What is a Plant Spirit Familiar?

This is perhaps one of my most favorite things to chat about because it really challenges we human folk to think about who we connect to, how we nourish relationships, and how we work across the various hedges and veils that separate the worlds- this one questions opens up so many fascinating conversations about the plant spirit path, spiritual herbalism, and modern wortcunning practices! Here, I’d like to share just a few insights into what a plant spirit familiar is based on my own personal experiences with the mighty Juniper.

Josh sharing energy and gratitude with one of his closest plant spirit teachers, Juniperus osteosperma, in the foothills above Salt Lake City, Utah

Juniper is bay far not the only plant spirit I work with in a deep and abiding way- and is in fact not even the plant I’ve been working with the longest- not by a long shot! The reason why this tree has become such an important part of my own journey down the plant spirit path is that Juniper has given me insights, guidance, protection, and initiations that have set them apart from my relationships with other plants. While I would have never in a million years have thought that this tree would be the tree that taught me so much (we are quite opposite in temperament, nature, and expression!), I find myself in a profound kinship with this evergreen ally and consider them one of my greatest plant spirit familiars.

And this, my friends, is a common experience. Plants we least expect to work their way into our busy human consciousness are the very ones we need and respond to the most. I of course have always had a choice about how much I work with and listen to this plant- but I always choose to show up as best I can because I am madly in love with Juniper in all their wisdom, medicine, magic, and mysteries.

My deeper connection with Juniper began about 8 years ago when I discovered a sit spot in the foothills above the Salt Lake Valley where I would often go to meditate, write, pray, and breathe. Seasons came and went, the landscape changed, animals wander through, and all the while I was being observed by this silent yet commanding tree- one I had no real interest in at all (other than my adoration for their scent on a hot summer day). Before I knew it, Juniper was showing up in my journeys, meditations, dreams, and in synchroniticies- a favorite language of the plants. For a time I couldn’t seem to avoid this tree, so I accepted what was clearly an omen of invitation and the rest, as they say, is history.

The Blessings of my Plant Spirit Familiar

Juniper has given me more than I could ever properly express in words. First, Juniper showed me new ways to be taught. This plant takes no shit and doesn’t really beat around the bush. Juniper has an energy that is at once grounded and strong while also being quite fiery and intense; again, not the energy of plant I usually gravitate toward (I’m a sucker for a cool, fragrant, demulcent). From Juniper I learned how to shut up, how to sit quietly and not always be engaged with process, and how the repetition of consistent presence and acknowledgement can slowly carve out the deepest canyons of experience.

Juniper, as a plant spirit familiar, has also become a very important part of how I show up in the world. This tree gave me a charm and a simple daily ritual that centers being and feeling protected- not something I had ever thought about before. Juniper showed me just how vulnerable I felt in certain situations and how much I deserved to feel sheltered, protected, and seen. In over two decades of working with plants I had never once done a working or even considered the importance of protection for myself- and Juniper made it clear that this was an oversight on my part; then helped me correct it. This is such a beautiful example of how plants work- the gently show us the what and the where and then continue to be there as we explore the how and the why. They offer both assessment and remedy, and they do so in a way that is fully nourishing for the individual person as tree and for the world at large as forest. Big medicine!

Another really important part of my plant spirit familiar work with Juniper is presence. This plant walks with me, from within. I always feel Juniper around, even when I’m not wearing my wood amulet or carrying a sachet (see both below). We’re connected, and in the work I do this is so important because I am a human and Juniper is a plant- so having this connection means that I have an ally on the inside who can guide and inspire me in the right directions. Through Juniper I am constantly led to other plants that are important for me, my community, or even classes and workshops I’m planning. Juniper helps me hold a space in both worlds so that the green wisdom can flow with ease.

A Juniper wood amulet and a hand-sewn sachet made with every part of the Juniperus osteosperma tree- both items Josh carries every day.

That aspect of having a plant spirit familiar might just be the one that’s most important. These verdant kin that we become so close to through our study, contemplation, meditation, dream, crafting, and stewarding are the ones who hold the hedge open for us. They see us having the full human experience while also fully embodying the plants that they are. As familiars, they are familiar with who we are as unique individuals and they respond to that with each step of our journeys.

Being open to this relationship, responding to it when it arose, and nourishing it over all these years has meant that no matter how tired, stressed, insecure, or eve lost I might be, I have this deeply vested connection in a plant that has consistently been there for me.

A terra-cotta idol of the Juniper plant spirit crafted by Josh

How to Find your Plant Spirit Familiar

There are three things that I think must be in place for the kind of magic to happen that did between Juniper and me.

BE OPEN & INTENTIONAL

Set the intention in your heart that you want to engage more deeply with the plants, that you are ready to do your best to respond to them, and that you are open to their green wisdom in your life. Affirm this, if you can, in the presence of large trees using your own voice as often as you can.

BE AWARE

Once you’ve put your intention out there, expect that you’ll receive a response. Show up in places where communication can happen, create spaces in meditation and ritual where you can encounter plant spirits, and engage yourself in study and connection to plants. The plants are where they are- so be there, too!

RESPOND

Things will happen. Follow them! Not every plant that pops onto your radar during this time will have the same pull; but each one deserves to be acknowledged and responded to. Sometimes one plant hands us to another! As you meet, dream, remember, and experience the presence of plants during this process, carry deep gratitude for them in your heart and the rest will follow naturally.

Plant Spirit Familiar Course

I’m excited to be presenting a 3-part course on Walking with the Plant Spirit Familiar which will happen live online starting this Summer. I hope you can join us! Check out the events section of the website- and if you’ve missed this course, catch the replays in the catalog!