Earth Ritual by PEGI EYERS
Through the lens of shifting baseline syndrome, we take for granted that Turtle Island is divided into grids, and the landscape “norm” is rolling farmland interspersed with woodlands and streams - fecund “green zones” at the corners where property lines meet. GMO crops like wheat, soybeans and corn are grown with ruthless methods of monoculture and industrial machinery, and “livestock” is utterly controlled from birth to the slaughterhouse ride.
And yet the beauty of Earth Community is still a constant, with the perfect blue sky, swirling clouds, wildflowers, towering trees, ancient watersheds, geoforms, and natural species diversity that surrounds the “family farm.” In the summer of 2019, many elements - both “positive” and “negative” - were part of my ritual honoring of the land, and the creation of a “nature found” mandala on the floor of a 100-year-old semi-collapsed barn – the same type found all over the Americas.
The beams that built the barn at Stone Circle Farm are from old-growth pines and hemlocks - a few over 80 feet long - the same trees that covered Turtle Island at the time of contact. In a couple of short centuries the forests have been over-consumed by Empire, and many species are now on the endangered list. And yet it is comforting to know that the predator and prey relationship still reigns supreme, as evidenced by bones found in the outlier pasture where a hapless cow fell to the coyotes - the same pack I hear howling nearby most nights in the darkest hours.
And yet the beauty of Earth Community is still a constant, with the perfect blue sky, swirling clouds, wildflowers, towering trees, ancient watersheds, geoforms, and natural species diversity that surrounds the “family farm.” In the summer of 2019, many elements - both “positive” and “negative” - were part of my ritual honoring of the land, and the creation of a “nature found” mandala on the floor of a 100-year-old semi-collapsed barn – the same type found all over the Americas.
The beams that built the barn at Stone Circle Farm are from old-growth pines and hemlocks - a few over 80 feet long - the same trees that covered Turtle Island at the time of contact. In a couple of short centuries the forests have been over-consumed by Empire, and many species are now on the endangered list. And yet it is comforting to know that the predator and prey relationship still reigns supreme, as evidenced by bones found in the outlier pasture where a hapless cow fell to the coyotes - the same pack I hear howling nearby most nights in the darkest hours.
Earth Mandala ~ Cow Bones, GMO Wheat and Chicory
I have not yet determined if the GMO “franken-wheat” that is so lovely to look at carries an archetypal plant spirit, but I like to think it's possible. And the purple flowers of the chicory touch my heart, as even the tiniest plant subject to the “necessary” colonial practice of “lawn mowing” will still bloom and flower, in an attempt to re-seed and flourish itself.
What this mandala represents for me, is a poignant reminder of the original elements on Turtle Island that continue to co-exist with the Anglo-Colonial overlay. But the overall system is totally unsustainable, built on planned obsolescence, and has morphed into the life-threatening reality of climate disaster and massive change today. What was the purpose of Settler-Colonialism anyway? A couple of decades of happiness and wealth? Living the illusion of a "good life" for a chosen few, before it all collapses into ruin? Just like the poor old barn on the family farm.
What this mandala represents for me, is a poignant reminder of the original elements on Turtle Island that continue to co-exist with the Anglo-Colonial overlay. But the overall system is totally unsustainable, built on planned obsolescence, and has morphed into the life-threatening reality of climate disaster and massive change today. What was the purpose of Settler-Colonialism anyway? A couple of decades of happiness and wealth? Living the illusion of a "good life" for a chosen few, before it all collapses into ruin? Just like the poor old barn on the family farm.
 ANCIENT SPIRIT RISING ~ EARTH RITUAL Earth Art by Pegi Eyers for Land {Culture} Climate Hosted by Youth Passageways |  |
 | Pegi Eyers is the author of "Ancient Spirit Rising: Reclaiming Your Roots & Restoring Earth Community," an award-winning book that explores strategies for intercultural competency, healing our relationships with Turtle Island First Nations, uncolonization, recovering an ecocentric worldview, rewilding, creating a sustainable future and reclaiming peaceful co-existence in Earth Community. Available from Stone Circle Press or Amazon |
