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GreenSpirit 2016 Annual Gathering
 
Honouring the Wisdom of the Natural World

Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd October 2016

At EarthSpirit, Dundon, Somerton, Somerset. TA11 6PE
 






The main speaker will be Philip Carr-Gomm.
 



Philip Carr-Gomm combines being a leader of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, the largest Druid teaching order in the world with being an author in the fields of Druidry and psychology. Philip also draws upon the wisdom of other spiritual paths and is particularly interested in the ways in which we can preserve and protect the natural world for future generations. With him we will learn about Druidry and he will help us find inspiration and guidance by drawing on the animal and plant lore of our (for many of us) native lands: The British Isles. 
 
Click here to find out more about Philip.
 
All food during the weekend will be vegetarian.
 
The weekend will start at the evening meal on the Friday and will end after lunch on the Sunday. During the weekend we will also have a chance to connect with each other and the natural world with music, small groups, creative activities, meditations, a walk, ritual, the AGM and making our own entertainment on the Saturday evening.
 
Click in the link below for full information and how to book:
 

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Book Reviews


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Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life

by Richard Louv



 
Reviewed by Marian Van Eyk McCain.

Dazzled and seduced by 21st century technology, our children - and we ourselves - tend to spend so much time staring at screens nowadays that there is no time left for a walk in the woods, for gazing dreamily into the night sky or even for enjoying some peace and silence. Following on from Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle, this third book from Richard Louv is a huge and marvellous collection of ideas and resources aimed at getting families of all ages back outside and interacting with the rest of Nature.

Click here for the full book review.



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The Genius of Birds

by Jennifer Ackerman





Reviewed by Marian Van Eyk McCain.

In this fascinating and intensively-researched book, Jennifer Ackerman delves deeply into the minds and abilities of our feathered companions and reveals some of the remarkable discoveries that have been made in recent years about the true nature and extent of avian intelligence. Once we learn to stop defining intelligence in terms of what we excel at and study birds on their own terms, there is a wealth of fascinating information to be gained.

Click here for the full book review.



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Re-enchanting the Forest: Meaningful Ritual in a Secular World

by William Ayot




Reviewed by Hilary Norton.

William defines ritual as activities that bring about a change: "symbolic actions through which we can give our soul or psyche an important message". He says that from ritual we can receive clear and potent messages; have a sense of belonging, but most importantly receive the gift of connection with Nature, with the other-than-human. Ritual can put us in direct connection with the mysterious, the numinous, the Other.

Click here for the full book review.



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Wanted - New Treasurer for GreenSpirit
 
GreenSpirit is looking for a new Treasurer. This is a great opportunity to contribute to GreenSpirit, helping to ground its vision in a very practical way.

As much of the work can be done online, you can be based anywhere in the UK and the role is normally a few hours each month. Travel expenses to/from the council meetings in Reading will be reimbursed. The role starts from the next AGM which is on Sunday 23rd October 2016 at EarthSpirit, Dundon, Somerton. TA11 6PE.

For more details, go to:


Or for further information, please contact the Coordinator, Ian Mowll E: info(at)greenspirit.org.uk T: 0208 552 2096 or the current Treasurer, Peter Dillon E: peterjohndillon(at)gmail.com, T: 07725 319335.



Wanted - New Secretary for GreenSpirit

GreenSpirit is looking for a new Secretary. If you want to get involved with and help a small, friendly and passionate team - this role could be for you!

This involves taking the minutes at council meetings and the AGM, agreeing and distributing agendas and papers for council meetings and the AGM and other minor tasks.

For further information, please contact the Coordinator, Ian Mowll E: info(at)greenspirit.org.uk T: 0208 552 2096 or the current Secretary, Hilary Norton, E: hapn(at)greenspirit.org.uk, T: 0208 470 3365.


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The Rising Water Project - ebook

compiled by Ian Mowll




The book was produced in 2011 and is now available as an ebook.

Many of us have heard about the science of climate change. How climate change brings with it turbulent weather conditions, particularly flooding. But what can we do about this? And how can we inspire change?

This project is about hearing people's personal stories of flooding produced by turbulent weather conditions. And how, by listening to people's experiences, we become aware that the problem of climate change is immediate, affecting us today.

