Tiny increases in the amount of daylight we are witnessing in the southern part of our ancient land are somewhat overshadowed by an experience of winter not evidenced in our recent past. The coldness brings with it an invigorating element should we choose to embrace it. Green shoots are bursting through the soil, a reminderof the invisible preparation for life and growth which is carried out in the depths of things. Some of our natives are flourishing in these conditions. Any moment now wattles will bloom in a stunning array of colour. Earth takes us by surprise at every turn should we take the time to find our place and attend to her activity. Perhaps her ways will create a path for us to walk.
We seek to learn new ways
EarthSong Retreat at Glenburn: July 9 – 11. Two places remain for this residential seminar, jointly sponsored by the Centre for Ecology and Spirituality and EarthSong. In a beautiful bush setting, experience a holistic opportunity to delve into the origins of the universe, the birth of planet Earth, the interconnectedness of life and the role of the human in this context. For more information: EarthSongRetreat Registration: $200. Download a registration form from our website or contact us if you wish to register: ph. 03 83590106.New Cosmology and New Spirituality: This workshop, for those who know the “Powers of the Universe” articulated by Brian Swimme and those interested to learn about them, will explore the implications of embracing the new cosmology for our everyday living and our spirituality. Saturday & Sunday, July 24th & 25th, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Grove: 263 Nicholson St East Coburg. Bookings are essential: ph. 9383 1993. Facilitator: Margaret Mckinley.
The Sacred Connection: Tues 12 Oct 7.00 – 9.00, Tues 26 Oct 7.00 – 9.00, Sat 20 Nov 1- 4. This series will explore, through a variety of media, the experience of the sacred through connection with place and the power of the feminine in this context. Participants will be encouraged to spend time between sessions reflecting on the elements of interconnectedness in the other than human world and the spirituality that expresses this experience. The Grove: 263 Nicholson St East Coburg. Bookings are essential: ph. 9383 1993. Presenter: Anne Boyd
Towards Earth Literacy
The eucalypt appears to have a peculiar relation to the
cosmos, the greater universe. The branches seem to follow
a thousand centres in the sky. To be rinsed by the winds
of Neptune. To share affinities with the moon and the
Magellanic Clouds.
An organic relationship. Her limbs the bones of the
organism. Paying less heed to the sway of the seasons in a
zone where the seasons are weaker and the stars are
thicker. As if divining in the the stars the propitious time to
flower.
Attuned to a shifting rhythm. Her branches informed with
stars. (p.73)
John Anderson’s poetic celebration of place and being provides the reader with an opportunity to enter deeply into the richness of our land’s story.
The wonder of eucalypts, casuarinas, the Merri Creek and the Grampians are but a few of the beings honoured in exquisite poetic form. (The forest set out like the night, Black Pepper, North Fitzroy, 1995)
Practices of Place: Being Present in the Land. John and Vicki have moved from the Blue Mountains to Southern Tasmania discovering a new place of great natural beauty and elemental power, [where]everything has come under much closer scrutiny, including the very notion of spiritual practice and what spirit has to do with place (p.46). A deep attentiveness to where we are has the potential to transform fragmentation into wholeness. This thought provoking and evocative article can be accessed by subscribing to the online journal, PAN. John Cameron and Vicki King, PAN: Philosophy Activism Nature, PAN No 4, 2007.
We are being called into a new place
The Future of Renewable Energy In Australia: FREE PUBLIC LECTURE 6-8pm, Wednesday 14th July 2010, University of Melbourne. Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan – to be launched at this seminar – argues that it is technically possible to reach 100 per cent renewable energy for Australia within a decade, and that the technology to achieve the transition is already commercially available. This event brings together key voices in the renewable energy debate to explore the state of the industry, survey the critical decade ahead, and discuss the challenges facing a zero carbon roadmap.
The Replace Hazelwood Campaign: National day of action Saturday 17th July 2010. The campaign to Replace Hazelwood, Australia’s dirtiest power station, is going from strength to strength.
Community groups are invited to create one of the following activities:
· Protest outside your Federal MP’s office or the local Commonwealth Bank branch (8% shareholder in Hazelwood)
· Hold a local vigil
· Go door-knocking
· Host a Replace Hazelwood themed event in your local park
Even better, get creative and come up with your own idea of how to call on the government to Replace Hazelwood.
Please register you action here so we can help get the word out. http://www.climateactioncentre.org/nationalhazelwoodaction
As an individual we hope you can join one of these actions or at least make a call to your Federal MP and State Labor Senator and ask them where they stand on the Hazelwood test. There is a list of MPs here: http://www.aph.gov.au/House/members/memlist.pdf and Senators here: http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/senators/contacts/los.pdf
