A predominance of earth symbols can highlight an already existing affinity with the earth, or a need to get out in nature more to feel the dirt between your toes – to be ‘grounded’ or material. Being ‘down-to-earth’ and ‘having one’s feet on the ground’ are earth expressions. All these methods utilised and reflected the natural environment.Įarth traditionally represents a sense of being grounded, or connected with nature. In some areas of south-eastern Australia, sacred ceremonial designs were made on the earth with mud, molded to form patterns and the ‘path’ to the ceremony. Bora grounds were circular rings constructed with large rocks, or delineated by a circle of trees carved and painted with designs in ochre. The churches and temples of the Aboriginal people were natural features such as waterholes, mountains, and other places. There are also many Dreamings about the formation of minerals and gemstones, such as copper, opal, ochre and gold. The earth provides a home for many ‘good tucker’ creatures that burrow into it, such as Bandicoot, Wombat and Goanna. Land’s rights is a big issue, with the Western mindset generally unable to comprehend the strong link that the Aboriginal person has with the land that it is an integral part of his or her identity and very being.
Their relationship with the land and its creatures was strongly linked through spiritual tradition and a concept similar (but very different) to the totemism of the American Indians. For the traditional Aboriginal person, they do not own the land, it owns them.
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