Full Moon: August 24
New Moon: August 10
Meteor Shower: the Perseid meteor shower peaks August 12
Other Astronomical events: Venus, Mars and Saturn are very visible by the moon on August 12 immediately after sunset; Jupiter rises later. Should be a good show! On the 13th as well. Saturn looks yellowish and Mars looks orange.
Other Events in the World Around Us:
Temperature, weather, etc: Hot, humid, lots of afternoon thunderstorms and rain. Mid August is the start of the heart of hurricane season, so be prepared. Usually mid-August to mid-October is the most intense.
Foliage, etc: Some varieties of bananas, figs and guavas ripen. Some varieties of night blooming cirrus blooms. Sea grapes begin to ripen and leaves slowly turn color.
Animal Activity: Snake breeding season--watch for pygmy rattlers. Frogs singing.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
August Ecopsychology Event:
Open to the Wellness Education Club and the general public: You are Invited - Please join Aquarian Quest August 7, 2010 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. aboard the Sea Dragon Catamaran. We will have a "Circle of Song". We'll be leaving out of Nokomis for a relaxing and fun time on the water with sounds of music wafting across the waters of our beautiful Gulf! The best way to assure your spot on the voyage is to email Annie at naturespirit123@gmail.com. Please feel free to bring musical instruments, food and drink to your liking--and big smiles. Look forward to seeing/hearing you there!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
July 2010 Ecopsychology Events:
Saturday, July 3, 2010 Grounding/Earthing for Wellbeing. Science is finally proving what indigenous and nature people have always known, that there is healing power for us from the energy of the earth itself. It is available free to all of us! Learn basic grounding techniques and experience the changes within you. You will also hear about recent research as reported in the new book “Earthing”, by Clinton Ober, Dr. Steven Sinatra, and Martin Zucker. $10; 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. R.S.V.P. to Annie Cederberg by July 2 at naturespirit123@gmail.com. Location TBA
Saturday, July 10, 2010 Kayaking. Trying to put together a kayaking/nature tour. Cost would be approximately $30. I need to know how many people are interested in order to set the details. Catch a cool breeze on the water, gaze into the secret worlds at the bottom of the bay and relax! Please email Annie Cederberg by June 30 at naturespirit123@gmail.com. Location TBA based on event enrollment.
Anyone interested in a Paddleboarding (standup on surf board and paddle!) nature trip? Paddleboarding is becoming popular on the East coast of Florida. Supposedly anyone can do it! It’s a great work out, and an excellent way to see Marine Life, even better than kayaking. I’d love to get a trip together. Mark your calendars: there will be a big Paddle- boarding event on July 17, including yoga instruction on Paddleboards! Please email me at naturespirit123@gmail.com if you’d like to be part of a nature trip in the near future.
July 2010 Sarasota Almanac
Full Moon 25
New Moon: 11
Meteor Showers: No major showers
Other Events in the world around us:
Light: starts to decline very slightly from the summer solstice June 21
Temperature: Hot hot and hotter! Gulf water temperature very warm, fueling storms. Summer weather pattern of afternoon thunderstorms.
Foliage: Golden poincianas still in magnificent bloom! Lychees are ripe. Rain or Zephyr (or "Resurrection") lilies in bloom after storms and rain. Also Resurrection ferns have risen from the dead again, due to rain.
Animal Activity: More baby ducks and baby birds (song birds such as Mockingbirds, Blue Jays, Doves, Cardinals, etc.)
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wisdom from Jean Houston
Jean Houston sent this out yesterday, 6/16/10 about the Gulf Situation:
Our hopes and dreams are too small for the world these days.
It’s time for an upgrade in energy, skills, commitment, and effectiveness. Our work in Social Artistry is growing into Social Alchemy: beginning with the oil spill. Let’s join together to stop it. Let’s work at it in alchemical ways, beginning with its sludge and devastation and adding coherent intentional energy in a variety of ways to transform it, such as:
Pay attention to the wise counsel and prayers coming from many sources, such as the suggestion that we hold clear intentions for all marine life to move wisely, swiftly, and safely away from the spill.
Take responsibility for the “oil on our own hands,” acknowledging that our demand for this fuel has brought us to this earth-cry place. As global citizens, we can stop pointing fingers at “them,” and choose to encourage effective action to reduce personal and community oil needs.
Empower the chemical geniuses working on the problem to find a perfect solution soonest. While we’re at it, empower others working on alternate energy resources.
Envision the earth’s capacity to reduce the pressure that is spewing the oil, and to find another channel underground into which it can flow. At the same time, remember to thank the earth and her oceans for their loving support of all of us living beings.
Decide on a time of day each day to focus mindful compassion and prayers on the scene; the first part on relieving the anguish experienced by the sufferers, the second on collectively stopping the spill.
Give hands-on help, in person or through contributions, to help with the clean-up.
Notice what happens in your mind and heart as you do these practices.
Let us know what else you believe is needed and may be useful.
Jean Houston
Our hopes and dreams are too small for the world these days.
It’s time for an upgrade in energy, skills, commitment, and effectiveness. Our work in Social Artistry is growing into Social Alchemy: beginning with the oil spill. Let’s join together to stop it. Let’s work at it in alchemical ways, beginning with its sludge and devastation and adding coherent intentional energy in a variety of ways to transform it, such as:
Pay attention to the wise counsel and prayers coming from many sources, such as the suggestion that we hold clear intentions for all marine life to move wisely, swiftly, and safely away from the spill.
Take responsibility for the “oil on our own hands,” acknowledging that our demand for this fuel has brought us to this earth-cry place. As global citizens, we can stop pointing fingers at “them,” and choose to encourage effective action to reduce personal and community oil needs.
Empower the chemical geniuses working on the problem to find a perfect solution soonest. While we’re at it, empower others working on alternate energy resources.
Envision the earth’s capacity to reduce the pressure that is spewing the oil, and to find another channel underground into which it can flow. At the same time, remember to thank the earth and her oceans for their loving support of all of us living beings.
Decide on a time of day each day to focus mindful compassion and prayers on the scene; the first part on relieving the anguish experienced by the sufferers, the second on collectively stopping the spill.
Give hands-on help, in person or through contributions, to help with the clean-up.
Notice what happens in your mind and heart as you do these practices.
Let us know what else you believe is needed and may be useful.
Jean Houston
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Ways to work in consciousness towards change in the Gulf Oil Spill
There are a number of ways to support efforts to help in this crisis. Here are a few. We will also be publishing a number of prayers to help with the healing of this situation; please leave comments with prayers of your own!
1. Brad Yates, who is a master EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) healer, has a great You Tube video about the oceans. You can access it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlyxubOTJk4
*EFT works through tapping on acupuncture meridians. Although it may sound difficult, it’s not.
2. EFT radio has a 15 minute special “tapping*” session on the Gulf Oil Spill. It is available here:
The Oil Spill – A Tapping Meditation for Healing
Hosted by Carna Zacharias-Miller and Betty Moore-Hafter
Using tapping to send healing and loving support to the animals, plants, ecosystems and humans affected. http://www.eftradioonline.com/mtt-audios/schedule-june-7-14th/
3. Brad Yates also suggested that there are many physical things we can do (send donations, help clean up) and there are the things we can do energetically, like asking “yourself what might be going on inside that is a possible reflection of the oil spill, and allow it to be cleansed.”
