The Healing Earth: Nature's Medicine for the Troubled Soul

I've had this book in my possession for over a year and have enjoyed reading it twice from cover to cover. Its flowing storytelling format is easy to read and it will make you feel good while reading it. My advice is to get this book and read it outdoors under a shady tree on a slightly breezy and balmy day.

The author of this book suggests we get barefoot and belly to the ground to soak up the gifts offered by our Earth. Practicing psychotherapist, Philip Chard, recommends clients who are "ungrounded" or ridden with feelings of sadness, grief, anger, or worry, to reestablish contact with the Earth. Sadly, he explains how we have become insensitive to our Earth. He speaks of our daily habits of ignoring the outdoors by rushing to and from our cars, houses, offices. I fear he is right. I imagine the majority of people spend no more than a few minutes each day under the skies with our feet to the ground. Chard writes about how we watch the weather via reports on the television, giving us a perceived idea of what is happening "out there." We have come to believe that "out there" is not our home. We erroneously believe that our true home is within four walls that are artificially temperature-controlled for our comfort.

In The Healing Earth Chard shares personal stories along with several case histories demonstrating the healing power of getting in touch with nature. He regards the simple act of gardening as a way to self-treat our pains and anguish. By allowing soil to get embedded underneath the fingernails, we are opening our hearts to the care of the mother, our Earth. I agree with him. It only makes sense to look to our Earth Mother when we are hurting. How is it any different than turning to our own flesh and bone mothers for nurturing and healing? Commonly, the nature of mothers is to care for and protect their children. Logically, this innate caring trait likely originated from the Earth Mother herself.

Many of the chapters within this book's pages end with exercises or "Ceremonies" suggesting ways to connect energetically or open a dialog with the Earth's senses. Some of my favorites are "Ceremony of Creation," "Ceremony of Reflection," and "Ceremony of Growing Decisions." Chard feels that the cognitive mind alone is ill-equipped for dealing with matters of the heart and that when we are faced with relational types of decisions we are wise to seek guidance from Mother Earth, and to expect sound and heartful advice. Chard writes "The Earth is good at growing. Even decisions grow in her care."

The Healing Earth: Nature's Medicine for the Troubled Soul won the Midwest Publishers Association 1995 Award for Best Self-Help Book.

Author: Philip Sutton Chard
Publisher: Northword Press (February, 1999)
ISBN: 155971672X

Note from the author:

March 1, 2000 - Hello, Phylameana: Thanks so much for including The Healing Earth in your Healing Guide Reviews and the About.com Healing web site. You are most kind. The book has been generating a lot of positive interest, for which I am most grateful. Your willingness to share it as a resource has certainly been helpful in this regard. I hope that readers find it useful in their journeys. Thanks for all your good work. Be well. ~Philip Chard, www.healingnature.com