|
|
The Earth Medicine Alliance August 2011 |
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
As our crowded Earth heats up both literally and energetically, the teachings of indigenous traditions from all around the world continue to remind us that the choice still rests with us, that the solutions reside in our own blood and bones and in the potential of embodying again the relational and earth-honoring wisdom of our ancestors.
This month we are honored to share our recent interview with Ohlone leader and ceremonialist Charlene Sul (click here to listen). The Ohlone are one of five or more indigenous nations who have lived continuously in the San Francisco Bay Area for at least a thousand years prior to European contact.
Charlene will be one of nearly 20 presenters at our second annual conference, Honoring Spirits of Place, this Oct 22-23rd in San Francisco. For details please see our conference flyer or website description. Registration costs go up on Sept 1st, and we strongly encourage saving by reserving your place early (click here to register).
Finally, please see below for information on an upcoming community ritual (open to all by donation) and a weekend intensive on Mt St Helena in the North Bay.
Hope to see you in circle soon!
With love,
Daniel
www.earthmedicine.org
The Earth Medicine Alliance is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 non-profit.
|
|
Honoring Spirits of Place:
The Second Annual Conference of the Earth Medicine Alliance
Saturday, Oct 22nd - Sunday, Oct 23rd in San Francisco, CA
Spirits of place are our closest neighbors in the larger web of relations, those whom we most impact and are most impacted by. In addition to our human kin, they include animal and plant relations, mountains and rivers, ancestors of the land, the elders who bring rain and storms, stone people, elementals, local deities, nature spirits, and other strange old powers whose bodies we perceive as the natural world.
We invite you to join nearly 20 ceremonial leaders and teachers of diverse backgrounds this October 22nd-23rd for a full weekend of embodied learning, interfaith dialogue, and co-creative ritual on the theme of honoring spirits of place.
On Saturday we'll gather from 9:30am to 6:00pm at the Unitarian Center in San Francisco and on Sunday we'll circle at one of four locations on the land in and around the City (San Bruno Mountain, Pacific Ocean, Mount Tamalpais, Oakland Shoreline) for inclusive, earth-honoring rituals led by our conference presenters. For a list of presenters see: www.earthmedicine.org/2011-conference or see our conference flyer: http://www.earthmedicine.org/PDFs/2011_Conference_Flyer.pdf.
Early registration (before September 1st) is $65 and includes a year membership with the Alliance. To register please visit: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/183067. Spaces are limited to 250 participants. We hope you can join us!
|
|
We're happy to share another new interview through the Voices of the Earth Project! This offering is through our earth-honoring ritual and ceremony series.
Charlene Sul was born and raised in San Jose, California and members of her family have lived in this 50-mile radius for hundreds of years. She founded the Confederation of Ohlone People, with a mission to organize Ohlone people and their supporters, and she co-leads the 1000 Hummingbirds Gatherings, now in their 4th year. In her interview she speaks on the recent history of the Ohlone people in the Bay Area, as well as ritual and ceremonies practiced by the Ohlone to honor the earth and the ancestors. Charlene will also be a featured presenter at our Oct 22-23rd conference, Honoring Spirits of Place. Please click here to listen to her interview with the Voices of the Earth Project.
The Voices project is looking for volunteers and dedicated staff people to help develop the project, transcribe interviews, and get the word out about our offerings! To learn more or get involved, contact project director Elaine Gast Fawcett at: elaine@fourwindswriting.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ritual to Honor Star Fire, Nuclear Power, and the Sun
Sunday, Oct 2nd from 11-3pm
Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore, CA
 Life on earth is completely dependent on the massive amounts of energy released from nuclear reactions at the heart of our local star. In the last century we human folk have invoked tremendous power, destruction, and complexity by harnessing star fire in the form of nuclear technologies for energy, weapons, and medicine. Together we'll make ritual and prayer for human beings to shift our relationship with star fire in ways that embody reciprocity and respect for all life. Aside from the obvious hazards posed by nuclear technologies, ceremony will also include acknowledgment of the extensive mining, especially of uranium, that fuels nuclear technologies. We will also include prayers for human and earth healing surrounding the recent Fukushima Daiichi disaster. All welcome, no experience needed with ritual. Ceremony is by donation, $20-40 suggested. We'll meet on time at the parking lot closest to Ardilla Group Camp in Del Valle and walk less than a half mile total on well-established trails. Here's the park map: http://www.ebparks.org/files/Del_Valle_map_full_8-11-11.pdf. Please bring what you need to be comfortable for a few hours in the elements (we'll aim to be in the shade). Simple, biodegradable offerings are welcome. Thanks for supporting this prayer even if you can't make this gathering! |
Animal Medicine Intensive on Mt St Helena
Saturday-Sunday, Oct 8th-9th
North Bay, Calistoga, CA
 This sacred Bay Area mountain in the heart of the traditional homeland of the Mishewal Wappo people, is also home to Peregrine Falcon, Black Bear, Mountain Kingsnake, Golden Eagle, Pacific Giant Salamander, Mountain Lion, Pileated Woodpecker and hundreds of other mammal, reptile, amphibian, bird, and insect relatives. We will gather for a weekend intensive that combines elements of day questing and work with spirits of place around the specific intent to spend time getting to know our local animal spirit relatives.
Saturday will be a full day of ritual (9:00am - sleep) focused in the Table Rock area on Mt St Helena, source of the Napa River and second highest peak in the S.F. Bay Area. The mountain is also a teacher for accessing intuition/dreaming/vision, awakening our root/life force energy, and embodying our wild, spontaneous natures.
After a full day Saturday on the mountain, we'll head to our nearby group camp at Bothe Napa Valley State Park until Sunday at 4pm (tent camping, showers available). This time will include a blend of teachings and ritual, circle and solo integration time. Participants can expect to:
1) Learn foundational skills for safely and respectfully engaging the spirits of wilderness in general and animals in particular (inc. ways to work with story, dream, symbolism)
2) Initiate personal relationships with specific local animal spirit and mountain teachers
3) Be supported in working growth and empowerment edges by bringing personal prayers to the mountain and other local powers
4) Enjoy a weekend of physical activity, healthy food, and great company on a sacred mountain
Cost is $200 total for both days (several spaces open for partial work trade). Cost includes campsite reservation/parking, healthy food: dinner Saturday through lunch Sunday, wood for group fire and other camp/kitchen supplies, and contribution for facilitator (Daniel Foor) and assistants/supporters. Spaces are limited, pre-registration required: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/194437 . Decent physical condition and on-time arrival are requirements; the hike on Saturday will be about 4 miles total over the course of the day with moderate elevation change. Hope you can join us! |
|
|
