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At Home With the Earth

I have the glorious good fortune to share nature with kids every week by way of the Vashon Wilderness Program in the welcoming, diverse forest-field-seashore-wetlands that is the four hundred acres of a place we know and love as Camp Sealth. We graze like the deer on edible plants, leaves, flowers, and berries like Salmonberry, Salal, and Nettle. We learn the language of the birds, and scramble through animal trails and tunnels like our friend Raccoon. We learn the stories the land tells us about the animals who move through it, and we learn about ourselves–what brings us most alive when the world in which we live deeply touches our souls. Just as vital and valuable, we discover who we are when we are with one another in our home that is nature, and how to truly appreciate and be with each other in this giving, kind landscape.

I can’t express how magical it is to be with a group of children in a secret grove we’ve discovered, working quietly on fairy houses, exploring a long fallen tree, nibbling on evergreen huckleberry flowers, listening to a woodpecker hammer on a nearby tree, being surprised by the hoot of a barred owl, and in awe of the mysterious and beautiful song of the Bald Eagle. It is gently wondrous too, to experience the thoughtful ways the kids are with one another and with nature, as they tend to their various projects and explorations,or just sit quietly immersed in the beauty. The above was an experience I had two weeks ago with my group of kids, and I enjoy something like that with these children and others each and every week.

Feeling at home in nature is a way of being that belongs to each one of us, and it’s what I wish for each child and each adult in today’s world. Our deepest selves–body, mind, spirit, and soul–come fully alive when we rediscover how to be in nature and are immersed in her–because, truly, the earth is our mother, and nature is our home.

This is knowing is your birthright, and I imagine familiar to you in some way. I encourage you to step away from your screen right now and head outside. Take some time — as little or as long as you like — to just immerse yourself in the world. Notice the clouds in the sky, weeds or other low-growing plants at your feet, the insects, the sun, the air you breathe–notice these beings and wonder about them. As you experience the wildness around you (and, truly, the wild is everywhere!) take time to drop into this idea that you are a citizen of the natural world, and  — yes — even an expression of the nature around you. Open to whatever comes to your mind and heart in response to that notion. Just experience the nature that includes you.

It is a myth that humans are separate from nature.

How are you at home with the earth?

Please share your reflections in the comment box at the end of the post.

Can You Help?

I have been been part of the Vashon Wilderness Program’s since its beginning, and this amazing land that is Camp Sealth has been part of VWP’s story all this time. The land has been the scene of many a child’s adventure and discovery, and that of their family as well.

Beginning next fall VWP will need to pay an unexpected $5000 land use fee to run its weekly school year programs. Land use fees are expected to rise each year.

We need your help to meet this increased cost of VWPs 400 acre outdoor classroom. Tomorrow (or today if you’re reading this on Tuesday 5/3) the Seattle Foundation is running its GiveBig Campaign.

The Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG is a one-day, online charitable giving event to inspire people to give generously to nonprofit organizations who make our region a healthier and more vital place to live.

Each donation made on Seattle Foundation’s website on May 3rd, 2016 between midnight and midnight (Pacific Daylight Time) will receive a pro-rated portion of the matching funds (or “stretch pool”) generously provided by Seattle Foundation.

GiveBIG to VWPThis year, donors can SCHEDULE THEIR DONATION right now.

Nature offers gifts everyday:

BEAUTY
WONDER
AWE
VITALITY
PEACE

VWP offers these Gifts of Nature to hundreds of children and their families each year.  Read more about the Vashon Wilderness Program here.

Thank you for any donation you are willing to give!

 

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Newsflash! Garden Sneaking up on Unsuspecting Harp!

Many year ago, Dian Cecht — physician, god of healing, and member of the Tuatha De Danaan (an ancient tribe of divine folk in Ireland) — scattered his daughter Airmid’s cloak of herbs. With this action, he cast a possible comprehensive herbal tradition to the winds. As you might guess of an action initiated by rage and jealousy, unintended consequences have resulted.

(Hear the tale in Forest Halls Celtic – Episode 1. It takes place about halfway through the show. You can also read the tale in the Forest Halls Celtic – 4/3/16 Show Notes)

Rumors that herbal tradition had gone underground, and has recently erupted into renewed vigor and mischief appear to be well-founded, as represented in the photo below. It appears that a harp is about to be set upon by herbs

Garden Sneaking up on harp - photo
Garden Sneaking up on Harp – photo by field reporter Jane Valencia

Alert!

Herbal magic may pounce upon us at any time! It is imperative that we reassemble Airmid’s herbal cloak to prevent absolute pandemonium. PLEASE NOTE: Disagreement exists as to whether the chaos will result from feral herbs having wild garden parties in our hallowed concrete jungles, or from unconscious followers of Dian Cecht’s emotional state responding with fear and outrage to the fun and powerful healing mystery of the green beings that have been living beside us all this time.  Agreement does exist that reassembling Airmid’s herbal cloak will help bring the healing ways of the herbs to one and all. This was Airmid’s original intentio, and, we presume, that of her brother the astounding healer, Miach.

Help us reassemble Airmid’s herbal cloak! Here’s how:

In the comment box below:

  • Identify one or more herbs in this photo
  • Describe a healing property of each one you I.D.
  • Describe where one might find that herb laid out on Airmid’s cloak

Furthermore:

  • If you are an herbalist or lover of the plants, please let us know how you are contributing to the restoration of Airmid’s herbal cloak!

Important PS.!

Rumor has it that harp tradition – also resurfacing after centuries underground –  is in cahoots with the herbs. If that’s so, then the above photo may not actually represent the herbs sneaking up on the harp, but the harp leading the charge!!!! If you have reason to believe that the harp is enmeshed in restoring lost tradition please report the following:

  • How has a harp you’ve witnessed contributed to restoring lost wisdom to your neighborhood or community at large. 

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a harper, you yourself may have inadverently — or deliberately — contributed in this way!!!

  • If so, please share your subversive action(s). (In the harp underground, this is often referred to as a “random act of harping”)
Harp and Herbs photo
Harp and Herbs Clearly in Subversive Conversation – photo by field reporter Jane Valencia

Important PPS:

If you play an instrument, engage in a folk craft, art, or tradition, or creative expression of any kind you likely are contributing to a revitalized, intelligent, nature-allied, wise world. This is absolutely noteworthy, and we here at Forest Halls commend you for your dedication and passion.

  • Please share with us your creative expression, and your thoughts on how it helps reweave a cloak of joyful and wise healing ways in the world.

Please submit reports in the comment box below!

Your comments will be compiled into a Forest Halls report (blog post) that will be issued in conjunction with the next episode of Forest Halls Celtic, and given special mention there.

Thank you for your important contributions to healing, peace, harmony, authenitic expression, creative imagination, and radical fun in the world!

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Catch My New Live Celtic Music Radio Show!

Forest Halls Celtic Show

Forest Halls Celtic – Live radio show

Sunday, April 3rd marks the debut of my new live radio show! Mostly airing contemporary and traditional Celtic music, we’ll also make forays into folk, World, medieval, and Renaissance music. You’ll experience snippets of poetry, bardic and herbal lore, and other Celtic and nature-infused magic. I aim for a fun and refreshing mix.

Catch the show 1st and 3rd Sundays, 12-1pm PST on KVSH 101.9 FM or via streaming on http://voiceofvashon.org. Each show will also be available for two weeks for on-demand listening. Please join me, and please spread the word! Thank you!

PS. Harpers and harpists: I aim to feature wire-strung harp specifically, and folk or historical harp in general in every show!