Also, by listening to people's positive experiences of downshifting, we can learn that combating climate change can be a rewarding experience, leading to a more fulfilled life. This is because downshifting (reducing our income or circumstances to a lifestyle that is more fulfilling) can result in reduced carbon emissions and therefore a lifestyle that has less impact on the climate.  

This ebook is free for GreenSpirit members. Click here for the downloads. 
(If you have forgotten your username and password and you are a GreenSpirit member, please reply to this email requesting them).

To buy this ebook from Smashwords for less than the price of a cup of coffee, click here .

To buy this book from Amazon Kindle for a similarly low price, click here  for the US) or here (for UK)

To see this ebook on our ebook blogger page, click here .


 


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GreenSpirit 2016 Calendar: July's image and quotation
  



Photo © Piers Warren



Our ancestry stretches back through the life forms and into the stars, back to the beginnings of the primeval fireball.
~ Brian Swimme.
 



 
 




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GreenSpirit Local Groups 




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Reading
Next meetings:

* Harvest - Lammas - 31 July
* Autumn Equinox - Mabon - 25 September

For more meeting dates and contact details, go to:



To see Reading celebrations and resources, go to:




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Exeter

Pilgrimage for Gaia Workshop - led by Helena Kettleborough
 
Grounding the other than human in human community

Exeter on July 19th from 7:30pm - 9:30pm
 At the Mint Methodist Church (Rowe Hall) in Exeter. 
 
Helena and Phil have been working with faith communities in Manchester, bearing witness to the sixth great extinction unfolding before us and working on active communal and individual responses to empower participants. They will be attending the Exeter GreenSpirit group on Tuesday 18th July at 7pm to explore these issues in a participative workshop for GreenSpirit members which they aim to make stimulating, positive and action orientated. They are visiting us as part of their tour of local GreenSpirit groups and will include a short session on GreenSpirit's work in communities and seeking the views of participants for feedback to GreenSpirit Council.
 
Free to attend.

For more information about Exeter GreenSpirit events, contact Shyron. Email shyronm(at)greenspirit.org.uk
 
Exeter GreenSpirit can be found on Facebook:

And also on Meetup:



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North Lancashire and Cumbria
 
Sunday 7th August 2016 2-5 pm ~ Lammas ~  Backsbottom Farm (Middlewood Trust), Nr Wray, LA2 9LL. At the height of summer's abundance, we harvest the first grains, and now we come together to meditate upon and celebrate The Sustenance of the Earth which sustains us in so many ways throughout the year. Feed your soul and give thanks for the Earth's sustenance; please bring a symbol of your abundance - maybe some fruit from your garden, maybe a poem, a book or whatever you are happy to let go of and offer as a gift to someone else. please bring vegetarian food for the shared meal, with timely contributions, poems, readings, etc. Co-ordinators; Chris, Viv, Pamela.
 
Sunday 18th Sept 2016 2 - 5 pm ~ Autumn Equinox
Venue: Backsbottom Farm (Middlewood Trust), nr Wray, LA2 9LL.
As day and night are now in balance, we gather in the last fruits of autumn and gather ourselves seeking balance and harmony through the harvest festival of Thanksgiving. This is a time to celebrate the gifts we have harvested from the Earth and our lives, embracing and befriending the dark time to come which will sustain us through the coming winter. Please bring vegetarian food for the shared meal and timely contributions, poems, readings, etc. For details contact: Rod or Dorothea

Saturday 29th October 2016 7.00 to 9.30 pm ~ Samhain
Venue: Rm3 upstairs, Friends Meeting House, LA1 1TX.
Celebrating the drawing in of this year (for Celts this is New Year), we will share Dances of Universal Peace and then explore the inspiration of Meister Eckhart by watching and discussing a short film made by Mark Rotherham which includes scenes of Roeburndale Woods. For details contact: Dorothea or Mark

As ever, everybody is always welcome to all events. Bring a friend - no formal membership needed. We get by on the donations given at our events.
 
