GreenSpirit eNewsletter

GreenSpirit News

GreenSpirit Spring Walking Break

Sunday 3rd April to Wednesday 6th April 2016

"The Valleys and Rock-Crowned Heights of Dartmoor"

YHA Okehampton Bracken Tor, Saxongate,
Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1QW

Bracken Tor

We will have exclusive use of YHA Bracken Tor Lodge which is a converted industrial heritage building and sits within the grounds of YHA Bracken Tor. It is within 4 acres of landscaped gardens backing directly onto open moorland, making it an ideal base for exploring Dartmoor National Park. There are prehistoric Stone Circles, medieval deserted villages, village greens and other ancient landscape features within easy reach of the Lodge.

Accommodation is mostly in small (4 & 5 bed) dormitories, all bedding is provided and there is a large lounge and dining area. There is a self-catering kitchen but our meals will be provided by the hostel.

We will start with dinner on Sunday 3rd April and will end after lunch on Wednesday 6th April. We will walk during the day on Monday and Tuesday and in the evenings we will gather for creative activities, reflections and more.

Cost
The cost is Ł125 for 3 nights for full accommodation and all meals. Speak to us if you think you might need a concession.

Booking and payment (cheques made to GreenSpirit or click here to pay online) by March 15th to Hilary Norton 33 Park Road, Stratford, London, E15 3QP. When you book please let us know if you have a particular dietary requirement.

For any enquiries, please contact Hilary on tel: 020 8470 3365, email:
hnorton@greenspirit.org.uk

GreenSpirit 2016 Annual Gathering

Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd October 2016

At EarthSpirit in Somerset.

The main speaker will be Philip Carr-Gomm.

Philip Carr-Gomm is an author in the fields of psychology and Druidry, a psychologist and one of the leaders and Chosen Chief of The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Find out more at:

http://www.philipcarr-gomm.com/about/

More details about the Annual Gathering in due course.

GreenSpirit 2016 Calendar: February's image and quotation

Photo © Sky McCain.

I do not mind a heaven father, that is all right. But I do like the idea of an Earth mother and I also like to talk to trees. This idea that the trees talk to me and I talk to the trees, this kind of subjectivity is somehow absent from our tradition.

~ Thomas Berry.

http://www.greenspirit.org.uk/community/calendar.shtml

Book Reviews

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Pathways of Green Wisdom: Discovering Earth Centred Teachings in Spiritual and Religious Traditions

by Santoshan (Stephen Wollaston) (Ed)

Reviewed by Ian Mowll.

A panoramic view of Earth-centred teachings in different spiritual and religious traditions. 10 authors cover 10 different traditions: Christianity, Judaism, Paganism, Daoism, Hinduism, Indigenous traditions, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism and Creation Spirituality (Creation Spirituality as articulated by Matthew Fox, which helped to lay the foundations for GreenSpirit). The territory covered is so vast that each chapter is often more of a personal reflection from someone either directly involved with the tradition or who is very knowledgeable about it.

Click here for the full book review on the GreenSpirit website.

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This Changes Everything

by Naomi Klein

Reviewed by Katie Hill.

Klein's book is crammed with case studies from the frontline of the climate movement - from companies and organisations working on new 'solutions' to global warming to the shady coalitions and funding deals that are sealed behind closed doors. It could easily have descended into a depressing catalogue of reasons why we - and the Earth - are doomed, but the main message is one of hope It's not too late to save the planet if we act now; but the action must be dramatic and all-encompassing.

Click here for the full book review on the GreenSpirit website.

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The human in the Universe (Kindle edition)

by Niamh Brennan

Reviewed by Ian Mowll.

This ebook is about the Universe Story (the story as revealed by science from the Big Bang to the present day) and how it can inspire us in our lives and help to create a better world.

Click here for the full book review on the GreenSpirit website.

