Today, more than ever we give thanks for the gift of the land. Here at our Sacred Earth Community land project, people of all ages develop a deeper sense of self, place and belonging though our connection to nature, each other and the different age groups that intermingle throughout the year.
This year though we have had some setbacks with wind and rainstorms early on in season with various trees down or hung up, flood and yurt cover damage, we as usual have adapted, repaired, and lent into each other for support and renewal.
Our teen and junior Earth Stewardship Apprenticeship (ESA) program continues to thrive with a great take up, awesome instructors and a solid hearth support team led by Cess Farrell. Our new Phoenix Journey also started to create momentum and soar with our adult participants and has shown spectacular connection and creativity with a host of guest mentors coming in, young and mature adult participants, great elder anchoring for most participants and lots of additional participants coming in for special days, weekends or intergenerational camps. One of my particular highlights was the deep nature camp, full of tracking, bird language, and interspecies communication with animals, plants and trees. It ended as we made 3 prayer ties each onto the heart of the land tree, the Hawthorn, which is our offering tree, as we completed and sang, three buzzards started to call and soar in a spiral above us, what an affirmation from the unseen worlds…
Nature continues to grow and give us nourishment, seems even more so now than ever, as if our stewardship, communication and loving connection enables it to become more alive, more sensitive to our deeds and actions, and has become a portal of communication and healing for the many, of all ages. We sighted our first crane this year in the clay pit lake, a passing visitor, and have had all our regular onsite interactions with foxes, deer, badgers, kingfishers and the many forms of bird, insects and amphibians, the plants and trees continue to thrive and give seed, flowers, veggies, fruits, and nuts. What a joy to be able to connect to this place, a real sanctuary from the craziness of the human world that seems like it’s spiralling out of control.
Our 13 years of tending the land and courses have sown rewards in so many hidden ways, allowing our youth and larger community of interest to have fun and connection, safe in the woods, to give them chances to grow and develop amongst their peers with great mentors and facilitators supporting when they need or require it.
Many gems, golden threads, kernels of gold have been shared and/or discovered and I personally would like to see the effects of our concentric ring here share these with all those who may need or desire some of this elixir.
What is it you are longing for? When do you feel connected or disconnected and how can some of the events this Autumn and the New Year be a step towards fulfilment of your own journey and purpose? What creativity and passions want to be released from within you and become manifest into this beautiful world our hearts know is possible (paraphrasing Charles Eisenstein)?
Phoenix Journey 2024 bookings are now being taken with limited spaces available. Get in touch to book your place: info@sacredearthland.co.uk
Phil Greenwood, August 2023