4. Replay available - JOE VITALE [THE SECRET] joins host Nicole on News for the Soul to talk about AND DO a unique collective energy clearing directed at the BP oceanic oil spill! Tune in and lets work on cleaning up the mess together… Using Hooponopono clearing techniques brought forward by Dr Hew Len and more, the clearing we will do today will be directed at helping to clean up the most major oil spill in history - at the energetic roots. Go to www.NewsfortheSoul.com .
Look for the blue box on the lower left of the page. It has the player, and listing of recent recordings. Click on Joe Vitale.
5. Masaru Emoto’s healing prayer for the Gulf:
from an email that’s being passed around:
This is based on Ho opono pono (a Hawaiin healing method)
Dr. Masaru Emoto's Healing Prayer for the Gulf
Focusing our energies in response to the Gulf tragedy and for healing the waters and its inhabitants -
Yesterday at our spiritual center we read a letter from Dr. Masaru Emoto who many of you will recognize as the scientist from Japan who has done all the research and publications about the characteristics of water. Among other things, his research reveals that water physically responds to emotions.
Right now, most of us have the predominantly angry emotion when we consider what is happening in the Gulf. And while certainly we are justified in that emotion, we may be of greater assistance to our planet and its life forms, if we sincerely, powerfully and humbly pray the prayer that Dr Emoto, himself, has proposed.
"I send the energy of love and gratitude to the water and all the living creatures in the Gulf of Mexico and its surroundings.
To the whales, dolphins, pelicans, fish, shellfish, plankton, coral, algae, and all living creatures . . . I am sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.
I love you. "
We are passing this request to people who we believe might be willing to participate in this prayer, to set an intention of love and healing that is so large, so overwhelming that we can perform a miracle in the Gulf of Mexico.
We are not powerless. We are powerful. Our united energy, speaking this prayer daily...multiple times daily....can literally shift the balance of destruction that is happening.
We don't have to know how......we just have to recognize that the power of love is greater than any power active in the Universe today.
Please join us in oft repeating this healing prayer of of Dr. Emoto's.
And feel free to copy and paste this to send it around the planet.
Let's take charge, and do our own clean up!
And so it is! Pass it on.
6. The Global Coherence Initiative. As we've mentioned before, this is an amazing project bringing together people from all over the world to focus healing love and energy on different world crises. go to glcoherence.org (based on the work of the Heartmath Institute).
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Sarasota Almanac June 2010
Full Moon: June 27
New Moon: June 13
Meteor Showers: no major showers
Other Astronomical Events: June 21 is the Summer Solstice.
There is a major event in the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction on June 8. There should be a burst of new energy and leaps forward in our growth from what I've been reading about this conjunction. Early in the month, Jupiter is visible in the eastern sky before daybreak. With binoculars, look to the left of Jupiter for what looks like a blue-ish green star. That is Uranus!
Saturn is high in the southwestern sky at dark (early in the month) and looks golden.
Other Events in the World Around Us:
Temperatures: Water in the Gulf is really getting warm this time of year; humidity and air temperature are both high and will remain that way for 5-6 more months.
Foliage: Frangipanis often bloom now; some varieties of night blooming cirrus, Poincianas (first orange, then yellow) too. Mangoes become ripe! Some passionfruit are available and lychees for those lucky enough to have trees!
Animal Activity: Baby song birds, including woodpeckers, jays, crows, mockingbirds and more. Baby ducklings, too!
New Moon: June 13
Meteor Showers: no major showers
Other Astronomical Events: June 21 is the Summer Solstice.
There is a major event in the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction on June 8. There should be a burst of new energy and leaps forward in our growth from what I've been reading about this conjunction. Early in the month, Jupiter is visible in the eastern sky before daybreak. With binoculars, look to the left of Jupiter for what looks like a blue-ish green star. That is Uranus!
Saturn is high in the southwestern sky at dark (early in the month) and looks golden.
Other Events in the World Around Us:
Temperatures: Water in the Gulf is really getting warm this time of year; humidity and air temperature are both high and will remain that way for 5-6 more months.
Foliage: Frangipanis often bloom now; some varieties of night blooming cirrus, Poincianas (first orange, then yellow) too. Mangoes become ripe! Some passionfruit are available and lychees for those lucky enough to have trees!
Animal Activity: Baby song birds, including woodpeckers, jays, crows, mockingbirds and more. Baby ducklings, too!
Wellness Education Club Ecopsychology Events
June Ecopsychology Events
Saturday, June 5, 2010 Grounding/Earthing for Wellbeing. Science is finally proving what indigenous and nature people have always known, that there is healing power for us from the energy of the earth itself. It is available free to all of us! Learn basic grounding techniques and experience the changes within you. You will also hear about recent research as reported in the new book “Earthing”, by Clinton Ober, Dr. Steven Sinatra, and Martin Zucker. $10; 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. R.S.V.P. by June 4 to naturespirit123@gmail.com. Location TBA.
Saturday, June 12, 2010. Vision/Animal Talk walk. Last summer we did a “Vision Walk”, an abbreviated Vision Quest where participants get answers to their personal questions reflected back to them through nature itself. Results were profound with lots of good feedback. This time we will do a similar process and focus specifically on attracting animal messengers and decoding their messages. This should be a fun and meaningful process! Cost: $10. 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (early time so we beat the heat and get to see more animal messengers!) R.S.V.P. by June 11 to naturespirit123@gmail.com. Location TBA.
The Summer Solstice
June 21 is the Summer Solstice. In our Northern Hemisphere, this is the longest day of the year (the most light). In the Southern Hemisphere, they experience the exact opposite: Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year.
The word Solstice comes from two Latin words, "sol" meaning sun, and "sistere' (meaning "to stand still"). As we progress through the spring the sun seems to appear further and further north in the sky. Then it appears to stop at Solstice, and then gradually, day by day, reverses its course until it appears very far in the southern sky at Winter Solstice. At that point, it appears to stand still again, and then reverse its course and start back north.
This apparent movement is not the sun moving at all, it is due to the tilt of the Earth on its axis. As the Earth revolves around the sun, the tilt of the planet on its axis has the sun toward or away from each pole. This tilt, and the angling towards or away from the sun, is the reason we have seasons.
In many cultures the Summer Solstice is symbolic of fertility. Married couples would jump over solstice bonfires (made to increase even more the energy of the sun). Their crops would grow as high as the couple could jump. (Hope they grew a lot of root crops and had small fires!)
Some cultures consider the Solstices and Equinoxes the beginning of a season. Our culture does that. Other cultures believe that they mark the middle of the season. In fact, in some places, the Summer Solstice is called "Mid summer".
There seems to be less mythology about the Summer Solstice than the Winter one. Perhaps Winter Solstice was such an endurance test in many places that the mythology was more abundant.