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GreenSpirit Local Groups

See the GreenSpirit Local Groups page with information on all local groups here:

http://greenspirit.org.uk/localgroups/

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Reading

Next meetings:

* Spring Equinox: Ostara - 20th March

* May Day: Beltane - 1st May

For more meeting dates and contact details, go to:

http://greenspirit.org.uk/localgroups/reading/reading-calendar/

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Exeter

Spring Equinox Meeting: Thursday, March 24, 2016

To be in contact with the group, join the meetup group here:

http://www.meetup.com/Exeter-GreenSpirit/events/224510104/

Or contact Shyron on: shyronm@greenspirit.org.uk

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Greater Manchester

Journey of the Universe - in Central Manchester.

This informal group aims to explore key concepts, themes and ideas of the theologian, philosopher and cosmologist Thomas Berry and the material explored in the Journey of the Universe series of films.

The date for the next meeting is Thursday at 19.00 on 3rd March 2016.

The sessions take place in Whalley Range, Manchester. For further information, please contact Kelvin Ravenscroft: krikona@aol.com

For further information regarding the Journey of the Universe films please see: www.journeyoftheuniverse.org For further information about Thomas Berry please see: http://www.thomasberry.org

Dr. Helena Mary Kettleborough,

Greater Manchester GreenSpirit Group Co-ordinator
E: helena.kettleborough@btinternet.com

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East London

Spring Equinox Celebration

Our Spring Equinox meeting will be on Sunday March 20th 2016 at 33 Park Road at 6pm for food and 7.30 pm for the ritual.

Spring Equinox celebrates the renewed life of the Earth that comes with the warming of Spring. It is a solar festival, celebrated when the length of the day and the night are equal (this happens twice a year, at spring and autumn equinox). To celebrate the spring, we will start with Ikebana, the Japanese art of arranging flowers and foliage meditatively. Bring budding twigs, flowers, willow catkins, sprouting bulbs, and bring your favourite poems by nature poets like John Clare, Blake, Wordsworth, Thomas Traherne and others.

Please let us know if you want to come for food by March 17th 2016

(contact Hilary Norton, email: hapn(at)greenspirit.org.uk tel: 0208 470 3365.)

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North Lancashire and Cumbria

Sunday 20th March 2016 2 - 5 pm ~ Spring Equinox ~ Backsbottom Farm, (Middlewood, Nr Wray.) A celebration of Oestre, now we are awakened to the first sensations of new life. As day and night are of equal length, we again seek balance and harmony, as our focus moves from the inner to the outer world. Please bring vegetarian food for the shared meal; timely contributions, poems, and readings as we welcome in the spring! For details contact Rod or Dorothea.

Saturday 30th April 2016 2 - 5 pm ~ Beltane ~ Backsbottom Farm (Middlewood, Nr Wray). Spring-cleaning has brought forth the greening-time; six months from Samhain and new life is present. From union comes the abundance of summer for harvesting. We celebrate natural renewal and creativity through the union of many elements. Please bring vegetarian food for the shared meal, and timely contributions, poems and readings.

For further information and lifts for these calendar events please get in touch with the event hosts:

Dorothea: 01524 36709

Rod: 015242 22214

http://greenspirit.org.uk/localgroups/north-lancashire-and-cumbria/

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GreenSpirit is an official supporter of this event and will be there with a stall:

The Shamanic Lands

11th and 12th June 2016

Conway Hall, London. WC1R 4RL

http://theshamaniclands.com

The Shamanic Lands is a two-day ceremony and waking shamanic journey uniting the ancient knowledge of the British Isles and Ireland with global shamanic wisdom. We are in a time of great change in the world and shamanism is becoming ever more popular as a way to navigate through the turmoil. The call for us to reconnect back to our authentic selves has never been heard louder. Many people are being drawn to travel to other countries in search of the genuine shamanic experience, while we reside in lands already rich with shamanic heritage.

Bringing to life the ancient pathways of Druidry, Celtic Seership, Bardic Story Telling, Geomancy, Bwiti and Dream Decoding, each healer will deliver a unique teaching from their own traditions that will create a collective story.

Join us on a journey through the wisdom teachings, storytelling, practical exercises, art, live music and performances, all woven into a unique narrative that highlights the ancient and deep magical heritage that our Shamanic Lands hold.

