The Birth of Stars

The spectacular new camera installed on NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope during Servicing Mission 4 has delivered the most detailed view of star birth in the graceful, curving arms of the nearby spiral galaxy M83. (NASA Image).  Star activity has fascinated humans through the ages and [...]]]>  

The Birth of Stars

The spectacular new camera installed on NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope during Servicing Mission 4 has delivered the most detailed view of star birth in the graceful, curving arms of the nearby spiral galaxy M83. (NASA Image).  Star activity has fascinated humans through the ages and becomes more wondrous and intriguing with the aid of instruments for seeing more deeply into the Universe.  At this time when light and birth focus the attention of Western traditions, the larger creative patterns of the celestial world may enrich familiar constructs, stories and ritual.  We wish for all friends of EarthSong the opportunity to step aside from the frantic pace of Christmas consumerism and be drawn into the mysteries of the Universe, revealed in all birth, in the permeating presence of light through all, in the graceful curving arms of the galaxies.

We seek to learn new ways

EarthSong Programs 2012.  In addition to a number of new programs featured in our 2012 calendar we are very pleased to have Larry Edwards in Melbourne in May.   Larry will lead The gifts of the Universe program.  To find out more about Larry’s experience and expertise check out his website: http://www.threeeyesofuniverse.org/

Learning Local Ecologies: celebrating Earth’s changing manifestations. Venue: Royal Park.  Dates: Tuesdays 7^th Feb, 6^th Mar, 8^th May, 5^th June, 3^rd July Time: 5-6 pm

Themes of Creativity: The Journey of the Universe. Venue: Kildara Centre. Dates: Evening series 7.30pm–9.30 pm Tuesdays  14^th Feb, 13^th Mar, 10^th April.  Morning series10.00–12.00 noon   Tuesdays  21^st Feb, 20^th Mar, 17^th April.

The Road to Rio +20 . Venue: Kildara Centre.  Date: Saturday 17^th March 9.30–12.00

Growing our Ecological Identity.  Venue: Treacy Centre.  Dates: Tuesdays April 10, 17, 24.  May 1, 8, 15, Time: 1.30 -4.30

The Gifts of the Universe: living into gratefulness. Venue: To be confirmed Dates: Friday 18^th May 7.30–9.30pm, Saturday 19^th May 9.30–5.00

EarthSong Annual Symposium: Celebrating the Antarctic. Venue: Treacy Centre.  Dates: Friday 29^th June 7.30–9.30 – Saturday 30^th June 10.00–3.00

EarthSong Retreat. Venue: Centre for Ecology and Spirituality, Glenburn.  Dates: Friday 13th July (evening) – Sunday 15th July

Ecology & Spirituality: a short course. Venue: Kildara Centre.  Dates: Wednesday 1^st August 7—9 pm, 11th &12th August, 8th & 9th September

EarthSong Retreat. Venue: Holy Cross Centre, Templestowe.  Dates: Friday 9^th November (evening) – Sunday 11^th November

Reading Circle. Venue : Treacy Centre.  Dates: 3^rd Monday of each month, February–November 2.30 – 3.30

Read details of 2012 programs by clicking on the link on the left column.

Rainbow Lorikeet: Cathy O’Keeffe pbvm

Changing the Seasons. What are you noticing about seasonal change at home and in your neighbourhood?  Do you enjoy observing the plants and animals as you take a stroll around your local area?  Are you interested in assisting the Bureau of Meteorology [...]]]>

Rainbow Lorikeet: Cathy O’Keeffe pbvm

Changing the Seasons. What are you noticing about seasonal change at home and in your neighbourhood?  Do you enjoy observing the plants and animals as you take a stroll around your local area?  Are you interested in assisting the Bureau of Meteorology and Melbourne University to better understand the impacts of climate change on local plants and animals?  To know more about the significance of this project and how to get involved read Michael Green’s column in the Sunday Age, September 18, 2011. http://theage.domain.com.au/green/changing-the-seasons-20110917-1ket7.html

Check out the Climate Watch website and see how easy it is to contribute vital information: http://www.climatewatch.org.au/

We seek to learn new ways

Join the Backwards March and call on the Premier to stop taking Victoria backwards on our environment.  Environment Victoria, The Victorian National Parks Association, The Wilderness Society and Friends of the Earth are organising a rally.  WHEN: Sunday, 13 November from 1.00 – 2.30pm WHERE: Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne.  For more details about the issues that are behind this rally check out Environment Victoria’s website.

We are being called into a new place

FORE – Forum on Religion and Ecology was officially launched on October 28th at Monash University.  Linking with FORE at Yale University and Canada, FORE ‘is dedicated to promoting the multidisciplinary study of religious thought, literature, ethics and practice in relation to ecology, environmental activism and sustainability.’ (FORE website) Explore the newly established and developing website and click on the resources and links tab to get a sense of the range of groups working to raise awareness and act in response to the ecological crisis. http://artsonline.arts.monash.edu.au/fore/

Towards Earth Literacy

A recent addition to the EarthSong library, this delightful small book, Pass it On: Five Stories That Can Change the World, by Joanna Macy and Norbert Gahbler may be of interest to those looking for inspiration and courage in the face of the challenge to participate in the ‘Great Turning’.  Joanna Macy will be familiar to many.  I quote her introductory welcome to readers:  To be alive in this wonderful self-organizing universe, involved in the dance of life with the senses to perceive, with lungs to breathe, with organs that can obtain their nourishment – this is a miracle for which there are no words.  Furthermore, it is an incredible privilege that we have been given human life with a self-reflective consciousness that makes us aware of our own actions and enables us to make decisions.  Now is the time we human beings can decide to consciously and actively participate in this dance of life. (p 1, Parallax Press, Berkeley, 2010)