Pagans and the "Environment"
Since no one else seems to be talking...
I was struck by a comment Ed made during the Parliament, to the effect that we Pagans weren't represented on the "Environment" panels (correct me if I'm wrong, Ed).
It set me to wondering how we could work towards a general awareness of Pagans as 'environmentally' conscious and earth-friendly. That thought then led me to wonder how we could be perceived as the 'go-to' guys for dealing with 'environmental' and earth-friendly issues.
The first idea that came to mind was to make use of skills and interests already (to my understanding) widespread in the Pagan culture, such as:
~ herbology
~ sustainable lifestyles
~ urban gardening
...and so on.
So, I ask you:
~ Do you agree that we Pagans (and yes, I do understand that is a VERY diverse group) would be a good fit for such a role?
~ Would that kind of role work to our benefit?
~ Do you have any ideas or comments on how to gradually create such a role/perception?
Meical abAwen
I was struck by a comment Ed made during the Parliament, to the effect that we Pagans weren't represented on the "Environment" panels (correct me if I'm wrong, Ed).
It set me to wondering how we could work towards a general awareness of Pagans as 'environmentally' conscious and earth-friendly. That thought then led me to wonder how we could be perceived as the 'go-to' guys for dealing with 'environmental' and earth-friendly issues.
The first idea that came to mind was to make use of skills and interests already (to my understanding) widespread in the Pagan culture, such as:
~ herbology
~ sustainable lifestyles
~ urban gardening
...and so on.
So, I ask you:
~ Do you agree that we Pagans (and yes, I do understand that is a VERY diverse group) would be a good fit for such a role?
~ Would that kind of role work to our benefit?
~ Do you have any ideas or comments on how to gradually create such a role/perception?
Meical abAwen
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Meical abAwen on
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This article from The Wild Hunt is interesting... http://wildhunt.org/blog/2009/12/just-how-pagan-is-copenhagen.html
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Permalink Reply by Geoffrey D. Stewart on -
Meical,
Way to get the ball rolling here!
I need much more sleep before I actually discuss anything, but your post "pinged" a memory of episode 15 of T. Thorn Coyle's podcast Elemental Castings where she has a fascinating discussion that touches upon Paganism and ecology and sustainable living and community with John Michael Greer of the ADOA.
http://www.thorncoyle.com/podcasts/ElementalCastings_15_EARTH_05010...
I would recommend it to anyone interested in this topic area check it out.
Peace,
Pax -
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By the way, I put ' ' marks around 'environmental' and use the term earth-friendly to differentiate what appear to me to be two entirely different approaches.
'Environmental' is the politically-correct approach :gags: It reeks of politics.
Earth Friendly may be more honest. It acknowledges the importance of the earth, but does not prance and posture.
I have advanced degrees in Earth Science and 30 years experience as an environmental scientist. I am NOT a tree-hugger. What I am is someone who knows how to fix the mistakes we make, and how to avoid making them. -
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Geoff
just listened to it. some good stuff there, about 2/3 of the way through.
gave me some more ideas, but i wonder if anyone else here has anything to say?
Meical
Geoffrey D. Stewart said:Meical,
Way to get the ball rolling here!
I need much more sleep before I actually discuss anything, but your post "pinged" a memory of episode 15 of T. Thorn Coyle's podcast Elemental Castings where she has a fascinating discussion that touches upon Paganism and ecology and sustainable living and community with John Michael Greer of the ADOA.
http://www.thorncoyle.com/podcasts/ElementalCastings_15_EARTH_05010...
I would recommend it to anyone interested in this topic area check it out.
Peace,
Pax -
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Permalink Reply by Olivia Watts on -
Hello all,
as a trained Medical Herbalist who has continued with herbology in her magical workings, I have to say this is an excellent initiative. One practical application of our 'Earth-consciousness' is that we as herbalists are only too well aware of the marvellous diversity of uncatalogued and uninvestigated plant (and animal) species being lost to us through deforestation, salination, global warming, pollution and direct interference my man. I believe we can - and should - be vocal in bringing these concerns and possible remedies to the world.
Blessings always .......... Livvi -
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Permalink Reply by Ed Hubbard on
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According to Phyllis Curott, yes no Pagans were asked to be part of the enviromental panels. So yes You are correct.