The Teachers:

* Philip Carr-Gomm: Chief of The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids (OBOD). Presenting: Singer, Shaman, Sage
* Caitlin Matthews: Celtic Seer, Researcher & Author. Presenting: The Many Coloured Winds
* Sandra Corcoran: Shamanic Practitioner. Presenting: Sacred Dreamtime: Your Doorway to Multi-Universes
* John Cantwell: Irish Shaman. Presenting: Way of the Heart: Wisdom Teachings from Eiru
* Carolyn Hillyer: Musician, Artist, Native Shaman. Presenting: From the Wild Horse Hills to the Edge of Ice
* Dr Patrick MacManaway: Geomancer/Land Shaman. Presenting: Healing and Balancing of Energies and Atmosphere
* Blessings of the Forest: Bwiti collective of initiates. Presenting: Teachings, Prayers and Music from the Bwiti Culture

For full information and to book tickets, go to:

http://theshamaniclands.com

Other News

Mary Oliver Poem

The Way of the Buzzard

~ treading the path of our ancestors, reconnecting with the spirit of our land ~

Events:

* Weekend residential retreat: Ignite the Spark - Friday 19th February - Sunday 21st February 2016, Roburndale, Forest of Bowland, Lancashire

* Drum birthing day - Friday 26th February / Saturday 27th February, Friday 1st April/ Saturday 2nd April 2016, Anglezarke, near Chorley, Lancashire

* The Buzzards Call - Introduction to Shamanism Day - Saturday 12th March 2016, Heath Charnock, Chorley

* Wander the Wheel Sabbat Celebrations: Spring Equinox Saturday 19th March/ Beltane Saturday 8th May, Anglezarke, Chorley, Lancashire

* Drum birthing day - Friday 26th February / Saturday 27th February, Friday 1st April/ Saturday 2nd April 2016, Anglezarke, near Chorley, Lancashire

* Weekend residential retreat: Spring into Life - Friday 8th April - Sunday 10th April 2016, Roburndale, Forest of Bowland, Lancashire

* Wander the Wheel Sabbat Celebrations: Beltane Saturday 8th May, Anglezarke, Chorley, Lancashire

* Space to Emerge - Shamanic Festival in the Lake District - Friday 13th to Sunday 15th May 2016

For full details of these workshops and events, go to:

http://thewayofthebuzzard.co.uk/workshops/

Plant Spirit Healing Intensive - Part 1

9am 6th - 3pm 10th July 2016

(Part 2 is in 2017)

with plant spirit healer, Pam Montgomery.

The Rill Estate

Colston Road, Buckfastleigh

Devon TQ11 0LW

This 2 part Plant Spirit Healing training is for those who wish to deepen their connection to nature and learn the holistic approach to working and healing with plants; going directly to the source of the dis-ease or imbalance to effect change physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. The approach is one of reciprocity with nature, harmonising with and learning directly from the plants themselves, within the container of guidance and wisdom from plant spirit healer, Pam Montgomery.

These five day intensives, I & II, will be packed full of information and experience with the conscious intelligent force of plants, trees and their magnanimous spirits. You will learn to build relations with plants to the point of receiving their healing gifts thus developing a co-creative partnership while learning how to use their gifts for personal, professional and planetary healing.

Full information and how to book:

http://plantconsciousness.com/pam-montgomery.html

Introduction to Practical Geomancy

1 Day workshop with Patrick MacManaway

Friday 24th June 2016: 9.30-5.30

Lane End Centre, Church Road, Lane End, High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire, HP14 3HH

This day-long workshop is an introduction to human interaction with the Spirit of Place and the energetic anatomy of landscape and is the pre-requisite workshop to Patrick's Practical Geomancy training modules through 2016.

Learn how to work with and balance the energy of place for personal healing, elemental healing, improved business and harmonious relationships. Also known as geobiology, this is a unique opportunity to learn with one of the UK's most gifted and experienced geomancers. You will learn solid basics required for continued learning in this field.