There is some mythology, though, as cultures like the Chinese choose the Summer Solstice to celebrate Li, Goddess of Light. The Druids called Summer Solstice the "wedding of heaven and Earth" and believed June weddings were lucky. (hence June being a big month for weddings, even today!) Druids called the Summer Solstice "Litha".
The word Solstice comes from two Latin words, "sol" meaning sun, and "sistere' (meaning "to stand still"). As we progress through the spring the sun seems to appear further and further north in the sky. Then it appears to stop at Solstice, and then gradually, day by day, reverses its course until it appears very far in the southern sky at Winter Solstice. At that point, it appears to stand still again, and then reverse its course and start back north.
This apparent movement is not the sun moving at all, it is due to the tilt of the Earth on its axis. As the Earth revolves around the sun, the tilt of the planet on its axis has the sun toward or away from each pole. This tilt, and the angling towards or away from the sun, is the reason we have seasons.
In many cultures the Summer Solstice is symbolic of fertility. Married couples would jump over solstice bonfires (made to increase even more the energy of the sun). Their crops would grow as high as the couple could jump. (Hope they grew a lot of root crops and had small fires!)
Some cultures consider the Solstices and Equinoxes the beginning of a season. Our culture does that. Other cultures believe that they mark the middle of the season. In fact, in some places, the Summer Solstice is called "Mid summer".
There seems to be less mythology about the Summer Solstice than the Winter one. Perhaps Winter Solstice was such an endurance test in many places that the mythology was more abundant.
There is some mythology, though, as cultures like the Chinese choose the Summer Solstice to celebrate Li, Goddess of Light. The Druids called Summer Solstice the "wedding of heaven and Earth" and believed June weddings were lucky. (hence June being a big month for weddings, even today!) Druids called the Summer Solstice "Litha".
Summer Longings
I lust for
the sun
blue green water
sea wind
bare feet
juicy peaches
soaring sky
full moon
lazy days
watch
the sun
blue green water
sea wind
bare feet
juicy peaches
soaring sky
full moon
lazy days
watch
Nature Time
One of the first things I recommend to people who want to have a deeper and stronger connection to nature is very basic: spend quiet time in nature each day. Mornings are best but any time of day is GREAT! The statistics are scary, but most people spend 98% of their lives inside. Dare to be one of the 2% being outdoors more and enjoying it.
I prefer morning because;
- If I do it first, it will actually get done, I won’t get distracted
- The nature energies are wonderful in the morning, especially around sunrise, and in the evening around sunset. The T’ai Chi masters say these are the times of maximum chi. There is a lot more activity in the natural world. Animals are smarter than us and tend not to be very active in the mid day sun, so you have a better chance of enjoying their company.
- Doing it first thing in the morning says that you are making it a priority in your life.
Whatever time works for you, find a place outside, either in your yard, or in a nearby park or natural area. Go there each day and simply sit for at least 15 minutes. If possible, sit with your back against a tree and your bare feet on the earth (be sure to ask permission first and always say thanks when you’re done). Leave your cell phones, newspapers, coffee, and even other people at home. The focus is on being in your natural space, with as few distractions as possible.
If you are there in the morning, watch the day come in. If in the evening, watch the natural world settle down and night come in. Watch the activity of the birds, the qualities of the lighting. Are the lighting tones more pastel in color? Or vibrant? There tends to be a difference in coloring as well as intensity between morning and evening light. Mid afternoon light is entirely different yet. Watch the birds flying back to their roosts in the evening.
Listen to sounds in your area: birds, insects, perhaps thunder. Touch different things in your area and notice different textures. This helps you be more in your body and less in your head.
Try to keep your mind focused on your special place. If worries keep coming to mind, you might want to carry a small note pad and write them down and tell yourself you will come back to them later. Write them down and forget them for now.
Treat your special place like a friend in the making. To make a good friend, we need to have consistency and need to pay attention. We need to build history of times shared together. We learn to be sensitive to our friend’s moods.
Fifteen minutes of this special nature time can make a big difference in your well-being and your enjoyment of life.
If you need some extra relaxation and nurturing, try lying on the earth and really absorb those wonderful earth energies. Many people are intuitively led to lie on the earth when recovering from illness or exposure to too much electromagnetic fields or chemicals. Even when we’re feeling great this is a wonderful thing to do. Sense the Earth’s energies and their effect on you.
To quote Nike, Just do it! Just get out there. Just show up. Nature will do the rest. Nature may teach you, inspire you, and heal you. It knows exactly what you need.
God, where are you?
"Too many times people are looking for the spectacular, when the supernatural is actually right there in front of them. Smith Wigglesworth once said, “Some people wouldn’t recognize the Holy Spirit if He walked in with a red tie and red hat on.” This poem is about being sensitive to the supernatural things.
"God are you real???"
The man whispered.
“God, speak to me”.
And a meadowlark sang.
But the man did not hear.
So the man yelled,
“God, speak to me!”
And the thunder rolled across the sky
But the man did not listen
The man looked around and said
“God let me see you”
And a star shone brightly
But the man did not notice.
And the man shouted
“God, show me a miracle!” And a life was born
But the man did not know.
So the man cried out in despair,
“Touch me God, and let me know you are here!”
Whereupon God reached down
And touched the man.
But the man brushed the butterfly away
And walked away unknowingly.
--Anonymous
Listen to those hunches!
In April, I was walking on the beach, enjoying the beautiful day. The water was blue and green, and the sun was bright. As I walked and enjoyed myself, I suddenly had the strangest feeling that I might not be able to walk on the beaches much this summer. Was it due to red tide, I wondered? I remember 2005 or 2006, when the red tide was so bad I did not walk on the beach all summer, let alone swim. It was a curious thought. It was a week or so later when I heard about the oil spill in the Gulf.
Shortly after that, I also felt it might be an early and busy hurricane season.
Often when I’m out in nature, I’ll get information. Maybe it’s always there, but I’m quiet and receptive enough to hear it when I’m outside. I have chosen to “rerun” the information below, as a reminder to myself and others.
**************************************************
(originally from the August 2009 newsletter)
Eco-psychology Notes: We’re approaching the heart of hurricane season. Will we get storms? Consciousness may have a role in creating storms of all kinds. I was in downtown Portland, OR, years ago, during a hostage situation. The only cloud in the sky was a black one, right over the building with the gunman! There was a pretty clear connection to me.
As you make your normal hurricane preparations, you might also:
Spend time daily in nature. Listen to nature. I was gardening once when I got the hunch that a hurricane was coming. I doubted the message because it was only June 1, but it was true, there was a storm on the way. When we’re doing meditative and right brained activities, sometimes it’s easier to hear the voice of nature.
Watch animal behavior as a storm approaches. Wildlife, especially, can sometimes predict earthquakes, hurricanes or other storms. It has been said that fewer people would have died in the Tsunami if someone had noticed the animals retreating.
Trust your intuition. In September 2001, Tropical Storm Gabrielle stalled off the coast of Sarasota. The weatherman that night said with certainty that it would continue north. My gut disagreed, but I chose to believe the weatherman and didn’t go out and get extra water. I awoke next morning to Tropical Storm Gabrielle pounding Sarasota. There was so much rain, trees topped over in the yard, no electric, and not much drinking water. It was another chapter in the continuing story of listening to my intuition!
