meant only for specific needs, but at the same time, a lot of my daily practices are a ritual. Meditation is life. In essence, life is magic. Nature is magic because it is full of life, balancing itself however it needs to, regardless of how much we try to stack the odds in our favor. The first draft of, \u201cThe Magic of Nature,\u201d was very natural. Writing is a difficult craft for me. I\u2019m a dyslexic who doesn\u2019t sit still well, but this manuscript flew from my fingers. At times I would message my husband and note that the book was \u201cwriting itself.\u201d I\u2019ve been a practicing Pagan for over two decades and writing professionally for almost 10 years now, so maybe I\u2019ve just reached the point of taking on a topic that suits me best. Having knowledge to impart definitely makes the words flow. There is also that silly romantic idea crying out from within that says: Dammit woman, the Gods have set you on a mission, give them some freaking credit! Whatever it is, my main goal is to get people back outside and reconnecting with natural ties. I know there\u2019s a lot going on. We should always work to stay well and care for others, but the trees are just sitting there offering clean oxygen and scenery. The birds keep singing, and no matter what happens, their songs remind us of our own meaning. I\u2019m not saying everyone has to give up their current lifestyle and wander the forests for ever and ever (as fun as that sounds to me). What I\u2019ve been writing about is finding that deeper part of ourselves which offers greater purpose. Our instincts have kept humanity in order for generations. They exist for a reason. Those bonds are a direct link between ourselves and the land. Digging deeper, they hold the roots of humanity and what it truly means to live as an intelligent creature of this planet. Meditation, rituals, and spellwork are best done in nature. They host the power to unlock our inner voice and draw out our higher selves to lead us with better intentions. I\u2019ve included various practices to be used on the trail, in the water, and beyond in, \u201cThe Magic of Nature.\u201d These workings were made with minimum materials needed so individuals can better focus on themselves and balancing the energies which flow from within throughout the rest of the world. Simply put, I wrote a book about talking to myself and Mother Nature. There is magic in each page. If you look for it. The Magic of Nature: Meditations & Spells to Find Your Inner Voice on Amazon *** About the Author: Jessica is a Pagan mother of four, whose children\u2019s books about diversity and acceptance have received critical acclaim and multiple awards. She is the author of \u201cWalk Your Path,\u201d and the new upcoming Llewellyn release, \u201cThe Magic of Nature.\u201d Her work has been featured by, \u201cSedona Journal of Emergence,\u201d \u201cLight of Consciousness Magazine,\u201d \u201cConscious Shift Magazine,\u201d \u201cThe New Spirit Journal,\u201d \u201cChicken Soup for the Soul,\u201d \u201cCircle Magazine,\u201d \u201cThe Witches\u2019 Voice,\u201d and many more. Find her at jessicamariebaumgartner.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":270,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10004],"tags":[12830,10346,10369,12831,10055],"class_list":["post-23803","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-monthly-columns","tag-the-magic-of-nature","tag-author","tag-by","tag-jessica-marie-baumgartner","tag-writing"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23803","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/270"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23803"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23803\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23807,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23803\/revisions\/23807"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23803"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23803"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}