By Sea Mason
Welcome,
I come from a long line of earth tenders and healers. I identify as mixed-race Black and Queer.
I am a second generation Portlander. My lineage is Italian-Jewish, a mix of European on my mom’s side and Black, Creole and Indigenous on my dad’s side. I am imaginative. I am creative, and I am in process.
I’ve spent years gathering memories, witnessing visions and writing them all down in notebooks and journals. So much so, that many of these threads are woven into this.
I think of the land that raised me; St. John’s and Willamette Cove. When I think of these areas, I think of beauty and abundance. I think of wild presence, reclamation and care.
Here there are stories and histories everywhere. I see it present in the landscape. In the tree limbs, in the soil. On the pathways, and at the sand meeting the water.
There is such a way that plants can teach and show us what is going on physically, emotionally and spiritually with the environment. Their wisdom is liminal and inherent.
I use this idea of eco-alchemical practice often when moving through outdoor spaces. What I mean by eco-alchemical is observing where the plants are growing naturally (not landscaped). Especially in areas of heavy industry and development. I think that plants have an immense amount of consideration and care towards us despite everything. The alchemical part is the magic. Everything is working in process to transmute and rebalance the land and water. The alchemy of place.
Another thing I think alot about is the co-evolution and co-maturity of specific neighborhoods. How long-term place based residency in a single area often distinguishes our habits, exchanges and health. How the affinity towards connectedness has been largely and frequently disrupted. Plants and animals and soil and water working together. The inter-connectedness. The communion.
The practice of bringing an offering to the land is so important. Indigenous and Black people are the original stewards. I think about what I am standing on. What has been buried or paved over? I think about that all the time. The responsibility. The things our ancestors are speaking of. The desire.
Whenever I spend time at the Cove, I see mullein lining the pathway, horseweed stands along the train tracks, tree of heaven growing tall, poison hemlock at one entrance, and wild lettuce persisting out of the cracks. All of these plants feel the weight of being devalued and disrespected. Although each one has a gift of indication; whether physical or spiritual.
I believe that one reason poison hemlock sprouts up is to act as an energetic guardian over areas where harm or transgressions have occurred. It’s asking for repair and healing.
I think that one reason wild lettuce prefers to grow out of tight areas is it wants to be readily available to people who are housing insecure or who are houseless. Wild lettuce is a mild sedative and ally for pain and suffering.
Hands
There is always something to create
Spells were cast with hands and love
The acorn peeled back and thrown into the pot
With years and herbs
And intention and words
stir, stir, stir
Someone’s grandmother knew
Still here my hands are
Equally my own and everything before
Folds like stories
Palms like mountains
Nails like dreams
I guess its been told
A magic whisper
A flame
A tree root
A ceremony
Welcome,
I come from a long line of earth tenders and healers. I identify as mixed-race Black and Queer.
I am a second generation Portlander. My lineage is Italian-Jewish, a mix of European on my mom’s side and Black, Creole and Indigenous on my dad’s side. I am imaginative. I am creative, and I am in process.
Sea Mason is a black & mixed race writer, healer, alchemist, dream and grief worker. Their work is deeply rooted in intuitive and ancestral practice, with an emphasis on plant medicine, queer ecology, spirituality/mysticism, land sovereignty, liberation and community care.
Jessica Rojas, she/ her/ they pronouns, is a multicultural Chicana, raised in NE, lives in SE and works as a steward for the region’s parks and natural areas. Dog mother of Ramone el Chicharrone (former king of Killingsworth).