For further information and lifts for these calendar events please get in touch with the event hosts:
Dorothea: 01524 36709
Rod: 015242 22214
Jill: 01524   64183
 


Also, a GreenSpirit Study Circle is planned for September. For more information on this, contact Sam on samagita(at)phonecoop.coop



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



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Plant Consciousness 2016 


Regent's University London

1st and 2nd October 2016

An event that is revolutionising our relationship with plants



Our disconnect from the natural world has led to the disastrous situation that we now find ourselves in on planet Earth, yet our deep feelings for nature form part of our spiritual longing. The Plant Consciousness 2016 event will demonstrate in dynamic ways the intelligence of the hedgerows and fields outside of the forest, before venturing ever deeper into the Enchanted Woodland where we will learn how to cultivate and nurture our own 'Inner Forest' and why it is essential for the development of consciousness and the well-being of the planet that we do.

We can learn so much from the inherent qualities of the plant kingdom and if we look even closer, from the intelligence that lies behind it. Bringing together the values of plant neurobiology, deep-ecology, eco-psychology, sacred plant medicine, shamanism and herbalism you will discover a deeper understanding and a new harmony with plants and with your place in the biosphere of life on this planet.

Speakers:

* John Perkins - Author, Activist ~ How the Plants are guiding us to a New Consciousness
* Michael Dunning - Yew Shaman ~ Yew - Tree of Eternity
* Robin Harford - Forager, EatWeeds ~ Contemplating Plants: Coming to your Senses
* Judy McAllister - Findhorn Association ~ The Voice of the Forest
* Karen Lawton & Fiona Heckles - The Seed Sistas, Sensory Solutions, Hedgewitches ~ Voices from the Hedgerow
* Kay Haw - Woodland Trust Conservation Advisor ~ Ecology & Conservation
* Jonathon Code - Biodynamic Association ~ Encountering Yarrow: A Miracle of Creation
* Carolyn Hillyer & Nigel Shaw - Seventh Wave ~ Echoes of the Ancient Forest

To find out more and to book tickets, go to:


Other News


Roald Dahl Quote





And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
~ Roald Dahl


Universe Story Walk

9th - 11th September




Walk the Story of the Universe combines an introduction to the scientific story of the Universe with an enjoyable weekend of gentle walking and fine food. The idea of walking the story (scaled over 13.8 kilometres) is that you not only learn about the extraordinary events that brought us here, but also develop a strong physical sense of your place within them.

The 13.8 kilometre distance makes each metre we pass on the ground equivalent to a million years in time. We walk this over two days - 9.3 kilometres (5.8 miles) on the first day and 4.5 kilometres (2.8 miles) on the second. 

Walk the Story of the Universe is open to anyone who can walk 13.8 kilometres. No previous knowledge or particular outlook is assumed. Greg uses a variety of teaching techniques to help to make the content accessible, fun and engaging.

Full information and how to book at:


Trek to see Gorillas and Chimpanzees
Trek to see/film wild mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in the forests of Uganda, whilst learning about and participating in conservation projects to protect our close relatives.

14-25 November 2016

A unique itinerary is planned to give participants an incredible opportunity to see wild great apes and engage in their conservation - highlights include: mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, visiting the Ngamba Chimp Island Sanctuary, several game drives featuring lions, elephants, monkeys, buffaloes and more, boat cruising, learning about and participating in conservation projects such as tree-planting, teaching local people about the value of wildlife, and the Pedal Powered Cinema Project, staying at Dian Fossey Lodge.

Accommodation will be in a variety of hotels and lodges. Full board is provided throughout. Single supplements are available.

As well as local guides and specialists you will be accompanied throughout by Madelaine Westwood (founder of GAFI (The Great Apes Film Initiative) and the Pedal Powered Cinema Project) and Piers Warren (Principal of Wildeye and GreenSpirit council member).

Full information and booking info at:


Poets, Bards and Storytellers Quote


Environment Matters

Come and Give Earth a Chance

~ at a sharing day ~

Earth


Saturday 8th October
10:00am for 10:30am - 4:00pm

Bexhill Friends Meeting House
Albert Road (opposite De la Warr Pavilion car park)

Morning: short presentations by a variety of environmental organisations and an exhibition.

Afternoon: Earth Cafe - sharing with 6 speakers in small groups for positive ways forward locally.

For more details, please phone 01424 214327.

Supported by Bexhill Quakers and Bexhill Environmental Group.