When there is a storm, try getting quiet and “asking” the storm where it is headed.
Use your nature grounding tools to help you stay calm when bad weather approaches. This can help you detach from the panic around you.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Global Coherence Initiative
There is a wonderful project called the Global Coherence Initiative (GCI), which is part of the Institute of Heartmath. The GCI is teaching us how to use our compassion and feelings of love to help soothe things on the planet. They have different focuses for their sessions. Right now they've been focusing on us sending love to the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. Earlier in the year, we were focusing on the areas affected by earthquakes (Haiti, Chile, China, etc.) You may have heard Gregg Braden talk about this project.
To read more about their fascinating research and their projects, visit http://glcoherence.org/ .
To read more about their fascinating research and their projects, visit http://glcoherence.org/ .
Jacaranda Extravaganza!
Due to the cold winter and cool spring, the flowering trees have been especially beautiful! Here are Jacaranda (purple), which was preceded in bloom by the bottlebrush trees (red). (Photos copyright 2010 by Anne Cederberg)
Splashing with the Koi
One of the highlights (of a trip of highlights) at Selby Gardens was splashing with the koi! They came up to greet us all. This photo is of Tatiana Agafonova, founder of Transendance Chiropractic and Wellness Education club, with Julia Seyffert, Tour Guide for Selby Gardens (and gardener extraordinare!) and many enthusiastic, finny friends! These large fish are fascinating to watch and their coloring is gorgeous.
Selby Gardens Ecopsychology Excursion
.JPG)
On May 15, the Wellness Education Club, part of Transendance Chiropractic, offered an outing to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. We were surrounded by beauty: colors, textures, blue sky, things we had never seen. It was a glorious morning! We ran into Selby Tour Guide Julia Seyffert, who identified many unusual plants for us and gave us a splashy introduction to the Garden's Koi fish. We all had a marvelous garden. Please join us on one of our Ecopsychology Adventures (go back to the January or December postings to get a better idea of what Ecopsychology is). (All photos copyright 2010 by Sandrina Mayela)
The Water Lilly
The water lily grows in the bottom of a body of water like a pond.
They grow out of a sometimes stinky, gooey bed of mud mixed with dead, slimy,
rotting plant and animal material.
Out of this mess, this mire, however, rises a stalk and some leaves.
And when some of those stalks reach the surface,
an exquisitely beautiful flower,
the water lily,
bursts into bloom.
The water lily
reminds us all that out of the “mess”,
something beautiful can grow.
It appears we have created a mire, a mess of our environment.
We’ve polluted it with garbage, with chemicals, with violence, with our bad thinking, with our unconscious actions and poor decisions.
Something beautiful can still rise out of our mess,
and when it reaches the surface,
blossom into an exquisite flower.
What beautiful creations can come out of this?
It’s up to us.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
May Day (Beltane)
In Pre-Christian times, the first of May was known as Beltane (in Celtic tradition). It was also the Festival of Flora, named after the Roman Goddess of flowers. In many Germanic countries, including Scandanavia, Germany, Estonia and others, Walpurgis Night was celebrated with dancing and large bonfires. (For some great photos of these fires, go to Wikipedia and look up Walpurgis).
In some pagan traditions, February 2, Candlemas, was the beginning of Spring, and May the 1st was the beginning of summer. This explains why some traditions refer to the summer solstice, June 21, as "Mid summer".
In the U.S., many people participated in creating small baskets of flowers to leave on neighbor's doors anonymously. This tradition pretty much died out in the late 20th century. There was also a tradition of dancing the Maypole.
In many countries, May 1 is also celebrated as International Worker's Day or Labour Day.
In some pagan traditions, February 2, Candlemas, was the beginning of Spring, and May the 1st was the beginning of summer. This explains why some traditions refer to the summer solstice, June 21, as "Mid summer".
In the U.S., many people participated in creating small baskets of flowers to leave on neighbor's doors anonymously. This tradition pretty much died out in the late 20th century. There was also a tradition of dancing the Maypole.
In many countries, May 1 is also celebrated as International Worker's Day or Labour Day.
May 2010 Sarasota Almanac
Full Moon: May 27
New Moon; May 14
Meteor Showers: Eta Aqarids, May 5-6
Other Astronomical Events: Scorpio much more visible in the night sky
Other Events in the World Around Us:
Temperatures: Gradually getting warmer and much more humid; often dry and the end of the dry season; fires sometimes. Usually the start of summer weather. Rainy season may start late in month.
Foliage: Jacarandas (a little late this year), gardenias, crepe myrtles all blooming.
Animal activity: Love bugs, round one! Many song and other birds nesting and raising young; baby ducks.
New Moon; May 14
Meteor Showers: Eta Aqarids, May 5-6
Other Astronomical Events: Scorpio much more visible in the night sky
Other Events in the World Around Us:
Temperatures: Gradually getting warmer and much more humid; often dry and the end of the dry season; fires sometimes. Usually the start of summer weather. Rainy season may start late in month.
Foliage: Jacarandas (a little late this year), gardenias, crepe myrtles all blooming.
Animal activity: Love bugs, round one! Many song and other birds nesting and raising young; baby ducks.
Fall color or cool Florida spring?
The cool Florida spring also prolonged the blooming of the oak trees. The process of trees losing leaves, the development of catkins and then the release of pollen took many weeks. The landscape looked beautiful and very, very fall-like!
Fall Color or Cool Florida Spring?
Our record cool winter and spring have caused beautiful tree color. Here we see the red maple blossoms and early leaves, followed by seeds. The color weather allowed the red maples to remain in this beautiful red stage for 4-5 weeks, much longer than usual!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Earth Changes Within Us?
Earth Changes
By Anne Cederberg 1995
One day last summer, I got a clear, strong message in my heard. “The Earth Changes are in us.” The message said. It was one of those messages I know is not me, it is from outside of me somehow. The profoundness and clarity tell me that. In this space I’d like to explore this message.
Most of what I knew about Earth changes was not about human interactions with them, but predictions. These predictions always included numerous natural disasters presented as the earth’s way of healing herself from human-inflicted wounds. Predictions include earthquakes, volcanoes, tidal waves, floods, and polar shifts; occasionally sprinkled with reports of consciousness change and alien/UFO visitations. Many predictions tell of a return to a better life for the few surviving humans: life closer to the earth and in harmony with other people. These prophecies come from psychics, some indigenous peoples and “New Agers”.
I’m not in a position to dispute them, but based on the message I received, “The Earth changes are within us”, I’d like to examine some new possibilities.
While writing an article called Earth Body Human Body, I learned that the Earth is a living being and all life on Earth may be individual cells in the body of this being. And, from my own experience and intuition, I have grown to believe that just as my body reflects the totality of my thoughts, actions, and emotions, so the Earth’s body reflects the thoughts, actions and emotions of us all. Healing as individuals and as a planet are inter-connected.