Read more about this workshop and how to book at:

http://theshamaniclands.com/practical-geomancy.html

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Practical Geomancy Training with Patrick MacManaway

A year-long training schedule with separately bookable modules.

To complete any module the Introduction To Practical Geomancy workshop is a pre-requisite.

Each training weekend will take place at: Lane End Centre, Church Road, Lane End, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 3HH.

Module 1 - Earth Energies:

25th & 26th June 2016, 9.30am-5.30pm

A weekend of dragon whispering, learning relationship with earth energies and the healing of geopathic stress.

Module 2 - Spirit Communication & Healing:

6th & 7th August 2016, 9.30am-5.30pm

A weekend of nature spirit communication, landscape trauma healing, and spirit release.

Module 3 - Sacred Space:

8th & 9th October 2016, 9.30am-5.30pm

Learning to locate and craft sacred spaces using traditional temple construction techniques.

Full details and how to book at:

http://theshamaniclands.com/patrick-macmanaway.html

Easter Reclaimed

Would you like to experience a shared Cosmic Easter?

You are invited to join us in spending holy week together, exploring the meaning of the gospel story and how we understand it today in the context of the Universe story, and in the light of the visions of Tielhard de Chardin, Thomas Berry and Brian Swimme.

We endeavour to celebrate each day in ritual, music and words, in a creative group experience in which all contributions are welcome.

The group will run from early afternoon on Maundy Thursday till after lunch on Easter Sunday.

We will meet in the Emmaus Centre at West Wickham situated in lovely countryside. It is easily accessible from Croydon or Hayes, Kent.

The facilitator will be Mary Jo Radcliffe.

Click here to read about one participant's experience of this event at Easter 2015 where the group gathered at the Ammerdown centre.

For further details contact Mary Jo

Email: maryjoradcliffe@icloud.com

Tel: 0207 223 2917

Exploring the Soul's Journey

with Alan Heeks and Cordelia Prescott

at The Abbey, near Oxford

20th - 21st February 2016

This retreat offers a safe, supportive space to explore how can we enrich and guide our life by a deeper understanding and dialogue with our soul. If our soul is on a longer journey, before and after this current lifetime, what does it want now? What are we here for?

A classic teaching in Sufi and other traditions is to enrich your living by including your dying: in other words, to face consciously our death and what may be beyond it. This can move us beyond fears into truly enjoying and fulfilling ourselves through the gift of this lifetime.

At The Abbey, near Oxford, Tel 01235 847401, for full details click here.

Colourful Birds

Exploring our relationship with our home planet

Judith Bromley Nicholls

Charney Manor, Charney Bassett, Wantage, Oxfordshire. OX12 0EJ

18th - 20th March 2016

Following the well received exhibition 'Climb up to the Moor' this weekend will offer an opportunity to explore and deepen our spiritual, psychological and physical relationship with the natural world. Using art materials, including clay, the weekend will include an activity based on the workshop begun by the Art section of the United Religions Initiative: 'Islands'. Those who have taken part in the 'Islands' activity have valued it as an experience which has the potential to bring the understanding of climate change and population migration into a deeper level. I would like to invite and encourage other members of GreenSpirit to become facilitators of this experiential activity which could become a useful tool in these troubled times.

No artistic ability or experience necessary.

Cost: Ł181 (deposit Ł81).

Judith Bromley Nicholls is a painter and facilitator, and is a member of GreenSpirit.

Bookings and enquiries: Gillian Peaston (Manager) - Telephone number: 01235 868206 - E-mail address: charneymanor@quaker.org.uk.

Website: http://www.charneymanor.com

Shona Astrology Course

Explore your inner world through the ancient art of astrology

4 days / 10 participants / 19-22 May 2016

Get to grips with the fundamentals of astrology in an intimate group with other curious individuals on an island off the West coast of Scotland.