OSA One Spirit Summit 2016





New Story New Era
Responding together to the call of spirit

Saturday, 17th September. 10.30 - 5.15
at the Brahma Kumaris Global Co-operation House,
65-69 Pound Lane, London NW10 2HH

Speakers:
  • Ursula King - The Rise of the Spirit in an Evolutionary Universe
  • Richard Olivier - Hamlet's Journey - discovering the spirit inspired leader in us all
  • Neville Hodgkinson - The Emergence of the New Science
  • David Cadman - The Importance of Story - the Between Times
  • Sister Jayanti - Living the Values Now of the New Story: New Era
  • Prof. June Boyce-Tillman - Singing the New Story into Being


Events at St Ethelburga's - Spiritual Ecology
St Ethelburga's 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AG


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 Aliveness and the metamorphosis of science

Join us for a very special evening with 'eco-philosopher', writer and scholar Andreas Weber.

20th July 20th 6:30pm



In his new book, The Biology of Wonder, scientist Andreas Weber reframes this fundamental enigma by arguing that all living beings, like humans, are not biological machines, but living, creative agents fuelled by meaning and expression. Andreas proposes a new approach to the biological sciences that puts the human back in nature. He argues that feelings and emotions, far from being superfluous to the study of organisms, are the very foundation of life. From this basic premise flows the development of a new approach he calls "poetic ecology" - which intimately connects our species to every being and underpins the entire range of human experience. 

For more information and how to book, go to:






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Kick-start a spiritual ecology hub!




29th July 29th, 2016 10:00am

Kick-start your own spiritual ecology Hub! This is a one day practical workshop to experience some basic tools and learn how to facilitate spiritual ecology gatherings in your local community or context.

Click here for full information.



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The Way of the Buzzard

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




British shamanism in the northwest of England: Raising our consciousness by treading the paths of our ancient ancestors and reconnecting with our land. Please visit our website for details of workshops, retreats, drumming circles, full moon and sabbat celebrations, 121 healing sessions, drum birthing, ceremonies, festivals, blogs, book reviews and more. 

Future workshops include:

* Drum birthing day - Sunday 17th July 2016. Anglezarke, near Chorley, Lancashire

* Wander the Wheel Sabbat Celebrations: Lammas Saturday 23rd July. Anglezarke, Chorley, Lancashire

* Drum birthing day - Sunday 24th July 2016. Stoke-on-Trent

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


You Matter Quote



Archetype Events

 
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Entering Nature's Universe - Becoming Our True Selves

1 Day Shamanic Workshop with Pachamama Alliance Co-Founder and Activist 

John Perkins

Monday 3rd October 2016
10am - 5pm
Rudolph Steiner House Theatre, London, NW1 6XT



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3-day Nettle Dieta - Core Strength Births a New Warrior 

with Pam Montgomery

9am 15th - 3pm 17th July 2016
The Rill Estate, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0LW

Click here for full information.



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The Yew Mysteries with Yew Shaman Michael Dunning 
- Introduction to The Yew

Saturday, October 15, 2016
9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
The Art Shop & Chapel
8 Cross Street, NP75EH, Abergavenny 

The Yew Mysteries Continued - Essence Of The Five Trees

Click here for full information.


Day 2
Yew Mysteries Continued - The Essence Of The Five Trees
Sunday 16th Oct  9.30am-6pm, Abergavenny, Wales

Click here for full information.



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Hazel Hill Wood

Conservation Woodland Retreat Centre in Wiltshire






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September 2 - 4

This is an invitation to relax, renew and explore in the company of men, and the magical setting of this 70-acre wood. The talents of the group and the wisdom of the wood offer a stage on which we can explore shared themes or personal situations as we want, through a range of approaches, and just being here. In this very different setting, out on the land with a campfire, there's scope to meet new aspects of yourself, find the subtler voices and the deeper melody, change an old story, play a new part, and hear the collective wisdom of the group. Several Shakespeare plays use the forest as a place to find your true values, and this wood can help us explore male archetypes in the play of life.

Click here for full information.



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September 30 - 2 October, Friday 7pm - Sunday 3pm.

This weekend combines the satisfaction of outdoor physical activity with the restorative effect of relaxing in a serene woodland environment. Over two days and two nights at Hazel Hill, you will get the chance to try your hand at a range of conservation activities that are helping to turn this piece of important woodland into a resilient environment for the future. Led by our experienced conservation team, you'll get involved with activities such as tree-planting, restoring butterfly habitat and thinning thickets. There'll be optional sessions on forest ecosystems and eco-buildings. And when it's time to down tools, there are plenty of ways to relax: wander through the wood; soak in the outdoor hot tub; relax in the wood-fired sauna; do some stretching in the woods; sing songs around the campfire and share delicious food. 

