Meet the Maker
Hello my name is Betania (pronouns-They/Them). My identity feels very amphibious, like I don’t fit into any of the assigned boxes. I am a mixed or Mestizx person (Mexican, Spanish, Sardenian & Welsh) with Indigenous Roots. I am a teacher and student of ancestral skills and craft, a broom maker, a forever student of Plants and folk medicine, and I was raised by Trees. For as long as I can remember I have turned to the Trees, Animals and other beings in the Forest for council. I believe strongly in the healing powers of “Nature”, believing that strengthening our connection with our More-Than-Human relatives can improve our interpersonal relationships and emotional well being. In my own path I experienced a lot of trauma. I was institutionalized and incarcerated many times as a youth (No- I didn’t commit major crimes- these institutions are set up to disempower, trap and push down people from the margins, it is actually very hard to escape these oppressive systems once you are in them) In the moments when I was on the “outs” the most comfort I could find was running and hiding in so called “Wild” spaces or Wilderness. Here with the Plants, Trees, Water, Creatures and Elements, I felt at home and cared for. It was the only time my nervous system could relax and take a full breath. They are my Family- They are the relatives that are able to hold me unconditionally.
“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond”
The Plantitas always hold me so tenderly
Celebrating the resilience and softness of flowers
This is a painting that my dear friend Ramona Garcia did of me - I am sitting with a Broom and across the fire is Coatlique
Healing & Embodiment thru craft
Over the years I have found that working with my hands, using elements of Nature brings me some of the deepest healing. When I sit down to make or create something, I become more embodied and the stresses of trying to just simply be in this modern industrialized world begin to fall away. In these moments I can feel the way my Ancestors would sit, pray, sing and laugh together while doing this work.
Thank you for visiting my page. I am so grateful for all of the Beings that have been in support of my journey -Big Love & Solidarity-
