What do you know about the la nd you live and walk on? We Neo-Pagans follow an earthbased religion, so let's get down to earth—literally—so we know what we're grounding ourselves in.

Dig up a handful of dirt in your yard and hold it in your hand. Notice that it's not the same as potting soil. It's natural dirt. Feel its texture. Is it solid? Muddy? Sandy? Poke around in it. Do you find tiny rocks? Worms or insects? (Let them go.) We like to think of Mother Earth—Gaia—as unchanging, but she's always been mutable.

Recognize that all who live on earth—all plants, animals, even minerals—are our kin and it's their dirt, too. Honor Gaia by taking care of the dirt where you live. Don't drop trash on it. Place your handful of dirt in a dish in the north corner of your altar. Ground yourself in the mutable earth and link your magic with the power of Gaia.