Click here for full information.



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~ Retreat and Conference Centre ~



 
We are actively looking for at least one person to join our small, intentional residential community, housed in a beautiful medieval building in the village of Sutton Courtenay between Didcot and Oxford, by the autumn of 2016. There are currently three members, but one is planning to move on to new opportunities during the next few months.

The Abbey is a spiritual retreat, education and conference centre, offering a unique place for restoration, inspiration and transformation. More details about The Abbey and our work can be found on  http://www.theabbey.uk.com

The most important criterion is that those who join us are willing and able to work together to serve the wider Abbey Community and the long term mission of The Abbey, enrich our work as a group, maintain our beautiful centre and strengthen our links with the wider community. Being a member of the residential community involves maintaining the centre's unique and welcoming ethos through aspects such as cooking, cleaning and maintenance of the grounds and planning and supporting the programme events and hiring of the facilities - and what is required to ensure their success. This requires qualities such as initiative, maturity, flexibility, empathy and willingness to contribute to the wider work of The Abbey.

To express an initial interest, or to find out more about The Abbey and what is involved, please email Dylan Hayden at dylan@theabbey.uk.com


Resurgence 50: One Earth, One Humanity, One Future
Three-day special event celebrating Resurgence magazine's 50th anniversary.

Thursday 22nd - Sunday 25th September 2016






Centred around the unifying vision of the event's title, speakers, performers and attendees are invited to celebrate Resurgence's 50 years at the forefront of the green movement, and to look forward to the half century to come. The programme for the event, packed with a fantastic line up of international speakers, promises to be extremely popular, so you'd be wise to put these dates in your diary now!

Full details and how to book at:




It's an issue of life and death

An experiential workshop based in Marsden, West Yorkshire
on 10 September 2016
Facilitated by Neil Jordan and Pam Winter
Workshop Fee £65

"...when it's over I want to say I was a bride married to amazement,
I was the bridegroom taking the world into my arms..."
(From Mary Oliver 'When Death comes')


In this workshop we will explore the connections between life and death, and how opening up to death, be it the little deaths that happen on a regular basis or the death we will all experience at the end of this life, adds to the vibrancy and fullness of our daily living.

We will spend time in the outdoors at this time of year when nature begins to die off so the natural world will be our guide in supporting us in moving towards a place of accepting death as part of life. Even though we will be in the outdoors fitness is not a prerequisite - we will be spending time slowing down in, and connecting with, nature rather than moving through it.

In this workshop we will:
* Explore our personal attitudes to death
* Unpack the cultural influences on our attitude to death
* Explore the relationship between embracing death and leading a full and vibrant life
* Explore the ongoing nature of life and death in the natural world and how life cannot exist without death and vice-versa

For more information, contact Neil Jordan at: neiljordan123(at)aol.com


My Green Pod





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PEA Awards

 People Environment Achievement
   

will be on 7th October in Brighton - details here:


And why not put in a nomination? Details here:



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Health Food Quote


In Brief


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Wildheart Gathering

Wildheart Devon 12th - 14th August

http://www.wildheartgathering.com/


  
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Self-Medication, Wildlife Style: How Birds and Other Creatures Use Medicinal Plants

Click here for the article



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Ecology and Spirituality. Led by Prof David Tacey. 

London EC1. 

8 September - 6.30- 9.00pm. 




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2016 Convention of Alternative Archaeology and Earth Mysteries

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



 
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Generations: Honoring the Elders, Nurturing the Future

Run by Creation Spiritual Communities

July 28, 2016 - July 31
Berkeley, California, USA

Including key note address by Matthew Fox

Click here for more details.



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Green and Ethical News Round Up: EU Referendum Brexit Special

Click here for the article.



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Ecopsychology Gathering 2016

4th - 7th August

At Green and Away, Worcestershire



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Environmental Photographer of the Year 2016: Winners and shortlisted images

Click here for the pictures.



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Thought for the Email






I Am NOT Black, You are NOT White.
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