Spirits of Nature, the Ancestors, and the Shining ones are the three kindreds
of the Cosmos. All three are intertwined, though they are in different realms
from each other. They all come together for us during rituals to connect us to
the cosmos. Using a gatekeeper, we open the gates between these realms so we
can commune with each of the three kindreds in kind. We can communicate with
them through ritual, spoken or silent prayers, meditation, or trance. I
meditate more than I do formal rituals, so I have had success with getting
guidance through meditation.

SPIRITS OF NATURE        

The Spirits of Nature come in numerous forms. They originate in the Realm of
Midgard or Earth. Examples are the Devas, Dryads, the Four types of Elementals,
house spirits, and land Spirits. All are not alike, and each has its own
characteristics. Some are decile, while others are mischievous. Trees, plants,
rocks, and endless more examples are the embodiment of nature. Everything has a
spirit to it. When we bring a piece of nature into a ritual, we are requesting
its energy. Which might be as old as the earth itself, to help us achieve our
goals. When seasons change, so do the spirits of nature. Some go into
hibernation to await the coming Spring, and others die in the winter to make
room for a new life, and to fertilize the new life the coming new year.

Unlike the Ancestors or the Shining ones, we do not have to do rituals or
meditation in order to communicate with them, as they are already here with us
in this realm. They are often helpful rather than harmful to us and we can
indicate gratitude by leaving offerings such as milk or honey. In ritual we
call on the nature spirits to comfort us, protect us, and request blessings to
further our goals of the ritual. As I go out in nature, I notice different
things, from the seasons changing with the changing of leaves, to insects
making their usual noise, to birds chirping and playing. If we just take a
minute to commune with nature, and really take in our surroundings we find that
our everyday hustle and bustle does not really matter to any of it, it is a
whole new way of thinking if we just hug a tree and not worry so much, life
goes on.

Growing up, I spent a lot of time outside. I had a fascination with living
things, be it lizards, snakes, or insects, I communed with them or captured
them, and cared for them for a while before releasing them back into the wild.
Now I care for my property, planting new plants, or removing energy-sapping
plants to help the stronger ones become healthier. Everything I feel has energy
or a presence to it.

Ancestors

Our Great Ancestors are no longer with us, but they are never forgotten. The
Ancestors are the mighty dead, be they your grandparents, parents, or even
further into the reach of time with those Heroes which you call kin. We connect
the Ancestors to the underworld realm. We give offerings to the well to flow
down to the Ancestors. I remember my Ancestors and even honor them regularly by
thinking of them throughout the day. Remember my grandmother always saying, I
want to be a fly on the wall when I pass to see how you manage things, makes me
hesitant to this day to kill flies. But I hope I have made her proud. Every
year around Samhain we put out an Ancestor altar, with a collage of pictures,
decorations, and objects of importance that they liked or owned in the past. I
light a candle every day to bring them to the light and help me honor them.
Death has always interested me. It is the finality for all, or is there
something after death? My Ancestors I have made it a point to honor them
regularly, as I believe putting the energy out there for them will keep their
presence with us. I am hoping they passed along with the ebb and flow of all
things.

 My Patrons are Odin, the All Father,
the all Seeing, and Hel of the underworld. Hel as my Patron has been
interesting. She is the caregiver of those who died of sickness or old age. So,
when someone I know has passed away, I say a prayer and light a candle for Hel
to make their passing comfortable.  

The Ancestors of the bone, the people who have come before us, the Native
Americans are at the forefront of my mind when I think about ancestors of the
bone. The people who tended the earth before we came along are the ancestors of
the land; it was a simpler time for them but a more dangerous one as well. If we
just ask, the Ancestors can give us their energy and wisdom.

The Gods

The Shining ones are the diamond in the sky for all scholars of the past,
present, and future. We connect the Shining ones to the sky realm. In ritual,
offerings are given to the fire for offering to go to the Gods. We must
research offerings a little when deciding what to offer. Some Gods and
goddesses like Mead, while others would prefer wine. The Shining ones have the
ability to alter our timeline, or rather they can change the outcomes of
situations that will happen. When we request an omen, they will sometime show
us this path. We can also request a gift or request help from the shining ones;
a gift for a gift comes to mind. With Odin, I have heard you do not want to
request anything; he believes you must create what you desire. As what he asks
in return might be too large of a gift to give.

 When communing with the Shining ones, I have found it best to do so in
meditation, or trance. Messages of guidance or wisdom have often been passed to
me using this method. You can also combine this with interpreting your omens
during a ritual. I try everyday morning and Night to stand in front of my
altar, light a stick of incense and a candle depending on my time, and pray to
my patrons. Doing this shows my respect for them. Gods and Goddesses throughout
all cultures are similar in nature but different in name. Their energy mirrors
the other deities and is only separated by the individual pantheon line.

My patron Gods and Goddess which I have mentioned before, are Odin and Hel.
I work with them daily thru-out my day or try to; they work hand in hand with
my other guardians, such as my spirit guides, guardian angels, and other such
beings. Every night before passing off to sleep, I say a prayer, thinking of
each one of them for keeping me safe that day. As an over-the-road truck
driver, I need all the assistance I can get. Odin Pushes me to become stronger,
and healthier, and Hel makes me see the light in people’s hearts, and I try to
demonstrate compassion to people as they live out their lives. The Shining Ones
are a boon in anyone’s life, demonstrating the proper piety helps us stay
connected through time and space.

In closing, the Nature Spirits, the Ancestors, and the shining ones work
together to bring the Ritual to Success. We value each one for what they offer
us and demonstrate our reverence to each in kind.