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So...
How about we create an 'Order' of Pagan (Wiccan?) Master Gardeners, each of whom must demonstrate an initiative that meets the following conditions:
1) know ~ demonstrate by 3rd party certification or personal gardening demonstration
2) educate ~ the public by demonstration and lectures, preferably hands-on workshops
3) create ~ a publicly viewable and seasonally sustainable food/herb garden within an approximately 100 square-foot space that otherwise would not be used for this purpose, and/or the use of locally viable herbs in enhancing a sustainable lifestyle
4) acknowledge ~ to the public, by verbal or written reference, the contribution of pagan community to the garden and/or workshops. This does NOT mean that we proselytize. It could be as simple as a Pentacle symbol
In the podcast noted above ( http://www.thorncoyle.com/podcasts/ElementalCastings_15_EARTH_05010... ), the mention is made that in Baltimore it is not a good idea to grow crops in the urban soils due to the high concentrations of lead. However, a Pagan Master Gardener could grow them in pots, or as solar-powered hydroponics.
In Texas there are groups of Master Gardeners and an ag-extension program to train them. See http://tinyurl.com/yaxs5xu and http://tinyurl.com/yd7prhg . There's no reason why Pagans couldn't legally access these services, although I suppose other barriers would still exist.
Why an 'Order'?
To present a unified competent front to the public. The intent would be to 1) create a favorable public consciousness and 2) to more easily defend ourselves from the hate-mongers.
Ideas? Comments? -
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And it doesn't have to be boring and muddy... http://farmfountain.com/index.html
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Permalink Reply by Mystic Tourist on -
I should think that Paganism and earth-husbandry go hand in hand. Certainly environment, and more importantly, sustainability, are ripe fruit. If we are not taking care of our home we are not taking care of ourselves.
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Permalink Reply by Mystic Tourist on
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I do not consider myself an environmentalist. I think it is a movement that is often misguided. I prefer to consider myself a conservationist. If we do not do that the environment will rid itself of us. Conservation is always respectful of the environment and it is easy to practice everyday.
Meical abAwen said:By the way, I put ' ' marks around 'environmental' and use the term earth-friendly to differentiate what appear to me to be two entirely different approaches.
'Environmental' is the politically-correct approach :gags: It reeks of politics.
Earth Friendly may be more honest. It acknowledges the importance of the earth, but does not prance and posture.
I have advanced degrees in Earth Science and 30 years experience as an environmental scientist. I am NOT a tree-hugger. What I am is someone who knows how to fix the mistakes we make, and how to avoid making them. -
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At Mabon i will found the Dun Alt social order. It will incorporate actions such as the one I proposed above:
>>How about we create an 'Order' of Pagan (Wiccan?) Master Gardeners, each of whom must demonstrate an initiative that meets the following conditions:
1) know ~ demonstrate by 3rd party certification or personal gardening demonstration
2) educate ~ the public by demonstration and lectures, preferably hands-on workshops
3) create ~ a publicly viewable and seasonally sustainable food/herb garden within an approximately 100 square-foot space that otherwise would not be used for this purpose, and/or the use of locally viable herbs in enhancing a sustainable lifestyle
4) acknowledge ~ to the public, by verbal or written reference, the contribution of pagan community to the garden and/or workshops. This does NOT mean that we proselytize. It could be as simple as a Pentacle symbol
You can learn more at www.dunalt.org. If you are interested in seeing what we do, email me at meicalabawen@gmail.com and I will give you access to our founding documents so that you can make your own determination of our validity, focus, etc.
Time to get off our butts and do something. -
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Permalink Reply by Grigori Rho Gharveyn on -
Blessed be brother Meical,
We think these are all worthy goals for any community, and that if people who perceive themselves as Pagans seem to exemplify these virtues, it may be because we do not know other people's ideals, or how their fatihs support their ideals as well as we should to benefit from their experience.
We think no one may take the lead, but each of us may take our lead by observing others, by acting in balance together.
We are all in favor of exploring how to solve the problems which may lead to a nearly complete collapse of our terrestrial and aqueous biospheres. Insects and jellyfish may be the highest lifeforms to survive, they may become our only legacy if we cannot work together to preserve our biodiversity and to achieve a sustainable resource management infrastructure.
Namaste
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