Let’s talk about “external” earth changes. It seems some natural disasters “Just happen”. Earth quakes, for instance are a natural process of movement in the earth’s crust. We have trouble predicting earthquakes, and we can’t stop them. We may feel at the “mercy” of the earth and may feel like victims at times.
Other “external” earth changes are clearly the cumulative effect of human activity; the midwestern floods in ’93 were many years and many actions in the making. One way we can affect earth changes is to learn to make better choices. This can be a long process of trial and error. I think there is an easier, more effective way, which I’ll discuss soon.
I’ve heard a theory that humans collective consciousness causes natural disasters to bring about certain things we need. In the aftermath of a disaster, people always pull together. Are we seeking community and creating natural disasters to experience human closeness? Is the earth bringing us what we need?
Locally, the winters of ’92-’93 and ’94-’95 were very windy. Just prior to both winters, we experienced very disturbing elections that brought a lot of hate to the surface. I believe the winds were healing and cleansing us. We needed it!
I’ve also hard a theory that certain people live in certain areas. Some types of people need to live on fault zones; others need to live in “tornado alley” with violent weather. It gives us something we need. It seems that “external” earth changes may bring about “internal” earth changes in emotions, attitudes and behaviors. Every time I’ve been in an “external” earthquake, things shift inside me and fall into place.
What about how our “internal” shifts affect the planet, how we may influence outer events? What are our earth changes? What about the recovery movement, in its broadest sense? A lot of us are sifting through the ruins of childhood, re-parenting ourselves, forgiving, moving on. Twelve-step groups abound. There is a profound interest in anything Native American. There’s the Deep Ecology/Nature & Spirituality/Environmental movement. The Women’s movement. The Men’s movement. The rebirth of ritual. Dreamwork. Gay rights. Moving back towards community. As we all know, all these “movements” are hard emotional work. It is a time of great turmoil.
I once heard a great healing analogy: that of closet cleaning. When you begin to clean out your closet, the rest of the room gets dirty. But when you’re done, you have two clean rooms! The person speaking this was a healer. Perhaps she was speaking of the “healing crisis”, where things temporarily get worse before getting better. Right now, we’re busy cleaning our individual and collective closets. Everything looks like a mess. But if we continue to work, I think things will get better. I believe every step we take towards our own healing, heals the earth. As we truly heal at this deeper level, from the inside out, we will naturally make better choices and alter the world around us. Our healing will be deep, not superficial.
Can we alter the potential of natural disasters by making necessary changes within ourselves? Or are external earth changes inevitable? There have always been earth changes, since before there were people. But maybe our inner change will help us survive whatever is to come. I don’t know. The message “The Earth changes are in us” was clear and very real. The rest of this article is my very human thoughts as I try to understand the message.
My job, I feel, is to present ideas and hope others will use them as springboards to new thoughts and ideas. I’m trying to look at things in entirely new ways.
More photos of Baby Sandhill Cranes
In this photo, you can see the two Sandhill Crane parents and their two offspring. Betsy has Sandhill families such as this in her yard almost every spring. It is quite the soap opera to watch every day, hoping they survive. Many years they don't.Sandhill Cranes are very family oriented and very protective and do best together. One year, (2001) when I worked at Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary helping raise hundreds of abandoned/injured song bird babies, we had a young Sandhill that had been orphaned. It lived in the hospital, and we called it Cricket, because of the little chirping sound it made. It seemed to not be interested in leaving the Sanctuary, even when it could easily fly away. But in September, a few days after 9/11, Tropical Storm Gabrielle was out in the Gulf. No one was too concerned. A few days before, Cricket took off. We assumed she was gone for good. After the storm, she came back! She was just very in touch with her instincts, even in spite of being raised "in captivity". She sensed the storm, fled to safety, and returned when it was all over! In retrospect we all wished we had paid more attention to her departure; we wouldn't have been so caught off guard by the storm.
Photo copyright 2010 Betsy Marx
Baby Bird Season
Although some birds, like our wading birds (Egrets, Herons, etc.) nest and raise young early in the year, April is often the official start of "baby bird season" for song birds (crows, jays, cardinals, wrens, mockingbirds, chimney swifts, woodpeckers and others) and some other birds. Here is a photo of two very young sandhill crane babies taken recently by my friend Betsy Marx.
photo copyright Betsy Marx 2010
April 2010
Sarasota Almanac
Full Moon: April 28
New Moon: April 14
Meteor Showers: The Lyrids on April 21 & 22
Other Events in the World Around Us:
Light: Days continually increasing in length since the Vernal Equinox in late March
Temperature: Usually beautiful weather and low humidity, but humidity may start to increase towards the end of the month (every eyar is different)
Foliage: Gold trees may be in bloom, followed by Jacarandas (may be late this year). Wisteria in bloom, but look quick in Florida! Not much here, and it may only bloom a day or two if we have hot weather. Nun orchids, yucca, Arican Iris, shell ginger may all bloom. Loquats usually ending; tiny mangoes now appear on trees, Surinam Cherries maybe ready.
Animal Activity: Lots of Mockingbirds singing; baby ducks and baby song birds (crows, jays, mockers, cardinals, etc.) start hatching, growing and fledging. Frog and toad song, especially after rains; gecko song, if there are any around. Woodpecker drumming (pecking rapidly, often on metal or something loud, marking their territory).
Sarasota Almanac
Full Moon: April 28
New Moon: April 14
Meteor Showers: The Lyrids on April 21 & 22
Other Events in the World Around Us:
Light: Days continually increasing in length since the Vernal Equinox in late March
Temperature: Usually beautiful weather and low humidity, but humidity may start to increase towards the end of the month (every eyar is different)
Foliage: Gold trees may be in bloom, followed by Jacarandas (may be late this year). Wisteria in bloom, but look quick in Florida! Not much here, and it may only bloom a day or two if we have hot weather. Nun orchids, yucca, Arican Iris, shell ginger may all bloom. Loquats usually ending; tiny mangoes now appear on trees, Surinam Cherries maybe ready.
Animal Activity: Lots of Mockingbirds singing; baby ducks and baby song birds (crows, jays, mockers, cardinals, etc.) start hatching, growing and fledging. Frog and toad song, especially after rains; gecko song, if there are any around. Woodpecker drumming (pecking rapidly, often on metal or something loud, marking their territory).
April 2010 Sarasota Almanac
April, 2010
Sarasota Almanac
Full Moon: April 28
New Moon: April 14
Meteor Showers: The Lyrids on April 21 & 22
Other Events in the World Around Us:
Light: Days continually increasing in length since the Vernal Equinox in late March
Temperature: Usually beautiful weather and low humidity. Humidity may increase towards the end of the month (every year is different).
Crops:
Foliage: Gold Trees may be in bloom. Jacarandas follow them, usually bloom in April; maybe slightly later this year. Wisteria in bloom, but look quick in Florida! May only last a couple of days if it’s hot. Nun orchids, yucca, African iris, shell ginger may all bloom. Loquats usually ending; tiny mangoes now appear on trees, Surinam cherries often ready.
Animal Activity: More Mockingbird song; Baby ducks and baby song birds start hatching; Frog and toad song, especially after rains; Gecko song, if there are any around; More woodpecker drumming.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Remember to Look Up!
