Urban life can seem awfully sterile with little greenery and/or abandoned lots. Often residents have no opportunity to connect with plants by actually growing them. (A must have experience for all children, in my opinion.) It looks like some city dwellers are tired of having just house plants or a few potted plants at windows; urban gardening, including edible foods farming, is becoming a movement. Here's a snapshot of what is happening. Continue reading →
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust? Not in the 'modern' burial. Since the introduction of embalming (say since the US Civil War) bodies are no longer reunited with the earth. (Having heard the report from a family member present at the relocation of a decades deceased relative- embalmed corpses do not naturally biodegrade. Sorry- it has to be said.)
Each year tons of resources are wasted in burials (hardwood or metal coffins, concrete vaults), and pollution released (formaldhyde from embalming, cremation air releases, and herbicide/pesticide maintenance of cemeteries ). The long-term and personal costs are staggering.
A while back a friend asked about alternatives to the modern wasteful and impersonal burial; luckily now there are choices. The Eco or Green burial movement aims to stop the waste and pollution caused by conventional burial methods, while also preserving nature areas. People from many differing faiths or perspectives are now turning to green burials. So if you want a tree planted to grow at your natural burial site- like me- you have options. Continue reading →
Even in the hardest part of winter the signs of spring approach- tree buds start to swell, and daylight is noticeably longer. Celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere around February 1st as Imbolc (the Feast of Brigit), Oimelc (ewes' milk), Candlemas (Feb. 2nd), St. Brigid's Day, or Groundhog Day, we know that the promise of new growth awaits.
'Brigit, excellent woman, sudden flame,
may the bright fiery sun take us to the lasting kingdom.' Carmina Gadelica
For me and others the answer is- nature is sacred! We've found that a reverence for nature and respect for this world is vital, whether expressed simply as ‘Nature is good’, in a solo spiritual practice, or as part of a formal religious tradition. So spirit, science, and our interactions with nature are delved into on this site. Enjoy your time here, and may green blessings be yours!