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Earth Medicine Alliance September 2013
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Next month is our fourth annual conference, and every year it's a really big, special deal for the crew of Alliance volunteers to share with you all this two-day feast of earth-honoring teachings and embodied wisdom. We're excited about our 2013 theme: Sacred Mountains of the Bay Area: Inhabiting Home through Science and Spirit in part because we're exploring our relationships with ancient beings who quietly and consistently speak in the visual field of nearly every Bay Area resident. We all recognize and are known by the mountains here, irrespective of our ancestry, our politics, and our beliefs about God and Such. So we've decided to ask diverse elders and teachers how the land here in the Bay remembers (sometimes painful) human histories and struggles for justice and healing, how the land inspires heart-song, celebration, and stories of the gods, how the land here feeds and kills us, and how, at the end of the day, we humans and the land are not so separate.
Check out the conference flyer to get a feel for who all is presenting and what you might expect if you join us. On our site the Annual Conference link includes past programs; expect a similar plan but with new content this year (full program will be out in October). Early registration discount ends this Sunday, Sept 22nd. Hope you can join us!
The Earth Medicine Alliance is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 non-profit.
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Sacred Mountains of the Bay Area:
Inhabiting Home through Science and Spirit
Fourth Annual Earth Medicine Alliance Conference
Sat-Sun, Oct. 26-27, 2013
San Francisco
Living in earth-honoring ways calls for an integrated approach to ecology, human culture, and relationship with the Sacred. If you live in the Bay Area, chances are you (like eight million others) live between the waters of the Estuary and a ring of mountains: Mt Tamalpais and Mt St Helena in the North, Mt Diablo in the East, Mt Hamilton and Mt Umunhum in the South Bay, and San Bruno Mountain just south of San Francisco.
How can relating in conscious ways with these mountains increase your sense of home and place and also nourish your human relationships and inner life? On Sat, Oct 26th (Day One) over 15 distinguished presenters (see conference flyer) will guide our approach to the mountains from five disciplines:
* Natural science (including local geology, flora, and fauna)
* Indigenous Bay Area cultures past, present, and future
* Storytelling and creative expression
* Public policy and advocacy (inc. local sacred sites)
* Spiritual practice focused on relating with mountains.
On Day Two you'll have the opportunity to participate in smaller breakout rituals and other guided teachings on several of the local mountains.
Cost for both days is $65 before Sunday, Sept 22nd and $75 after. Let us know (info@earthmedicine.org) if you want to attend and can't afford it as we could use some volunteer help/work trade. To register please visit: sacredmountains.brownpapertickets.com.
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Featured Conference Presenter:
Catherine Herrera
Catherine is an active artist and member of the Ohlone community who has explored themes of home, identity and belonging through her art, films, and writing. Her journey to better understand her Native American family history and heritage informs her efforts to bring greater awareness to issues of cultural recognition, revitalization and sacred sites, including here in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Over the last nine years Catherine has had the opportunity to learn directly from Ohlone elders and mentors. Her installation, 'Bridge Walkers,' was exhibited in the de Young Museum to highlight Ohlone Sacred Sites in San Francisco: www.flordemielfilms.com
We are delighted to welcome back Catherine as one of over 15 presenters this Oct. 26-27th at Sacred Mountains of the Bay Area.
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Featured Conference Presenter:
"Feral Kevin" Feinstein
Kevin is a writer, teacher, and researcher of plants, food, sustainability, and natural health. He currently resides in Walnut Creek, and has lived all over the Bay Area. "Feral Kevin" is the co-author of Bay Area Forager: Your Guide to Edible Wild Plants of the San Francisco Bay Area and regularly teaches foraging and other earth awareness skills.
Kevin maintains a site on foraging-related topics:www.feralkevin.com, and is grateful to share practical skills that encourage sustainability, health, enjoyment, and awareness of our interconnectedness.
We're happy to welcome Kevin as one of 15 presenters at our fourth annual conference this October 26-27th in San Francisco.
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Ifa/Orisha Path: Teaching on Destiny & Personal Divinations
Guest Teacher: Baba Ifagbemi Faseye
Sat-Wed, November 16th-20th
San Francisco Bay Area
 Ifa/Orisha tradition is the traditional way of life of the Yoruba people of Southwest Nigeria as well as the most widely practiced traditional African religion in the world with well-established lineages in Brazil, Cuba, Venezuela, and increasingly in Europe and the United States. Intro to Ifa, Destiny, and Divination. Within the larger way of life that is Ifa/Orisha tradition, the Ifa diviners and priests often emphasize living in close alignment with one's personal destiny. This includes regular consultation with Ifa ( Ifa dida), offerings/sacrifice ( ebo), observation of relevant taboos and guidelines on conduct ( eewo), and constantly seeking to elevate one's life and family into a state of love, wisdom, and grounded service. This training will explore teachings on destiny, sacrifice, and taboos from an Ifa perspective and provide an intro to the practice of Ifa divination Cost $80 (flexibility if needed). Sat, Nov 16th. 10am-4:30pm. Location TBD. 
Personal Ifa Divinations. For those seeking life guidance and who are willing to actively embrace change and transformation, Ifa divination is a powerful tool for getting clear and moving forward. Sessions last about an hour and cost is $100. Spaces and times are limited; be in touch in advance if interested.
Baba Ifagbemi is a priest of Ifa, Obatala, and Oshun. In addition to working closely with teachers in the U.S. he has been made four trips to Nigeria for in-depth training. Baba Ifagbemi currently serves on the Board of the Earth Medicine Alliance and is dedicated to making traditional, earth-honoring ways accessible for people of all backgrounds. For more info on his offerings see: www.oracleifa.com.
With questions or to register, contact Daniel at: daniel@earthmedicine.org or (650) 248-8917.
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Ways to Support and Get Involved
The Earth Medicine Alliance is a 501(c)3 non-profit in state of California. One of the best ways you can support our work is by making a donation to support our efforts (we are fully tax-exempt).
I'm not sure anyone reads this far down in our newsletter, but just in case, here's the deal: The Alliance is run entirely by volunteer effort, people who love the Earth and enjoy contributing some of our time and expertise to make it all happen. If that sounds satisfying to you (or selfishly like a great way to learn new skills and engage in some Earth service, please consider):
- Voices of the Earth Project. Work on an interview project in a flexible team environment and interface with great earth-honoring elders and community leaders. Contact: elaine@earthmedicine.org
- Board of Directors. If you have experience serving on a board, and especially if you have fundraising, marketing, business, or other practical skills, reach out at: info@earthmedicine.org
- Staff and Volunteers. Our work together to carry out all aspects of our programming. If you have skills related to non-profit service or the time and enthusiasm to dedicate, please be in contact: info@earthmedicine.org
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