This morning I saw an amazing sight. I was in traffic, approaching a stoplight at a busy intersection. I looked up to see two crows in flight, chasing a bald eagle! They all swooped down really close to cars. Finally the eagle gave the crows "the slip" for a moment, dove down right behind my truck and carried away a dead squirrel. The birds had been competing over some carrion (dead meat)!
Meanwhile, while the drama unfolded, several people walked by, cars turned, and no one else seemed to see it. It's times like this I wish I had a big sign saying "Look Up!" that I could post on the top of my truck to signal other drivers and pedestrians!
Many times through the years I've seen rainbows, sun dogs, manatees, dolphin, eagles, dust devils, forest fires...you name it... but very few others around me see them. And how many times have I been on the reverse side of that, missing something special because I'm not present or forget to raise my head.
So just a reminder, look up!
Meanwhile, while the drama unfolded, several people walked by, cars turned, and no one else seemed to see it. It's times like this I wish I had a big sign saying "Look Up!" that I could post on the top of my truck to signal other drivers and pedestrians!
Many times through the years I've seen rainbows, sun dogs, manatees, dolphin, eagles, dust devils, forest fires...you name it... but very few others around me see them. And how many times have I been on the reverse side of that, missing something special because I'm not present or forget to raise my head.
So just a reminder, look up!
Monday, March 8, 2010
egret in rookery
The winter months are nesting times for our water birds. Here are a few sights from local rookeries.
Yellow Crowned Night Heron
The birds you see may include Yellow Crowned Night Herons like the one pictured here.
Myakka River State Park trip
A mid-February trip to Myakka River State Park outside of Sarasota, Florida, revealed lots of wildlife activity. We saw a number of wild hogs feeding in an open field. I admired them from a distance!
Coming Soon: Baby Bird Season
Baby bird season for song birds (and some other birds, too) usually runs from April to late August or September. Nesting may be starting any time now. Look for all kinds of ingenious nests, like these two! One is a song bird nest in a bicycle bag that was left open in a shed! The other is an osprey nest perched precariously on the point of a dead pine! (I have even seen nests in downtown Chicago, woven only of discarded plastic and cellophane. While it was disheartening to see all the trash, it was also encouraging to see nature's adaptability!)
Sarasota Almanac March 2010
Sarasota Almanac: March 2010
This month brings the Spring Equinox (March 20, 1:32 p.m.). There are about equal hours of daylight and dark at the equinox, as the sun shines most directly on the equator; in fact "equinox" means equal night. Daylight will gradually continue to increase until we reach the Summer Solstice on June 21.
The equinox has often been celebrated as a time of rebirth. Easter and other holidays are often celebrated at this time of year. Higan (Buddhist) is celebrated in Japan where both spring and fall equinoxes are national holidays. The Baha'i new year is celebrated on the equinox as well as the Iranian New Year.
In ancient Celtic paganism, the equinox would be considered mid-spring; Candlemass (February 2) was their first day of spring.
Of course, in the southern hemisphere, our spring or "vernal" equinox is their autumn equinox.
This is a good time to start new projects, and plant new seeds (literal and metaphorical).
New Moon: March 15, 2010
Full Moon: March 29
Meteor Showers: No major showers this month
Other astronomical events: Bootes (the herdsman), and Leo the Lion are very visible now
Other Observations in the World Around Us:
Light: Daylight increasing as we approach the equinox
Temperature: Spring like temperatures with low humidity are normal
Crops: cool weather crops as well as tomatoes
Foliage: Bougainvillea usually in bloom; citrus blossoming; lichee's in bloom; gold trees start blooming; loquats ripening. Still pollen from the oaks in bloom. The catkins (blooms) will drop soon. It will look like brown snow! Fruits on prickly pears are just starting to appear. The first sycamore leaves and red maples continue to leaf out.
Animal Activity: Carolina Wrens singing a lot; whippoorwills as well. Birds very active in the morning. Signs of crows nesting. Herring gulls are still here; will migrate soon. Laughing Gulls are still in breeding plumage (black heads and bright red/orange mouths).
This month brings the Spring Equinox (March 20, 1:32 p.m.). There are about equal hours of daylight and dark at the equinox, as the sun shines most directly on the equator; in fact "equinox" means equal night. Daylight will gradually continue to increase until we reach the Summer Solstice on June 21.
The equinox has often been celebrated as a time of rebirth. Easter and other holidays are often celebrated at this time of year. Higan (Buddhist) is celebrated in Japan where both spring and fall equinoxes are national holidays. The Baha'i new year is celebrated on the equinox as well as the Iranian New Year.
In ancient Celtic paganism, the equinox would be considered mid-spring; Candlemass (February 2) was their first day of spring.
Of course, in the southern hemisphere, our spring or "vernal" equinox is their autumn equinox.
This is a good time to start new projects, and plant new seeds (literal and metaphorical).
New Moon: March 15, 2010
Full Moon: March 29
Meteor Showers: No major showers this month
Other astronomical events: Bootes (the herdsman), and Leo the Lion are very visible now
Other Observations in the World Around Us:
Light: Daylight increasing as we approach the equinox
Temperature: Spring like temperatures with low humidity are normal
Crops: cool weather crops as well as tomatoes
Foliage: Bougainvillea usually in bloom; citrus blossoming; lichee's in bloom; gold trees start blooming; loquats ripening. Still pollen from the oaks in bloom. The catkins (blooms) will drop soon. It will look like brown snow! Fruits on prickly pears are just starting to appear. The first sycamore leaves and red maples continue to leaf out.
Animal Activity: Carolina Wrens singing a lot; whippoorwills as well. Birds very active in the morning. Signs of crows nesting. Herring gulls are still here; will migrate soon. Laughing Gulls are still in breeding plumage (black heads and bright red/orange mouths).
Monday, February 1, 2010
February Sarasota Almanac
Early February brings the little known celebration of Candlemass or Candelaria. In the Christian Church, it marks 40 days after Christmas, a time of “purification” of the Mother Mary before presenting baby Jesus at the Temple.
This date has much earlier, pagan ("country people") roots, however. It has also been known as Imbolc, a more earth-centered celebration in Europe, which speaks of the beginning of the agricultural growing season. Weather forecasting was included in these rituals. Sacred bears or badgers supposedly left their dens on this day, and if they saw their shadow, they’d go back to hibernate longer. Sound familiar? The people of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry brought the custom to this country where it is now celebrated as Groundhog Day.
February 2 is the date about mid-point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
New Moon: February 14
Full Moon: February 28
Meteor Showers: no major showers
Other Astronomical Events: none, except we came close to having a "blue moon" (second full moon in one month) this month; the full moon was on January 30.
Other Observations in the world around us
Light: Light is gradually increasing; we are about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
Temperature: We still may have some chilly weather.
Crops: Cool weather vegetables (salad greens, Asian greens) as well as plantings of cucumbers, eggplant, kohlrabi, and corn. Good time for cool weather herbs like cilantro.