Through playful exercises and thought-provoking experiences, the course provides a balance of theory and practice. What you'll learn:

* The fundamentals of astrology

* The basic components that make up a chart and what they mean

* The first steps to helping yourself and others explore their inner universe

~ Go on Long Walks in Enchanting Landscapes ~

~ Star Gaze and Enjoy The Peace and Quiet of the Waters Edge with Morning Meditations ~

The course is held on Eilean Shona, a place of outstanding natural beauty, raw wilderness and deep calm, it is an island off the coast of Scotland. Leading the course is Carmen Galofre, who has been teaching astrology for 15 years and has a unique method combining the Huber method and teachings from the thousands of astrology clients she has had over the years.

For more info please visit www.shonaastrology.com or contact

flobcdevereux@gmail.com

Nature is not a place to visit...

Peter Seeger Quote

Animystics - Ireland

A 2 Day Shamanic Journey of Holistic Teachings for The Modern World

Seeing Spirit in Everything

http://www.animystics-ireland.com/

7th and 8th May 2016

Dunderry Park, Co. Meath, Ireland

Only by truly understanding and knowing our deepest self can we begin to write a new dream for the planet and for our descendants. Drawing on ancient shamanic and indigenous traditions Animystics will bring together a collection of teachers that hold the knowledge of the old ways but demonstrate how that ancient wisdom can be used to help guide us more effectively in today's modern world.

Speakers:

* Danu Forest - Author, Seer, Arch-Druidess ~ Celtic Tree Magic

* Dr Patrick MacManaway - Geobiologist & Land Shaman ~ Walking Amongst Dragons

* Philip Carr-Gomm - Head of Bards, Ovates & Druids UK ~ How Druidry Can Help us Reconnect with Source

* Eimear Burke - Co-Founder, Kilkenny College of Druidry, Shamanic Practitioner ~ Emerging from The Mists of Time

* Ger Lyons - Psychic Healer, Seer ~ Active Communication with The Field of Consciousness

* Karen Ward - Irish Shaman & Psychotherapist ~ Reclaiming Our Soul Sovereignty

* Caz Coronel - Conscious Explorers Founder ~ Transformation Through Dreams

* Emma Farrell - Plant Spirit Healer ~ The Magic of Mugwort

For full information and how to book, go to:

http://www.animystics-ireland.com/

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Plus:

The Magic of Mugwort

Workshop and Initiation with Emma & Davyd Farrell

Monday 9th May

10am-5pm

Dunderry Park, Navan, Co. Meath

Full details at:

http://www.animystics-ireland.com/mugwort-workshop.html

Thomas Moore Quote

Climate Change

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2015 Shattered global temperature record by wide margin

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35354579

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Current Global Temperature from NASA

http://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/

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Zero Carbon Yorkshire Launch Day

Leeds

Saturday, 27 February 2016: 11:00 - 17:00

Click here to find out more.

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Going Backwards on Climate Change

Protest on 8th May - London

https://www.facebook.com/events/1694984727439786/

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Why climate change is really, really unfair

Click here for the article

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Mark Ruffalo's message to David Cameron on Fracking and Climate Change

Click here for the video on facebook

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Running on renewable energy, Burlington, Vermont powers green movement forward

Click here for the video

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The Tree of Contemplative Practices

In brief...

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Space timelapse shows lightning storms

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35530522

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Which star made what?

The creation of elements in stars

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap160125.html

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The Elephants that came to dinner ~ Mfuwe Lodge, Zambia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdTII_unZSA

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Plant Consciousness 2016

Will be on 1st and 2nd October 2016

More details when they are available.

http://www.plantconsciousness.com/

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The Planetary Heart

Our goal is for at least 100 million people to stop for 15 minutes at noon in their own time zone March 11, 12 & 13 to heal the heart of our Planetary Mother.

Click here to find out more.

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The Universe Verse

Book about the Universe Story for children.

http://www.metanexus.net/blog/universe-verse

http://www.jldunbar.com/home/the-universe-verse

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2016 Convention of Alternative Archaeology and Earth Mysteries

Sunday Oct 2nd 2016: Bouverie Hall, Pewsey, Wiltshire

http://www.stoneseeker.net/AnnualConvention#2016

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Earth Day - 22nd April 2016

http://www.earthday.org/earth-day/