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Hearth: An Ancient Microcosm of the Greater Macrocosm


The hearth would have been a foundational aspect of many practices for some of our most ancient folk ancestors. 


Ulla Odgaard posed in 2003 that the Palaeo-Eskimos “made the Arctic their home, and the hearths and the mid passages must have been important symbols and reminders of the technology, clan-connections and spiritual power, whether it was one built by themselves the previous year or by their ancestors thousands of years before. The hearths could have reminded generations of Palaeo-Eskimos about their culinary practices and that they controlled a versatile pyrotechnology, which corresponded to the conditions in the Arctic. Additionally, the mid-passage-dwellings might have reminded them they were members of a clan and had spirit helpers.” 


A technology that was able to warm the humans within the dwelling and feed the bellies of the folks within the dwelling--the hearth was life or death for those in cold climates such as the Palaeo-Eskimos or any northern folk for that matter, even in modern times.


There would have been no separation between daily living and spirituality— there would have likely been an extension of the ethereal belief into the material world during these times given the evidence above. 



Before the invention of the railroad in 1826 and the  car in 1885 and, our ancestors traveled land by horse, wagon, yak, mule, foot, etc. National Equine reports “According to research, a horse-drawn wagon or carriage can travel between 10 to 30 miles daily” for a reference of the fastest our ancestors would have been able to group travel by land during this time. 


This means even during the times when church and state were not separated, folks who lived in rural settings would be unlikely to attend church, temple, or religious gatherings unless it was a large festival or ceremony for clans due to the pilgrimage it takes to go into the populated areas.


According to Laura Davila on country folk practitioners, “the magical action of our ancestors took place mostly in their kitchens, the place where everything traditional, magical, and worth passing on to the next generation begins”. 


This is the story of our hunter, gathers, and farmer ancestors--- the majority of the spiritual workings would have been in the hearth, on the earth, or with their ancestors if they could only travel up to 30 miles a day by land until 1826 in certain places. 


These ancient ancestors didn’t have magical, metaphysical, or spiritual shops. They had what was available in their environment---this is deeply powerful magic. When the magical practices went dormant in some places, there were other places still using their environment to fuel their magic. 


These rural folk and migrating travelers are somewhere in your lineage.


In a time of reclamation of folk magic and the need for land stewardship, turn to your environment. Ask yourself what in your environment is calling to you. What in your hearth is already full of magic? Turn to your herbal resources, kitchen magic, magical associations, etc if you need some guidance there. 


Ask yourself "What would healing my ancestors do? Where would they find magic?"


Go look at your cultural lineages and the food within them if you need more support of what common items would have potentially been available to your ancestors.


If you need help turning to this type of folk magic then turn to those ancestors. Call upon the healing country and migrating ancestors within your lineages—give them your gratitude and begin to work on a reciprocal relationship. 


“Our ancestors always asked permission. They were respectful of spirits and entities, not entitled. You need to connect with that spirit to ask if they want to work with you. They are not your employees or your pets to train at your will” Laura Davila


I invite you to allow yourself to explore this.


These healing rural and migrating ancestors in your lineage are waiting to share their magic and medicine with you. 





Davila, Laura. 2023. I Mexicana Sorcery: A Practical /guide to Brujeria de Rancho



Odgaard, U. (2003). Hearth and home of the Palaeo-Eskimos. Études/Inuit/Studies, 27(1-2), 349–374. https://doi.org/10.7202/010808ar

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©2023-2025 SANCTUARY FOR SPIRIT is a folk religion temple that gives education and support in the old folk and ancestral healing ways. We honor the ways of nurturing the mind, the body, and the spirit through spiritual medicine and do not give allopathic medical advice. We advise all to always consult with their personal medical doctor for medical advice. May you be blessed upon your healing journey.

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