Foliage: Hong Kong Orchid Trees usually bloom. Azaleas may start blooming, the pink azaleas first, followed by the white ones. Oak leaves will drop and trees will start to bloom. Oak pollen covers everything like an olive green patina.
Animal Activity: Bird song should be increasing in the mornings, especially by late February. Listen for unusual bird song of birds migrating back north. Look especially for large flocks of American Robins. Unlike up north, where we might see one or two at a time, right now you may be able to see 40, 50 or even more at a time! Cardinals are singing and flitting around a lot. Still should be nesting going on in the rookeries (wading birds like herons, egrets and others).
This date has much earlier, pagan ("country people") roots, however. It has also been known as Imbolc, a more earth-centered celebration in Europe, which speaks of the beginning of the agricultural growing season. Weather forecasting was included in these rituals. Sacred bears or badgers supposedly left their dens on this day, and if they saw their shadow, they’d go back to hibernate longer. Sound familiar? The people of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry brought the custom to this country where it is now celebrated as Groundhog Day.
February 2 is the date about mid-point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
New Moon: February 14
Full Moon: February 28
Meteor Showers: no major showers
Other Astronomical Events: none, except we came close to having a "blue moon" (second full moon in one month) this month; the full moon was on January 30.
Other Observations in the world around us
Light: Light is gradually increasing; we are about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
Temperature: We still may have some chilly weather.
Crops: Cool weather vegetables (salad greens, Asian greens) as well as plantings of cucumbers, eggplant, kohlrabi, and corn. Good time for cool weather herbs like cilantro.
Foliage: Hong Kong Orchid Trees usually bloom. Azaleas may start blooming, the pink azaleas first, followed by the white ones. Oak leaves will drop and trees will start to bloom. Oak pollen covers everything like an olive green patina.
Animal Activity: Bird song should be increasing in the mornings, especially by late February. Listen for unusual bird song of birds migrating back north. Look especially for large flocks of American Robins. Unlike up north, where we might see one or two at a time, right now you may be able to see 40, 50 or even more at a time! Cardinals are singing and flitting around a lot. Still should be nesting going on in the rookeries (wading birds like herons, egrets and others).
Ten Ways to Reconnect with Nature, And Ten Reasons Why
Part One: The First 3 Ways/Reasons
by Anne Cederberg
Way #1: Reconnect to nature by spending time in nature every day. Carve out ten to fifteen minutes to just go outside and sit. Find a special place, or several different places. Sit directly on the earth if possible. If not, make sure that your feet are flat and in connection with the earth. Lean up against a tree or enjoy the sun's warmth as it radiates off of rocks and boulders. While there, just be. Breathe in and out, be calm. Notice your surroundings, the sights, the smells, the sensations. Give yourself a few moments of quiet time in nature.
Why? I always recommend this activity to people, and for several reasons. First, just getting outside and being present--not mowing the yard, not barbequing, not reading the paper-- is a huge gift to yourself. We just need to show up and nature will show us the rest. Nature doesn’t teach us anything we don’t know; it reconnects us to our essence. You will discover your own inner presence, your own connection with nature, the calm, grounded, strong place within. Over time, you will be able to get grounded almost immediately. That’s a wonderful feeling!
A relationship with nature is like any relationship--it is built on time spent together, shared experience, familiarity. When we make our nature time a priority, everyone benefits. We benefit from greater peace, balance, joy, and feeling like we are our true selves. The Earth benefits because we often change behaviors and take “inspired action”; there are more effective strategies available to us when we’re grounded.
Way #2: Put your bare feet on the earth, if possible. Dig your feet into the sand, warm your feet on warm rocks, feel the caress of grass on your feet. Pay attention to the textures, the temperature, and the firmness. Then pay even closer attention.
Why? I believe we come into an energetic resonance with the earth. You may feel your own pulse or the tingle of energy between your feet and the earth. You may feel the Earth’s heartbeat. Having your feet on the Earth will help you let go of tension. And remember, you won’t be the only one enjoying.
“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” Kahlil Gibran:
Way #3: Watch birds and wildlife. First, in your heart, invite nature to thrive in your yard. You will be surprised at the response! Enjoy this new level of communing.
Then, let yourself be inspired by nature itself as to anything you do in your yard.
If you live in a cold climate, you may feel drawn to help the birds out by feeding in the winter. If you live in a warmer climate, consider planting foliage that will feed and nourish local wildlife, such as hummingbird nectar plants or butterfly larva plants. Information can be obtained from your local extension office as to what to plant in your area.
Whether or not you provide habitat or food, just pay attention and enjoy the other forms of life in your yard.
Why? We humans have a deep need for the natural world. I had a friend who was seriously depressed. Yet she somehow created a garden for herself outside the sliding glass doors where she often sat. She started humbly with potted plants scavenged from here and there. She provided nesting areas for all kinds of life, little nooks and crannies, brush piles, and rocks. Then she began feeding the birds and squirrels. It didn’t take long until her yard pulsed with life. It was one of the most vibrant gardens I’ve ever seen. And in the midst of her pain, my friend reached out to life. She cared for the plants and animals. On days when she couldn’t provide for herself, she always provided for them. They gave her great joy and tremendous learning through observation. It pulled her out of her pain and back into life.
Watching wildlife may not have such a dramatic effect as it did with my friend. But I am always amazed at how many people feel their lives enlarged and enriched by their glimpses of birds, squirrels and butterflies in their yards! I used to joke that people had “Nature Deficiency Disorder”. And now, none of us are laughing. Scientists are discussing its impacts.
We also have so much to learn from nature. More human lives would have been saved in the tsunami if people had watched the animals. Closer to home, I used to work in a local bird sanctuary. We had a young Sandhill Crane that had spent most of its life orphaned and roaming our hospital and sanctuary grounds. It had never flown away. Then, a day or two before Sarasota took a direct hit from Tropical Storm Gabrielle, the bird took off. After the storm passed, the bird returned. In retrospect, we all should have paid more attention.
For some more fascinating and uplifting reading, look at materials from the biomimicry movement, which looks to nature for answers to our human needs and problems.
Excerpted from “Inside, Outside, and All Around: Our Divine Connection with Nature”, by Anne Cederberg. Anne is a professional Interpretive Naturalist with a history of mystical experience in nature. This excerpt was published in Natural Awakenings/Sarasota in June 2007.
by Anne Cederberg
Way #1: Reconnect to nature by spending time in nature every day. Carve out ten to fifteen minutes to just go outside and sit. Find a special place, or several different places. Sit directly on the earth if possible. If not, make sure that your feet are flat and in connection with the earth. Lean up against a tree or enjoy the sun's warmth as it radiates off of rocks and boulders. While there, just be. Breathe in and out, be calm. Notice your surroundings, the sights, the smells, the sensations. Give yourself a few moments of quiet time in nature.
Why? I always recommend this activity to people, and for several reasons. First, just getting outside and being present--not mowing the yard, not barbequing, not reading the paper-- is a huge gift to yourself. We just need to show up and nature will show us the rest. Nature doesn’t teach us anything we don’t know; it reconnects us to our essence. You will discover your own inner presence, your own connection with nature, the calm, grounded, strong place within. Over time, you will be able to get grounded almost immediately. That’s a wonderful feeling!
