Earth Day 2009

Today is Earth Day.

As a Neo-Pagan, Earth Day is rather a big deal for me. But, more importantly, what Earth Day symbolizes is much more significant. To me, Earth Day is a reminder to honor this planet on which we live and move and have our beings. Earth Day is a reminder to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Earth Day is a reminder that we have a responsibility to be stewards of this planet.

For me, Earth Day is a time to remember our pact with the land that feeds us, and from which all prosperity flows. In ancient times, the land was represented by sovereignty goddesses, and when a new king was inaugurated, he was married to the goddess of the land. At that time, he made a pact to be true to Her by being a fit king, a king of integrity and honor, a king of generosity and fairness, a king who considered his choices carefully, knowing how they would affect his kingdom.

In our day and age, it is essential that we are sovereign within our own lives, that we take personal responsibility for our own kingdoms, that we act with honor and integrity, with fairness and generosity, and that we consider the consequences of our choices. This includes how we relate to the land and we must start with ourselves.

In my own home, I am very earth-conscious. I watch my energy usage, employing a programmable thermostat to regulate heating and air conditioning. I have a solar hot water system in my home. I have changed all of the lightbulbs in my house to the more energy-efficient kinds. I shade the south side of my house in the summer and open the shades in the winter to let in more natural heat. I am also in the process of planning a greenhouse on the south side of my home so that I can further control temperatures in my home, as well as grow edibles year round in my own yard. I already do grow some edibles – mostly herbs and plants that I use for cooking and medicinal use.

I also have plans to use some of the principles of rainwater harvesting, something that is very beneficial to this dry desert climate. I’ll start with installing an outdoor shower, something simple, yet valuable.

On a grander scale, if we don’t start changing our ways, we will continue to poison our air and our waters, which in turn, does no good for our own bodies. And I won’t even get into consequences of global warming and other catastrophes we have set in motion.

I love this planet. I am ever astounded by the beauty it freely offers all of the time. I experience intense joy at the song of a bird, or the colors of the sky at sunset. I literally worship the changing of the seasons and the gifts that each one brings. And most of all, I am ever appreciative of the abundant generosity that is ever extended to all of us on this planet – all of the food that grows from the soil, or that feeds on that which grows from the soil.

All that nourishes me on all levels is a freely given gift. In the spirit of hospitality, how can I do less than to give back to this wonderful planet by doing my part in whatever way I can to make a difference, to keep Earth beautiful and flourishing for lifetimes to come.