A relationship with nature is like any relationship--it is built on time spent together, shared experience, familiarity. When we make our nature time a priority, everyone benefits. We benefit from greater peace, balance, joy, and feeling like we are our true selves. The Earth benefits because we often change behaviors and take “inspired action”; there are more effective strategies available to us when we’re grounded.
Way #2: Put your bare feet on the earth, if possible. Dig your feet into the sand, warm your feet on warm rocks, feel the caress of grass on your feet. Pay attention to the textures, the temperature, and the firmness. Then pay even closer attention.
Why? I believe we come into an energetic resonance with the earth. You may feel your own pulse or the tingle of energy between your feet and the earth. You may feel the Earth’s heartbeat. Having your feet on the Earth will help you let go of tension. And remember, you won’t be the only one enjoying.
“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” Kahlil Gibran:
Way #3: Watch birds and wildlife. First, in your heart, invite nature to thrive in your yard. You will be surprised at the response! Enjoy this new level of communing.
Then, let yourself be inspired by nature itself as to anything you do in your yard.
If you live in a cold climate, you may feel drawn to help the birds out by feeding in the winter. If you live in a warmer climate, consider planting foliage that will feed and nourish local wildlife, such as hummingbird nectar plants or butterfly larva plants. Information can be obtained from your local extension office as to what to plant in your area.
Whether or not you provide habitat or food, just pay attention and enjoy the other forms of life in your yard.
Why? We humans have a deep need for the natural world. I had a friend who was seriously depressed. Yet she somehow created a garden for herself outside the sliding glass doors where she often sat. She started humbly with potted plants scavenged from here and there. She provided nesting areas for all kinds of life, little nooks and crannies, brush piles, and rocks. Then she began feeding the birds and squirrels. It didn’t take long until her yard pulsed with life. It was one of the most vibrant gardens I’ve ever seen. And in the midst of her pain, my friend reached out to life. She cared for the plants and animals. On days when she couldn’t provide for herself, she always provided for them. They gave her great joy and tremendous learning through observation. It pulled her out of her pain and back into life.
Watching wildlife may not have such a dramatic effect as it did with my friend. But I am always amazed at how many people feel their lives enlarged and enriched by their glimpses of birds, squirrels and butterflies in their yards! I used to joke that people had “Nature Deficiency Disorder”. And now, none of us are laughing. Scientists are discussing its impacts.
We also have so much to learn from nature. More human lives would have been saved in the tsunami if people had watched the animals. Closer to home, I used to work in a local bird sanctuary. We had a young Sandhill Crane that had spent most of its life orphaned and roaming our hospital and sanctuary grounds. It had never flown away. Then, a day or two before Sarasota took a direct hit from Tropical Storm Gabrielle, the bird took off. After the storm passed, the bird returned. In retrospect, we all should have paid more attention.
For some more fascinating and uplifting reading, look at materials from the biomimicry movement, which looks to nature for answers to our human needs and problems.
Excerpted from “Inside, Outside, and All Around: Our Divine Connection with Nature”, by Anne Cederberg. Anne is a professional Interpretive Naturalist with a history of mystical experience in nature. This excerpt was published in Natural Awakenings/Sarasota in June 2007.
Winter Solstice/Holiday Sail Photos
Hoist the sail!
Enjoying the ride
Looking Up
Wintry SunsetHere are some photos from our Winter Solstice/holiday sail, and some of the hardy souls who braved the chilly temps. All photos generously supplied by "Shells"! Thank you, Shells!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Wellness Education Club Presents:
February Ecopsychology Programs
Annie's World: February 1 is the launch of my personal blog, for my nature photos, humorous art, miracle stories, poems, nature observations, guided imagery, etc. If you need a little break during the day and you're stuck in front of a computer, visit Annie's World and get away. This site will be updated frequently. Here's the link: http://anniesworldannie.blogspot.com/ .
February 9, 2010: Join us for an after work outing to visit a rookery (bird nursery) on City Island. In years past, I've seen young pelican, great blue heron, egrets, green herons, cormorants, and black crowned night herons. Who will be there this time? It will be fun to find out. We will also explore a local tidal pond. Please email me at naturespirit123@gmail.com. When I know who's coming, we'll take a vote whether we'd like to bring our dinner and eat in the park, visit a local restaurant, or just head our separate ways. Time will depend on participants.
February Ecopsychology Programs
Annie's World: February 1 is the launch of my personal blog, for my nature photos, humorous art, miracle stories, poems, nature observations, guided imagery, etc. If you need a little break during the day and you're stuck in front of a computer, visit Annie's World and get away. This site will be updated frequently. Here's the link: http://anniesworldannie.blogspot.com/ .
February 9, 2010: Join us for an after work outing to visit a rookery (bird nursery) on City Island. In years past, I've seen young pelican, great blue heron, egrets, green herons, cormorants, and black crowned night herons. Who will be there this time? It will be fun to find out. We will also explore a local tidal pond. Please email me at naturespirit123@gmail.com. When I know who's coming, we'll take a vote whether we'd like to bring our dinner and eat in the park, visit a local restaurant, or just head our separate ways. Time will depend on participants.
*The Wellness Education Club was founded by Tatiana Agafonova, D.C., a Network Spinal Analysis Chiropractor. Other Wellness Education Club activities include twice monthly “Oneness Blessings” and workshops in Somato Respiratory Integration. For future events, email naturespirit123@gmail.com.
January 2010 Ecopsychology Events
Wellness Education Club Presents:
January 2010 Eco-psychology Events
New Blog: Hey everyone! Check out the new blog for ecopsychology events. I call it Naturespirit, and it has photos, articles and places for your comments and stories.
January 9, 2010, 9 a.m.- 11 a.m. Vision Walk. Back by popular demand! This is a great time of year to discern what you'd like to create in the coming months. Come on a sacred vision walk, a mini vision quest, to facilitate hearing your own inner voice, how it is reflected in the natural world around you.
- Learn to receive answers to important questions offered by the natural world
- Deepen your ability to trust your inner voice
- Enjoy a meditative, reflective time in nature
Location- TBA.
Please email me at naturespirit123@gmail.com for reservations and instructions. Some preparation necessary.
January 16, 2010, Manatee watching!Field trip to TECO power plant, Apollo Beach, Florida. This is a great manatee watching area. The manatees migrate into the rivers that are used to cool power plants. The plants use the water to cool their machines and then it is discharged back into the rivers, warm. Manatees like warm water! It is possible to see dozens of manatees at a time here. The viewing platform gives us a great perspective. Sharks, spotted eagle rays, tarpon, are also sometimes visible. Early a.m., when the temperatures are cool, is the best. We will meet at 8 a.m. and carpool. Email Annie at naturespirit123@gmail.com for reservations.
*The Wellness Education Club was founded by Tatiana Agafonova, D.C., a Network Spinal Analysis Chiropractor. Other Club activities include workshops on Somato Respiratory Integration and twice monthly “Oneness Blessings”. For announcements of future events, email naturespirit123@gmail.com.
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